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German club Mainz terminates Anwar El Ghazi’s contract over social media posts on Israel-Hamas war

German Bundesliga club Mainz sacked footballer Anwar El Ghazi on November 3, 2023, hours after German prosecutors opened an investigation over his social media posts on the Israel-Hamas war. (AFP)
German Bundesliga club Mainz sacked footballer Anwar El Ghazi on November 3, 2023, hours after German prosecutors opened an investigation over his social media posts on the Israel-Hamas war. (AFP)
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Updated 03 November 2023
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German club Mainz terminates Anwar El Ghazi’s contract over social media posts on Israel-Hamas war

German club Mainz terminates Anwar El Ghazi’s contract over social media posts on Israel-Hamas war
  • Mainz originally suspended El Ghazi on Oct. 17, saying he had posted and then deleted a message about the war that the club deemed “unacceptable”
Updated 03 November 2023
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MAINZ: German soccer club Mainz terminated the contract of Dutch forward Anwar El Ghazi on Friday following his social media posts about the Israel-Hamas war.
The announcement by Mainz came two days after El Ghazi disputed the club’s version of events when it lifted an earlier suspension. German news agency dpa reported Friday that prosecutors in the city of Koblenz were also investigating.
Mainz originally suspended El Ghazi on Oct. 17, saying he had posted and then deleted a message about the war that the club deemed “unacceptable.”
On Monday, the club said his suspension was lifted and that he would receive a reprimand. Mainz said that followed talks with the management and that El Ghazi “regrets publishing the post and also was remorseful about its negative impact.” The club added that the player “also stated that he does not question Israel’s right to exist.”
However, in a further social media post on Wednesday, El Ghazi indicated that the club had issued its statement without his permission.
“I do not regret or have any remorse for my position,” the player wrote. “I do not distance myself from what I said and I stand, today and always until my last breath, for humanity and the oppressed.”
The 28-year-old El Ghazi, who previously played for PSV Eindhoven, Aston Villa and Everton, joined Mainz as a free agent in September. He made three appearances as a substitute for the team, which is last in the German league.
In response to Mainz saying that his contract was terminated Friday, El Ghazi posted: “The loss of my livelihood is nothing when compared to the hell being unleashed on the innocent and vulnerable in Gaza.”

Topics: War on Gaza Israel Palestine Germany football soccer Mainz

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Alex Morgan says goodbye with final match after an illustrious 15-year career

Alex Morgan says goodbye with final match after an illustrious 15-year career
Updated 8 sec ago
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Alex Morgan says goodbye with final match after an illustrious 15-year career

Alex Morgan says goodbye with final match after an illustrious 15-year career
  • She started and wore the captain’s armband for the San Diego Wave in her final match, playing for the first 13 minutes against the North Carolina Courage before subbing out of the game to an ovation
  • Morgan’s US national team career was full of accomplishments, including World Cup titles in 2015 and 2019, and an Olympic Gold medal in 2012
  • A young fan at the game held a sign that said ‘Thank you Alex for all of your hard work for women’s sports’
Updated 8 sec ago
AP

SAN DIEGO: Fighting tears, Alex Morgan waved to the crowd and walked off the field for the last time on Sunday as she capped an impactful 15-year career.

The two-time Women’s World Cup winner announced on Thursday she was pregnant with her second child and retiring from the game.

She started and wore the captain’s armband for the San Diego Wave in her final match, playing for the first 13 minutes against the North Carolina Courage before subbing out of the game to an ovation at San Diego’s Snapdragon Stadium.

“What a ride it’s been,” Morgan told the crowd after the match.

It was her 63rd appearance for the Wave, commemorated by a No. 63 jersey given to Morgan in a pregame ceremony. Overall, it was her 150th career appearance in National Women’s Soccer League play.

Before the match, the video scoreboard board showed snippets of Morgan’s retirement video, along with highlights from her career. Her 4-year-old daughter, Charlie, accompanied her on the field. She had more than 95 family members and friends at the game.

The Wave’s starters posed for a photo imitating Morgan’s iconic ‘tea sipping’ celebration, a homage to her iconic response to her go-ahead goal to beat England in the semifinals of the 2019 World Cup in France.

Morgan’s US national team career was full of accomplishments, including World Cup titles in 2015 and 2019, and an Olympic Gold medal in 2012. In club play, Morgan played for the NWSL champion Portland Thorns in the league’s first year and helped the Wave win the Shield in 2023.

Morgan played in 224 matches for the US national team, with 123 goals (fifth on the career list) and 53 assists (ninth). She was named the US Soccer Player of the Year in 2012 and 2018.

When she subbed off, she fought back tears as she removed her cleats at midfield. During the substitution, a tifo in the supporter’s section read “For Country, Club, Community.”

Despite the nearly 100-degree heat, a crowd of 26,516 fans filled Snapdragon for Morgan’s farewell match. Among them was San Diego Padres right-hander Joe Musgrove, who went to the match straight from his start against the San Francisco Giants.

“Twelve thousand tickets were sold in one day when she announced that this was going to be her last game” NWSL Commissioner Jessica Berman said, “That’s the power of Alex Morgan.”

Wave fan Amber Brunner attended the match with her family, saying “My girls fell in love with soccer because of her.”

Off the pitch, Morgan advanced women’s soccer in her fight for equal pay with the men’s national team. The US women filed a lawsuit in 2019 that led to a historic agreement in 2022 that paid both the men and women equitably.

A young fan at the game held a sign that said “Thank you Alex for all of your hard work for women’s sports.”

Topics: sport

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Roglic wins ‘crazy’ record-equalling fourth Vuelta

Roglic wins ‘crazy’ record-equalling fourth Vuelta
Updated 09 September 2024
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Roglic wins ‘crazy’ record-equalling fourth Vuelta

Roglic wins ‘crazy’ record-equalling fourth Vuelta
  • The Slovenian wrapped up his fifth-career Grand Tour when he finished second in the closing time-trial on the streets of Madrid won by Stefan Kung
  • His success completed Slovenia’s domination of the 2024 Grand Tours, with his countryman Tadej Pogacar winning the Giro d’Italia and Tour de France
Updated 09 September 2024
AP

MADRID: Primoz Roglic won the Vuelta a España for a record-equalling fourth time on Sunday, the perfect pick-me-up after crashing out of the Tour de France.

The Slovenian wrapped up his fifth-career Grand Tour when he finished second in the closing time-trial on the streets of Madrid won by Stefan Kung.

“It’s crazy — already four, I just want to enjoy it” he said before hugging his wife Lora and children.

Australia’s Ben O’Connor finished runner-up overall with Spain’s Enric Mas completing the podium.

With the sun setting on the streets of the Spanish capital Roglic, 34, drew level with Spaniard Roberto Heras for number of wins in the season’s third and closing Grand Tour.

Roglic finished the race 2min 36sec up on O’Connor, with Mas (Movistar) third at 3:13.

After 81 hours, 49 minutes and 18 seconds in the saddle an exhausted but happy Roglic said: “This is nice! The more you go to an end, you just want to finish it off.

“There’s a lot of sacrificing, not only by me, but also my family, everyone around me. We all live for it. I just feel happy I can do it.

“I really appreciate all the support from the people around me.”

Roglic, riding for Red Bull-Bora-hansgrohe team, had to fight for the red jersey after a gruelling race that began three weeks ago in Portugal and featured some of the toughest climbs the sport has to offer.

He won stage four to take the overall lead but then O’Connor (Decathlon AG2R La Mondiale team) burst to the top of the general classification by almost five minutes.

Roglic slowly chipped away at the Australian’s massive cushion with a bunch of strong mountain place finishes.

He reclaimed the leader’s red jersey after his third win on stage 19.

This Vuelta triumph went a long way to making up for the disappointment of his Tour de France-ending crash before stage 13.

His success completed Slovenia’s domination of the 2024 Grand Tours, with his countryman Tadej Pogacar winning the Giro d’Italia and Tour de France.

“Incredible” observed Roglic of his country’s success.

While he may not have won, O’Connor was jubilant over his breakthrough first ever Grand Tour podium.

“I wasn’t expecting this, I expected to be good but not second overall. This calls for a pretty big celebration!” said the 28-year-old Aussie, who wore the red jersey for 13 stages.

Kung took the final day honors for his first Grand Tour stage win at the last throw of the dice in his 12th appearance in either the Giro, Tour or Vuelta.

“It’s been a long time in the making” the Swiss time trial expert said.

“It’s always nice if you win with more than half a minute,” added Kung, who completed the 24km 21st stage 31sec faster than Roglic.

“It shows that you were the best, there was no coincidence.”

One of the big names in the peloton who failed to make it to Madrid was Wout Van Aert.

The Belgian star claimed three Vuelta stages to occupy the top of the points (green) and mountain classifications only to suffer a heavy fall which not only ended his race but also his season.

With Van Aert’s race cut short, the mountains and green jersey competitions, went to two Australians — Jay Vine (UAE Team Emirates) and Kaden Groves (Alpecin Deceuninck).

Topics: La Vuelta cycling Primoz Roglic Vuelta a Espana

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Paris Paralympics close with a party after ‘historic summer’

Paris Paralympics close with a party after ‘historic summer’
Updated 09 September 2024
AFP
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Paris Paralympics close with a party after ‘historic summer’

Paris Paralympics close with a party after ‘historic summer’
  • More than 4,400 athletes from 168 Paralympic delegations partied despite persistent rain
  • Estanguet said the closing ceremony marked the end of six weeks of Olympic and Paralympic fervor in the City of Light
Updated 09 September 2024
AFP

PARIS: The Paralympics closed on Sunday with a giant music-fueled party as chief Paris 2024 organizer Tony Estanguet said the Games and the Olympics had created a “historic summer.”

The Paralympic flame and cauldron were extinguished before a concert featuring the best of French electronic music capped off proceedings at a packed Stade de France.

More than 4,400 athletes from 168 Paralympic delegations partied despite persistent rain.

Estanguet said the closing ceremony marked the end of six weeks of Olympic and Paralympic fervor in the City of Light.

The former Olympic gold medal-winning canoeist said that period would remain “etched in people’s memories.”

“This summer, France had a date with history, and the country showed up,” he said.

“This summer when people talked to each other, this summer when France was happy,” said Estanguet, referring to how France had been left deeply divided by snap elections just weeks before the Olympics opened.

The next Paralympics will take place in Los Angeles in 2028.

In the official handover, Paris mayor Anne Hidalgo passed the Paralympic flag to International Paralympic Committee president Andrew Parsons, who gave it to Los Angeles mayor Karen Bass.

Broadway star Ali Stoker then sang the American national anthem before a film was shown of a band performing on a Californian beach as skateboarders and wheelchair athletes performed tricks.

Despite initial fears about ticket sales, the Paralympics took place in mainly full stadiums, benefiting from the feelgood factor from the highly successful Olympics which ended on Aug. 11.

Parsons said the Paris Paralympics had shown that “change starts with sport.”

The level of the sport in Paris, the organization and the gender parity of the competitors had set a “benchmark” for future Paralympics, he said.

The hour-long electronic concert was kicked off by composer Victor Le Masne as LED bracelets worn by the crowd and athletes on the field lit up the stadium.

The 24-artist show with highlights including French synthesizer legend Jean-Michel Jarre, Cassius, Busy P and Kungs was rounded off in style by DJ Martin Solveig, who finished his set with 2010 hit “Hello” and then Daft Punk’s “One More Time.”

China finished top of the medals table in Paris, as they have at every Paralympics since Athens in 2004.

They had 94 golds, followed by Britain with 49 and the USA with 36.

Ukraine’s athletes overcame the formidable obstacles posed by their country’s war with Russia to finish in seventh place with 22 golds and host nation France were eighth with 19 golds.

In amputee track athletes Hunter Woodhall and 19-year-old Ezra Frech, the USA have found charismatic faces who are sure to play a prominent role in the buildup to LA2028.

On the final day of competition, Switzerland won both Paralympic wheelchair marathons while the Netherlands secured back-to-back women’s wheelchair basketball titles, denying the USA.

Early in the morning, Catherine Debrunner propelled her racing wheelchair through the streets of Paris to win the women’s marathon.

The 29-year-old Swiss athlete added to the four gold medals she has already won on the track at these Games, ranging from the 400 meters to the 5,000m.

Marcel Hug, 38, made up for a disappointing Games on the track by dominating the men’s wheelchair marathon, finishing three minutes and 40 seconds ahead of Hua Jin of China.

The Netherlands scored a convincing 63-49 win against the USA to retain the women’s wheelchair basketball title they won at Tokyo 2020.

The Americans must wait until 2028 on home soil before trying to win a title that their men secured for a third Games in a row on Saturday. The USA women’s last title came at the 2016 Rio Games.

Topics: Paris Paralympics

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Yang wins first PGA Tour Champions title in a playoff over Langer. Wallace wins in Switzerland

Yang wins first PGA Tour Champions title in a playoff over Langer. Wallace wins in Switzerland
Updated 09 September 2024
AP
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Yang wins first PGA Tour Champions title in a playoff over Langer. Wallace wins in Switzerland

Yang wins first PGA Tour Champions title in a playoff over Langer. Wallace wins in Switzerland
  • Matt Wallace of England won his first European tour title in six years when he closed with an even-par 70
Updated 09 September 2024
AP

ST. LOUIS: Y.E. Yang forced a playoff with a 6-foot par putt for a 5-under 66 and made a 10-foot birdie putt on the first extra hole against Bernhard Langer to win the Ascension Charity Classic on Sunday for his first PGA Tour Champions title.
The 67-year-old Langer was trying to win for the 18th consecutive season on the 50-and-older circuit and nearly did. He hit a shot out of the rough to 15 feet on the 18th hole at Norwood Hills and made birdie for a 64.
They finished at 13-under 200.
Yang’s par putt sent them to a playoff at 13-under 200.
Missing from the playoff was Stewart Cink, going for his second straight win on the PGA Tour Champions. He had a one-shot lead until a bogey on the 17th hole, where Yang made birdie for a two-shot swing. Cink shot 67 and finished third.
European Tour
Matt Wallace of England won his first European tour title in six years when he closed with an even-par 70 and made an 8-foot birdie putt on the first playoff hole to beat Alfredo Garcia-Heredia in the Omega European Masters.
Garcia-Heredia birdied the 18th hole for a 66 to make up a four-shot deficit against Wallace.
They finished on 11-under 269.
Wallace, who won in the Dominican Republic on the PGA Tour last year to end a five-year drought, picked up his fifth career European tour title.
Andrew “Beef” Johnston had two straight birdies and pulled within one shot until he had to settle for three pars at the end for a 66 to finish alone in third, his best finish in four years.
Other tours
Rasmus Neergaard-Petersen of Denmark earned an instant promotion to the European tour when he won his third Challenge Tour event of the year, closing with an 8-under 64 to rally for a one-shot victory over John Axelsen in the Big Green Egg German Challenge. ... Kensei Hirata won for the second straight week on the Japan Golf Tour, this one over 72 holes, as he closed with a 6-under 66 for a one-shot victory over Travis Smith in the Shinhan Donghae Open. The tournament was tri-sanctioned with the Asian Tour and Korea PGA. Hirata won last week in Japan in a tournament shortened to 36 holes by bad weather. ... Fatima Fernandez Cano of Spain closed with a 5-under 67 for a one-shot victory Ingrid Lindblad of Sweden in the Guardian Championship on the Epson Tour. ... Will Cannon birdied the par-5 18th for a 1-under 69 and a one-shot victory in the Fortinet Cup Championship on the PGA Tour Americas in Canada. ... Rio Takeda held off a late charge from Miyu Yamashita and closed with a 3-under 69 for a one-shot victory in the Sony JLPGA Championship on the Japan LPGA. Yamashita birdied three of her last five holes for a 66. ... Hyunjo Yoo closed with a 3-under 69 for a two-shot victory in the KB Financial Group Star Championship on the Korea LPGA. ... Greig Hutcheon of France rallied with a 64 for a two-shot victory in the Legends Open de France, is first title on the European Legends Tour.

Topics: PGA Tour Champions Y.E. Yang Bernhard Langer Ascension Charity Classic

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Ronaldo scores late winner as a substitute for Portugal as 10-man Spain overpower Switzerland

Ronaldo scores late winner as a substitute for Portugal as 10-man Spain overpower Switzerland
Updated 09 September 2024
AP
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Ronaldo scores late winner as a substitute for Portugal as 10-man Spain overpower Switzerland

Ronaldo scores late winner as a substitute for Portugal as 10-man Spain overpower Switzerland
  • Ronaldo failed to score at all in five games at the recent European Championship, but Portugal coach Robert Martinez has kept faith with the country’s greatest ever player
  • Fabian Ruiz scored twice for Spain in their 4-1 win at Switzerland, with the recently crowned European champions emerging victorious despite playing the majority of the game with only 10 men
Updated 09 September 2024
AP

LONDON: Cristiano Ronaldo is showing just why Portugal are persisting with him at the age of 39.

Make that a record-extending 132 international goals for the five-time world player of the year after Ronaldo came on as a halftime substitute and slotted home an 88th-minute winner for Portugal in their 2-1 victory over Scotland in the Nations League on Sunday.

Minutes earlier, Ronaldo had struck both posts within a matter of seconds. Indeed, he was an ever-present danger in Lisbon, demonstrating he is far from finished as a force in international soccer — especially against the likes of a struggling Scotland.

Ronaldo failed to score at all in five games at the recent European Championship, but Portugal coach Robert Martinez has kept faith with the country’s greatest ever player and is reaping the rewards.

On Thursday, Ronaldo scored his 900th career goal — spanning games for club and country — in a 2-1 win over Croatia.

The quest for 1,000 began three days later and he didn’t disappoint, despite only playing one half.

In stoppage time, a spectator got on the field and attempted to get a selfie with Ronaldo, but was stopped by security. That happened repeatedly at Euro 2024.

Scotland went ahead through Scott McTominay in the seventh minute before an equalizer from the edge of the area by Bruno Fernandes in the 54th.

Enduring Modric

Luka Modric turns 39 on Monday but, like Ronaldo, remains as integral as ever for his country.

The Real Madrid midfielder again demonstrated his enduring quality by clipping home an exquisite free kick from the edge of the box in Croatia’s 1-0 win over Poland.

It was Modric’s 27th goal in 180 appearances for his country, which left him tied with former Spain defender Sergio Ramos as the second highest-capped European players in men’s international soccer — only behind Ronaldo with 214.

Robert Lewandowski, another veteran at age 36, hit the goal frame for Poland, who beat Scotland 3-2 in the first round of Nations League group games on Thursday.

Ruiz shines for Spain

Fabian Ruiz scored twice for Spain in their 4-1 win at Switzerland, with the recently crowned European champions emerging victorious despite playing the majority of the game with only 10 men.

Center back Robin Le Normand was shown a straight red card in the 20th minute for bringing down Breel Embolo as the last man, by which time Spain was leading 2-0 thanks to Joselu’s header from Lamine Yamal’s cross in the fourth minute and Ruiz’s goal in the 13th after Nico Williams’ shot was saved.

Zeki Amdouni pulled a goal back for the Swiss before halftime but substitute Ferran Torres set up Ruiz for his second goal then scored himself to clinch Spain’s first win of its Nations League title defense. The team drew 0-0 at Serbia on Thursday.

Eriksson tribute

Swedish soccer fans paid tribute to one of the country’s most famous coaches — and then celebrated the further blossoming of the team’s new strikeforce.

There was a minute’s silence before Sweden’s home match with Estonia in honor of Sven-Goran Eriksson, who died on Aug. 26 after battling cancer. An image of Eriksson was shown on the big screens in the Strawberry Arena just outside Stockholm.

Sweden won 3-0, with Viktor Gyokeres — with two goals — and Alexander Isak scoring. They also each scored in a 3-1 win in Azerbaijan on Thursday, with the Swedes showing improved form after missing out on qualification for both the World Cup in 2022 and this year’s Euros.

There was another Scandinavian win as Denmark beat Serbia 2-0 thanks to goals by Albert Gronbaek and Yussuf Poulsen.

Topics: Portugal Cristiano Ronaldo

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