La Liga - players.bio

Martinez punishment ‘out of Flick’s hands’ as Barca focus on title

BARCELONA: Barcelona coach Hansi Flick said Saturday he is focussed on winning games despite the threat of a potential punishment for an ineligible line-up rumbling on in the background. Flick selected Inigo Martinez in the 3-0 win over Osasuna in La Liga on Thursday, after the Spanish defender had withdrawn injured from the national team squad for their recent Nations League matches. Osasuna appealed to the Spanish football federation on Friday over Martinez being ineligible, citing FIFA rules regarding players which have not joined up with their national teams when called on. “We won three points and this is my focus, so I’m focussing on the next match against Girona,” Flick told a news conference Saturday, a day before leaders Barcelona host Girona in La Liga. “The other thing is not in my hands, it’s not about me.” FIFA rules state that players cannot appear for their clubs within five days of the last national team match, if they did not join the squad when called upon without the federation’s permission. Martinez played 90 minutes against Osasuna after pulling out of international duty with knee discomfort, as Barcelona took a three-point lead at the top of the table. The match was played on Thursday after being initially postponed from March 8, when a Barca club doctor died, with neither side wanting to play it this week but both having appeals against it rejected. Flick lined up against Osasuna with star striker Robert Lewandowski on the bench, although he later scored when appearing as a substitute. The Polish veteran has 23 goals in La Liga, leading the scoring charts, known as the Pichichi, ahead of Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe on 20. “Lewandowski is focussed on the success of the team, not just winning the

Eze leads Crystal Palace into FA Cup semifinals

LONDON: Eberechi Eze inspired Crystal Palace to a 3-0 FA Cup quarterfinal win at Fulham on Saturday with a goal and assist in a four-minute period in the first half.

Ed Bethell targeting international glory with Regional in Al Quoz Sprint on Dubai World Cup night

LONDON: Royal Ascot-winning trainer Ed Bethell is set to chase his first international Group 1 victory as his star sprinter Regional lines up for the Al Quoz Sprint on Dubai World Cup night next weekend.

Patriotic fervor the spur for Ukrainian boxing legend Usyk

PARIS: Ukraine’s boxing icon Oleksandr Usyk told AFP he will stay in the sport “a little longer” so he can provide “financial support to our army and civilians” and achieve his sporting goal of once again being undisputed heavyweight world champion. The 38-year-old, who holds all the belts except the IBF version which belongs to Daniel Dubois, has been galvanized by the war ever since Russia invaded Ukraine in late February 2022, wreaking death and destruction on his compatriots and his homeland. His exploits — two memorable victories over British opponent Tyson Fury plus others over Anthony Joshua and Dubois — have helped keep his beleaguered country very much in people’s minds. In a wide-ranging interview, Usyk said his father, who fought in the Soviet Army, was the seminal influence on his career. He says he has been inspired by “both the heroes of the past and the modern Ukrainian heroes who are now defending our homeland in the armed forces.” “Representing Ukraine on the global sports stage, spreading the truth about the war, and providing financial support to our army and civilians — this is also a powerful motivation for me to stay in professional boxing a little longer,” he said. “I feel great, I’m ready for any opponent and would love to take another shot at becoming the undisputed heavyweight champion again.” Usyk says Fury is the toughest opponent he has faced “for the moment” and added that he expects the unpredictable Briton to return to boxing, although perhaps “in a different role.” Usyk can thank his late father, also called Oleksandr, for his extraordinary resilience in brutal bouts with Fury and twice with Joshua.

Scottie Scheffler 2 back of a 4-way tie for the lead at Houston Open

HOUSTON: Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy wanted a final tunup before the Masters and spent parts of the Thursday at the Houston Open under an umbrella in wind and rain that prevented anyone from getting too far away.

Novak Djokovic beats Sebastian Korda, advances to semifinals in push for 7th Miami Open title

MIAMI GARDENS, Florida: Novak Djokovic is finding a higher gear in South Florida after a sluggish start to 2025.

Barca bolster Liga title bid by winning match they didn’t want to play

BARCELONA: Barcelona swept to a comfortable 3-0 victory over Osasuna to move three points clear at the top of La Liga despite their discontent at having to play their match on Thursday. The Catalans’ appeal against the rescheduling of this game was rejected but Hansi Flick’s side, unbeaten in 19 matches across all competitions, still made light work of Osasuna, 14th. Ferran Torres and Dani Olmo netted in the first half with Robert Lewandowski on target after the break. Barca were without key winger Raphinha as he played for Brazil on Wednesday in South America in World Cup qualifying but cruised at the Olympic stadium regardless. Flick was happy with the victory but said an injury to Olmo meant it came at a cost. “We have three points more but we paid a really high price with the injury of Dani,” Flick told reporters. “We don’t know how long he will be out but if it’s two weeks, he’ll miss a lot of games and if it’s three weeks even more.” The match was originally due to be played on March 8 but was postponed after a Barcelona club doctor died. Some players, including France’s Jules Kounde, played 120 minutes on Sunday for their countries before returning for the game. “It’s a lack of respect to the club to select this date,” Kounde told DAZN. “We’re not machines and to play our game and give the fans what we want, we need rest.” Flick put veteran striker Lewandowski on the bench, deploying Torres in his place to excellent effect. “Every game is a final, so today’s was a final, it was important for us,” Torres told DAZN. Barcelona controlled the game from the start, taking the lead through Torres after 11 minutes. Frenkie de Jong led the way as Barcelona moved the ball around smartly, with Alejandro Balde receiving it

Chelsea to face Barcelona in Women’s Champions League semis after Man City fightback

LONDON: Chelsea’s women overturned a two-goal first leg deficit to beat Manchester City 3-0 and set up a Champions League semifinal meeting with holders Barcelona on Thursday. Earlier, Barca mauled Wolfsburg 6-1 in Catalonia to complete a 10-2 aggregate thrashing. In the final of four meetings between City and Chelsea in the past 12 days, the English champions wasted little time in gaining revenge for a rare defeat in last week’s first leg. The Blues had turned the tie around before half-time as Sandy Baltimore blasted into the top corner before Nathalie Bjorn headed in from a corner to level the tie at 2-2 on aggregate. Lauren James then pounced on a sloppy City pass to tee up Mayra Ramirez for the winning goal. Chelsea remain on course for a quadruple in Sonia Bompastor’s first season in charge. They beat City 2-1 in the League Cup final earlier this month to begin the quartet of meetings, are into the semifinals of the FA Cup and have an eight-point lead at the top of the Women’s Super League. However, they face the most daunting challenge in women’s football next month in trying to dethrone Barcelona. Chelsea’s quest to win the Champions League for the first time has come undone against the Spanish champions in three of the past four seasons. Pere Romeu’s side have gone on to win the tournament on all three occasions and set a record by reaching a seventh consecutive semifinal. After a shock first ever women’s El Clasico defeat by Real Madrid on Sunday, Barca showed no mercy against the side they beat to win the 2023 final. Salma Paralluelo’s quickfire double built on Barca’s 4-1 first leg lead before Esmee Brugts smashed home the third from outside the box. Substitute Claudia Pina continued the rout after the hour

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La Liga Sport News

Martinez punishment ‘out of Flick’s hands’ as Barca focus on title

Eze leads Crystal Palace into FA Cup semifinals

Ed Bethell targeting international glory with Regional in Al Quoz Sprint on Dubai World Cup night

Patriotic fervor the spur for Ukrainian boxing legend Usyk

Scottie Scheffler 2 back of a 4-way tie for the lead at Houston Open

Novak Djokovic beats Sebastian Korda, advances to semifinals in push for 7th Miami Open title

Barca bolster Liga title bid by winning match they didn’t want to play

Chelsea to face Barcelona in Women’s Champions League semis after Man City fightback