Source: Jets trade special-teamer Irv Charles to Seahawks - ESPN
Special teams player Irv Charles is going from the last-place New York Jets to the Super Bowl champion Seattle Seahawks, a source confirmed to ESPN on Wednesday.
New York, New Jersey announce probe into FIFA’s World Cup ticket sales
NEW YORK: The US states of New York and New Jersey announced a probe Wednesday into whether FIFA has exploited football fans with “impossibly high” World Cup ticket prices. Prosecutors in the two states said they would investigate ticket practices by the game’s governing body and organizer of the tournament starting June 11 in the United States, Mexico and Canada. “FIFA has turned buying a ticket to the World Cup into a gauntlet of confusion, fake scarcity, and impossibly high prices,” said Jennifer Davenport, attorney general for New Jersey, which will host the final on July 19. “We are committed to conducting a thorough investigation of FIFA’s conduct,” she said. The investigation will probe reports that fans were misled about seat locations and hurt by aggressive demand-based price-setting, where prices rise according to sales. “New Yorkers have been waiting years for the World Cup to come to their backyard and they deserve a fair shot at affordable tickets,” said the state’s attorney general, Letitia James. “No one should be manipulated into paying sky-high prices for seats, and fans should be able to trust that the tickets they purchase will be the ones they receive.” Much of the controversy has focused on the cost of attending the eight games at the New York Giants and Jets NFL stadium just outside New York City in New Jersey. In addition to tickets, it will cost $100 to take the train from New York — instead of the typical $12.90 fare. In May, authorities in California also said they had contacted FIFA over possible legal violations in ticket sales. Fan organization Football Supporters Europe (FSE) has branded the World Cup pricing structure as “extortionate” and a “monumental betrayal,” citing ticket prices that
Scorching heat, faster courts test players at French Open
PARIS: Sweltering conditions during the opening week of this year’s French Open have added a fresh challenge, with players including Iga Swiatek and Elina Svitolina saying success will hinge on who adapts best over the course of the tournament. Like much of Western Europe, France is experiencing higher-than-normal temperatures in May, with the mercury climbing past 30 degrees Celsius (86°F) in Paris and baking the red clay at Roland Garros on the opening four days. While the dry heat falls short of furnace-like conditions often seen at the Australian Open in January, it has quickened the courts and tested players by placing a premium on managing their bodies and constructing points carefully. In hot conditions, the ball travels faster through the air and bounces higher off the dry clay, shortening reaction times, quickening rallies and making control tougher, especially in longer exchanges as players adjust to the livelier surface. “I think in tennis you’re used to it,” seventh seed Elina Svitolina told reporters after her efficient 6-0 6-4 win over Kaitlin Quevedo in the second round. “Every single day is a different story. Even when you’re playing in the same tournament, you can play in the morning, you can play at night.
Elena Rybakina knocked out in French Open upset
Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina crashed out in the biggest upset so far at Roland Garros.
Jakub Mensik collapses on court amid intense French Open heat
Cramp-stricken Jakub Mensik collapsed on court in distressing scenes after winning his second-round match at the French Open.
Germany urge players to avoid political statements at World Cup
BERLIN: Germany sporting director Rudi Voeller on Wednesday urged members of the World Cup squad to avoid making political statements during this summer’s tournament. Speaking from Germany’s pre-World Cup camp in northern Bavaria, Voeller said players were not under a gag order but encouraged them to keep sport and politics “somewhat separate” while at the finals. Voeller said there would be no specialist media training ahead of the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico, unlike in the lead-up to the 2022 World Cup in Qatar. “If someone wishes to do so, they are welcome to do it in the run-up to the tournament,” Voeller said of players making political statements. “However, if it hasn’t happened until this point, it generally shouldn’t start happening now.” The 66-year-old hoped Germany learned from their experience four years ago in Qatar, where the team’s build-up to the tournament was dominated by discussion about a ban on political symbols. In Qatar, the German players covered their mouths in their pre-match photo before their tournament opener against Japan and some commentators suggested it contributed to their poor showing at the tournament. “Every player is fully aware of the situation; after all, a significant number of the current squad members were also part of the team that went to Qatar,” said Voeller. “Naturally, we won’t see a repeat of what happened previously — namely, (players and officials) launching various campaigns or conducting interviews and reporting critically on certain issues immediately before a match.” Voeller said he would leave it up to the media to report on political issues. “You (the media) are free to do that.
Lazio part ways with Sarri for a second time
May 27 : Lazio have parted company with manager Maurizio Sarri by mutual consent, the Serie A side announced on Wednesday.
Mikel Arteta has full faith ahead of Champions League final
Mikel Arteta is “fully convinced” Arsenal will make history this weekend by winning their first ever Champions League crown.