LONDON: Romelu Lukaku has been reintegrated to the Chelsea squad after being dropped for an English Premier League game for expressing his unhappiness at the club in a TV interview, manager Thomas Tuchel said on Tuesday.
The Belgium striker could return to the team for Wednesday’s first-leg game against Tottenham in the English League Cup semifinals.
“He apologized and is back in the squad for today’s training,” Tuchel said.
In an interview aired by broadcaster Sky in Italy, Lukaku said he was “not happy with the situation” at Chelsea and indicated he had issues with Tuchel’s style of play.
Tuchel reacted by leaving Lukaku, Chelsea’s record signing, out of the 2-2 draw with Liverpool in the Premier League on Sunday.
“We have had enough time to clear the air and move on,” Tuchel said.
Lukaku back in training at Chelsea, sorry for outburst
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Lukaku back in training at Chelsea, sorry for outburst
- The Belgium striker could return to the team for Wednesday’s first-leg game against Tottenham in English League Cup semifinals
Princess Mashael bint Faisal Al-Saud appointed to Asia yoga board
- Princess Mashael is vice president of Saudi Yoga Committee
- She has over 15 years of expertise in several yoga traditions
JEDDAH: The Asian Yogasana Sport Federation has announced the appointment of Princess Mashael bint Faisal Al-Saud, representing Saudi Arabia, to the organization’s board.
Princess Mashael will also head the federation’s Women and Children’s Safeguarding Committee, the AYSF stated in a press release recently.
The appointment was approved unanimously at the AYSF’s sixth general assembly in Dubai recently.
Princess Mashael, the vice president of the Saudi Yoga Committee, has been instrumental in empowering women and youth, and ensuring athlete safety at various sporting events.
Her appointment represents a significant step toward increasing women’s participation in sports, promoting initiatives to protect women and children, and supporting the growth of Yogasana and traditional sports across Asia.
She has over 15 years of yoga expertise, including Hatha Yoga, Ashtanga vinyasa yoga, the Himalayan tradition of meditation, and yoga therapy.
She trained with the AYSF in 2022, mastering yoga federation management and Yogasana systems.
In addition to her yoga accomplishments, the princess is a passionate advocate for women and youth in sports, the AYSF stated.
She owns and runs a sports nongovernmental organization and heads the women’s committee of the Arab Cycling Federation.
Super heavyweight championship rematch to headline first Saudi Power Slap event
- It will take place on Jan. 30 as part of Riyadh Season
RIYADH: Power Slap, in partnership with the Kingdom’s General Entertainment Authority, is set to host its first event in Saudi Arabia on Jan. 30 at the anb Arena as part of Riyadh Season.
The focal point of Power Slap 11 will see reigning super heavyweight champion Da Crazy Hawaiian (16-1-1, 12 KOs) and No. 1 ranked super heavyweight Dumpling (1-0-1, 1 KO) face off in a rematch after they drew at Power Slap 9 in Abu Dhabi.
In the co-main event, light heavyweight champion Wolverine (14-5, 5 KOs) returns to defend his belt for the third time against rising contender Vern “The Mechanic” Cathey (5-2, 5 KOs).
Power Slap, founded by Dana White, Lorenzo Fertitta and Craig Piligian in partnership with Ultimate Fighting Championship, has grown in recent years to reach huge audiences around the world.
In just two years, with only 10 live events, Power Slap has gained 22 million social media followers and its content has garnered over 11.5 billion lifetime views across its platforms. Events regularly draw global influencers with more than a billion followers collectively.
Additional matches on the card include:
- No. 2 ranked light heavyweight Russel “Kainoa” Rivero (4-3, 3 KOs) and No. 3 ranked light heavyweight Austin “Turp Daddy Slim” Turpin (5-2, 4 KOs) face off in a pivotal match.
- 2 ranked super heavyweight Kalani “Toko” Vakameilalo (2-1, 2 KOs) aims to defend his spot in the rankings against No. 3 ranked super heavyweight Danie “The Pitbull” Van Heerden (5-2, 4 KOs).
- The return of women’s featherweight star Sheena “The Hungarian Hurricane” Bathory (3-0, 2 KOs), in a highly anticipated grudge rematch against Jackie “The Hybrid” Cataline (1-2).
Baniyas emerge winners at Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship
- First round of contest had Sharjah Self-Defense finish second and Al-Ain third
ABU DHABI: The first round of the second Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship concluded on Sunday at Mubadala Arena with Baniyas Jiu-Jitsu Club taking first place, Sharjah Self-Defense Sports Club in second, and Al-Ain Jiu-Jitsu Club third.
The last day of the competition had competitors between the ages of 4 and 8, and under-12, take to the mats. Athletes in the adult and youth categories participated over the previous days.
Fahad Ali Al-Shamsi, secretary general of the UAE Jiu-Jitsu Federation, said he was delighted with the organization of the event, and the participation of a high number of clubs and academies.
“The Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Jiu-Jitsu Championship is an exemplary model for sports competitions, made possible by the vision and limitless support of the wise leadership,” he said.
“The championship successfully hosted 2,000 male and female athletes from various clubs and academies, along with their families and sports fans, making it a unique platform that merges competitive excellence with community engagement.”
Aayan Afzal Khan’s record in vain as Abu Dhabi Knight Riders beat Gulf Giants
- Michael Pepper’s half-century led the Knight Riders to a 37-run victory to leave his team 3rd in DP World ILT20 table
- Desert Vipers are top with MI Emirates 2nd after 4 matches for each of the 6 teams
DUBAI: The Abu Dhabi Knight Riders clinched their second victory of the DP World ILT20 Season 3 on Sunday evening, defeating the Gulf Giants by 37 runs at a packed Dubai International Stadium.
Despite Aayan Afzal Khan’s four-wicket haul for just 16 runs — a new record for the best figures by a UAE player in DP World ILT20 history — the Knight Riders posted 176/9, buoyed by Michael Pepper’s half-century. Ibrar Ahmad, Jason Holder and Ali Khan each bagged two wickets to keep the Giants at bay.
It was a tough outing for the Giants’ batters as they lost both openers in the powerplay. Adam Lyth was scalped by David Willey in the first over, while skipper James Vince, who looked in good form, miscued off Ibrar Ahmad for 14 runs in the fourth over.
At 40/2 by the end of the powerplay, the Giants were falling well behind. The innings unraveled further as Jordan Cox departed for 10 runs and Ibrahim Zadran was bowled by Sunil Narine after he had worked hard for 24 runs in 22 balls.
At the 10 over mark, the Giants were wobbling at 62/4. The onus was on Gerhard Erasmus and Shimron Hetmyer to steer another run chase, but it was not to be. Hetmyer had made 20 runs in 15 balls before he holed out to Narine off super sub Ali Khan. Holder then removed Erasmus after the Namibian had accumulated 24 runs in 23 balls to leave the score at 96/6 in 14.1 overs
The target proved too high as Holder claimed his second wicket through Mark Adair for 19 runs as the Giants finished proceedings at 139/8.
In the first innings, an exciting powerplay for the Abu Dhabi Knight Riders treated the fans to runs and wickets, finishing the phase at 60/2. Kyle Mayers and Andries Gous took the initiative, racing to 19 and 17 runs respectively, in 12 balls each. The assault was halted when Tymal Mills castled Kyle Mayers in the fourth over and Gous was caught behind off Wahidullah Zadran in the fifth over.
Coming at number four, Pepper took flight early in the innings, creaming Adair for three consecutive boundaries. Pepper went on to log a 31-ball 50 including six fours and a six. Along with the support of Joe Clarke, the pair built a 50-run partnership in 33 balls.
It looked like the Knight Riders were on track for a huge total until Aayan Afzal Khan turned the tide, returning enviable figures of 4 for 16 — the best figures for a UAE player in the DP World ILT20. (The previous record holder was Zuhaib Zuhair with 4 for 22 for Gulf Giants against Sharjah Warriors in 2024).
Aayan opened his account when he cleaned up Clarke for 24 runs in the 11th over. He followed it up with the wickets of Alishan Sharafu, Andrew Russell and Narine, of whom only Russell made it to double figures with 12 runs. At the end of Aayan’s spell, the Knight Riders were at 131/6 in 15 overs.
In the death overs, Pepper was caught behind off Adair for 57 runs, while Laurie Evans, Holder and Willey made small contributions. Blessing Muzarabani snatched two wickets in Evans and Holder as the Knight Riders finished proceedings at 176/9.
Named Player of the Match, Pepper said: “When I went in, when the ball was hard, it came on nicely. Not too much bounce in the wicket. Through the innings, it got slower and slower and started turning a little bit more. There is a lot of instinct that goes in, waiting for your areas and then going from there. We have a long batting order; everyone can hit it out of the ground, but it still must be the batters that score runs.”
Abu Dhabi Knight Riders captain Narine said: “We were always thinking two steps ahead and there were more hands on deck. We could have gone closer to 200 after our start. Losing wickets in clusters denied us and that is something we can work on moving ahead. Our batting depth, it is a good problem. You have players batting down the order who might be playing higher otherwise. The guys are willing, and it is about them trying to make the best of whatever position they get.”
Brief Scores
- Abu Dhabi Knight Riders bt Gulf Giants by 37 runs
- Abu Dhabi Knight Riders 176/9 in 20 overs (Michael Pepper 57, Joe Clarke 24, Kyle Mayers 19, Aayan Afzal Khan 4 for 16, Blessing Muzarabani 2 for 28)
- Gulf Giants 139/8 in 20 overs (Gerhard Erasmus 24, Shimron Hetmyer 20, Mark Adair 19, Ali Khan 2 for 23, Jason Holder 2 for 25, Ibrar Ahmad 2 for 27)
Australian broadcaster apologizes to Djokovic, Serbian fans
- 24-time Grand Slam champion declined to do the customary on-court interview after his fourth-round victory over Jiri Lehecka on Sunday
MELBOURNE: Australian broadcaster Tony Jones has apologized to Novak Djokovic and fans of the Serbian for comments he made on TV on Friday night that the 10-times Australian Open champion considered “insulting and offensive.”
Djokovic declined to do the customary on-court interview after his fourth-round victory over Jiri Lehecka on Sunday pending a public apology from Jones and Australian broadcast rights holders Channel Nine.
Jones had mocked Djokovic and the Serbian fans who had gathered outside Channel Nine’s broadcast booth at Melbourne Park on Friday, saying the 24-times Grand Slam champion was “over-rated” and a “has been.”
In an interview on the channel on Monday, Jones said he thought the comments had been “banter” and he had immediately made a private apology to the “Djokovic camp” once he realized they had not been taken in humor.
“I can stand by that apology to Novak,” he said. “I should also say the disrespect was extended, in many ways, to the Serbian fans.
“We have built up a nice rapport with the Serbian fans ... and there was banter, and I thought what I was doing was an extension of that banter. Quite clearly that has not been interpreted that way.
“I feel as though I’ve let down the Serbian fans.”
Jones said the one comment he particularly regretted was “kick him out,” which he accepted could only be construed as a reference to Djokovic’s deportation from Australia in a row over his COVID vaccination status in early 2022.
“That has angered Novak which I completely understand now,” Jones said.
“It has been an unfortunate situation, it has been one of personal angst for Novak, it’s quite clearly personal angst for me as well.”
Tennis Australia said Djokovic, who takes on world number three Carlos Alcaraz in the quarter-finals on Tuesday, wanted to move on from the issue.
“Novak acknowledges the apology has been given in public as requested, and is now moving on and focusing on his next match,” it added in a statement.
