Marauding full-back Hakimi key to Morocco's attacking arsenal
Morocco defender Achraf Hakimi has already achieved a lot for a player who has just turned 24.
Germany Sport News
Messi to lock horns with Lewandowski in World Cup swansong
PARIS: Lionel Messi knows he has one last shot at winning the World Cup with Argentina, who will arrive in Qatar unbeaten in 35 matches after an impressive qualifying campaign and last year’s Copa America triumph in Brazil. The seven-time Ballon d’Or winner is set to grace his fifth and final World Cup, four years on from Argentina’s turbulent campaign in Russia which ended in the last 16. Lionel Scaloni, an assistant to Jorge Sampaoli in 2018, has since taken over the top job and fostered genuine belief Argentina can win a third World Cup that narrowly eluded them after an extra-time defeat by Germany in the final eight years ago.
NBA star Kyrie Irving suspended over ‘antisemitic’ tweet
NEW YORK: The Brooklyn Nets are suspending Kyrie Irving for at least five games without pay, saying they were dismayed by his failure to “unequivocally say he has no antisemitic beliefs.” Hours after Irving refused to issue the apology that NBA Commissioner Adam Silver sought for posting a link to an antisemitic work on his Twitter feed, the Nets said that Irving is “currently unfit to be associated with the Brooklyn Nets.” “We were dismayed today, when given an opportunity in a media session, that Kyrie refused to unequivocally say he has no antisemitic beliefs, nor acknowledge specific hateful material in the film. This was not the first time he had the opportunity — but failed — to clarify,” the Nets said in a statement.
Arsenal tops Zurich, Man United beats Real Sociedad in Europa League
Kieran Tierney blasted home a winner for Arsenal to seal the top spot in its group and advance to the round of 16 of the Europa League with a 1-0 victory over Zurich on Thursday. The Premier League leader needed a win in London to guarantee first place ahead of PSV Eindhoven. Tierney unleashed a fierce half-volley from the edge of the area in the 17th minute that left Zurich goalkeeper Yanick Brecher no chance.
Tunisian police officers jailed over football fan death
TUNIS: Twelve Tunisian policemen were jailed for two years Thursday for manslaughter in the case of a 19-year-old football fan who drowned in a stream while trying to escape them. The death of Omar Laabidi in March 2018 has been seen as a case representative of the excessive use of force by the police, and lawyer Ghazi Mrabet denounced the verdict as a “charade of justice” and said the victim’s family would appeal.
Brave Hoops fall to narrow defeat against Djurgardens
Shamrock Rovers gave by far the strongest away performance of their Europa Conference League campaign but ultimately fell to a 1-0 defeat against table toppers Djurgardens in Sweden this evening.
Barcelona’s Pique announces retirement after decorated career
BARCELONA: Barcelona’s Gerard Pique announced his retirement on Thursday after a decorated career. “Saturday’s match (against Almeria) will be my last at the Camp Nou,” the 35-year-old posted on Twitter.
Japan defender Nakayama to miss World Cup due to injury
Japan defender Yuta Nakayama will miss the World Cup in Qatar after being ruled out for the rest of the season due to an Achilles injury, his English club Huddersfield Town said on Thursday.