Connolly set to depart Venezia for Hull City loan
Republic of Ireland international Aaron Connolly is set to join English Championship side Hull City on loan.
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Iranian chess player arrives in Spain after being warned not to return to Iran after competing without hijab
DUBAI: An Iranian chess player arrived in Spain on Tuesday after receiving what a source close to her said were warnings not to return to Iran for competing without a hijab at an international tournament in Kazakhstan. Sara Khadem, born in 1997, took part in last week’s FIDE World Rapid and Blitz Chess Championships in Almaty without the hijab — a headscarf mandatory under Iran’s strict dress codes.
Al-Nassr coach Garcia hails 'extraordinary' Ronaldo signing
Al-Nassr coach Rudi Garcia said the signing of Cristiano Ronaldo was a big step forward for Saudi Arabian football after the Portuguese forward arrived in Riyadh ahead of his official unveiling on Tuesday. Ronaldo, who was a free agent following his acrimonious split with Manchester United in November, joined Al-Nassr last week on a 2-1/2 year deal estimated by media to be worth more than 200 million euros ($213.30 million).
Zhao Xintong suspended as snooker scandal grows with 10 players now temporarily banned
The number of players suspended from the World Snooker Tour has risen to 10 as Zhao Xintong and Zhang Jiankang join eight players already temporarily omitted from the sport.
US rally driver Ken Block dies in snowmobile accident
American rally driver Ken Block has died in a snowmobile accident at the age of 55. Block competed in the World Rally Championship and was named Rally America Rookie of the Year in 2005. "It's with our deepest regrets that we can confirm that Ken Block passed away in a snowmobile accident today," Block's team Hoonigan Racing said in an Instagram post.
Springboks captain Kolisi to join Racing 92 after World Cup
South Africa captain Siya Kolisi will join French club Racing 92 after the World Cup later this year. Kolisi, who skippered the World Cup-winning Springboks at the 2019 tournament in Japan, currently plays for United Rugby Championship side Cell C Sharks. Confirming Kolisi's move to Paris and an early release from his contract, the Durban-based Sharks said he had agreed a multi-year deal with the Top 14 club. "Siya has been an instrumental and much-loved member of the Cell C Sharks family since his arrival two years ago," Sharks chief executive Eduard Coetzee told their website. "His move to France is a new and exciting opportunity, and we could not be happier for him. "We are blessed to have him don the black and white jersey, and we know that over the next few months he will continue to give back to the team and our fans."
Pele to be buried today after lying in state in Santos
Pele is due to be buried later today after thousands of fans waited to pay their respects as his coffin lay in state at the home of his former club Santos. The three-time World Cup winner, who scored over 1,000 goals in his career, died on December 29 aged 82 after a battle with cancer. On Monday, his coffin was placed on the centre circle of the Urbano Caldeira stadium in Sao Paulo, ahead of a private burial on Tuesday. Pele has reportedly chosen a burial site on the ninth floor of a nearby cemetery which will allow him to watch over the Santos stadium. Former Brazil midfielder Ze Roberto and Pele's son Edinho were among those who placed his coffin on the pitch during a ceremony before fans and well-wishers were allowed to pay their respects. Long queues had formed outside the stadium, with some fans waiting overnight for their opportunity to bid farewell to a player many consider the best to have ever lived. Brazil's government had declared three days of national mourning after Pele's death last week.
'No one going to stop me' announces bullish Van Gerwen
Michael van Gerwen has warned Michael Smith that "no one is going to stop me" in his pursuit for a fourth World Championship title. The Dutchman booked a place in Tuesday's final against Smith after demolishing Dimitri van den Bergh 6-0 in his semi-final at Alexandra Palace. Smith, who saw off Gabriel Clemens 6-2 in his last-four tie, had vowed to take "revenge" for his 2019 defeat to Van Gerwen, but that could be a big ask given his opponent's current form.