GENEVA: Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain each faces a shocking early exit from the Champions League for ,the first time in more than a decade when the final round of games Wednesday decide the new 36-team standings.
When the 18 games kick off at the same time, 9 p.m. Central European Time (2000 GMT), to complete the inaugural league-phase format, Man City is outside the top-24 places that advance to the knockout stage and 22nd-place PSG risks dropping out.
Man City must beat Club Brugge at home to rise safely from 25th place. A draw for PSG at 24th-place Stuttgart should be enough for both teams — barring a freakish big win for Dinamo Zagreb over AC Milan to take the tiebreaker on goal difference among teams that end on 11 points.
A PSG loss in Germany risks ending a run of 12 straight years playing in the knockout stage.
The final-day jeopardy also was unexpected for Man City, the Champions League winner two years ago, which let a two-goal lead slip in a 4-2 loss at PSG last week.
The English Premier League champion advanced 11 years in a row from the old group stage since going winless in the 2012-13 edition.
It is the kind of scenario Champions League organizer UEFA hoped for when approving the new format under severe pressure from storied clubs who demanded more lucrative games and more of them against high-end opponents.
Those same influential clubs — including the super-wealthy state-backed pair of Man City and PSG — hardly imagined they would miss out on the knockout phase that brings global brand-building attention and tens of millions of euros in extra prize money from UEFA.
Real Madrid had to play just 13 games to win the Champions League last season, and now faces playing 17 to retain the title.
Madrid is 16th in the standings before going to play unheralded Brest after losing three of its seven games, including on its previous trip to France against Lille.
The record 15-time European champion can still rise to a top-8 finish — earning direct entry to the round of 16 in March — by beating 13th-place Brest, though needs other results to go its way.
Teams that finish from ninth to 24th enter Friday’s draw for the two-leg knockout playoffs played on back-to-back midweeks in February.
That shapes as an unwanted burden in the congested calendar for teams also chasing domestic titles, rather than bonus games to earn more revenue.
Bundesliga leader Bayern Munich is in 15th place, also on 12 points with Madrid, before hosting Slovan Bratislava, which has been overmatched losing seven straight games.
A 15-point tally, with a strong goal difference, could be enough to take eighth place currently held by Bayer Leverkusen, which heads a group of six teams on 13 points. Leverkusen hosts already eliminated Sparta Prague.
Bayern and Madrid can be helped by the tough schedule for teams ahead in the standings: Atalanta in seventh goes to Barcelona, 10th-place Monaco is at Inter Milan, while Lille and Feyenoord — 12th vs 11th — cannot both reach 15 points.
League-leading Liverpool has let most star players skip the trip to 19th-place PSV Eindhoven because it is one of the few teams with certainty.
Seven wins guaranteed Liverpool a top-two seeding in the tennis-like bracket for the knockout rounds. That draw will be made Feb. 21 after the playoffs round, setting up pairings through to the May 31 final in Munich.
Only Liverpool and Barcelona have already sealed their top-8 places, though Arsenal and Inter — both on 16 points — likely will join them. Atletico Madrid and Milan start Wednesday’s games on 15 points.
Man City and PSG face unexpected early exit from Champions League in dramatic round of 18 games
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Man City and PSG face unexpected early exit from Champions League in dramatic round of 18 games
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- Manchester City and Paris Saint-Germain each faces a shocking early exit from the Champions League for the first time in more than a decade
- Man City starts against Club Brugge outside the top-24 places that advance to the knockout stage
India’s IPL to begin on March 22 at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens
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- The iconic Eden Gardens will be the venue for the tournament’s final on May 25, with 74 matches to be played across 13 venues
- The IPL auction for this edition shattered records as Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant became the most expensive player
NEW DELHI: The money-spinning Indian Premier League will begin on March 22 with holders Kolkata Knight Riders to host Royal Challengers Bengaluru, India’s cricket board said Sunday.
Kolkata’s iconic Eden Gardens will be the venue for the opener and the final on May 25 with 74 matches to be played across 13 venues in the 18th edition of the hugely popular T20 tournament.
Ten teams will compete for the title as the world’s top cricketers including Indian star Virat Kohli, Australia’s Pat Cummins and Jos Buttler of England will join their respective teams in India’s searing heat.
The IPL auction for this edition shattered records as Indian wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant became the most expensive player when he was sold for a record $3.2 million to Lucknow Super Giants, who later made him captain.
Shreyas Iyer, a title-winning skipper with Kolkata last season, was picked by Punjab Kings for 267.5 million rupees ($3.17 million) as the second-most expensive buy.
The IPL has generated billions in revenue since its inception in 2008, turning the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) into one of the richest governing bodies in sport.
The pioneering IPL helped make T20 cricket more popular, spawning copycat events worldwide.
Jessica Pegula criticizes ‘broken’ anti-doping process in wake of Sinner and Swiatek cases
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- Sinner was facing a potential ban of two years after the World Anti-Doping Agency appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport against his initial exoneration
DUBAI: World number five Jessica Pegula believes the handling of the recent high profile anti-doping cases of Jannik Sinner and Iga Swiatek has shown that the “process is completely broken.”
Meanwhile, top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka admits she cannot trust the tennis anti-doping system and has become “too scared” of it.
Sinner’s long doping saga came to an end on Saturday after he agreed to a three-month ban from tennis, admitting “partial responsibility” for team mistakes which led to him twice testing positive for traces of clostebol in March last year.
Sinner was facing a potential ban of two years after the World Anti-Doping Agency appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport against his initial exoneration by the International Tennis Integrity Agency , announced in August.
In a surprising move, WADA withdrew its appeal and came to an agreement with Sinner to accept a three-month ban.
In a statement, WADA said “Sinner did not intend to cheat” but that he would serve his suspension as he is responsible for the actions of his entourage.
Pegula, last year’s US Open finalist and a member of the WTA Player Council, said the inconsistencies in the way cases are being processed and judged is creating an unfair environment for all tennis players.
“I think my reaction is that, whether you think he did or you don’t, or whatever side you're on, the process just seems to be completely like not a process,” the American told reporters in Dubai on Sunday.
“It seems to just kind of be whatever decisions and factors they take into consideration, and they just kind of make up their own ruling. I don’t really understand how that’s fair for athletes, how it’s fair for players when there’s just so much inconsistency and you have no idea.”
Pegula added that any emails the players have been receiving regarding anti-doping cases contain explanations that are too easy to come with, and are just ways for anti-doping organizations to justify their inconsistent rulings and processes.
“If you’re clean or not, the process is completely broken,” she stated.
“I think it needs to be seriously looked at and considered.
“I feel like they have so much power to ruin someone's career, as well. I think there needs to be something done about that because it just seems really unfair.
“I don’t think any of the players trust the process at all right now. Zero. It’s just a horrible look for the sport.”
Sabalenka refused to comment on the outcome of the Sinner case but says she has become too wary of falling foul to the sport’s strict anti-doping rules.
“You just start to be more careful. For example, before I wouldn’t care to leave my glass of water and go to the bathroom in a restaurant and now, I’m not going to drink from the same glass of water,” said the Belarusian world number one.
“You just become a bit too much aware of stuff and this thing gets to your head that, like, if someone used a cream on you and you test positive, they’re going to go for you and they’re not going to believe you or anything.
“You just become too scared of the system. I don’t see how I can trust the system.”
American World No. 3 Coco Gauff has not paid much attention to the details of the recent anti-doping cases and is instead sticking to her strategy of avoiding taking any supplements to minimize the risk of testing positive for any banned substance.
“I trust that everyone is doing what they can to protect the sport. As a player, that’s all I can hope for,” said the former US Open champion.
“I just hope it’s more for the protection of the sport and not just out to, like, get players.”
Emma Raducanu to make Dubai debut against two-time Grand Slam semi-finalist Maria Sakkari
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- The match is a repeat of 2021 US Open semi-final, while the draw also pits Arab ace Ons Jabeur against Peyton Stearns
DUBAI: The official draw for the 25th WTA 1000 event at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships served up some intriguing first-round clashes, with the tie of the round pitching former US Open champion Emma Raducanu against Greek former World No. 3 and two-time Grand Slam semi-finalist Maria Sakkari.
Tunisian ace Ons Jabeur, meanwhile, will take on American Peyton Stearns in the opening round. With the full draw completed during Saturday’s ceremony at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium, the stage is set for a week of world-class women’s tennis with 36 of the top 40 players scheduled to take to the courts in Garhoud.
Raducanu, who received a wildcard for the event, is making her Dubai debut and aims to extend her winning run over Sakkari, having previously defeated the Greek No. 1 in the 2021 US Open semi-final on route to her maiden Grand Slam title before following that up with a comprehensive straight sets victory to reach the last 16 of Wimbledon last year.
The 25th anniversary WTA 1000 event will be held from Feb. 16-22 at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium, with a star-studded line-up featuring nine of the world’s top 10 and 17 of the top 20 players, including reigning champion Jasmine Paolini. The top eight seeds all received first-round byes in Saturday’s draw.
“This year marks the 25th edition of the women’s tournament, which has permanent 1000 status. The competition has grown significantly alongside the men’s ATP 500 event, which celebrates its 33rd anniversary next week,” Ramesh Cidambi, managing director of Dubai Duty Free and chairman of the tournament organising committee, said.
“As always, the WTA week draws the world’s top female athletes, and this year is no different. We look forward to welcoming back, among others, World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, five-time Grand Slam winner Iga Swiatek and reigning champion Jasmine Paolini, who reached the French Open and Wimbledon finals before winning Olympic doubles gold in a breakout 2024.”
The official draw was attended by 2024 Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship finalist Anna Kalinskaya, now world No. 18, and Sorana Cirstea, a two-time WTA Tour singles champion and Dubai resident, who is making her ninth appearance at the tournament.
Kalinskaya enjoyed a career-defining year in 2024 as she climbed from world No. 77 to just outside the top 10, defeating Coco Gauff, Swiatek and Jelena Ostapenko on her way to last year’s final in Dubai.
“I’m very excited to be back. I have so many good memories from last year’s amazing matches, so I’m really looking forward to playing in front of this crowd. Hopefully, I can put on a great performance and deliver some exciting matches,” the 26-year-old said.
Asked about her plans to improve in 2025, she added: “There’s no big secret, just hard work and improving day by day. Of course, my goal this year is to be even better and reach the top 10.”
Cirstea, who in February reached her highest ranking in more than a decade —just one spot shy of her 2013 career high, said: “I don’t know if many people know, but I live in Dubai. I have residency here, so this is my home. This feels like a home tournament, and again, I’m very, very grateful for receiving the wildcard. I’m very excited to be back. I know the field is extremely tough, but I hope I can have a good week and show my best.
“This is my ninth appearance here. The first time I came, I was 17 years old, and I can see all the improvements the tournament has made. In my eyes, it’s one of the best tournaments on [the WTA] Tour.”
The 25th edition of the annual WTA event takes place a week before the men’s event at the same venue. The women’s competition will run from Feb. 16-22, before the 33rd staging of the ATP Tour 500 tournament from Feb. 24 to March 1.
Three tied for individual lead, Majesticks top team leaderboard at LIV Golf Adelaide
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- Torque GC’s Carlos Ortiz, Fireballs GC’s Abraham Ancer and Majesticks GC’s Sam Horsfield eye last round glory in Australia
ADELAIDE: Sam Horsfield was not sure of the last time his Majesticks GC produced a top-three finish. Told that it was LIV Golf Boston in 2022, he replied: “Yeah, my memory doesn’t go back that far.”
Since then, 33 LIV Golf tournaments have been played, but now the Majesticks are one round away from ending their record drought — and possibly sweeping both trophies.
They enter the final round of LIV Golf Adelaide with a one-shot advantage on the team leaderboard, while Horsfield has a share of the individual lead with Torque GC’s Carlos Ortiz and Fireballs GC’s Abraham Ancer. That trio is three strokes ahead of the rest of the field, while Torque captain Joaquin Niemann and Legion XIII’s Jon Rahm lurk in solo fourth and fifth, respectively.
Sunday could be the biggest day in Majesticks history, with both Horsfield and Henrik Stenson (tied for sixth) in contention. Stenson, a team co-captain along with fellow European stars Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood, has the team’s only trophy of any kind, winning individual honors in his LIV Golf debut in 2022 at Bedminster.
“I call them crafty veterans,” said Horsfield, the team’s youngest player. “They’ve been around the block a few times, and they know how to get it done. I think they’re really, really excited. I can feel my phone vibrating in my back pocket, so I’m sure it’s them in a group chat.”
They will have to conquer The Grange course that has proved quite formidable this week, especially with swirling winds that created plenty of challenges. The stroke average for the field on Saturday was more than half a stroke over par (72.611) and played almost a stroke higher than the opening round.
The Majesticks were the only team in which all four players shot rounds under par on Saturday, with Horsfield shooting a three-under 69, Poulter and Westwood shooting two-under 70s, and Stenson contributing a one-under 71. Their cumulative eight- under total was four strokes better than any other team, and left them one stroke ahead of Rahm’s Legion XIII, the winners last week in Riyadh, and Sergio Garcia’s Fireballs GC.
The UK-centric lineup believes the new LIV Golf format in which all scores count for every round benefits them. Playing in tricky conditions should also favor a team with three veteran players who possess more than 80 career professional wins.
“Looking back at some of the previous years, I think we’ve been one of the more consistent teams, but we haven’t really had those low rounds getting in there,” Stenson said. “Especially with the conditions being as they are, being tough, then if we can just keep on grinding away and playing solid tee to green, then we should give ourselves some good chances.”
Horsfield, 28, is seeking his first LIV Golf individual win and the fourth since turning pro in 2017. The solo leader after an opening 66, he bogeyed his first hole on Saturday and was one over for his round at the turn but steadied the ship on the back nine and finished with two birdies to grab a share of the lead at nine under.
“It was a real tough test,” Horsfield said. “I was really proud of the way that I hung in there and fought.”
His playing partners for the final round experienced LIV Golf success last season, with Ancer winning in Hong Kong and Ortiz in Houston. Ancer also knows what it’s like to win in Australia, having claimed the Australian Open in 2018. His five-under 67 was the lowest score on Saturday.
“I love this kind of golf,” Ancer said. “I’ve always loved playing in Australia. Seeing the conditions like this is exciting. It’s tough, but it’s really good for me.”
Ortiz had three birdies in a four-hole stretch midway through his round en route to shooting 68. He picked his battles in the tricky conditions and also escaped trouble better than anybody else. On Saturday, he was a perfect seven for seven in scrambling.
“You really have to be respectful of the golf course, almost play a little bit defensive, and I think I’ve done a good job of that,” Ortiz said. “I feel like I’ve taken my medicine when I’ve been out of play. I’ve honestly played quite conservative off the tee and into the greens, and I think that’s paid off.”
Team scores
LIV Golf’s new scoring format now counts all four scores in every round in the team competition. Here are the results and scores for each team after Saturday’s Round 2 of LIV Golf Adelaide.
Majesticks GC -10 (Horsfield 69, Poulter 70, Westwood 70, Stenson 71; Rd. 2 score: -8)
T2. Fireballs GC -9 (Ancer 67, Puig 70, Garcia 74, Masaveu 74; Rd. 2 score: -3)
T2. Legion XIII -9 (Hatton 72, McKibbin 71, Rahm 69, Surratt 73; Rd. 2 score: -3)
Crushers GC -5 (Lahiri 70, Casey 71, DeChambeau 73, Howell III 74; Rd. 2 score: E)
Torque GC -3 (Ortiz 68, Niemann 71, Munoz 74, Pereira 79; Rd. 2 score: +5)
Stinger GC -2 (Burmester 71, Grace 72, Schwartzel 73, Oosthuizen 75; Rd. 2 score: +3)
Ripper GC -1 (Herbert 70, Leishman 70, Jones 71, Smith 73; Rd. 2 score: -4)
4Aces GC E (Varner III 71, Pieters 72, Reed 73, Johnson 78; Rd. 2 score: +6)
Hyflyers GC +2 (Steele 70, Tringale 71, Mickelson 74, Ogletree 75; Rd. 2 score: +2)
Iron Heads GC +4 (Ormsby 71, Jang 72, Na 72, Lee 74; Rd. 2 score: +1)
Smash GC +8 (Koepka 71, Kokrak 73, Gooch 74, McDowell 75; Rd. 2 score: +5)
Rangegoats GC +11 (Campbell 70, Uihlein 72, Watson 72, Wolff 80; Rd. 2 score: +6)
Cleeks GC +18 (Bland 73, Meronk 75, Kjettrup 75, Kaymer 79; Rd. 2 score: +14)
Wildcards: Lee 76, Kim 77
Indian cricketers arrive in Dubai for Pakistan-hosted Champions Trophy
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- India will begin their Champions Trophy campaign against Bangladesh on Feb. 20
- Dubai will host India’s Champions Trophy matches due to tensions with Pakistan
ISLAMABAD: India’s national cricket squad arrived in Dubai this week to take part in the Champions Trophy 2025 cricket tournament hosted by Pakistan, the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) confirmed this week.
Led by skipper Rohit Sharma, India will begin their campaign to win the trophy on Feb. 20 against Bangladesh in Dubai.
India’s government refused to send its team to Pakistan for the tournament due to political tensions and security concerns. As a result, the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), BCCI and the International Cricket Council (ICC) agreed that India will play all of its matches in Dubai as a form of a hybrid model.
“Touchdown Dubai,” BCCI wrote on its Instagram profile on Saturday. “Indian cricket team has arrived for Champions Trophy 2025.”
A video uploaded by the BCCI shows Indian cricketers Sharma, Virat Kohli and others embarking their tour bus and arriving at their hotel.
India will take on Pakistan in Dubai on Feb. 23 in what is being touted as one of the most anticipated cricket clashes of the year.
India’s matches with Pakistan draw thousands of spectators to stadiums across the globe while millions tune in from their homes.
Defending champions Pakistan beat India in the final of the Champions Trophy tournament in 2017 by 180 runs to lift the trophy.
Pakistan share Group A with India, New Zealand and Bangladesh. They take on New Zealand in the southern port city of Karachi on Feb. 19.