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The footballing world was in for an exciting Champions League night with Premier League giants Manchester United crashing out of the tournament. At the same time, Arsenal continued their surge forward by topping Group B. Moving out of European football, legends Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi are set to lock horns in a pre-season friendly in early 2024. In other sports, PGA golfers released a letter demanding clarity about the deal with LIV golf. While the Japanese Rugby announced Aussie great Eddie Jones as their head coach.
Football:
Police arrest Ankaragucu president for attacking referee
The president of Ankaragucu, Faruk Koca, was arrested on Tuesday for assaulting a referee at the end of a match against Rizespor. He also threatened to kill the official, who revealed this to the local police. The arrests were made after a violent incident after the Rizespor vs Ankaragucu where Referee Halil Umut Meler was kicked while lying on the pitch. During this incident, Koca also threatened him and other officials as per the state-owned Anadolu news agency.
Messi and Ronaldo to face each other in Riyadh Season Cup 2024
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo will be going head-to-head as Inter Miami will take on Al-Nassr as part of two preseason games in Saudi Arabia early next year. These games will be played under the Riyadh Season Cup, a three-team round-robin tournament, which will be part of the team's first international tour including destinations like El Salvador and Hong Kong. Talking about this match, Inter Miami chief business officer Xavier Asensi said: "We are excited to connect with new supporters in Saudi Arabia, and also hope people all over the world will be tuning in to see a pair of dream matches like these."
I don't know right now: Pep Guardiola addresses Haaland’s injury
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has shared a major injury update on prolific forward Erling Haaland. The Norwegian number nine was injured in the 2-1 win against Luton Town in the Premier League and feared to be out for significant time. Talking about Haaland, Guardiola said, "He will be back on Thursday, day after tomorrow, and we see how he feels. I cannot answer (if he will play on Saturday), I don't know right now. (In) The next press conference I can be more precise about his condition.”
Chelsea confirms Reece James’ second hamstring injury in last four months
Chelsea's England defender Reece James has been ruled with another hamstring injury in Sunday's 2-0 defeat at Everton. This is James’ second hamstring injury in the last four months after getting injured in the Premier League game against Liverpool. Media reports reveal right-back this time could be out of action for the next three months. The statement released by Chelsea said: "Reece will now begin his rehabilitation programme at Cobham (training ground)."
Major Football results:
Champions League:
Lens 2 - 1 Sevilla
PSV Eindhoven 1 - 1 Arsenal
FC København 1 - 0 Galatasaray
Inter 0 - 0 Real Sociedad
Manchester United 0 - 1 Bayern München
Salzburg 1 - 3 Benfica
SSC Napoli 2 - 0 Braga
Union Berlin 2 - 3 Real Madrid
Golf
Golfers demand clarity about future of PGA - LIV deal
PGA Tour Golfers have demanded more information about the organisation's capital tie-ups with LIV. The golfers feel they had been "kept entirely in the dark" about the PGA's future. "The Board has recently received multiple bids by prospective capital partners that will potentially transform how the PGA Tour operates, who controls it, and who owns it," attorney Jacob Buchdahl wrote.
Rugby
Eddie Jones to head coach Japan Rugby Football Union
The Japan Rugby Football Union have named Eddie Jones as its new head coach after weeks of speculation regarding the Australian's re-appointment as he returned to this post after 2015. Jones will start his head coaching duties on January 1. The Aussie international resigned as the Australian head coach after the country’s worst Rugby World Cup campaign with losses to Fiji and Wales in October 2023.
NBA
Dallas Mavericks 127- 125 Los Angeles Lakers
Boston Celtics 120 - 113 Cleveland Cavaliers
Chicago Bulls 106 - 114 Denver Nuggets
Phoenix Suns 119 - 116 Golden State Warriors
Los Angeles Clippers 119 - 99 Sacramento Kings
