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FC Goa’s head coach Manolo Marquez slammed the All India Football Federation for their decision to hold the Super Cup in January 2024. Not only this, but the Portuguese football icon Cristiano Ronaldo requested the referee to overturn a penalty awarded to him during the AFC Champions League game between Al-Nassr and Persepolis.
In the world of basketball, Mavericks owner Mark Cuban is likely to sell stakes of the team to Miriam Adelson. Coming to golf, Tiger Woods expressed frustration with the lack of player involvement in PGA - PIF talks.
FC Goa's head coach Manolo Marquez slams AIFF’s decision to hold Super Cup in January
FC Goa’s head coach Manolo Marquez slammed the All India Football Federation for their decision to hold the Super Cup in January 2024. Marquez spoke to the Times of India and said, "For me, it is not a good idea to play in January, but if we have to play in January, they have to confirm the format and fixtures. We need to know if the tournament is with groups or knockout. We don't even know if there is an AFC competition spot. If we have the exact fixtures, we can prepare well and avoid injuries.”
Cristiano Ronaldo sued in US for promoting Binance NFT: Reports
Football icon Cristiano Ronaldo has reportedly been sued in the USA for the promotion of Binance NFT. According to OkayBeary, Ronaldo is facing a class-action lawsuit regarding claims of promoting investments in unregistered securities linked to Binance. The Mint quoted the lawsuit filing as, "Plaintiffs file this Complaint on behalf of themselves, and all other similarly situated consumers who purchased unregistered securities offered or sold by Binance, 1 against Defendant, Cristiano Ronaldo, who promoted, assisted in, and/or actively participated in the offer and sale of unregistered securities in coordination with Binance.”
Cristiano Ronaldo asks referee to overturn penalty in selfless act
Cristiano Ronaldo, the Portuguese footballing icon, was praised for his selfless act on the football pitch during the AFC Champions League game between Al-Nassr and Persepolis at the King Saud Universe Saud University Stadium in Riyadh. The 38-year-old had gone down in the penalty box in the early exchanges, only to ask the referee to overturn a penalty awarded to him.
FC Nantes sack manager Pierre Aristouy amid poor 2023-24 season
Ligue 1 team FC Nantes have sacked manager Pierre Aristouy amidst a poor 2023-24 season. Under Aristouy, the French club is 11th on the table with just one point from their last four games. Aristouy took over the Nantes job for the final four games of the 2022-23 season and saw the team avoid relegation by one point. Addressing Aristouy’s sacking, the club released a statement that said, "FC Nantes would particularly like to thank Pierre Aristouy and his staff who put all their human qualities and talent at the service of the club. Appreciated by all, they allowed the club to stay in the league at the end of last season".
I think it's disrespectful: Ancelotti shut down injury concerns ahead of UCL clash
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti shut down injury concerns as the Los Blancos take on Napoli in the UEFA Champions League. The La Liga giants have been hit with some massive injuries to players in crucial positions but Ancelotti doesn’t want to talk about these issues as he has confidence in the remainder of his squad. Speaking to the media, the Italian manager said, "To talk a lot about the problems we have and the absences, I think it's disrespectful to the players who are going to play. They are contributing in a way that would never have been expected. If we've been good with all these problems, this squad, even if you didn't believe it, we have a very good squad."
Australia to miss winger Brandon Borrello in AFC Asian Cup 2024
Australia and Western Sydney Wanderers winger Brandon Borrello is to miss the Asian Cup in early 2024 after suffering a foot injury. Borrello was injured after Sydney FC's Luke Brattan tackle in the A-League derby. He will be out for three months, the team further shared. The Asian Cup by Qatar starts on January 12 with Australia kicking off their campaign against India on January 13. "The entire Western Sydney Wanderers family will be supporting Brandon through his surgery and recovery and look forward to seeing him back at what he does best," the Wanderers said.
Major football results
Champions League
AC Milan 1-3 Dortmund
PSG 1-1 New Castle
Man City 3-2 RB Leipzig
Barcelona 2-1 FC Porto
AFC Champions League
Kitchee 1-2 Jeonbuk FC
AFC Cup
Central Coast 1-1 Terengganu
Basketball
Mark Cuban to sell major stakes of Dallas Mavericks to Miriam Adelson: Reports
Owner of Dallas Mavericks Mark Cuban will reportedly sell the majority of stakes of the franchise to billionaire Miriam Adelson. However, Cuban will remain the governor of the franchise as well as in control of all the football decisions. Miriam is the widow of late businessman Sheldon Adelson and the largest shareholder of the Las Vegas Sands. Adelson reportedly sold a few stocks worth $2 billion earlier on Tuesday to buy stakes in a sports company.
Golf
Woods shares frustration on lack of player involvement in PGA - PIF talks
Tiger Woods expressed frustration regarding the lack of player involvement in the PGA Tour's talks with Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) ahead of the framework agreement announcement. "My reaction was surprised, just like I'm sure a lot of the players were taken aback," said Woods. "So quickly without any input or any information about it, it was just thrown out there. I was very surprised that the process was what it was. We were very frustrated with what happened, and we took steps going forward to ensure that we were not going to be left out of the process like we were. So, part of that process was putting me on the board."
Tennis
WTA and ATP to not penalise for participating in Russian event
Pro tennis organisations Women's Tennis Association and Association of Tennis Professionals have confirmed that players participating in an exhibition event being held in Russia will not be sanctioned. The event, sponsored by Russian energy giant Gazprom, is being held while Russia continues its war with Ukraine.
