Credit: X
The Wrestling Federation of India said that it will challenge the Union Minister Anurag Thakur-led Sports Ministry to suspend the newly-elected body. The Indian Super League side Mohun Bagan Super Giant parted ways with its head coach Juan Ferrando after a series of poor results in the 2023-24 season.
Check out major happenings of the sporting world in the past 24 hours:
Wrestling
WFI to challenge the suspension of newly-elected body; labels it violation of National Sports Code
The Wrestling Federation of India said that it will challenge the Union Minister Anurag Thakur-led Sports Ministry to suspend the newly-elected body. WFI President Sanjay Singh told PTI, "We need a properly functioning Federation. We are taking the matter to the court next week. This suspension is not acceptable to us because we were elected democratically. We have also called the executive committee meeting on January 16.” The Indian government suspended the newly elected body on December 24, three days after its polls and Sanjay Singh won the elections.
The Rock shares heartfelt post after WWE return
Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson shared a heartfelt post after making a shocking return to the WWE universe on the first day of the first RAW of 2024. The WWE confirmed the same at the beginning of the show. Former WWE Champion Jinder Mahal was the first one to walk out, and The Rock made a surprising entry for his fans as he interrupted the former WWE star when he was crticising the USA. A day after his return, the 51-year-old took to X (formerly Twitter) to share a heartfelt post. He tweeted, “It all hits differently. The theme, the crowd, the connection, the reaction, the electricity, the chills. Helluva way to bring in 2024. Grateful, blessed & inspired to forever be, the People’s Champ.”
Football
Youcef Atal receives given eight-month suspended prison sentence for Israel Hamas post
Algerian footballer Youcef Atal received an eight-month suspended prison sentence along with a USD 49,000 penalty. Atal has been handed the penalty by a court in Nice for posting a social media post regarding the Israel-Hamas conflict. As per the court, the social media post incited hatred on the grounds of religion. The 27-year-old, who has been with the French team Nice since 2008, was suspended by the Ligue 1 club in October 2023, after he post he made on social media. The young defender is suspended by his club Nice, ‘until further notice’. Atal has been selected in the Algeria squad for the Africa Cup of Nations.
Mohun Bagan part ways with Juan Ferrando; Antonio Habas replaces him as interim coach
The Indian Super League side Mohun Bagan Super Giant parted ways with its head coach Juan Ferrando after a series of poor results in the 2023-24 season. Ferrando had led the side to an ISL title in the 2022–2023 season, as well as helped the team for their record 17th Durand Cup win this season. The Mohun Bagan management decided after the team failed to deliver notable performances as well as were eliminated from the AFC Cup in the early stage of the tournament. Ferrando has been replaced by the former manager and current technical director Antonio Lopez Habas.
Tiago Pinto to leave Roma after January window: Reports
Roma General Manager Tiago Pinto will reportedly leave the club after the January window. Pinto is nearing the end of his contract with the Giallorossi, three years after he joined the club in January 2021. As per the reports by Corriere dello Sport, Roma President Dan Friedkin has decided to not renew Pinto’s contract for the upcoming tenure. Hence, Roma CEO Lina Souloukou will handle the task of securing a replacement for the club. The reports further suggest that Pinto will bid adieu to the club after the end of the January window.
Cristiano Ronaldo Enters ‘Billionaires Island’ in Dubai: Reports
Al-Nassr captain Cristiano Ronaldo has reportedly entered the ‘Billionaires Island’ in Dubai and purchased a lavish mansion there. Dubai’s Palm Jumeirah, better known as Billionaires Island, is home to the world’s uber-rich personalities. As per reports by ‘Emaratalyoum,’ Bloomberg, the Portugal international bought a palatial mansion in Jumeirah Bay. The reports further state that Ronaldo’s new abode is expanded to 30,000 square feet, and consists of six bedrooms, a parking lot that can accommodate seven cars at a time, a rooftop swimming pool, and a lot more.
Cristiano Ronaldo clinches Maradona Award for Best Goalscorer
Football icon Cristiano Ronaldo clinched the Maradona Award for the Best Goalscorer ahead of the Dubai Globe Soccer Awards 2023, organised in collaboration with Dubai Sports Council and presented by Nakheel. Ronaldo netted 54 goals in 59 games, marking his best calendar year since 2017 when he scored 53 goals for Real Madrid. With this, the Al-Nassr captain cemented his place as the best footballers in 2023 ahead of Paris Saint-Germain’s Kylian Mbappe (52 goals in 53 games) and Bayern Munich’s Harry Kane (52 in 57 games).
Major Football Results
Morocco- Botola Pro
- Ittihad Tanger 1-1 Renaissance Club Zemamra
- MAS Fes 2-1 Chabab Mohammedia
Greece Super League
- Panathinaikos 2-0 PAS Giannina
Australia- A-League Men
- Adelaide United 2-2 Wellington Phoenix
Tennis
Aryna Sabalenka defeats Lucia Bronzetti to sail to Brisbane International Round of 16
World no.2 Aryna Sabalenka registered a win over Lucia Bronzetti from Italy in the second round of the Brisbane International with a scoreline of 6-3, 6-0 in just 58 minutes. Sabalenka’s triumph over Bronzetti extended her win streak to 12. In 2023, she remained undefeated to clinch the titles in Adelaide and the Australian Open and ended up capturing her first title. After the match, she was quoted by the WTA as saying, "I'm super happy to play in front of fans here in Australia. They're amazing. I'm not focusing on the record I'm making right now. I'm just focusing on myself and bringing my best tennis in every match I play.”
Novak Djokovic issues clarity on injury concerns ahead of Australian Open
World number 1 tennis star Novak Djokovic issued clarity on injury concerns ahead of the Australian Open. Djokovic lost to Australian Alex de Minaur in the United Cup in Perth on Wednesday, which marked his first loss on Australian soil since 2018. The Serb was quoted by the ATP as saying, "I knew that probably, [I am] not going to be at 100 per cent physically, emotionally, mentally game-wise in the opening week of a season. Neither did I expect that. I was not on my level, but it was just one of these days where I didn't feel my best on the court, and [my] opponent played very well. That's all I can say.”
