Sports

Belgium's Detry grabs Phoenix Open lead, Spieth lurking

  • Belgium's Detry, chasing a first US tour title, bounced back from his only bogey of the day at the 14th with birdies at the 16th and 17th to card a 64 for a 12-under total of 130.
  • Thomas Detry posted eight birdies in a seven-under-par 64 on Friday to power to a two-stroke lead over Alex Smalley and Michael Kim midway through the US PGA Tour Phoenix Open.
  • Belgium's Detry, chasing a first US tour title, bounced back from his only bogey of the day at the 14th with birdies at the 16th and 17th to card a 64 for a 12-under total of 130.
Thomas Detry posted eight birdies in a seven-under-par 64 on Friday to power to a two-stroke lead over Alex Smalley and Michael Kim midway through the US PGA Tour Phoenix Open.
Belgium's Detry, chasing a first US tour title, bounced back from his only bogey of the day at the 14th with birdies at the 16th and 17th to card a 64 for a 12-under total of 130.
The world No. 58 got his day off to a flying start when he returned to birdie his final hole of the first round after darkness stranded a handful of players on the course on Thursday.
After birdies at the second and fifth, he rolled in a 53-foot birdie putt at the ninth to launch a string of three straight birdies, then seized a share of the lead with a birdie at the 11th.
"I've actually been very comfortable on the grens this week," Detry said. "I've been hitting a lot of fairways as well."
Kim stormed into a share of second with birdies at the last four holes in a superb eight-under-par 63 for 10-under 132.
"I felt like I kind of figured it out a little bit, especially on the back nine with the driver," said Kim, who claimed his only tour title at the 2018 John Deere Classic. "Just made some really good swings."
Smalley piled up five birdies in the first 11 holes before an eagle at the par-five 13th, where his shot in from the fairway left him a six-foot putt. He gave a stroke back with a bogey at 15 -- where he found the water from the fairway -- to card a 65.
Three-time major winner Jordan Spieth, making his second start after an absence of five months in the wake of wrist surgery, eagled the 13th and 15th on the way to a 65 that left him tied for fourth on nine-under 133 with South Korean Tom Kim and South Africa's Christiaan Bezuidenhout -- who both shot 66.
Justin Thomas, seeking to add to his 15 tour titles for the first time since he won the PGA Championship for the second time in 2022, headlined a group of five players on eight-under 134.

'Outside chance'

World number one Scottie Scheffler gave himself what he characterized as an "outside chance" to challenge on the weekend with a five-under-par 66 to head a group on 135.
Scheffler had five birdies without a bogey, and said he felt "much better" about his play than he did after a wild 69 on Thursday that included two eagles, a double-bogey, three birdies and three bogeys.
"Overall (I) did a lot more good things out on the course and looking forward to the weekend," he said.
The tournament known for its raucous crowds has taken steps to tone things down this year after a few incidents involving obviously inebriated fans last year.
But the atmosphere, particularly at the par-three 16th that is ringed by hospitality suites, remains lively.
Argentina's Emiliano Grillo sparked a beer-spraying fan frenzy with a hole-in-one at the 16th, his "perfect" pitching wedge hitting the base of the flagstick and rattling straight into the cup.
"You always dream of making a hole-in-one there, so every time that you step in there you're trying to make it," he said. "It was loud. It was very loud. It was a lot of emotions.
"I just loved watching the beer go on to the green," said Grillo, who was projected to make the cut on the number after a two-under 69. The cut will be finalized on Saturday morning after darkness halted play with a handful of players on the course.
bb/rcw

Sports

World No. 11 Ko fires 63 to grab LPGA Founders Cup lead

  • Ko opened on the 10th hole with a birdie and added another at 16, then birdied the first and second holes as well as the fourth and reeled off three birdies in a row starting at the par-5 sixth.
  • South Korea's Ko Jin-young birdied six of her last nine holes to fire an eight-under par 63 and grab a two-stroke lead after Friday's second round of the LPGA Founders Cup.
  • Ko opened on the 10th hole with a birdie and added another at 16, then birdied the first and second holes as well as the fourth and reeled off three birdies in a row starting at the par-5 sixth.
South Korea's Ko Jin-young birdied six of her last nine holes to fire an eight-under par 63 and grab a two-stroke lead after Friday's second round of the LPGA Founders Cup.
Two-time major winner Ko, who began on the back nine, fired the day's low round to stand on 12-under 130 after 36 holes at Florida's Bradenton Country Club.
"I didn't know I was shooting eight-under," Ko said. "After scoring and I checked my score, 'Oh my God, I'm shooting like 8-under.' Was pretty good."
World number 11 Ko has won three of the past five Founders Cup crowns, taking the title in 2019, 2021 and 2023 with the 2020 event wiped out by the Covid pandemic. She seeks her 16th LPGA title and first since the 2023 Founders Cup.
Ko opened on the 10th hole with a birdie and added another at 16, then birdied the first and second holes as well as the fourth and reeled off three birdies in a row starting at the par-5 sixth.
"I focused very well and I'm just trying to do my best," Ko said. "Shot was very consistent from the tee. I had a lot of good birdie chances but I missed some putts, but still I played really nice."
A second-place pack on 132 included Japan's Minami Katsu, South Korean Im Jin-hee and Americans Angel Yin and Yealimi Noh.
Yin, who fired a bogey-free 66, won her only LPGA title in 2023 at Shanghai.
"Got good momentum, so try to keep carrying that into the weekend and see what I can do," Yin said. "A lot of players are playing really well, especially Jin-young."
Im, who fired a bogey-free 66, had her best result in her rookie season with a runner-up effort at last November's Annika tournament.
"Green is good, I can believe my line and I make it," Im said. "That's all."
Noh, seeking her first LPGA victory, fired a 64.
"I just hit it really well," Noh said. "A lot of putts dropped in. My tempo was really good today so made it simple, fairways and greens."
Noh, whose best LPGA career finish was a share of second at the 2020 Volunteers of America Classic, worked hard in the off-season to try and improve her results.
"I practiced a lot," Noh said. "I worked out a lot in the gym, getting my body ready for this season. I've got trainers everywhere and they got me in really good shape."
Top-ranked Nelly Korda, who won last year here on her hometown course, fired her second 68 to share 13th on 136.
js/bb

FACup

Maguire strikes late as Man Utd beat Leicester in FA Cup

  • Leicester, the 2021 FA Cup winners, gave the Old Trafford crowd a familiar sinking feeling in the 42nd minute.
  • Harry Maguire headed a last-gasp winner as FA Cup holders Manchester United came from behind to beat Leicester 2-1 on Friday, denying Ruud van Nistelrooy a fairytale return to Old Trafford.
  • Leicester, the 2021 FA Cup winners, gave the Old Trafford crowd a familiar sinking feeling in the 42nd minute.
Harry Maguire headed a last-gasp winner as FA Cup holders Manchester United came from behind to beat Leicester 2-1 on Friday, denying Ruud van Nistelrooy a fairytale return to Old Trafford.
Bobby De Cordova-Reid put the Premier League strugglers ahead late in the first half of the fourth-round tie against a pallid United, who have lost their fear factor at home.
But the introduction of Alejandro Garnacho at half-time gave United a different dimension and fellow substitute Joshua Zirkzee levelled midway through the second period.
Ruben Amorim's team pushed for a winner and it finally came when former Leicester defender Maguire headed in a Bruno Fernandes' free-kick deep into stoppage time.
The Portuguese manager, who is struggling to implement his ideas at Old Trafford three months into his reign, said it was a "poor performance" from his side.
"We didn't have any energy in the beginning, especially in the first half," he told ITV. "Then in the second half we played a little bit better, with a little more speed, winning second balls. 
"Then we managed to turn things around so it was a good result but not a good performance.
"The coach is the first responsible. When one team doesn't perform, doesn't improve, it is the coach but we are here to do things and to see the game, to study the game and try to improve."
United scored eight goals in two games against Leicester earlier in the campaign during Van Nistelrooy's brief spell as interim boss at Old Trafford following the sacking of Erik ten Hag.
But this time their former star striker was in the opposition dugout.
United, who beat Manchester City in the final at Wembley last May, were short of confidence after five defeats in their past seven matches at home in all competitions.

Toothless United

The home side were tepid in attack in the early stages but Leicester's Jordan Ayew tested Andre Onana at the other end.
Leicester, the 2021 FA Cup winners, gave the Old Trafford crowd a familiar sinking feeling in the 42nd minute.
Manuel Ugarte gave the ball away near the left touchline and Bilal El Khannouss got to the byline before pulling the ball back to Wilfred Ndidi.
Onana saved Ndidi's shot with his feet but De Cordova-Reid nodded home from close range.
United's players traipsed off at half-time to a chorus of boos after failing to manage a shot on target.
Amorim brought on Garnacho at half-time for debutant Patrick Dorgu in a desperate search for inspiration and the Argentina international immediately menaced the Leicester defence.
United's equaliser came after fine work from the lively Garnacho down the left.
Rasmus Hojlund's flick from Garnacho's cross was blocked but Zirkzee tapped into an empty net for just his fifth goal of the season.
United looked the more likely to find a winner but it did not arrive until the 93rd minute, when Maguire headed home from Fernandes' free-kick.
The England defender appeared to be offside but there was no VAR.
Van Nistelrooy was angry that off-side flag was not raised.
"We deserved to go into extra time, go for the battle in extra time and maybe penalties," he said.
"Decisions like these in our level are hard to swallow."
United, 13th in the Premier League, ended the January transfer window lighter than when they started in terms of attacking options after allowing Marcus Rashford and Antony to leave on loan.
Argentine defender Lisandro Martinez was missing after sustaining cruciate ligament damage during last week's defeat against Crystal Palace.
jw/dj

FACup

Guardiola denies Man City spent big due to fears of transfer ban

  • He revealed that he was expecting the outcome of the hearing into 115 alleged breaches of Premier League financial regulations within the coming weeks.
  • Pep Guardiola denied Friday that Manchester City spent big in January in case the club are hit with a transfer embargo for alleged Premier League financial rule breaches.
  • He revealed that he was expecting the outcome of the hearing into 115 alleged breaches of Premier League financial regulations within the coming weeks.
Pep Guardiola denied Friday that Manchester City spent big in January in case the club are hit with a transfer embargo for alleged Premier League financial rule breaches.
City splashed out around £170 million ($211 million) on Omar Marmoush, Abdukodir Khusanov, Vitor Reis and Nico Gonzalez before Monday's transfer deadline.
They are much-needed reinforcements for a side who are well off the pace in the Premier League and who just scraped into the Champions League play-offs.
Guardiola, whose side meet third-tier Leyton Orient in the FA Cup fourth round on Saturday, was asked whether the club's striking outlay was triggered by the possibility they would be hit by a transfer ban.
He revealed that he was expecting the outcome of the hearing into 115 alleged breaches of Premier League financial regulations within the coming weeks.
A transfer embargo is one of a number of sanctions City could face if found guilty, with other options including a fine, points deductions or even demotion. The club deny wrongdoing.
Guardiola feels his club are incorrectly judged because of their owners' wealth, saying their spending still does not match that of their rivals.
"In the last five years, we are the last team in the top six for net spend," he said. "Even after what we have spent in this transfer window, we are away from Chelsea, (Manchester) United, Arsenal, Tottenham, even from Liverpool.
"The reason why is we have sold a lot in the last seasons but, even with that, I know (people say about) this club, it is always 'just about the money'.
"Respect the other ones but in one month I think there will be a verdict and a sentence and after we will see my opinion of what happened so far. Still, at the end, every club can do whatever they want."
jw/dj

Mavericks

Davis aims to 'give hope' to Mavs fans blindsided by Doncic departure

  • He was greeted with similar enthusiasm when he was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers in July 2019 and teamed with LeBron James to win the NBA title in 2020.
  • Anthony Davis says part of his job in Dallas will be to offer reassurance to Mavericks fans shocked and angered by the team's decision to ship 25-year-old talisman Luka Doncic to Los Angeles in exchange for the Lakers' star big man.
  • He was greeted with similar enthusiasm when he was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers in July 2019 and teamed with LeBron James to win the NBA title in 2020.
Anthony Davis says part of his job in Dallas will be to offer reassurance to Mavericks fans shocked and angered by the team's decision to ship 25-year-old talisman Luka Doncic to Los Angeles in exchange for the Lakers' star big man.
The blockbuster deal, after Doncic led the Mavericks to the NBA Finals last season, sent shockwaves through the NBA and sparked outrage in Dallas, where some heartbroken fans staged a mock funeral outside the Mavs' American Airlines Center.
"I understand it," Davis said on Friday at a press conference to officially introduce him in Dallas.
"Obviously, it's a business, and I get who Luka was to this franchise, to the city.
"I'm never going to downplay that -- just how I know what I meant to the city of LA. So I'm not surprised by the fans' reaction and the city's reaction. But it's my job to come in and play basketball and do what I'm supposed to do and give the fans hope and reassurance on why (general manger) Nico (Harrison) brought me here."
Davis who was nursing an abdominal strain when the trade came down, is scheduled to make his Mavs debut in Saturday's home game against the Houston Rockets.
Klay Thompson, the sharpshooter brought in from Golden State in the off-season, said the team was bracing for a "weird" atmosphere. An online fundraiser had garnered more than $40,000 as of Friday to erect billboards protesting Harrison and team ownership.
"I don't know how tomorrow’s going to be as far as the reaction, but I can't control that," Davis said. "What I can control, it's going and just winning basketball games and helping the team do whatever I can."
It's unfamiliar territory for Davis, who was welcomed with jubilation when the New Orleans Pelicans made him the number one overall draft pick in 2012 after he was named the National college player of the year in his lone season at the University of Kentucky.
He was greeted with similar enthusiasm when he was traded to the Los Angeles Lakers in July 2019 and teamed with LeBron James to win the NBA title in 2020.
Harrison has pointed to Davis's defensive excellence as a reason for making the deal.
The five-time All-Defensive selection is averaging 25.7 points, 11.9 rebounds and 2.1 blocks per game this season.
"To have Nico trade for me just shows his belief in me and what I can do on the floor," Davis said. "It's my job to produce every night and have Mavs nation believe that as well.
"I'm excited for the challenge," he said.
bb/rcw

Sports

Kvaratskhelia off mark, Dembele scores twice as PSG beat Monaco

BY ANDY SCOTT

  • Dembele quickly made it 3-1 and rounded out the victory late on, Ligue 1's leading scorer taking his tally for the season to 16.
  • Khvicha Kvaratskhelia scored his first Paris Saint-Germain goal and in-form Ousmane Dembele bagged a brace as the Ligue 1 leaders eased to a 4-1 win over Monaco on Friday.
  • Dembele quickly made it 3-1 and rounded out the victory late on, Ligue 1's leading scorer taking his tally for the season to 16.
Khvicha Kvaratskhelia scored his first Paris Saint-Germain goal and in-form Ousmane Dembele bagged a brace as the Ligue 1 leaders eased to a 4-1 win over Monaco on Friday.
Vitinha's early opener for PSG was cancelled out by a Denis Zakaria equaliser at the Parc des Princes, but Kvaratskhelia's superbly taken goal restored the home side's lead early in the second half.
It was the Georgian's first PSG goal on his fourth appearance since signing last month from Napoli for a reported 70 million euros ($72m).
Dembele quickly made it 3-1 and rounded out the victory late on, Ligue 1's leading scorer taking his tally for the season to 16.
He has scored 16 times in his last 10 appearances in all competitions, and an astonishing eight times in his last three matches.
PSG are now 13 points clear at the top of the table from Marseille, who go to Angers on Sunday, while Monaco are another three points behind in third place.
"In the end we deserved the victory but it was very difficult as it always is against Monaco," said coach Luis Enrique.
The Parisians have not lost in domestic competition this season, and now head into a Champions League knockout phase play-off tie against French rivals Brest, with the first leg in Brittany on Tuesday.
Friday's result means PSG have lost just one of their last 61 games against French opposition going back to September 2023.

Luis Enrique's new deal

All is well for the capital club, who announced on Friday that coach Luis Enrique has extended his contract until 2027, while Achraf Hakimi, Vitinha and Nuno Mendes all penned new deals to stay until 2029. 
"My reaction can only be positive," Luis Enrique said when asked about his new deal.
"Since the first day the club has shown confidence in me. I am very happy to have this support."
Monaco had been hoping to cause an upset and boost confidence before hosting Benfica on Wednesday in the first leg of their Champions League play-off tie, but this was the third time in a little over seven weeks they had lost to PSG.
"Compliments Luis Enrique and his team. They are one of the best teams for me at the moment in Europe," said Monaco's Austrian coach, Adi Huetter.
"For me they are also a candidate to win the Champions League. PSG with their quality especially up front can be a threat for every team."
Beaten 4-2 at home by PSG in December and 1-0 when the sides met in Doha in the French Champions Trophy in early January, Monaco should have been ahead here inside five minutes.
Maghnes Akliouche set up Takumi Minamino for a great chance inside the box, but the Japanese international shot straight at Gianluigi Donnarumma, and instead PSG went in front a minute later.
Vitinha's free-kick from wide on the right went around the wall and caught out goalkeeper Radoslaw Majecki as it sneaked in at the near post.
Monaco were quickly level. Soungoutou Magassa played a one-two with Breel Embolo before setting up Zakaria to fire in off the upright.
Bradley Barcola then had a goal disallowed for PSG as the first half ended all square, but the home side were back ahead on 54 minutes.
Kvaratskhelia controlled a ball into the box from Barcola and produced a superb second touch to take out Christian Mawissa before finishing emphatically.
Dembele, scorer of a hat-trick in each of his last two games, then took centre stage, as he played a quick exchange of passes with Desire Doue before firing in to make it 3-1 before the hour.
The France winger got his second of the night in the 90th minute with a tap-in after great work down the left by Nuno Mendes.
Facing this PSG side next is an ominous prospect for Brest, who warmed up for their Champions League date with a 2-0 win at western rivals Nantes.
Ludovic Ajorque put them ahead early on and Pierre Lees-Melou made sure of the win at the death as Brest climbed provisionally up to seventh, above Lyon.
as/dj

NED

Alcaraz races into Rotterdam semis, Tsitsipas falls

BY RICHARD CARTER

  • Earlier Friday, Stefanos Tsitsipas became the latest victim of an extraordinary run by Mattia Bellucci, as the Italian qualifier marched into the semi-finals with a 6-4, 6-2 upset.
  • Spanish tennis superstar Carlos Alcaraz hurtled into the Rotterdam Open semi-finals on Friday with a comfortable 6-2, 6-1 win over compatriot Pedro Martinez.
  • Earlier Friday, Stefanos Tsitsipas became the latest victim of an extraordinary run by Mattia Bellucci, as the Italian qualifier marched into the semi-finals with a 6-4, 6-2 upset.
Spanish tennis superstar Carlos Alcaraz hurtled into the Rotterdam Open semi-finals on Friday with a comfortable 6-2, 6-1 win over compatriot Pedro Martinez.
The world number three, bidding to become the first Spaniard to triumph in Rotterdam, will next face Hubert Hurkacz of Poland for a spot in Sunday's final.
Eighth-seeded Hurkacz defeated Andrey Rublev, the Russian fourth seed, 6-7 (5/7), 6-3, 6-4.
"I'm really happy with my performance today. I think I played at a really high level. No ups and downs in the match, which is something I'm really focused on," Alcaraz said. 
"It is always tough playing Pedro, so I knew I had to be really focused from the first ball to the last," he added.
It was the first time the two Spanish players had met on the professional tour and Alcaraz showed the gulf in class between himself and Martinez, ranked 41 places below him.
He wasted no time in stamping his authority on the match, breaking the Martinez serve in the first game. 
A second break followed quickly. Alcaraz wrapped up the first set with an ace.
The pattern repeated itself at the start of the second set. Martinez was the architect of his own downfall, losing his first service game with a double fault and a wild forehand.
Another unforced error from Martinez handed Alcaraz his second break of the set in the fifth game, which also featured the best rally of the match, both players covering all corners of the court.
Alcaraz wrapped up the match with yet another break, finishing off his opponent with a whipped crosscourt forehand, his 29th winner, in just over an hour.
"With every match I play, I'm improving. Hopefully, I can end up the week with the trophy," said Alcaraz.
Earlier Friday, Stefanos Tsitsipas became the latest victim of an extraordinary run by Mattia Bellucci, as the Italian qualifier marched into the semi-finals with a 6-4, 6-2 upset.
World number 12 Tsitsipas never got to grips with Bellucci's left-handed serve and combination of flat backhands and heavy top-spin forehands, interspersed with well-disguised drop shots.
"At the beginning of the week, I would have never expected this result," said Bellucci, 23, who had never before reached the semi-final of an ATP 500 event.
"I was really enjoying myself on court. Today I think I played even better, technically speaking, against a great opponent but I was in a mindset to fight for every point," said the Italian.
Bellucci, ranked 92 in the world, had already demonstrated his giant-killing prowess by downing second seed Daniil Medvedev in the previous round.
Awaiting Bellucci in the semi-final is Australia's Alex de Minaur, last year's runner-up, who wasted no time in swatting aside German lucky loser Daniel Altmaier 6-1, 6-4.
ric/pb/dj

Bundesliga

'Improving' Kane hits brace as Bayern beat Bremen to move nine clear

  • Despite his remarkable record, Kane, 31, told DAZN he was still improving. 
  • Harry Kane said he was still "improving" after scoring two penalties as Bayern Munich beat Werder Bremen 3-0 on Friday to go nine points clear of Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga.
  • Despite his remarkable record, Kane, 31, told DAZN he was still improving. 
Harry Kane said he was still "improving" after scoring two penalties as Bayern Munich beat Werder Bremen 3-0 on Friday to go nine points clear of Bayer Leverkusen in the Bundesliga.
There were few chances in the first half but Kane signalled his intent 30 seconds after the break, rattling the crossbar with a shot from outside the box. 
Kane was key in winning Bayern's first penalty and breaking Bremen's stubborn resistance.
The England captain tussled with defender Anthony Young and headed a chipped cross unsighted against the Bremen man's arm, which was slightly extended. 
The England captain stepped up and converted the spot kick, sending goalkeeper Michael Zetterer the wrong way. 
Leroy Sane tapped in a Konrad Laimer cross from close range for Bayern's second in the 82nd minute. 
In stoppage time, Young was again at fault and penalised for a foul on Jamal Musiala. 
Kane stepped up and converted, bringing his penalty streak to 29 in a row for club and country. 
The former Spurs striker has 21 goals in 19 league games for Bayern this season, including nine penalties. 
Despite his remarkable record, Kane, 31, told DAZN he was still improving. 
"I had a couple of other chances which could've gone my way, if I was a bit more ruthless, but there's still room for improvement, with the left foot especially," he said.
He added: "Throughout the season there's going to be tight games like tonight and you need moments to break through.
"As a striker, I take the responsibility to break the deadlock and get the 1-0."
Bayern coach Vincent Kompany praised Kane's work ethic. 
"I see everything he does, not just in games but at training. It's not luck, he works very, very hard on it," the coach told DAZN.
Defending champions Leverkusen travel to Wolfsburg on Saturday and can cut Bayern's lead back to six points with a win. 
Bayern play away at Leverkusen next week in a match bookended by a two-legged Champions League knockout tie against Celtic. 
"Two big away games next week it's going to be tough," Kane said.
"But for us it's about competing against ourselves, pushing our level, and seeing how far we can take it."
Bremen fought hard but were undermanned, on and off the field. 
Coach Ole Werner along with defenders Niklas Stark and Marco Friedl were all missing due to red cards in the 1-0 home win against in-form Mainz last time out, while attackers Leonardo Bittencourt and Romano Schmid were sidelined with muscle strains. 
A frustrated Bremen striker Marvin Ducksch complained about Bayern's first spot kick, for handball, telling DAZN "if that happened to us, we don't get that penalty."
Despite the loss, Bremen sit eighth, one point behind the European placings, as they bid for a return to continental competition for the first time since 2010-11. 
dwi/dj

SerieA

Kolo Muani double saves Juve at Como

  • After ramming home Juve's 34th-minute opener from a tight angle Kolo Muani was cool from the penalty spot with a minute remaining after Federico Gatti was clattered by Como goalkeeper Jean Butez.
  • Randal Kolo Muani shot Juventus into Serie A's Champions League positions after netting a brace, including the late winning penalty, in Friday's 2-1 win at Como.
  • After ramming home Juve's 34th-minute opener from a tight angle Kolo Muani was cool from the penalty spot with a minute remaining after Federico Gatti was clattered by Como goalkeeper Jean Butez.
Randal Kolo Muani shot Juventus into Serie A's Champions League positions after netting a brace, including the late winning penalty, in Friday's 2-1 win at Como.
France forward Kolo Muani took his Juve tally to five goals in three matches as he begins his loan spell from Paris Saint-Germain in fine form.
After ramming home Juve's 34th-minute opener from a tight angle Kolo Muani was cool from the penalty spot with a minute remaining after Federico Gatti was clattered by Como goalkeeper Jean Butez.
Thiago Motta's side are only one point ahead of Fiorentia and Lazio who face Inter Milan and Monza this weekend, with Inter coming to Turin next weekend.
"I'm very happy to score again," said Kolo Muani to DAZN.
"We played very good as a team. It was a diffcult game today but we are very happy.
"I'm a striker and I need to score, so for me a penalty is very important for the confidence."
Kolo Muani became the first player since Roberto Baggio in 1990 to score in his first three Serie A matches for Juve when he smashed home from a tight angle.
But another winter window signing levelled the scores for the hosts on the stroke of half-time when Assane Diao headed in Patrick Cutrone's pinpoint cross. 
Como, who are just two points above the relegation zone and brought in a host of players over the last few weeks, were at times the better team at the Stadio Giuseppe Sinigaglia.
But Kolo Muani is in lethal form and snatched the points for Juve, who have been boosted by the 26-year-old's presence up front. 
td/pb/dj

SuperBowl

Sport and politics entwine as Trump makes historic Super Bowl visit

BY THOMAS URBAIN

  • A day later, the White House confirmed that Trump would become the first US president to attend the Super Bowl in person, joining around 74,000 other fans at Sunday's showpiece between the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles.
  • Donald Trump will make history on Sunday when he becomes the first sitting US President to attend the Super Bowl, writing a new chapter in an often-strained relationship with the NFL that has been marked by decades of animosity.
  • A day later, the White House confirmed that Trump would become the first US president to attend the Super Bowl in person, joining around 74,000 other fans at Sunday's showpiece between the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles.
Donald Trump will make history on Sunday when he becomes the first sitting US President to attend the Super Bowl, writing a new chapter in an often-strained relationship with the NFL that has been marked by decades of animosity.
A keen sports fan, Trump's links to America's most popular sport stretch back to the early 1980s, when he first sought to join the exclusive club of NFL team owners by attempting to purchase the Baltimore Colts.
Thwarted on that occasion, he went on to buy a team in the United States Football League (USFL), set up as a spring-summer alternative to the autumn-winter NFL. 
Trump was subsequently the driving force behind an acrimonious lawsuit filed by the USFL which accused the NFL of operating a monopoly, with the goal of forcing a USFL-NFL merger.
Although a jury found in favor of Trump's USFL, the league was awarded only $3 in damages, effectively leading to the league's decision to close in 1986 amid multi-million dollar losses.
Trump's first presidential term, meanwhile, witnessed a series of running battles against the NFL and its players, most notably following Colin Kaepernick's decision to kneel during the playing of the US national anthem in protest at racial injustice.
"Wouldn't you love to see one of these NFL owners, when somebody disrespects our flag, to say, 'Get that son of a bitch off the field right now. He's fired!'" Trump roared at a September 2017 rally in Alabama.
That led to a wave of player protests across the NFL, with more than 200 players kneeling during the national anthem in solidarity with Kaepernick and in defiance of Trump's rhetoric.
"Divisive comments like these demonstrate an unfortunate lack of respect for the NFL, our great game and all of our players," NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said in response to Trump's remarks.
Several teams from the NFL and other sports opted to skip the traditional White House reception offered to championship-winning teams in a snub to Trump. 
The Philadelphia Eagles, Super Bowl winners in the 2017-2018 season, were disinvited by the White House after several players said they would not attend. 

Sporting foothold

Yet just like the expansion of his electoral base during the presidential campaign, Trump has gradually found a foothold in sport over the past year.
On Monday he welcomed the Florida Panthers ice hockey team to the White House in recognition of their National Hockey League championship victory last season.
A day later, the White House confirmed that Trump would become the first US president to attend the Super Bowl in person, joining around 74,000 other fans at Sunday's showpiece between the Kansas City Chiefs and Philadelphia Eagles.
Amy Bass, a professor of sports studies at Manhattanville University in New York, says Trump's decision to attend the Super Bowl is "political."
"Even if he is going because he loves football ... it is a political move because he is the president of the United States and everything he does is political," Bass told AFP.
Some have interpreted the NFL's decision to remove the words "End Racism" from the end zone at this weekend's Super Bowl as a concession to the "anti-woke" stance of the new Trump administration.
However NFL chief Goodell insisted on Monday that the league remained firmly committed to diversity programs, despite the Trump administration's calls for similar initiatives in government and elsewhere to be scrapped.
"We got into diversity efforts because we felt it was the right thing for the National Football League ... we've proven to ourselves that it does make the NFL better," Goodell said.
Players at Sunday's Super Bowl have reacted positively to Trump's attendance, with Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce calling it a "great honor."
That could potentially lead to some awkwardness between Kelce and his pop icon girlfriend, Taylor Swift. Swift endorsed Trump's election rival Kamala Harris last year, prompting Trump to write on social media: "I hate Taylor Swift."
The Super Bowl's high-profile halftime concert on Sunday could also be an opportunity for anti-Trump sentiment, with rapper Kendrick Lamar, who has been critical of the president in the past, headlining the show.  
Bass wonders how fans at the Superdome might respond on Sunday, given the Eagles' recent history with Trump following the 2018 row.
"Here's the thing about using a stadium or a ball park as a political arena: you have absolutely no idea what the crowd is going to do, because you, the politician, are not why anyone is there," Bass said.
"You'd be hard pressed to find a city that hates Donald Trump more than Philadelphia, so....might they be disrespectful? Yes. And that's a shame. Because the office of the president deserves respect.
"But Donald Trump changed the rules on respect, so all's fair."
tu/rcw/bb

Super

Eagles' veteran Graham still in fitness fight for Super Bowl

  • While it was initially believed that Graham -- who was placed on injured reserve and underwent surgery -- would be out for the season, he has continued to work with hope of being able to feature in the Super Bowl.
  • Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham is fighting to face the Kansas City Chiefs in Sunday's Super Bowl despite being out injured since November.
  • While it was initially believed that Graham -- who was placed on injured reserve and underwent surgery -- would be out for the season, he has continued to work with hope of being able to feature in the Super Bowl.
Philadelphia Eagles defensive end Brandon Graham is fighting to face the Kansas City Chiefs in Sunday's Super Bowl despite being out injured since November.
The 36-year-old, who was drafted by the Eagles in 2010, tore his triceps in a week 12 victory over the Los Angeles Rams.
While it was initially believed that Graham -- who was placed on injured reserve and underwent surgery -- would be out for the season, he has continued to work with hope of being able to feature in the Super Bowl.
Graham was listed as a "full participant" in Friday's practice with his involvement in Sunday's game rated as "questionable."
Graham, who won the Super Bowl with the Eagles in 2017, had indicated that this would be his final season in the NFL but has yet to fully confirm his retirement.
Another injury concern for the Eagles is wide receiver DeVonta Smith, who was listed as "limited" in each of the three practices this week. 
sev/js

Sports

Luis Enrique, Hakimi extend PSG contracts

  • Former Barcelona and Spain coach Luis Enrique arrived in Paris in July 2023 on a two-year deal and will now stay at the club until 2027.
  • Coach Luis Enrique has signed a two-year extension to his deal with Paris Saint-Germain, while a handful of players including Moroccan star Achraf Hakimi have also extended their contracts in the French capital, the Ligue 1 leaders announced on Friday.
  • Former Barcelona and Spain coach Luis Enrique arrived in Paris in July 2023 on a two-year deal and will now stay at the club until 2027.
Coach Luis Enrique has signed a two-year extension to his deal with Paris Saint-Germain, while a handful of players including Moroccan star Achraf Hakimi have also extended their contracts in the French capital, the Ligue 1 leaders announced on Friday.
Former Barcelona and Spain coach Luis Enrique arrived in Paris in July 2023 on a two-year deal and will now stay at the club until 2027.
"I think we have an incredible future ahead of us and I hope we have lots of success with the club," Luis Enrique said in a club statement.
His contract extension had been something of an open secret for months, and comes just ahead of PSG's Champions League knockout phase play-off tie against French rivals Brest, the first leg of which takes place next Tuesday.
The Spaniard led PSG to a domestic league and cup double last season while also taking them to the Champions League semi-finals.
They are currently well clear at the top of Ligue 1 and are through to the quarter-finals of this season's French Cup.
Luis Enrique was paraded to the crowd at the Parc des Princes crowd on Friday ahead of PSG's Ligue 1 match against Monaco, along with Hakimi, Vitinha and Nuno Mendes.
Hakimi, 26, has prolonged his contract by three years, meaning the former Real Madrid, Borussia Dortmund and Inter Milan right-back is tied to the French champions until 2029.
Portuguese international duo Vitinha and Mendes have also signed new deals until 2029, while 18-year-old full-back Yoram Zague has penned a new contract to stay at the Parc des Princes until 2028.
as/pb 

AllStars

Lillard seeks 3-point three-peat at NBA All-Star event

  • Lillard won the 3-point showdown in 2023 while with Portland and last year after joining the Bucks and will try to equal the record three consecutive titles set by Larry Bird in 1986-1988 and matched by Craig Hodges in 1990-92.
  • Milwaukee's Damian Lillard will try to complete a three-peat in next week's NBA All-Star Game 3-point Contest, the league announced Friday, while two French stars seek a Skills Challenge title.
  • Lillard won the 3-point showdown in 2023 while with Portland and last year after joining the Bucks and will try to equal the record three consecutive titles set by Larry Bird in 1986-1988 and matched by Craig Hodges in 1990-92.
Milwaukee's Damian Lillard will try to complete a three-peat in next week's NBA All-Star Game 3-point Contest, the league announced Friday, while two French stars seek a Skills Challenge title.
The events will be part of All-Star Saturday activities on the eve of the four-team All-Star tournament on February 16 at San Francisco.
Lillard won the 3-point showdown in 2023 while with Portland and last year after joining the Bucks and will try to equal the record three consecutive titles set by Larry Bird in 1986-1988 and matched by Craig Hodges in 1990-92.
Opposing Lillard will be Cleveland's Darius Garland, New York's Jalen Brunson, Miami's Tyler Herro, Golden State's Buddy Hield, Detroit's Cade Cunningham, Brooklyn's Cam Johnson and Norman Powell of the Los Angeles Clippers.
Herro ranks third in 3-pointers in the NBA this season with 183 while Garland is 10th with 146.
The All-Star Skills Challenge will consist of four two-man teams with a rookie pairing taking on duos from the San Antonio Spurs, Cleveland Cavaliers and host Golden State Warriors.
Team Rooks will combine 2024 NBA Draft top pick Zaccharie Risacher, a 19-year-old French swingman for the Atlanta Hawks, and Washington rookie Alex Sarr.
Team Spurs will unite French All-Star Victor Wembanyama and guard Chris Paul while Team Cavs pairs Donovan Mitchell and Evan Mobley and Team Warriors combines Draymond Green and Moses Moody.
The NBA Slam Dunk Contest entrants have already been named with two-time defending champion Mac McClung trying for the first three-peat since the event began in 1984. Nate Robinson is the only three-time Slam Dunk winner.
McClung, who plays for the Orlando Magic's G-League development club, will face San Antonio's Stephon Castle, Milwaukee's Andre Jackson Jr. and Chicago's Matas Buzelis.
Judges for the Slam Dunk Contest announced on Friday include former NBA players Tracy McGrady, Kevin Garnett, Baron Davis and Jason Richardson plus an average score from viewers worldwide through the NBA App.
js/bb

Super

Bible study and prayer part of Super Bowl prep for Chiefs and Eagles

BY SIMON EVANS

  • Both the starting quarterbacks in Sunday's game have spoken during this week's Super Bowl build-up about their Christian commitment.
  • It is not uncommon to hear NFL players give "all glory to God" in their post-game television interviews before commenting on a touchdown pass but when it comes to Sunday's Super Bowl, the Christian commitments of both teams are anything but casual.
  • Both the starting quarterbacks in Sunday's game have spoken during this week's Super Bowl build-up about their Christian commitment.
It is not uncommon to hear NFL players give "all glory to God" in their post-game television interviews before commenting on a touchdown pass but when it comes to Sunday's Super Bowl, the Christian commitments of both teams are anything but casual.
"We pray before every game as a team together. There's Bible studies on Fridays, chapel and mass before the game Saturday evening, and coach (Andy) Reid leads an Our Father prayer after every game," Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker told AFP.
"So there's definitely a big Christian feel, and I think that starts with our owners as well, Clark and Tavia Hunt."
To non-Americans it can be surprising to hear top stars talking so willingly about religion, something rare among international footballers.
Although several players, including those from South American and Islamic countries, may make religious gestures, it is rare to hear players in the Champions League or Premier League talk the way NFL players do about their religious beliefs.
Both the starting quarterbacks in Sunday's game have spoken during this week's Super Bowl build-up about their Christian commitment.
"My strength comes from God. I know my points of faith. I know what my foundation is with my faith," said Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts.
Chiefs star Patrick Mahomes has talked frequently of his beliefs and their place in his daily life.
"It is important to me every single day -- it's not about football, it's just about giving glory to God for being able to live my life, have a beautiful family and be able to have impact on others," the three-time Super Bowl winner said.
"I'm going to use that platform, win or lose, to give glory back to Him, to hopefully bring others closer to Him so that they can have the same love for life that I have because of that," he said.
Both the Chiefs and the Eagles have team chaplains to help players with spiritual matters, something which is not unusual in the NFL.
While most of the religious talk from players focuses on faith helping them deal with the challenges they face in sport and life, there has been some controversy, however, when talk turns to social issues.

Criticism

Butker faced criticism after a commencement speech he delivered last year at Benedictine College, a private Catholic college in Atchison, Kansas.
In the speech, Butker said many of the women present at the ceremony would be "most excited about your marriage and the children you will bring into this world" and he was also under fire for touching upon abortion and "disorder" in society.
The NFL distanced themselves from Butker's comments, saying his words were in a personal capacity and "his views are not those of the NFL as an organization."
But Butker says he has no regrets about what he said.
"Obviously I said things that some people in this country don't want to hear, but I've given many speeches before that, said similar things, so I think the odd thing was that why did this speech to a couple hundred students at a small Catholic college in Kansas, why was that the one that went viral?" he said this week.
Butker says he has been pleased to see teams such as the national college champion Ohio State University be vocal in expressing their faith and says he has noted a recent rise in such behavior.
"Maybe it was post-Covid, people were just wanting to lean on Jesus in a time of anxiety and pressure," he said. "But it's great to see -- thinking of Ohio State, their whole team. I think it's great that God is using a lot of people with their platforms to speak about Him."
sev/js

NED

Alcaraz races into Rotterdam semis, Tsitsipas falls

BY RICHARD CARTER

  • Earlier Friday, Stefanos Tsitsipas became the latest victim of an extraordinary run by Mattia Bellucci, as the Italian qualifier marched into the semi-finals with a 6-4, 6-2 upset.
  • Spanish tennis superstar Carlos Alcaraz hurtled into the Rotterdam Open semi-finals on Friday with a comfortable 6-2, 6-1 win over compatriot Pedro Martinez.
  • Earlier Friday, Stefanos Tsitsipas became the latest victim of an extraordinary run by Mattia Bellucci, as the Italian qualifier marched into the semi-finals with a 6-4, 6-2 upset.
Spanish tennis superstar Carlos Alcaraz hurtled into the Rotterdam Open semi-finals on Friday with a comfortable 6-2, 6-1 win over compatriot Pedro Martinez.
The world number three, bidding to become the first Spaniard to triumph in Rotterdam, will next face the winner of Friday's last quarter-final between Russia's Andrey Rublev and Hubert Hurkacz from Poland.
"I'm really happy with my performance today. I think I played at a really high level. No ups and downs in the match, which is something I'm really focused on," Alcaraz said. 
"It is always tough playing Pedro, so I knew I had to be really focused from the first ball to the last," he added.
It was the first time the two Spanish players had met on the professional tour and Alcaraz showed the gulf in class between himself and Martinez, ranked 41 places below him.
He wasted no time in stamping his authority on the match, breaking the Martinez serve in the first game. 
A second break followed quickly. Alcaraz wrapped up the first set with an ace.
The pattern repeated itself at the start of the second set. Martinez was the architect of his own downfall, losing his first service game with a double fault and a wild forehand.
Another unforced error from Martinez handed Alcaraz his second break of the set in the fifth game, which also featured the best rally of the match, both players covering all corners of the court.
Alcaraz wrapped up the match with yet another break, finishing off his opponent with a whipped crosscourt forehand, his 29th winner, in just over an hour.
"With every match I play, I'm improving. Hopefully, I can end up the week with the trophy," said Alcaraz.
Earlier Friday, Stefanos Tsitsipas became the latest victim of an extraordinary run by Mattia Bellucci, as the Italian qualifier marched into the semi-finals with a 6-4, 6-2 upset.
World number 12 Tsitsipas never got to grips with Bellucci's left-handed serve and combination of flat backhands and heavy top-spin forehands, interspersed with well-disguised drop shots.
"At the beginning of the week, I would have never expected this result," said Bellucci, 23, who had never before reached the semi-final of an ATP 500 event.
"I was really enjoying myself on court. Today I think I played even better, technically speaking, against a great opponent but I was in a mindset to fight for every point," said the Italian.
Bellucci, ranked 92 in the world, had already demonstrated his giant-killing prowess by downing second seed Daniil Medvedev in the previous round.
Awaiting Bellucci in the semi-final is Australia's Alex de Minaur, last year's runner-up, who wasted no time in swatting aside German lucky loser Daniel Altmaier 6-1, 6-4.
ric/pb

fbl

Chelsea star Sam Kerr's 'stupid and white' remark was 'hostile': prosecutors

  • In his closing speech on Friday, prosecutor Bill Emlyn-Jones asked the jury: "What if PC Lovell had been a black male and what if she had called him... stupid and black?
  • Prosecutors in the trial of Chelsea and Australia striker Sam Kerr, who called a police officer "stupid and white", have asked the jury if perceptions would be different had she said "stupid and black".
  • In his closing speech on Friday, prosecutor Bill Emlyn-Jones asked the jury: "What if PC Lovell had been a black male and what if she had called him... stupid and black?
Prosecutors in the trial of Chelsea and Australia striker Sam Kerr, who called a police officer "stupid and white", have asked the jury if perceptions would be different had she said "stupid and black".
The Australia captain is on trial charged with causing racially aggravated harassment, which she denies, to police constable Stephen Lovell during an incident in southwest London in the early hours of January 30, 2023.
It is alleged that Kerr, 31, and her partner, West Ham midfielder Kristie Mewis, had been out drinking when they were driven to a police station by a taxi driver who complained that they had refused to pay clean-up costs after one of them vomited, and that one of them smashed the vehicle's rear window.
At the police station, Kerr, who is mixed race, is alleged to have become "abusive and insulting" towards Lovell, calling him "stupid and white".
In his closing speech on Friday, prosecutor Bill Emlyn-Jones asked the jury: "What if PC Lovell had been a black male and what if she had called him... stupid and black? Now of course that is not a fair question, because black and white is not a fair swap.
"Calling a white man is not as loaded, so you can't just turn it around, it is not as easy as that. In the heat of the moment this was an insult delivered in reference to race and that is what the law prohibits.
"The test for you is the same regardless of the ethnicity in question. She was insulting him and, at the time, she was hostile to him by reference to his race. So the fact you will be able to think of much worse examples of racial aggravation is irrelevant.
"Would we consider this a racially aggravated insult if she had said stupid and black? Of course you would, it wouldn't even be contestable."
During the trial, the court heard character references from Chelsea team-mates and former head coach Emma Hayes.
Carly Telford, a goalkeeper who played for Women's Super League club Chelsea from 2017 to 2022, described Kerr as a "close friend" and an "introverted extrovert".
She said: "On the pitch you see the skills, the backflips (but) away from pitch, she's quite quiet and shy. Quite reserved."
Grace Forbes, defending Kerr, read out statements from Hayes, Chelsea captain Millie Bright and midfielder Erin Cuthbert.
Hayes, who is the former Chelsea manager and current head coach of the United States football team, said Kerr was an "exemplary role model".
jw/dj

Woods

Woods to tee it up in relocated Genesis Invitational

  • The Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles' Pacific Palisades is the usual venue for the Genesis.
  • Golf superstar Tiger Woods will play his first professional tournament in seven months when he tees it up in next week's Genesis Invitational, which has been relocated to Torrey Pines because of the Los Angeles wildfires.
  • The Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles' Pacific Palisades is the usual venue for the Genesis.
Golf superstar Tiger Woods will play his first professional tournament in seven months when he tees it up in next week's Genesis Invitational, which has been relocated to Torrey Pines because of the Los Angeles wildfires.
Woods, the 15-time major champion who hosts the US PGA Tour event, has committed to play, the tournament announced on Friday.
It will be his first appearance in a non-major on the US tour since he played the Genesis last February, withdrawing after one round because of illness.
Woods went on to finish 60th at the Masters and missed the cut in the year's other three majors as he struggled to recover between rounds because of back trouble and leg injuries from a 2021 car crash that continue to hamper him.
His last start was at the Open Championship in July.
Woods had another back surgery in September and teed it up alongside his 15-year-old son Charlie in the PNC Championship family event in Florida in December.
He has also played in the TGL indoor simulator league he launched with Northern Ireland star Rory McIlroy this year.
The 49-year-old has a long history of success on Torrey Pines' South Course, where his eight victories include his iconic 2008 US Open triumph in an 18-hole playoff against Rocco Mediate.
Two days after that victory, Woods announced he was undergoing knee surgery, revealing he had played with a broken leg.
The Riviera Country Club in Los Angeles' Pacific Palisades is the usual venue for the Genesis. Although the historic club was not damaged in the fires, it fell within the boundaries of the mandatory evacuation zone that forced residents to flee the Palisades fire last month.
Organizers and the tour opted to move the event due to the impact of the fires on the local community.
bb/js

SCO

Scotland boss Townsend has no grudge against Six Nations kings Ireland

  • Sunday's match will be a first Six Nations start for New Zealand-born Jordan after the 26-year-old came off the bench against Italy following his Test debut during the November internationals.
  • Gregor Townsend played down suggestions that Scotland-Ireland has become a grudge match as he prepared for Sunday's Six Nations clash at Murrayfield.
  • Sunday's match will be a first Six Nations start for New Zealand-born Jordan after the 26-year-old came off the bench against Italy following his Test debut during the November internationals.
Gregor Townsend played down suggestions that Scotland-Ireland has become a grudge match as he prepared for Sunday's Six Nations clash at Murrayfield.
Ireland have won their past 10 matches against Scotland in a run dating back to 2018. 
Some sections of the Irish media have accused Scottish players of "arrogance" when talking up their chances of ending that losing streak in the build-up to matches between the Celtic rivals.
Scotland coach Townsend, who took charge just months after Scotland's last win over Ireland in 2017, dismissed talk that the rivalry is more intense than it is with other nations after naming his team on Friday.
"I don't think there is," he said. "Well, if there is, it's just the same as any other game where teams want to build up something to provide extra motivation. 
"So, maybe it's more on the Irish side, or the Irish media side, there's this rivalry or needle to give them extra motivation on why they want to win again."
The 51-year-old former Scotland playmaker added: "Obviously they've won this fixture a number of times but we see this as a game where we respect Ireland a lot and admire what they've done over the last few years, but it doesn't stand out as a needle game for us."
Ireland began their bid for a record third successive Six Nations title with a 27-22 win over England in Dublin, while Scotland demonstrated admirable resolve to beat Italy 31-19 in Edinburgh after the Azzurri drew level at 19-19.
Townsend, however, is under no illusions about the scale of the challenge now facing Scotland, without a championship title since winning the last edition of the old Five Nations back in 1999. 
"Ireland are a top side and they have been for a number of years, clearly favourites for this game and looking to win three Six Nations in a row, which would be unprecedented," he said.
Townsend has made three changes to his side, with versatile back Tom Jordan replacing Stafford McDowall to line up alongside Huw Jones, who scored a hat-trick of tries against Italy, in midfield.
Elsewhere, Jack Dempsey takes over from former Scotland captain Jamie Ritchie in the back row, with Rory Sutherland in for Pierre Schoeman at loosehead prop.
Sunday's match will be a first Six Nations start for New Zealand-born Jordan after the 26-year-old came off the bench against Italy following his Test debut during the November internationals.
"With Tom, it was great to see him play in the 15 (full-back) jersey for us in November, like he has done in the 10 (fly-half) jersey for Glasgow for a few years now," said Townsend. 
"He just brought that off the bench at 12 (against Italy), and 12 (inside centre) was probably his natural position."
jdg/jw/pb

JPN

Sumo returns to Paris and turns heads

BY DIANE FALCONER

  • The two rikishis were in Paris for the announcement of a tournament at the Bercy arena, site of gymnastics and the basketball finals at the 2024 Olympics, in June 2026.
  • As sumo's two ambassadors to Paris toured the sites in traditional Japanese garb they found themselves becoming the attraction. 
  • The two rikishis were in Paris for the announcement of a tournament at the Bercy arena, site of gymnastics and the basketball finals at the 2024 Olympics, in June 2026.
As sumo's two ambassadors to Paris toured the sites in traditional Japanese garb they found themselves becoming the attraction. 
In their kimonos and sandals, their hair oiled and tied in buns, the 1.93m (6-foot-4) Takaaki Tsukahara, whose fighting name is "Tochitaikai", and the 1.77m Hideki Suzuki, "Tochikodai", were conspicuous as they went sightseeing.
Tochitaikai, like any good tourist, posed so that he appeared to be grabbing the Louvre pyramid with his fingertips. Meanwhile, other tourists were keen to take selfies with him as their monument.
"In Paris, the buildings are magnificent, I am amazed," the 25-year-old Tochitaikai told AFP. 
Tochitaikai was travelling outside Japan for the first time to promote a rare foray overseas by his sport   
Foreign tournaments were quite common in the 1980s and 1990s but there has not been a professional event abroad since a trip to Las Vegas in 2005.
The two rikishis were in Paris for the announcement of a tournament at the Bercy arena, site of gymnastics and the basketball finals at the 2024 Olympics, in June 2026.
It will be the third sumo tournament in the country.
The first, in 1986, made Jacques Chirac, at the time mayor of Paris, a fan. By the time of the second tournament in 1995, Chirac had been elected French president. 
On a grey, chilly February afternoon, Tochitaikai and Tochikodai visited the Eiffel Tower, its upper reaches shrouded in fog, the Louvre, the Arc de Triomphe, the Trocadero and the city hall, posing for photos with the landmarks and with passers by.
"Honestly, when I saw them, it immediately reminded me of President Chirac because he loved it, it was his passion. It's a pleasure, I'm very happy to have them here," says Hamade Bettayeb, a 51-year-old truck driver.
The two men could be back next year, if their results are good enough.
Tochikodai says he likes to take sumo on the road.
"In Tokyo, it's less the case, but when we go to the regions, people are happy, there is admiration," he said. 
Tochitaikai said he was living his dream. 
"I think we represent something sacred in Japan and precious to the Japanese," he said.
"I wasn't very good at school and I didn't see myself studying," he said. 
"So I told myself that I was going to earn my living with my body, it was quite obvious for me to choose this path." 
dif/smr/pb/dj

Ireland

NFL will play first regular-season game in Ireland in 2025

  • The NFL announced this week that the Los Angeles Rams will play in the NFL's first regular-season game in Australia in the 2025 season, the contest to be played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
  • The NFL will play its first regular-season game in Ireland during the 2025 season, the league announced on Friday, with Dublin's Croke Park to be the site of the contest.
  • The NFL announced this week that the Los Angeles Rams will play in the NFL's first regular-season game in Australia in the 2025 season, the contest to be played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
The NFL will play its first regular-season game in Ireland during the 2025 season, the league announced on Friday, with Dublin's Croke Park to be the site of the contest.
The Pittsburgh Steelers will serve as the designated team for the historic game, with Steelers president Art Rooney II and his family having connections with Ireland's County Down.
Rooney's father, the late Dan Rooney, served as US ambassador to Ireland from 2009-2012.
The Steelers also played a 1997 pre-season game against the Chicago Bears at Croke Park.
"We're delighted to officially bring a regular-season NFL game to Ireland as part of our 2025 International Games slate," NFL executive vice president of international, league events and club business Peter O'Reilly said.
"Both the NFL and the Steelers franchise have deep roots and history in Ireland and we're looking forward to making our regular-season debut in Dublin, bringing our game to a large and passionate Irish fan base and underlining the NFL's commitment to global growth."
The Steelers, whose only international regular-season game was in 2013 at London's Wembley Stadium, are set to play in one of seven global NFL contests in the 2025 campaign, with exact dates not certain until the league schedule is released later this year.
The NFL announced this week that the Los Angeles Rams will play in the NFL's first regular-season game in Australia in the 2025 season, the contest to be played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
The NFL will play two regular-season games next season in London at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium featuring the New York Jets and Cleveland Browns as designated teams while the Jacksonville Jaguars will play a home game at Wembley Stadium.
The NFL will host a regular-season game at Berlin, Germany, in Olympic Stadium with the Indianapolis Colts as the designated team and another game at Madrid's Santiago Bernabéu Stadium with the Miami Dolphins as the featured team in the Spain game.
In all, the NFL has played 55 regular-season NFL games worldwide with London, Munich, Frankfurt, São Paulo, Mexico City and Toronto all hosting games.
"We're very excited to be the designated team in the first regular-season game to be played in Ireland this upcoming season," said Steelers president Rooney.
"The opportunity for the Pittsburgh Steelers to play in Ireland is truly special, not only because of the Rooney family history there, but also to play in front of the growing number of Steelers fans in Ireland.
"We're thrilled to be part of this historic event to represent Pittsburgh in a game that brings the NFL to the great sports fans in Ireland."
js/bb