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In the world of football, the European Super League has announced a new format for the tournament which will involve a total of 64 clubs in three-tiers. Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist Bajrang Punia announced that he will return his Padma Shri in protest over WFI chief elections. Paula Badosa and Aryna Sabalenka recently showed off their salsa moves on the court before they locked horns with Mirra Andreeva and Sofia Kenin.
Check out major headlines of the sporting world in today's sports wrap.
Football
European Super League set to have 64 clubs in three-tiers
After the European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruling stopped UEFA and FIFA from blocking the breakaway football tournament, the new format of the European Super League (ESL) was announced by the Sports development company A22. The competition is set to have three tiers consisting of the Star League and the Gold League with 16 clubs each, while the Blue League will have 32 clubs.
Lucas Vazquez scores stoppage-time winner to take Real Madrid to top of La Liga table
The 10-man Real Madrid defeated Alaves by 1-0 in La Liga at the Mendizorrotza Stadium after a stoppage-time winner from Lucas Vazquez, with the assist going to Toni Kroos. Earlier in the day, Girona played out a 1-1 draw against Real Betis at the Estadio Benito Villamarin, which meant that the Spanish giants jumped to the top of the table in La Liga on goal difference.
Manchester United ownership saga to get resolved before Christmas: Reports
Sir Jim Ratcliffe of the Ineos Group could reportedly get the deal Manchester United agreed upon, to purchase 25 per cent of the club for £1.25 billion before Christmas. As per the BBC Sport report, “there has been fresh impetus around negotiations this week” in regards to the ownership sage of the English giants, and once the deal is agreed upon both the parties, then there “will be followed by a six-to-eight week period for the purchase to be signed off by the Premier League.”
Manchester City enter talks with Juventus for Kalvin Phillips: Reports
As per the ESPN sources, Manchester City have reportedly entered talks with Juventus over a deal in the January transfer window for their midfielder Kalvin Phillips. The 28-year-old is keen to have regular first-team football at the current stage of his footballing career, for which he is willing to leave Manchester City just 18 months after signing with them from Leeds United.
Some major results in football are as under:
Premier League 2023-24
Crystal Palace 1-1 Brighton
La Liga 2023-24
Cadiz 0-0 Real Sociedad
Real Betis 1-1 Girona
Alaves 0-1 Real Madrid
Saudi Pro League 2023-24
Al-Khaleej 3-0 Al-Fahya
Al-Hilal 7-0 Abha
Boxing
"Will We Send Daughters To Stadium?: Vijender Singh after Sanjay Singh wins WFI polls
India’s first boxer to win an Olympic gold medal, Vijender Singh reacted to Sakshi Malik’s after Brij Bhushan’s close aide won the WFI elections. Vijender Singh said, "Being a player, I can understand her pain. The only female medallist in wrestling demanded justice but she did not get it. Pained by this, she retired. The image of India in the whole world would increase or decrease? The whole sports industry is disappointed. They blame that there is discrimination between boys and girls in Haryana and there are fewer girls. After this, would the parents send their daughters to the stadium?"
Chess
Gukesh wins Chennai Grand Masters 2023; Arjun stood second and Harikrishna third
D Gukesh drew his final round game against Pentala Harikrishna and Arjun Erigaisi defeated Sanan Sjugirov (HUN). The matches saw Gukesh and Arjun ending up with the same score of 4.5/7. Gukesh was declared the winner of Chennai Grand Masters 2023 on tie-breaks and Erigaisi stood second. Pavel Eljanov (UKR) drew against Levon Aronian (USA) and hence, Harikrishna as well as Eljanov finished with 4/7 each. The final standings were decided on tie-breaks. The top three prizes were - INR 15 lakh, INR 10 lakh, and INR 8 lakh along with a trophy each respectively.
Wrestling
Bajrang Punia returns his Padma Shri; keeps his medal on footpath in front of PM's residence
Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist Bajrang Punia announced that he will return his Padma Shri in protest over WFI chief elections. The wrestler wrote a letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi announcing his decision. Punia kept his medal on the footpath in front of the official PM's residence as a mark of protest. The 2022 Commonwealth Games medalist’s decision came after former WFI Chief Brij Bhushan’s close aide Sanjay Singh won the wrestling body’s polls on December 21, Thursday. After Sanjay Singh won the WFI polls, the 2016 Olympics medalist Sakshi Malik announced her retirement from the sport on December 21, Thursday. The wrestlers conducted a press conference, where Malik made a symbolic protest by keeping her wrestling boots on the table. She said that she wouldn’t compete under the presidency of Brij Bhushan’s loyalist.
Tennis
Sabalenka and Badosa show off salsa moves on court ahead of Andreeva and Kenin's clash
Paula Badosa and Aryna Sabalenka recently showed off their salsa moves on the court before they locked horns with Mirra Andreeva and Sofia Kenin on Thursday, December 21, in the 2023 World Tennis League. The duo are part of Team Kites and they went on to win the match in straight sets, 6-3, 6-3, and extend their lead in the standings. Their team has been performing brilliantly, as they lead the standings with 27 points, followed by Team Falcons with 27 points and Team Hawks with 24 points. Both the players have been the star performers for their team, and have won all their singles, doubles, and mixed-doubles matches so far.
You pass this test: Novak Djokovic after Boban Marjanovic attempts former’s flexibility challenge
Novak Djokovic approved NBA player Boban Marjanovic’s attempt at Djokovic’s flexibility challenge. The Serb recently appeared on the CBS program 60 Minutes for an interview. It featured a clip of his warm-up and shared a particular stretching routine. The 24 Grand Slam winner also challenged his fans and fellow players to attempt the same. Marjanovic tried his hands at it and asked for Djokovic’s approval. The tennis icon seemed delighted at the NBA player’s attempt and said, "Idemo borate (Let's go brother you pass this test.)”
