Global Edition

PSG eye becoming France's first 'Invincibles'

BY ANDY SCOTT

  • After this weekend, three of their final six Ligue 1 matches will be against sides presently in the bottom six.
  • Paris Saint-Germain can wrap up another Ligue 1 title this weekend and are also closing in on the first ever unbeaten season in the top flight of French football.
  • After this weekend, three of their final six Ligue 1 matches will be against sides presently in the bottom six.
Paris Saint-Germain can wrap up another Ligue 1 title this weekend and are also closing in on the first ever unbeaten season in the top flight of French football.
PSG play host to relegation-threatened Angers on Saturday knowing a draw will be enough for them to secure their 11th French championship triumph in the last 13 years.
It is a long period of dominance which began quickly after the takeover of the club by Qatar Sports Investments in 2011.
The financial gap between PSG and the rest of France now appears unbridgeable, and Luis Enrique's team are currently a huge 21 points clear at the top of the table with seven games of the season to play.
For them to miss out on the title now, PSG would have to lose every remaining game and Monaco would have to win all of theirs and also oversee an enormous swing in goal difference.
Put simply, that is not going to happen, and the Parisians will hope to finish the job in front of their own supporters before switching their focus to their Champions League quarter-final first leg at home to Aston Villa next Wednesday.
This midweek PSG secured their place in the final of the French Cup, surviving a scare by coming from two goals down to beat Ligue 2 side Dunkerque 4-2 and set up a clash with Reims on May 24.
They have not lost any of their last 38 matches against domestic opponents across all competitions since a 3-1 defeat at home to Toulouse last May.
The likes of Arsene Wenger's Arsenal, Juventus, Celtic and, just last season, Bayer Leverkusen have all gone through domestic league campaigns without losing a game in the 21st century. 
In France, Nantes have come the closest, going unbeaten through their first 32 matches of the 38-game season as they took the title in 1994/95.
PSG have played 27 of 34 matches in this Ligue 1 campaign, and surely should remain unbeaten as long as they do not become distracted by the Champions League.
"We are not unbeatable, we are not invincible, we are not film heroes," insisted Luis Enrique after Tuesday's win against Dunkerque.
"We are just a football team. Perfection does not exist and we are not perfect."
Yet PSG, with the likes of Ousmane Dembele, Desire Doue and Achraf Hakimi in outstanding form, should not need to be perfect to keep their current run going domestically.
After this weekend, three of their final six Ligue 1 matches will be against sides presently in the bottom six.
A home game against Champions League hopefuls Nice and a trip to in-form Strasbourg are the toughest remaining assignments on the domestic front.
Player to watch: Mika Biereth
The 22-year-old London-born striker, who recently made his debut for the Danish national team, has enjoyed a stunning start to life at Monaco since joining the principality club in January.
Recruited from Sturm Graz in Austria, the former Arsenal youngster has scored 12 goals in his first 10 Ligue 1 appearances, including three hat-tricks.
His strike in last week's Cote d'Azur derby against Nice left him with 11 goals from five home games with his new club, but he has just one on the road heading into this weekend's trip to Brest.
According to statisticians Opta, Biereth has scored a goal every 67 minutes since he moved to France's top flight.
Key stats
13 - Lucky for some, PSG are set to win their 13th French league title overall
32 - PSG's leading marksman Dembele has scored 32 goals this season in all competitions
5 - While PSG are 21 points clear at the top of the table, just five points separate the next six teams, from Monaco in second to Lyon in seventh
Fixtures (times GMT)
Friday
Nice v Nantes (1845)
Saturday
Paris Saint-Germain v Angers (1500), Brest v Monaco (1700), Lyon v Lille (1905)
Sunday
Lens v Saint-Etienne (1300), Reims v Strasbourg, Rennes v Auxerre, Montpellier v Le Havre (all 1515), Marseille v Toulouse (1845)
as/nr

Sports

Late birdie burst lifts Ryder to Texas Open lead

  • It was another strong start for Mitchell, who had the lead or share of the lead after 18 holes in each of the past two weeks.
  • Sam Ryder surged to a one-shot lead at the US PGA Tour Texas Open on Thursday, conjuring birdies at six of the last seven holes to edge ahead of fellow American Keith Mitchell.
  • It was another strong start for Mitchell, who had the lead or share of the lead after 18 holes in each of the past two weeks.
Sam Ryder surged to a one-shot lead at the US PGA Tour Texas Open on Thursday, conjuring birdies at six of the last seven holes to edge ahead of fellow American Keith Mitchell.
Ryder, chasing a first PGA Tour title, strung together three straight birdies from the 12th through the 14th, then birdied 16, 17 and 18 to complete a bogey-free nine-under-par 63 at TPC San Antonio.
Mitchell had set an early target with an eagle and six birdies in his eight-under 64.
Brian Harman, who hasn't won since he lifted the 2023 Open Championship at Royal Liverpool, had seven birdies and a bogey in a six-under 66 that left him in third.
While both Ryder and Mitchell could earn an invitation to the first major of the year next week at the Masters with a victory, Harman is among those using the week to warm up for Augusta National.
So is three-time major winner Jordan Spieth, who had six birdies and a bogey in his five-under 67 to share fourth place with Carson Young.
Ryder admitted he went into the day with few expectations, having pulled out of Wednesday's pro-am because of neck pain.
But he "eased into" the round with birdies at the first and second before adding another at the eighth.
He really put the pedal down on the back nine, starting with a 21-foot birdie at the 12th.
He added an eight-foot birdie at the par-three 13th and landed his third shot from the right rough less than three feet from the pin for a birdie at the par-five 14th.
After a par at 15 he rolled in a 23-foot birdie at 16 and a 12-footer at 17. At the par-five 18th he landed his third shot from the fairway a foot from the pin.
"Had a couple of nice par saves on some tricky hole locations, tricky winds," he said. "Had a few nice stretches on the back nine, went on  couple of birdie runs and took advantage of some par-fives.
"Snuck a couple of birdies in on tough par-three holes that you don't really expect to birdie. All in all it was a pretty good day," concluded Ryder, who had 15 one-putts and needed just 21 putts overall.
Mitchell eagled the par-five eighth, saying he had a bit of luck in his second shot from the left rough ending up three feet from the pin.
"I wouldn't call it on accident, it was where I was aiming, but the fact that it just ended up being there is very fortunate," he said.
It was another strong start for Mitchell, who had the lead or share of the lead after 18 holes in each of the past two weeks.
"My game's been trending," he said. "I'd like to put some solid rounds together. Hopefully, it's this week."
bb/rcw

National

Five potential Grand National fairytale endings

  • AFP Sport picks out five horses from the 34 runners that could provide the fairytale ending to the 30-fence marathon and pick up the £500,000 ($650,000) winners cheque (horse, country trained in): Hewick (IRL) Trainer John 'Shark' Hanlon's stable star has bite as he showed in winning the 2023 King George VI Chase. 
  • The winner of the Grand National, the world's most famous steeplechase, has a habit of providing a fairytale storyline and Saturday's renewal has the potential to supply another one.
  • AFP Sport picks out five horses from the 34 runners that could provide the fairytale ending to the 30-fence marathon and pick up the £500,000 ($650,000) winners cheque (horse, country trained in): Hewick (IRL) Trainer John 'Shark' Hanlon's stable star has bite as he showed in winning the 2023 King George VI Chase. 
The winner of the Grand National, the world's most famous steeplechase, has a habit of providing a fairytale storyline and Saturday's renewal has the potential to supply another one.
Down the years there has been Rachael Blackmore becoming the first woman to ride the winner, Minella Times, in 2021, and Bob Champion riding Aldaniti to victory in 1981 after recovering from cancer.
Such is the National's appeal -- first run in 1839 and won appropriately given the unpredictability of the race by Lottery -- an estimated 600 million will watch around the world.
AFP Sport picks out five horses from the 34 runners that could provide the fairytale ending to the 30-fence marathon and pick up the £500,000 ($650,000) winners cheque (horse, country trained in):
Hewick (IRL)
Trainer John 'Shark' Hanlon's stable star has bite as he showed in winning the 2023 King George VI Chase. 
Bought for just 800 euros ($865) a win for him would restore some of the lustre to Hanlon's reputation after he served a ban this season for "gross negligence" in the removal of a dead horse from his yard.
Hewick warmed up for the National with a victory in a hurdles race at Thurles, but Hanlon -- whose nickname comes from his days playing hurling -- says he is in prime form to take the first prize and have a knock on effect on his stables.
"It was a tough time, but the public kept me going," said Hanlon after the win at Thurles.
"We are back to half the numbers we had, but if we win the National we'll fill it back up!"
Hewick was rewarded with a visit to his local pub -- where he drank a pint of Guinness -- when he won the 2022 US National, a Black Velvet (Guinness and champagne) surely on the cards if he wins on Saturday.  
Nick Rockett (IRL)
One of six runners for two-time winning trainer Willie Mullins, including last year's winner I Am Maximus, if it wins there won't be a dry eye on the racecourse.
It is the last horse that Sadie, the Irish wife of owner Stewart Andrew, watched win five days before she died in 2022.
"Out of such sadness, such joy has been born," said Andrew. 
Andrew was in floods of tears when Nick Rockett won The Thyestes Chase in late January at Sadie's former local track, Gowran Park in County Carlow.
"It's such an inner feeling of consolement to me because it's what she always wanted," said Andrew. 
Hyland (ENG)
English training great Nicky Henderson has won all the great races but 43 runners in the National have yielded just two runners-up in Zongalero (1979) and The Tsarevich (1987).
The 74-year-old Old Etonian -- who speaks with an endearing west country burr -- runs talented grey Hyland and the outsider Chantry Bay.
There might be a good omen in the birthdate of one of the members of the Ten From Seven syndicate that own Hyland.
"I was born on the same day as Red Rum (the three time winner), so if that's not an omen I don't know what is and it's been in the blood ever since a young age," said Paul Humphreys.
Hyland would be a rare grey to win -- only three have won it before, Neptune Collonges, whose trainer Paul Nicholls has a grey in this year's edition Kandoo Kid, in 2012 the last to do so. 
  
Minella Indo (IRL)
The 2021 Cheltenham Gold Cup champion is the last one still running of trainer Henry de Bromhead's remarkable quartet of winners inside a month that year.
Champion Hurdle, Queen Mother Champion Chase and Grand National victors Honeysuckle, Put The Kettle On and Minella Times are lolling around in well deserved retirement.
The understated 52-year-old Irishman has had a quieter season this term but Minella Indo, a fine third in the National last year, has had him purring saying he has been showing "lots of spark".  
Perceval Legallois (IRL)
Progressive type who won a prestigious race at Leopardstown last Christmas and represents this year's Cheltenham Gold Cup winning team of trainer Gavin Cromwell and owner JP McManus.
He has not run since which is of no concern for his trainer.
"He goes well fresh, so that is definitely a positive," said Cromwell.
Poker-ace McManus -- who could become the most successful owner in National history with four winners -- opted not to run Gold Cup winner Inothewayurthinkin, but has other runners with different trainers.
Cromwell dominates the betting market -- Mullins and Gordon Elliott for once playing second fiddle in that battle -- with three of the top fancies, Vanillier runner-up two years ago and Cheltenham Cross Country Chase winner Stumptown.
pi/nr

McIlroy

More work for McIlroy even with two wins before Masters

BY JIM SLATER

  • The 35-year-old from Northern Ireland captured the Pebble Beach Pro-Am in February and The Players Championship in March and arrives at Augusta with the chance to complete a career Grand Slam.
  • Rory McIlroy has won twice in a year before the Masters for the first time in his career but that hasn't stopped him from working on details before arriving at Augusta National.
  • The 35-year-old from Northern Ireland captured the Pebble Beach Pro-Am in February and The Players Championship in March and arrives at Augusta with the chance to complete a career Grand Slam.
Rory McIlroy has won twice in a year before the Masters for the first time in his career but that hasn't stopped him from working on details before arriving at Augusta National.
The 35-year-old from Northern Ireland captured the Pebble Beach Pro-Am in February and The Players Championship in March and arrives at Augusta with the chance to complete a career Grand Slam.
McIlroy, a four-time major champion who has not won a major since 2014, will try to join Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods, Gary Player, Ben Hogan and Gene Sarazen as the only players to win all four major titles.
Second-ranked McIlroy shared fifth at the Houston Open last weekend and told the Golf Channel his right elbow has been "bothering" him "a little bit" and he would "get some treatment on that and make sure that that's OK going into Augusta."
McIlroy said he added some loft to his driver in a weekend tweak as he works his game into top form before making another attempt at the only major prize which has eluded him.
"Still feel like I've got some stuff to work on. Still don't think like my game is absolutely 100% under the control I would want," McIlroy said.
"We'll be working at home and making sure game feels good going into the Masters."
The last public rounds before Masters practice opens Monday didn't get McIlroy where he wanted to be before he tests the undulating and lightning-fast Augusta National greens.
"I wanted to see myself drive it a little bit better, which I haven't really seen," McIlroy said.
"I guess like short game-wise, I wanted that to be a little better. Chipping has been really good. I scrambled well, so that has been good to see. Still feel like I need to do a little bit of work off the tee and get the driver figured out."
McIlroy did make a trip to Augusta before the Houston Open to see what was in store, noting the loss of trees to storm damage at the 16th hole.
"The loss of a few trees is definitely noticeable," he said. "They've had to redo that green but it's exactly the same as what it was... apart from maybe a few less shadows on the green late in the day because of a couple of trees that were lost."
Top-ranked defending champion Scottie Scheffler, whose nine wins in 2024 included Olympic gold, takes some pride in McIlroy having said he wanted to try and copy some aspects of his game and catch him for world number one.
"When you're a competitive guy like Rory is, I think you're always looking for some source of motivation," Scheffler said.
"He has been out here for a long time and I think sometimes it can get a bit redundant playing the same events over and over and any source of motivation you can have when you're such a great player I think is a good thing."
McIlroy, however, is quite happy these days, noting, "I've had quite a bit of success, too, though, so I don't think there's a lot of missing pieces.
"You're always looking around, seeing if there's certain things you can maybe take out of someone's game. It's hard to not look at what Scottie's done the last couple years and not take notice."
McIlroy cited course strategy and management by Scheffler that has "forced me to maybe be a little more thoughtful and diligent with that side of it."

Walking away early

McIlroy has also started pondering when it might be time to end his career.
"I think when I've achieved everything I want to achieve in the game and I get to the point where I don't think I can maybe do that anymore," McIlroy said.
"I'd also like to walk away with a little bit left in the tank. I don't want to be out there embarrassing myself. I'd like to walk away maybe a little before I should."
He also has ruled out playing on the 50-and-over PGA Champions Tour.
"Something has went terribly wrong if I have to compete at golf at 50," McIlroy said.
js/bb/rcw

LIV

Trump hopeful of 'great' PGA-LIV golf merger

  • However a report in Britain's The Guardian newspaper on Thursday said negotiations had reached an impasse after the PGA Tour failed to deliver "serious concessions" in exchange for a $1.5 billion investment from Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), the sovereign wealth fund which bankrolls LIV. The Guardian report citing unidentified sources said PIF had sought assurances from the PGA Tour that the LIV circuit would continue following any deal, and that the fund's governor, Yasir Al-Rumayyan, would be appointed as co-chairman of PGA Tour Enterprises.
  • President Donald Trump said Thursday he is optimistic of an eventual merger between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf following a new report of a stalemate in negotiations to reunify the game.
  • However a report in Britain's The Guardian newspaper on Thursday said negotiations had reached an impasse after the PGA Tour failed to deliver "serious concessions" in exchange for a $1.5 billion investment from Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), the sovereign wealth fund which bankrolls LIV. The Guardian report citing unidentified sources said PIF had sought assurances from the PGA Tour that the LIV circuit would continue following any deal, and that the fund's governor, Yasir Al-Rumayyan, would be appointed as co-chairman of PGA Tour Enterprises.
President Donald Trump said Thursday he is optimistic of an eventual merger between the PGA Tour and LIV Golf following a new report of a stalemate in negotiations to reunify the game.
Speaking on Air Force One as he traveled to Florida ahead of this weekend's LIV Golf Miami event at Trump National Doral, the US leader said he believed a merger was inevitable.
“Ultimately, hopefully the two tours are going to merge," Trump told reporters. "That'll be good. I'm involved in that, too, but hopefully we're going to get the two tours to merge. 
"You've got the PGA Tour, you've got the LIV tour. And I think having them merge would be a great thing."
Trump, a keen golfer, has hosted two rounds of recent talks at the White House between leaders of the PGA Tour and the Saudi Arabia-financed LIV as the sport attempts to move on from the enmity which erupted after LIV's entry in 2021.
PGA Tour commissioner Jay Monahan said earlier this month that Trump's intervention in ongoing negotiations had "significantly bolstered" hopes of reunifying the sport.
However a report in Britain's The Guardian newspaper on Thursday said negotiations had reached an impasse after the PGA Tour failed to deliver "serious concessions" in exchange for a $1.5 billion investment from Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), the sovereign wealth fund which bankrolls LIV.
The Guardian report citing unidentified sources said PIF had sought assurances from the PGA Tour that the LIV circuit would continue following any deal, and that the fund's governor, Yasir Al-Rumayyan, would be appointed as co-chairman of PGA Tour Enterprises.
However the PGA Tour rejected both of those requests in a response to LIV sent on Monday, according to The Guardian.
News of the deadlock comes ahead of the first major of the year at next week's Masters at Augusta National, where 12 players from LIV Golf will tee off against top rivals from the PGA Tour.
Five-time major winner Brooks Koepka, one of the highest-profile players to defect to LIV Golf, admitted this week that he was disappointed that the Saudi-funded circuit had not progressed further in its four seasons.
"I think we all hoped it would have been a little bit further along, and that's no secret," he said. "But they're making progress and it seems to be going in the right direction."
rcw/bb

Scheffler

No.1 Scheffler goes for third Masters crown in four years

BY JIM SLATER

  • Scheffler seeks his third Masters title in four seasons and second in a row.
  • Top-ranked Scottie Scheffler likes the state of his game as he prepares to defend his Masters title, having bounced back from an early season hand injury.
  • Scheffler seeks his third Masters title in four seasons and second in a row.
Top-ranked Scottie Scheffler likes the state of his game as he prepares to defend his Masters title, having bounced back from an early season hand injury.
Scheffler seeks his third Masters title in four seasons and second in a row. Only Jack Nicklaus, Tiger Woods and Nick Faldo have captured back-to-back Masters crowns. Only Nicklaus has won three in four years.
In the past three years, Scheffler has won two or three times before the Masters. This year, he hasn't lifted a trophy before coming to Augusta National, his start slowed by a hand injury suffered cooking Christmas dinner.
Still, Scheffler shared second at the Houston Open in his final Masters tuneup and likes where his game is at as the year's first major arrives.
"Feeling pretty good. Excited about the stuff that we're working on right now and game feels like it's in a good spot," Scheffler said.
"I feel like I'm getting a little bit sharper and I feel like I'm improving a little bit... I'm definitely in the swing of a normal year now."
Scheffler credits shotmaking control and solid strategy for playing Augusta National as his reasons for success over the famed layout.
"When I'm in control of my golf ball, I have very good strategy for playing the golf course. But at the end of the day, you've got to hit the shots. That's what it is at Augusta," Scheffler said.
"I could talk about it all day long about where to play it and the certain type of shot to hit but if you don't pull a shot off, you're going to be punished out there.
"Around Augusta National, what makes the golf course so special is always the opportunity to pull off a great shot. I think that style of golf is a bit more exciting than just your typical event."
Scheffler, whose nine triumphs last year included the Paris Olympics and Tour Championship, says it feels like he enters another world when he drives down Magnolia Lane.
"When you pull in the gates, I think that's the most special thing for me. I really feel like you're just kind of turning into this whole other world," Scheffler said.
"It's like a different place than the world just outside the gates. And you pull in, and everything else just kind of melts away."
Since winning his first PGA Tour title at Phoenix in February 2022, Scheffler has dominated, impressing fans and rivals alike with his calm demeanor and relaxed attitude.
"What Scottie has done the last couple years in golf is amazing," second-ranked Rory McIlroy said. "He's great for the game. His season last year is up there with one of the all-time great seasons in the history of the game.
"He's an amazing player, he's a great person as well. I have nothing but respect and admiration for Scottie."
Scheffler keeps his attention on the challenges at hand, even with a major title at stake.
"What has always worked best for me is staying in the present, working hard preparing for each event," Scheffler said.

'He's always working'

Only Woods has spent more weeks at world number one than Scheffler, but the American tries to take that success in stride.
"It's something cool to see from some good starts I've had in the last couple years. I definitely put in a lot of work to have that type of achievement," Scheffler said.
"I don't think about being number one. I didn't go out to the range today feeling like the best player in the world. I showed up feeling like myself, and I went out to try and prepare to play.
"I'm definitely not going to sit there and rest or view myself as any different because I accomplished some things in the game."
McIlroy respects that attitude about topping the rankings.
"He's so committed to his craft and he's always working, always trying to get better," McIlroy said.
"He seems like he doesn't really care about anything else apart from just trying to be a good golfer and doing the best that he can. He's got a great attitude towards it."
js/bb

Pr

Postecoglou denies taunting Spurs fans in Chelsea defeat

BY STEVEN GRIFFITHS

  • Like Postecoglou, Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has come in for criticism lately, but his team are in a much healthier position than Tottenham after climbing back to fourth place.
  • Ange Postecoglou insisted he won't let abuse from Tottenham fans affect him after the beleaguered boss denied goading his tormentors during Thursday's 1-0 defeat at Chelsea.
  • Like Postecoglou, Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has come in for criticism lately, but his team are in a much healthier position than Tottenham after climbing back to fourth place.
Ange Postecoglou insisted he won't let abuse from Tottenham fans affect him after the beleaguered boss denied goading his tormentors during Thursday's 1-0 defeat at Chelsea.
Postecoglou endured chants of "you don't know what you're doing" from angry supporters when he sent on Brennan Johnson and Pape Sarr for Wilson Odobert and Lucas Bergvall in the second half at Stamford Bridge.
It was not the first time in recent weeks that Postecoglou has felt the wrath of fans growing disillusioned with the Australian in his second season in charge.
Tottenham are languishing in 14th place in the Premier League after Enzo Fernandez's 50th minute header condemned them to a 16th defeat in 30 top-flight games.
The north Londoners are without a win in their last four league games and are in danger of their worst finish since 1993-94, when they came 15th.
But, as speculation that he could be sacked grows louder after a second successive defeat, Postecoglou is adamant he won't lose sleep over the jibes from fans.
"It doesn't bother me. It's not the first time they have booed my substitutions," he said.
"If that's what the fans feel, if they feel I'm not doing a good job they have every right to express it. They pay their money, they follow the club. They are the ones who will be here long after I have gone.
"It doesn't affect me. What I try and focus on is the things I can control. I can't control the fans. I can control our football and that's what I concentrate on."
Prior to VAR ruling out a potential equaliser from Sarr, Postecoglou had gestured to the Tottenham fans, cupping his ear in a defiant move that was seen as a response to their criticism.
Insisting that wasn't the case, the former Celtic boss said: "Jeez mate. It's incredible how things are interpreted. I wanted them to get excited and enjoy what we thought was a goal.
"I'm at some disconnect with the world these days. If you want to read into it that I was trying to make a point. I was just trying to get some excitement."

'It's killing the game'

Postecoglou turned his own frustration on VAR for taking so long to make two decisions that 12 minutes of stoppage-time was needed in the second half.
"It's not the same game it used to be. You are standing around for 12 minutes. It's killing the game, but no-one cares about that, they just love the drama and controversy," he said.
"They're not interested that it's killing the spectacle. It's crazy, it's madness. But we accept it and have to take the fall out."
Postecoglou's hopes of avoiding the sack could rest with winning the Europa League, with the quarter-final first leg against Eintracht Frankfurt looming next week.
But for Tottenham to end their 17-year trophy drought and fulfil Postecoglou's boast that he always wins a major prize in his second season, there will need to be a significant improvement on this patchy performance.
"We conceded a really poor goal that we have been doing too often. It's been costing us. That was disappointing," he said.
"I thought our response was really good. We scored and that got ruled out, then we had a couple of chances at the end."
Like Postecoglou, Chelsea boss Enzo Maresca has come in for criticism lately, but his team are in a much healthier position than Tottenham after climbing back to fourth place.
Chelsea are one point ahead of fifth-placed Manchester City in the race to qualify for the Champions League.
"The result is an important part because we are close to the end of the season," Maresca said. 
"If we want to become an important team we need to win in a dirty way, ugly way, so I'm quite happy.
"If you measure the result then for sure if we achieve Champions League it's an important thing. But from my point of view, since the first day, I think the team is getting better and better."
smg/rcw

Pr

Fernandez fires Chelsea into fourth as pressure mounts on Postecoglou

BY STEVEN GRIFFITHS

  • Chelsea, who have now lost just one of their past 13 league games against Tottenham, had been far from convincing recently, with boss Enzo Maresca criticised for his cautious tactics.
  • Chelsea climbed to fourth place in the Premier League as Enzo Fernandez sealed a 1-0 win that piled pressure on beleaguered Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou on Thursday.
  • Chelsea, who have now lost just one of their past 13 league games against Tottenham, had been far from convincing recently, with boss Enzo Maresca criticised for his cautious tactics.
Chelsea climbed to fourth place in the Premier League as Enzo Fernandez sealed a 1-0 win that piled pressure on beleaguered Tottenham boss Ange Postecoglou on Thursday.
Fernandez's thumping header early in the second half settled a bruising London derby at Stamford Bridge.
Manchester City and Newcastle had both won on Wednesday to knock Chelsea from fourth down to sixth in the race to qualify for next season's Champions League.
But Chelsea's response lifted them one point clear of fifth-placed City and two ahead of sixth-placed Newcastle.
The top four are guaranteed to reach the Champions League, with fifth also likely to secure a place depending on the results of the English clubs left in European competitions this season.
Chelsea, who have now lost just one of their past 13 league games against Tottenham, had been far from convincing recently, with boss Enzo Maresca criticised for his cautious tactics.
Beaten 1-0 at Arsenal in their last game before the international break, Chelsea's players had a planned day off cancelled by Maresca due to a poor effort shown during an informal match against one of the club's youth sides.
The Blues were more dynamic against Tottenham, but still lacked a cutting edge despite holding on for a fifth win in their last six games in all competitions.
For Postecoglou, it was another dispiriting loss in a wretched season that could end with his sacking.
Tottenham are without a victory in their last four league matches and have won only one of their last six games in all competitions.
The north Londoners are languishing in 14th place after a 16th defeat from 30 league games.
The last time they finished as low as 14th was in 2003-04, while their worst final position in the Premier League era was 15th in 1993-94.
Tottenham fans have grown increasingly frustrated with their side's decline, staging a series of protests against chairman Daniel Levy.
They turned on Postecoglou as well during the second half, chanting "you don't know what you're doing" at the Australian.
Tottenham's last chance of ending their 17-year trophy drought and fulfilling Postecoglou's boast that he always win a major prize in his second season lies in the Europa League, where they face Eintracht Frankfurt in the quarter-finals.

Postecoglou frustration

Chelsea almost made the perfect start inside the first minute when Trevoh Chalobah's pass reached Nicolas Jackson, whose shot was saved by Guglielmo Vicario and hit Van de Ven before bouncing off the post.
The Blues were on top in the opening minutes and Malo Gusto's blast flashed just wide from the edge of the area.
Vicario had to smother the ball on the goal-line after Fernandez tried to bundle home from Cole Palmer's deflected cross.
Maresca had urged Jadon Sancho to provide more cutting edge amid mounting criticism of the winger's spluttering form during his loan from Manchester United.
Sancho nearly rose to Maresca's challenge with a curling effort that Vicario brilliantly tipped over.
Tottenham defender Cristian Romero pushed Levi Colwill to the ground in a clash that sparked a mass confrontation on the stroke of half-time.
The row seemed to fire up Chelsea and they finally made the breakthrough in the 50th minute.
Palmer's cross picked out Fernandez and the Argentine powered his header past Vicario from five yards.
When Postecoglou sent on Brenan Johnson and Pape Sarr for Wilson Odobert and Lucas Bergvall, Tottenham fans taunted the Australian with derisive chants.
For a few moments, it seemed Sarr had silenced Postecoglou's critics as he drilled home from long-range in the 69th minute.
But the goal was disallowed by VAR for Sarr's foul on Moises Caicedo, leaving Postecoglou shaking his head in frustration.
Son Heung-min was inches away from rescuing Postecoglou in the 89th minute, only for Robert Sanchez to make a superb save from the forward's close-range shot.
smg/ea

ITA

Italy's Brignone has surgery on broken leg with Winter Olympics looming

  • Later Thursday the Italian winter sports federation announced: "The operation is over, the surgery was a complete success."
  • A week after taking the alpine skiing crystal globe Italian Federica Brignone underwent surgery after suffering a broken leg on Thursday hampering her preparations for the star's home Winter Olympics next year.
  • Later Thursday the Italian winter sports federation announced: "The operation is over, the surgery was a complete success."
A week after taking the alpine skiing crystal globe Italian Federica Brignone underwent surgery after suffering a broken leg on Thursday hampering her preparations for the star's home Winter Olympics next year.
Since returning from Sun Valley where she won the World Cup overall title for the second time, 34-year-old Brignone has been the toast of Italy.
A ski slope now even bears her name in the resort of Courmayeur near her family chalet in La Salle, in the Aosta Valley near Mont Blanc.
Brignone has been relatively unscathed in a blessed career but while competing in one of her last races of the winter she suffered a heavy fall in the Alpe Lussia ski area in Val di Fassa in north-eastern Italy.
After several wild somersaults with both skis flying off she was helped to the sidelines and carried down the mountain on a sled before being taken to hospital by helicopter.
After the double fracture was diagnosed she was then transferred to a Milan clinic.
"I can't hide the fact that it's a complicated fracture, the bone has broken significantly," said Andrea Panzeri, who heads the Italian Winter Sports Federation's medical commission, before the operation.
He added: "We checked the knee for swelling and decided to go into surgery immediately.
"Federica is strong, she's lucky not to have suffered a serious injury before today."
He warned the recovery time will take "months".
"I found Federica calm," he reported. "Like all great athletes, when they get injured, they accept what's happening to them. This isn't a good time for her after her exceptional season...but she will know how to react."
Later Thursday the Italian winter sports federation announced: "The operation is over, the surgery was a complete success."
Surgeons noticed during the operation that Brignone is also suffering from a left knee ACL tear.
"This will be re-evaluated in the coming weeks," the federation said.
Her compatriot and great rival Sofia Goggia, who suffered a double fracture in February 2024, took six months to get back on skis.
Brignone dominated the 2024-25 season on the women's circuit, winning 10 races, her second overall World Cup title and the giant slalom and downhill small crystal globes.
She also won the world championship gold medal in the giant slalom and a super-G silver in Saalbach.
On Thursday, she was leading from the first run but hit a gate on the second run, falling awkwardly.
The skier from Val d'Aosta has won three Olympic medals but never a gold and is one of Italy's strongest medal chances at the 2026 Olympics in Milan-Cortina.
All winter, her helmet, painted with a tiger's head, led the way.
"It's an animal that never gives up, that, even when injured, gets back up and tries to fight to the end," she said.
jr/dmc/jc-nr/ea

Rays

City officials vote to repair roof on home of MLB Rays

  • City leaders must still vote upon spending for other stadium repairs such as walls and tiles and the electronics in the venue, with the total cost expected to run about $55.6 million. js/bb
  • St. Petersburg city council members voted 7-1 on Thursday to approve spending $22.5 million on a new teflon-coated fiberglass roof for hurricane-damaged Tropicana Park to allow the Tampa Bay Rays to return in 2026.
  • City leaders must still vote upon spending for other stadium repairs such as walls and tiles and the electronics in the venue, with the total cost expected to run about $55.6 million. js/bb
St. Petersburg city council members voted 7-1 on Thursday to approve spending $22.5 million on a new teflon-coated fiberglass roof for hurricane-damaged Tropicana Park to allow the Tampa Bay Rays to return in 2026.
The enclosed-stadium roof was shredded by Hurricane Milton last October, forcing the Major League Baseball club to play its 2025 home schedule at a minor-league ballpark in nearby Tampa.
The Rays are off to a 4-2 start to the campaign, second in the American League East division, after going 2-1 in home games against Colorado and Pittsburgh at Steinbrenner Field, the 11,000-seat open air pre-season training home of the New York Yankees.
Roof repairs must be completed before other repairs can be made to the interior of Tropicana Field in order to get the stadium ready to host Rays home games a year from now.
The move comes after the Rays backed out of plans for the construction of a new $1.3 billion stadium, which has left the team's future plans uncertain beyond 2028.
The Rays have three more seasons they are obligated to play at Tropicana Field under a current agreement with the city.
City officials told local media they hoped to begin roof repairs by August and have the roof repaired by the end of the year, with work on electronics damaged in last year's storm hopefully to begin in December.
City leaders must still vote upon spending for other stadium repairs such as walls and tiles and the electronics in the venue, with the total cost expected to run about $55.6 million.
js/bb

Rockets

Rockets forward Brooks gets one-game NBA ban for technicals

  • NBA rules dictate a player or coach is suspended for one game after accumulating 16 technical fouls during a regular season and for each two additional technical fouls in the regular season is banned for an additional game.
  • Houston Rockets forward Dillon Brooks was suspended for one game without pay by the NBA on Thursday after receiving his 16th technical foul of the season.
  • NBA rules dictate a player or coach is suspended for one game after accumulating 16 technical fouls during a regular season and for each two additional technical fouls in the regular season is banned for an additional game.
Houston Rockets forward Dillon Brooks was suspended for one game without pay by the NBA on Thursday after receiving his 16th technical foul of the season.
NBA rules dictate a player or coach is suspended for one game after accumulating 16 technical fouls during a regular season and for each two additional technical fouls in the regular season is banned for an additional game.
Brooks was whistled for his most recent technical foul with 7:12 remaining in the first quarter of the Rockets' 143-105 victory over the visiting Utah Jazz on Wednesday.
On the play, Brooks kicked Utah guard Collin Sexton in the groin.
The suspension will be served by Brooks on Friday, when the Rockets host the Oklahoma City Thunder, who lead the Western Conference with an NBA-best record of 64-12.
The 29-year-old Canadian, who spent six seasons with Memphis before joining the Rockets last season, is averaging 14.0 points, 3.7 rebounds and 1.7 assists a game this season.
Houston ranks second in the West with a 50-27 record. The Rockets have clinched their first playoff appearance since 2020.
js/bb

gender

US fencer disqualified for not facing transgender rival

  • Turner also said she expected there would be personal consequences for her decision not to compete against a transgender opponent.
  • A fencer was disqualified from a US women's foil event for refusing to compete against a transgender opponent in an incident that has gone viral online.
  • Turner also said she expected there would be personal consequences for her decision not to compete against a transgender opponent.
A fencer was disqualified from a US women's foil event for refusing to compete against a transgender opponent in an incident that has gone viral online.
The situation unfolded in the Cherry Blossom tournament at the University of Maryland last Sunday at College Park, Maryland, in suburban Washington.
Stephanie Turner, who competes for the Fencing Academy of Philadelphia, took a knee rather than compete against Redmond Sullivan of Iconic Fencing Club in a pool play match.
Turner, who had fought four prior bouts in the competition, was disqualified under International Fencing Federation rules barring fencers from not competing.
Sullivan finished 24th among 39 entrants in the competition.
"I knew what I had to do because USA Fencing had not been listening to women's objections" regarding its gender eligibility policy, Turner told Fox News Digital.
USA Fencing's policy on transgender athletes, created in 2023, allows athletes transitioning from male to female to compete in women's events only after one year of testosterone suppression treatment, with proof of such therapy required.
Turner also said she expected there would be personal consequences for her decision not to compete against a transgender opponent.
"It will probably, at least for a moment, destroy my life," she told Fox News. "I don't think that it's going to be easy for me from now on going to fencing tournaments. I don't think it's going to be easy for me at practice. It's very hard for me to do this."
Turner's actions prompted praise from retired tennis legend Martina Navratilova, who reposted video of the kneel-down on social media.
"This is what happens when female athletes protest!" Navratilova posted on X. "Anyone here still thinks this is fair??? I am fuming... and shame on @USAFencing, shame on you for doing this. How dare you throw women under the gender bullshit bus!!!"
The video was posted by the Independent Council on Women's Sports and showed Sullivan and Turner talking shortly after she took a knee.
"When I took the knee, I looked at the ref and I said, 'I'm sorry. I cannot do this. I am a woman and this is a man and this is a women's tournament and I will not fence this individual,'" Turner told Fox News.
"Redmond didn't hear me, and he comes up to me, and he thinks that I may be hurt, or he doesn't understand what's happening. He asks, 'Are you OK?' And I said, 'I'm sorry. I have much love and respect for you, but I will not fence you.'"

Dialogue 'important'

In a statement to Fox News, USA Fencing said its non-binary athlete policy "was designed to expand access to the sport of fencing and create inclusive, safe spaces.
"We respect the viewpoints on all sides and encourage our members to continue sharing them with us as the matter evolves. It's important for the fencing community to engage in this dialogue," it said.
"But we expect this conversation to be conducted respectfully, whether at our tournaments or in online spaces. The way to progress is by respectful discussion based in evidence."
USA Fencing told Newsweek that Turner's disqualification was not "related to any personal statement" but "the direct result of her decision to decline to fence an eligible opponent," in violation of federation rules that mandate the disqualification.
"We remain committed to inclusivity within our sport while also upholding every requirement dictated by our governing body," it said, adding that there was an "evolving" conversation on transgender participation in sport.
"USA Fencing will always err on the side of inclusion," it said.
"We're committed to amending the policy as more relevant evidence-based research emerges or as policy changes take effect in the wider Olympic and Paralympic movement."
js/jhb

IPL

Iyer blitz powers Kolkata to big IPL win over Hyderabad

  • Kolkata seemed to slip after Rahane and then Raghuvanshi departed and Iyer took time to get going but once set he proved destructive and smashed Cummins for three fours and a six in a 21-run 19th over.
  • India batter Venkatesh Iyer smashed 60 off 29 balls to fire holders Kolkata Knight Riders to an 80-run hammering of Sunrisers Hyderabad in a comeback IPL win on Thursday.
  • Kolkata seemed to slip after Rahane and then Raghuvanshi departed and Iyer took time to get going but once set he proved destructive and smashed Cummins for three fours and a six in a 21-run 19th over.
India batter Venkatesh Iyer smashed 60 off 29 balls to fire holders Kolkata Knight Riders to an 80-run hammering of Sunrisers Hyderabad in a comeback IPL win on Thursday.
Iyer's knock and 91-run stand with fellow left-hander Rinku Singh propelled Kolkata to 200-6 at their home in Eden Gardens after being invited to bat first in a rematch of last year's final.
Iyer proved his worth in a blitz laced with seven fours and three sixes after Kolkata paid a whopping $2.81 million for him in the November auction.
Skipper Ajinkya Rahane, who hit 38, and Angkrish Raghuvanshi, who struck 50, lay the foundations of the total in their partnership of 81 after openers fell early.
Bowlers led by impact substitute Vaibhav Arora bowled Hyderabad out for 120 in 16.4 overs as Kolkata bounced back from a crushing defeat to Mumbai Indian in their previous game early this week.
"This game was really important for us," said Rahane. "Winning by a big margin was crucial for us."
"Last two games were not up to the mark for us. But we learned a lot from our mistakes. This is a great example for us as a batting unit."
Kolkata moved from the bottom to fifth in the 10-team table and Hyderabad sunk to the last spot with three defeats in four matches.
"Not a great night tonight," said Hyderabad skipper Pat Cummins.
"In the mid-innings break, we thought it was gettable. It was a pretty good wicket. Gave away few too many in the field and obviously fell short (with the bat)."

Arora impact

Arora, who was named player of the match for his figures of 3-29, and spinner Varun Chakravarthy took three wickets each.
Iyer and batters set up victory despite the loss of Quinton de Kock, for one, and Sunil Narine, for seven, inside the first three overs.
Cummins took down De Kock and fellow quick Mohammed Shami dismissed Narine before Rahane hit back with a flurry of boundaries.
The 20-year-old Raghuvanshi joined forces with the captain as he reached his fifty and hit five fours and two sixes in his 32-ball knock.
Kolkata seemed to slip after Rahane and then Raghuvanshi departed and Iyer took time to get going but once set he proved destructive and smashed Cummins for three fours and a six in a 21-run 19th over.
Iyer, who fell in the final over, and Rinku, who hit 32, combined to pummel the opposition bowlers in the last five overs, which produced 78 runs.
In reply, Hyderabad were in trouble at 9-3 and then 44-4 after seam bowler Arora struck two early blows including Australia's Travis Head out on the second ball for four.
Left-handed opener Abhishek Sharma fell to Harshit Rana and Arora made it three down after he dismissed another left-hander Ishant Kishan for two.
Sri Lanka's IPL debutant Kamindu Mendis hit 27 before he became Sunil Narine's wicket and the rest of the batting crumbled.
South African wicketkeeper-batsman Heinrich Klaasen made 33 in a disappointing show by Hyderabad.
fk/nr

IPL

Iyer blitz powers Kolkata to big IPL win over Hyderabad

  • Kolkata seemed to slip after Rahane and then Raghuvanshi departed and Iyer took time to get going but once set he proved destructive and smashed Cummins for three fours and a six in a 21-run 19th over.
  • India batter Venkatesh Iyer smashed 60 off 29 balls to fire holders Kolkata Knight Riders to a 80-run hammering of Sunrisers Hyderabad in a comeback IPL win on Thursday.
  • Kolkata seemed to slip after Rahane and then Raghuvanshi departed and Iyer took time to get going but once set he proved destructive and smashed Cummins for three fours and a six in a 21-run 19th over.
India batter Venkatesh Iyer smashed 60 off 29 balls to fire holders Kolkata Knight Riders to a 80-run hammering of Sunrisers Hyderabad in a comeback IPL win on Thursday.
Iyer's knock and 91-run stand with fellow left-hander Rinku Singh propelled Kolkata to 200-6 at their home in Eden Gardens after being invited to bat first in a rematch of last year's final.
Iyer proved his worth in a blitz laced with seven fours and three sixes after Kolkata paid a whopping $2.81 million for him in the November auction.
Skipper Ajinkya Rahane, who hit 38, and Angkrish Raghuvanshi, who struck 50, lay the foundations of the total in their partnership of 81 after openers fell early.
Bowlers led by impact substitute Vaibhav Arora bowled Hyderabad out for 120 in 16.4 overs as Kolkata bounced back from a crushing defeat to Mumbai Indian in their previous game early this week.
Kolkata moved from the bottom to fifth in the 10-team table and Hyderabad sunk to the last spot with three defeats in four matches.
Arora and spinner Varun Chakravarthy took three wickets each.
Iyer and batters set up victory despite the loss of Quinton de Kock, for one, and Sunil Narine, for seven, inside the first three overs.
Skipper Pat Cummins took down De Kock and fellow quick Mohammed Shami dismissed Narine before Rahane hit back with a flurry of boundaries.
The 20-year-old Raghuvanshi joined forces with the captain as he reached his fifty and hit five fours and two sixes in his 32-ball knock.
Kolkata seemed to slip after Rahane and then Raghuvanshi departed and Iyer took time to get going but once set he proved destructive and smashed Cummins for three fours and a six in a 21-run 19th over.
Iyer, who fell in the final over, and Rinku, who hit 32, combined to pummel the opposition bowlers in the last five overs, which produced 78 runs.
In reply, Hyderabad were in trouble at 9-3 and then 44-4 after seam bowler Arora struck two early blows including Australia's Travis Head out on the second ball for four.
Left-handed opener Abhishek Sharma fell to Harshit Rana and Arora made it three down after he dismissed another left-hander Ishant Kishan for two.
Sri Lanka's IPL debutant Kamindu Mendis hit 27 before he became Sunil Narine's wicket and the rest of the batting crumbled.
South African wicketkeeper-batsman Heinrich Klaasen made 33 in a disappointing show by Hyderabad.
fk/ea

WTA

Ruud wants 'fair share' of Grand Slam revenue for players

BY DAMIEN GAUDISSART

  • For Ruud, "in a fair world," the revenue distribution between the four Grand Slams and the players should be "50-50". 
  • Former world number two Casper Ruud said on Thursday tennis players were not receiving a fair share of the millions generated by the Grand Slams. 
  • For Ruud, "in a fair world," the revenue distribution between the four Grand Slams and the players should be "50-50". 
Former world number two Casper Ruud said on Thursday tennis players were not receiving a fair share of the millions generated by the Grand Slams. 
Norwegian Ruud estimates players' prize money "represents on average 15 percent of the revenue" made during the Australian Open, Roland Garros, Wimbledon and the US Open.
"As a player, I don't feel like it's fair," Ruud told AFP on the sidelines of an Ultimate Tennis Showdown (UTS) event in the southern French city of Nimes.
"If you compare with other major sports around the world, NFL, MLB, NBA, they are closer to 50 percent revenue sharing." 
Former US and French Open runner up Ruud's comments come after it was revealed several top 20 players sent a letter to Grand Slam organisers, requesting a more favourable revenue distribution.
On Thursday, a source within the French Tennis Federation (FFT) confirmed to AFP they had received such a letter.
"We responded by proposing a direct, open, and constructive meeting, starting at the Madrid Open (April 22-May 4), at Roland Garros (May 25-June 8), or at any other convenient time," the FFT source added.
Asked by AFP if he had signed the letter, Ruud said he could not "talk too much about the details, but it's definitely a possibility that this happened".
"The biggest thing that I don't think people know enough is the revenue sharing of the Grand Slams and where they make their money or how they distribute their revenue," the 26-year-old added.

'Financially exploiting'

Last month, a players' union co-founded by Novak Djokovic, the PTPA, accused tennis' governing bodies of "financially exploiting" players.
For Ruud, "in a fair world," the revenue distribution between the four Grand Slams and the players should be "50-50". 
"I don't think we'll ever get there. But if we can get closer, I think every percentage helps," said the former world number two who considers himself "extremely privileged" financially having won more than $23 million since turning pro a decade ago.
"And even for the guys who lose earlier, qualifiers, first round, second round, you name it, those who maybe don't necessarily end up with millions of money after a year, a few extra hundred thousand will go a long way.
"You look at the USTA or the US Open, they make over $500 million and they pay $65 to $70 million. 
"But personally I don't think it's fair that someone pays 15 percent when I think the players are as equally important as the tournament.
"Slams in the last years have decided to start tournaments a day earlier," with the exception of Wimbledon, which always starts on a Monday, three-time Grand Slam finalist Ruud pointed out.  
"Most of them, they make these types of decisions without even talking with the players, asking for their opinions. 
"So there are certain things that Slams have done in the last years where we feel like it's time to react and ask for a meeting and then to discuss different topics."
dga/ea/iwd

Flanders

Pogacar gunning for blood and thunder in Tour of Flanders

  • But he will have to beat Van der Poel, who trounced him in the final sprint in the last big race they met in March 22's Milan-San Remo.
  • Tadej Pogacar said on Thursday he cannot wait for this weekend's one-day Tour of Flanders race and is targeting a repeat of his 2023 win while hoping to avoid a sprint finish against champion Mathieu van der Poel.
  • But he will have to beat Van der Poel, who trounced him in the final sprint in the last big race they met in March 22's Milan-San Remo.
Tadej Pogacar said on Thursday he cannot wait for this weekend's one-day Tour of Flanders race and is targeting a repeat of his 2023 win while hoping to avoid a sprint finish against champion Mathieu van der Poel.
In this epic 270km struggle through lush Flemish plains with 18 cobbled sections and 17 hills watched by a massive crowd of 750,000 fans in Belgium.
Current Tour de France, Giro d'Italia and world champion Pogacar can add another string to his bow if he wins the classic considered by purists as 'the real world championship'.
But he will have to beat Van der Poel, who trounced him in the final sprint in the last big race they met in March 22's Milan-San Remo.
"We saw it at Milan-San Remo, Mathieu is one of the best sprinters in the peloton," said the effervescent 26-year-old.
"Flanders is a very different race. But if there's a sprint, I'll do my best.
"At Flanders if I feel good, I'll have more chances to avoid such a finish. It will be tiring, very tactical. Maybe Mathieu will be more tired than me after six hours," the Slovenian said.
Pogacar said he would make the going as hard as possible and said his weakness might be that riders from the Flanders region would have an advantage.
"With the crowd creating a unique atmosphere, it's never difficult to push the pedals," Pogacar said.
"It gives you a boost of adrenaline," the three-time Tour de France winner said of the expected massive crowd.
Pogacar warned there was no way he was ruling out Wout van Aert, who is reeling from a tactical error that blew his chances of the Around Flanders race Wednesday.
"Wout seems pretty good to me. He's on the pace," Pogacar said.
"I didn't see the race but it seems they (Visma) made a mistake by being over confident. 
"He'll be there on Sunday," he added.
bnl/gk/dmc/iwd/nr

Sports

Mullins gets perfect National boost with remarkable four-timer

BY OLI SCARFF

  • The Mullins-trained victor, ridden by last year's Grand National winning jockey Townend, had won a Grade One hurdle at the meeting last year.  
  • Lossiemouth won the feature race of the first day of the Grand National festival on Thursday, the fourth of a remarkable four Grade One victories for legendary Irish trainer WIllie Mullins.
  • The Mullins-trained victor, ridden by last year's Grand National winning jockey Townend, had won a Grade One hurdle at the meeting last year.  
Lossiemouth won the feature race of the first day of the Grand National festival on Thursday, the fourth of a remarkable four Grade One victories for legendary Irish trainer WIllie Mullins.
Lossiemouth's task in the Aintree Hurdle was made considerably easier when favourite Constitution Hill fell at the penultimate hurdle -- a similar fate that befell him in last month's Champion Hurdle.
Lossiemouth -- beaten by Constitution Hill earlier in the season -- added to Mullins's wins in the first three races on the card and a perfect start to his ambitions of landing a third Grand National on Saturday.
As a result of Mullins's form last year's winner I Am Maximus -- one of six runners from his stable -- shortened to favouritism for a repeat success.   
Nevertheless there was one dark cloud that hung over him and owners the Ricci's -- who had two winners including Lossiemouth -- with Willy de Houelle being put down after a terrible fall in the juvenile hurdle.
Lossiemouth's victory followed her impressive win at Cheltenham last month but it was Constitution Hill's second tumble that had the tongues wagging.
"It is heartbreaking," said his trainer Nicky Henderson.
"To do it twice is unbelievable and which is worrying."    
For winning jockey Paul Townend there were very different emotions.
"She is a lovely mare," said Townend.
"You would trust her with your life."
 - 'I wasn't expecting that!" - 
The meeting had opened with Impaire Et Passe making it two Grade One victories at Aintree in as many years, winning the Novices Chase in fine style on only his third start over fences.
The Mullins-trained victor, ridden by last year's Grand National winning jockey Townend, had won a Grade One hurdle at the meeting last year.  
"He is really really good, brilliant jumper, he loves jumping fences and has a real spark," said Townend.  
"Feels good, cannot believe it is a year already hopefully celebrate again on Saturday," added Townend referring to teaming up again with I Am Maximus in the National. 
Townend and Mullins were back in the winners enclosure half an hour later as Murcia coasted to victory in the Grade One Juvenile Hurdle.
The race was marred by Willy de Houelle's dreadful fall -- 2021 Grand National winning jockey Rachael Blackmore limped into an ambulance.
Mullins's quickfire double edged him ever closer to Dan Skelton in the race to be crowned champion trainer.
"I wasn't expecting that!" said Mullins.
"I was hoping better ground would make a difference, I was hoping she’d finish in the first four -- you never know, looking at the drama in jump racing, between Cheltenham and whatever -- anything can happen, and if you're not in it you can't win it."
The 68-year-old Irishman made further inroads as he made it three from three in the next, the Bowl, Gaelic Warrior taking the honours with his son Patrick Mullins on board, edging out the Skelton runner Grey Dawning.
Patrick Mullins -- who will ride Nick Rockett in the Grand National -- is the first amateur to win the prestigious race.
However, it was another amateur who displayed far more emotion and took the honours in the first race run over the National fences -- Huw Edwards winning the Foxhunters Chase.
Tears poured down his cheeks after crossing the line on the Joe O'Shea-trained Gracchus de Balme, four years after they both teamed up to win the race.
"This means a lot more as the previous time we won was Covid year 2021 and no one was here," said the exuberant O'Shea.
pi/nr   

Pr

Tonali eager to lead Newcastle back into Champions League

  • "It is three points that can help us come back to the Champions League.
  • Sandro Tonali is aiming to get back into the Champions League after reviving Newcastle's bid for a place among European club football's elite.
  • "It is three points that can help us come back to the Champions League.
Sandro Tonali is aiming to get back into the Champions League after reviving Newcastle's bid for a place among European club football's elite.
The 24-year-old Italy midfielder struck a superb winner from a tight angle to seal a 2-1 victory over Brentford at St James' Park on Wednesday to leave the Magpies just a point behind fourth-placed Manchester City with a game in hand.
Even a fifth-place finish could secure Champions League qualification.
Tonali joined Newcastle from AC Milan for £55 million ($72 million) in July 2023 ahead of their last appearance among Europe's top clubs.
"I am happy for the team and happy for this win," said Tonali. 
"It is three points that can help us come back to the Champions League. This is a massive win for us. We need to win every game at St James' Park.
"Now we play only (to be among) the first five teams, for the Champions League. It is a little bit tough, but we are lucky because there are five teams in the Champions League this season.
"The team is a little bit free, so it is much better for me and for the fans. Now we have nine finals to get back into the Champions League."
Tonali returned from a 10-month ban for breaching betting regulations during his time in Milan and has gradually established himself as a key figure in the team that won the League Cup last month to end Newcastle's 56-year wait fort a major trophy.
"It was a difficult season," he said. "But now I am happy to come back free, come back happy. I am a new player. I just want to help this team and these players.
"The players for me are amazing and the fans are too. Everybody in Newcastle is happy. We will push 100 percent for this city."
Newcastle manager Eddie How has been delighted with Tonali's emergence as a ball-playing, holding, midfielder.
"Technically, he's an outstanding player," Howe said. 
"Sandro, the beauty of him, he doesn't tend to try to do difficult things. Now the goal he scored (against Brentford) is incredibly difficult, but just in his general play, he makes good decisions, he doesn't over-complicate the game.
"Off both feet, he's a very, very clever player, a very intelligent player."
jdg/iwd

ESP

Ancelotti’s tax trial wraps up in Spain with prosecutors seeking jail

BY ALFONS LUNA

  • - 'Public humiliation' - During his closing arguments on Thursday, Ancelotti's lawyer, Carlos Zabala, said Real Madrid was responsible for "the contractual nonsense" that caused his client's problems by seeking to pay part of his salary through image rights to have "a more convenient taxation".
  • Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti's tax fraud trial wrapped up Thursday in Spain, with public prosecutors seeking he be jailed for four years and nine months for allegedly hiding income from the tax office.
  • - 'Public humiliation' - During his closing arguments on Thursday, Ancelotti's lawyer, Carlos Zabala, said Real Madrid was responsible for "the contractual nonsense" that caused his client's problems by seeking to pay part of his salary through image rights to have "a more convenient taxation".
Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti's tax fraud trial wrapped up Thursday in Spain, with public prosecutors seeking he be jailed for four years and nine months for allegedly hiding income from the tax office.
Ancelotti -- who as a coach has won a record five Champions League trophies including three with Real Madrid -- is accused of failing to pay more than one million euros ($1.1 million) due to undeclared earnings from image rights in 2014 and 2015 during his first spell at the club.
Prosecutors allege the 65-year-old set up a "confusing" and "complex" system of shell companies to hide his extra earnings during this time from his image rights and other sources such as real estate, and only reported his salary.
"We consider the acts of fraud, concealment and omission to be proven," the lead prosector told the High Court of Justice in Madrid in his closing arguments, adding Ancelotti's claim that he was not aware of what was happening is "difficult" to believe.
He maintained his demand that Ancelotti be jailed for four years and nine months. Under Spain's legal system, prosecutors can add or drop charges, and alter the penalty they are seeking, depending on the evidence that is presented during a trial.
Ancelotti, 65, denied having intentionally committed tax fraud when he took the stand on Wednesday on the first day of the trial.
He told the court that on the advice of the club, a firm was set up when he joined Real Madrid so he could collect 15 percent of his annual salary of six million euros in image rights, and that he never realised that this allowed him to pay less tax.
"At that time, all the players and coaches were doing it that way, it seemed like the right thing to do," he said, adding former Real coach Jose Mourinho had a similar arrangement.
"I never realised that something wasn't right" until 2018 when the public prosecutor's office opened a probe into his finances, the Real Madrid coach said.

'Public humiliation'

During his closing arguments on Thursday, Ancelotti's lawyer, Carlos Zabala, said Real Madrid was responsible for "the contractual nonsense" that caused his client's problems by seeking to pay part of his salary through image rights to have "a more convenient taxation".
"Mr.Ancelotti did not fully understand what he was signing," he added, asking the court to acquit the Real coach.
The case could have been settled without going to trial but Spanish tax authorities wanted to submit Ancelotti to a "public humiliation", Zabala said.
Previous cases involving footballers have resulted in suspended sentences, often via an out-of-court settlement.
Spain has cracked down in recent years on football stars who have not paid their due.
Mourinho received a one-year suspended sentence after pleading guilty to tax fraud in 2019.
Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo were both found guilty of tax evasion and received prison sentences that were waived for being first-time offenders.

Shakira settlement

Colombian superstar artist Shakira in 2023 agreed a three-year suspended sentence and paid 7.3 million euros in fines to settle a tax fraud case and avoid trial.
Prosecutors had accused the "Hips Don't Lie" singer of defrauding the Spanish state of 14.5 million euros on income earned between 2012 and 2014, charges Shakira had denied, saying she only moved to Spain full-time in 2015.
She was in a relationship at the time with Barcelona defender Gerard Pique.
Ancelotti took over at Real Madrid in 2013, leaving in May 2015, before being appointed by Bayern Munich the following year. 
The former Italy international midfielder, who as a player won the European Cup twice with AC Milan, later managed Napoli and Everton before returning to Real Madrid in 2021.
Aside from his success in the Champions League, he has won domestic league titles with Madrid and Milan, in England with Chelsea, in Germany with Bayern Munich and in France with Paris Saint-Germain.
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Sports

Arsenal defender Gabriel out for rest of the season

  • Arsenal host Real Madrid in the opening leg of their quarter-final clash at the Emirates on Tuesday before the return game the following week.
  • Arsenal have suffered a major setback ahead of their Champions League clash against Real Madrid after Gabriel was ruled out for the remainder of the season.
  • Arsenal host Real Madrid in the opening leg of their quarter-final clash at the Emirates on Tuesday before the return game the following week.
Arsenal have suffered a major setback ahead of their Champions League clash against Real Madrid after Gabriel was ruled out for the remainder of the season.
The Gunners said Thursday the 27-year-old Brazil centre-back will require surgery on the hamstring injury he suffered during the club's 2-1 Premier League win against Fulham on Tuesday.
Gabriel, a mainstay of Arsenal's defence in recent seasons, went down in the 16th minute with the injury at the Emirates Stadium and was unable to continue.
Arsenal host Real Madrid in the opening leg of their quarter-final clash at the Emirates on Tuesday before the return game the following week.
"Further to being substituted during our match against Fulham on Tuesday, we can confirm that Gabriel Magalhaes has sustained a hamstring injury which requires surgery," said an Arsenal statement.
"Gabi will undergo a surgical repair procedure to his hamstring in the coming days, and immediately begin his recovery and rehabilitation programme, with the aim to be ready for the start of next season."
Arsenal have the best defence in the Premier League so far this season, having conceded 25 goals in 30 games.
But they are still second in the table, a huge 12 points behind runaway leaders Liverpool with eight games to play.
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