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In the footballing world, Liverpool and Egypt forward Mohamed Salah is ruled out for the next three to four weeks as he recovers from his injury suffered in AFCON 2024. The development was confirmed by Reds assistant manager Pepijn Lijnders on Tuesday.
While talking about the Olympics, French police are set to be on high alert for threats along the route of the 2024 Olympic torch relay as per the interior minister. Whereas in F1, The Spanish capital - Madrid has been announced as the host for the Spanish Grand Prix from 2026.
Read below to learn details about these top stories and other happenings in the sporting world in the last 24 h ours.
Football
I feel very ashamed and appalled: Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu on Zion Suzuki facing racial abuse
Japan coach Hajime Moriyasu expressed disappointment after goalkeeper Zion Suzuki was subjected to racial abuse on social media after losing the second Asian Cup group game against Iraq last week. Speaking to the reporters on Tuesday, Moriyasu said, "For our precious player Suzuki, I feel very ashamed and appalled that he was racially discriminated. I will support him in any way possible to make sure he's fully concentrated and focused. I think this can't happen in any case. They should respect human rights, it can't happen in a diverse world. We live in a world where these things may happen but through football, we must bond together."
Udinese fan given life ban for racially abusing AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan
Udinese have announced a lifetime ban for the fan found to have racially abused AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan during their Serie A fixture on January 21, Sunday. The club released a statement and said, "Udinese Calcio has identified the first individual responsible for discriminatory behaviour towards AC Milan player Mike Maignan. This person will face a lifetime ban from attending any Udinese Calcio matches. This ban is effective immediately.” The statement further read, “We believe that such strong measures are necessary to send a clear message that racism has no place in football or society. Udinese Calcio stands firmly against any form of discrimination, and we are determined to create an inclusive and respectful environment within our football community.”
He will return to play in three to four weeks: Pepijn Lijnders on Mohamed Salah's injury
Liverpool and Egypt forward Mohamed Salah is ruled out for the next three to four weeks as he recovers from his injury suffered in AFCON 2024. The development was confirmed by Reds assistant manager Pepijn Lijnders on Tuesday. Salah will travel to England for treatment after sustaining a hamstring injury during the 2-2 draw with Ghana. Lijnders said, "It's a proper tear in his hamstring so it's expected (he will) return to play in three to four weeks if everything goes smooth and everything goes right. It will go smooth and it will go right because of how we've treated his body before."
Check out some of the major footballing results here:
AFC Asian Cup
Group B
Australia 1 - 1 Uzbekistan
Syria 1 - 0 India
Africa Cup of Nations
Group B
Cabo Verde 2 - 2 Egypt
Mozambique 2 - 2 Ghana
Italian Super Cup
Napoli 0 - 1 Inter Milan
Olympics
French police on high alert for 2024 Olympic torch relay
French police are set to be on high alert for threats along the route of the 2024 Olympic torch relay as per the interior minister. The torchbearers will be protected by about 100 officers in a security bubble where anti-drone measures are in place. The Olympic flame will arrive in Marseille from Greece on May 8, with up to 150,000 people expected to attend the ceremony in the southern city's Old Port before the French leg.
Formula One
Spanish Grand Prix to move from Barcelona to Madrid in 2026
The Spanish capital - Madrid has been announced as the host for the Spanish Grand Prix from 2026. Formula One confirmed the development after signing a new long-term deal with IFEMA MADRID to create an all-new circuit in the Spanish capital. The new track is set to incorporate both street and non-street sections.
Tennis
Rafael Nadal to return at Qatar Open in February 2024
Rafael Nadal returned to competitive tennis last year at the Brisbane International, just ahead of the Australian Open 2024. But his return to professional tennis was cut short after he incurred a “micro tear” on his hip muscle, forcing him to withdraw from the Australian Open 2024. However, days after his injury, the Spaniard is all set to make his return at the ATP 250 event in Doha in February 2024. The 37-year-old has been named in the entry list of the 2024 Qatar Open, which is scheduled to kickstart from February 19 in Doha.
Coco Gauff reacts to her mother catching a ball during Australian Open 2024
Coco Gauff reacted to her mother's catch during her quarterfinal match against Marta Kostyuk at the Australian Open 2024. Gauff registered a 7-6(6), 6-7(3), 6-2 win in a game that lasted for 3 hours and 8 minutes to earn a semifinal spot at the Melbourne Major. During the match, Gauff’s mother Candi Gauff caught the ball and held it up with one hand. She then laughed and punched her hand in the air to celebrate the moment. Gauff shared the video from the game on her social media and reacted to her reflexes. Gauff reported the video with ‘Lol’.
My relationship with younger players is much better: Novak Djokovic
Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic revealed that his relationship with younger players like Carlos Alcaraz, Daniil Medvedev and Jannik SInner is better than the one he shared with Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer. The 24-time Grand Slam winner said, "I am really enjoying the rivalries I have with all those guys. Alcaraz, Medvedev, Sinner, everybody near the top I get along with quite nicely. If I were to compare my relationship with them to the one I had with Federer and Nadal, the relationship with my younger fellow players is much better, nicer. I enjoy it.”
Novak Djokovic is clearly not well: Paul McNamee on Novak Djokovic’s physical health
Paul McNamee raised concerns about Novak Djokovic's physical condition at the 2024 Australian Open. His comments came after Djokovic’s team’s reaction in the fourth-round match in Melbourne. McNamee said, "In all my time, I’ve never seen a player box so concerned at 5 love up first set than Goran & co in Djokovic’s box. … he’s clearly not well. …what mental fortitude to be able to push through it, but there will be limits.”
