A Lithuanian publishing house has recalled the US vice president’s novel in protest of Washington’s policy turn away from Kiev Lithuanian publishing house Sofoklis has taken US Vice President J.D. Vance’s book ‘Hillbilly Elegy’ off the shelves in response to reports that Washington has halted […]
James Scott Rhys Anderson has been accused of crimes against civilians in Kursk Region, officials have said A Russian court has sentenced a British citizen to 19 years in prison for fighting for Ukraine as a mercenary as well as committing a “terrorist act” in […]
Football host Gary Lineker stated that the BBC studio had been ‘sabotaged’ UK broadcaster the BBC says it is investigating the circumstances surrounding a mobile phone taped to the back of a chair in a studio, which began emitting sex noises during a live football […]
Football host Gary Lineker stated that the BBC studio had been ‘sabotaged’
UK broadcaster the BBC says it is investigating the circumstances surrounding a mobile phone taped to the back of a chair in a studio, which began emitting sex noises during a live football broadcast on Tuesday.
Before kickoff in a match featuring Wolves and Liverpool, host Gary Lineker was interrupted by pornographic sounds while he and his broadcasting colleagues Paul Ince and Danny Murphy were previewing the FA Cup fixture live on the air.
Lineker struggled to maintain his composure and quickly introduced another pundit and former professional player, Alan Shearer, who was stationed in the commentary gantry.
“Somebody’s sending something on someone’s phone, I think. I don’t know whether you heard it at home,” a red-faced Lineker said to Shearer.
Early into the match, former England international forward Lineker tweeted an image of a mobile phone which he said had been taped to the back of a chair in the studio, which he claimed was the source of the x-rated audio.
“Well, we found this taped to the back of the set. As sabotage goes it was quite amusing,” Lineker wrote on social media.
Yes, it was me that pranked the BBC Match of the Day with the sex Phone 🙂 The video coming soon!!!! @BMWJARVO best prankster ever!!!! pic.twitter.com/0kVE1jlvAI
The incident almost immediately went viral on social media. A YouTube prankster, Daniel Jarvis, later took responsibility for the incident and tweeted footage which appeared to show him inside the TV studio at Wolves’ Molineux stadium in advance of the match.
“We apologize to any viewers offended during the live coverage of the football this evening. We are investigating how this happened,” the BBC said in a brief statement.
Liverpool won the match 1-0 thanks to a goal from youngster Harvey Elliott, which Lineker described as “a screamer … which was not the only one we’ve had tonight.”
NHL player Ivan Provorov was absent from his team’s support of the Pride movement Ivan Provorov, the 26-year-old Russian defender for the NHL team the Philadelphia Flyers, has said that he opted out of a pre-game warmup which paid tribute to the Pride movement because […]
NHL player Ivan Provorov was absent from his team’s support of the Pride movement
Ivan Provorov, the 26-year-old Russian defender for the NHL team the Philadelphia Flyers, has said that he opted out of a pre-game warmup which paid tribute to the Pride movement because it clashed with his religious beliefs.
Provorov, who has played for the NHL franchise since the 2016-17 season, was absent from his team’s pre-game skate ahead of a game with the Anaheim Ducks as the Flyers celebrated Pride night by wearing rainbow-colored regalia in support of the LGBT community.
He subsequently played 23 minutes in the Flyers’ 5-2 win.
The uniforms and sticks used in pregame warmup were later made available for online auction, with the proceeds set to be given to charity. Provorov was the only player on the Flyers roster who did not have any items available for sale.
“I respect everybody and I respect everybody’s choices. My choice is to stay true to myself and my religion.”
Flyers defenseman Ivan Provorov on refusing to wear a rainbow jersey for warm ups during “Pride Night” due to his Russian Orthodox faith. pic.twitter.com/wCUl8slmRB
“I respect everybody’s choices,” Provorov said after the conclusion of the game.
“My choice is to stay true to myself and my religion. That’s all I’m going to say.”
Provorov’s teammates James van Riemsdyk and Scott Laughton have been noted supporters of LGBT issues and have helped launch local programs in support of the movement.
Despite Provorov’s absence, Laughton said afterwards that the demonstration was a “great, great night that brings a lot of awareness.”
“I don’t hold anything against anyone,” Laughton said when asked about his Russian teammate. “It’s nothing like that. It was an awesome night and I’m very happy we got a win on a night like this.”
Speaking about the matter afterwards, Flyers coach John Tortorella said that he respected Provorov’s stance and noted that it was an example of him displaying his individuality.
“With Provy, he’s being true to himself and to his religion,” Tortorella said.
“This has to do with his belief and his religion. It’s one thing I respect about Provy: He’s always true to himself. That’s where we’re at with that.”
The Flyers also appeared to reference Provorov’s absence in a post-game statement.
“The Philadelphia Flyers organization is committed to inclusivity and is proud to support the LGBTQ+ community,” they wrote.
“Many of our players are active in their support of local LGBTQ+ organizations, and we were proud to host our annual Pride Night again this year. The Flyers will continue to be strong advocates for inclusivity and the LGBTQ+ community.”
The defending champion suffered a shock defeat to unseeded American Mackenzie McDonald Top seed Rafael Nadal has exited the Australian Open after a stunning second-round defeat to American outsider Mackenzie McDonald in straight sets on Wednesday. Nadal required medical treatment during the match as he […]
The defending champion suffered a shock defeat to unseeded American Mackenzie McDonald
Top seed Rafael Nadal has exited the Australian Open after a stunning second-round defeat to American outsider Mackenzie McDonald in straight sets on Wednesday. Nadal required medical treatment during the match as he contended with a hip injury, but his rival took full advantage to claim one of the biggest wins of his career.
McDonald won the contest 6-4, 6-4, 7-5 in just over two hours and 30 minutes, ending Nadal’s hopes of retaining the title he won last season by beating Russia’s Daniil Medvedev in the final.
Already in trouble after dropping the first set, Nadal pulled up while trailing in the second set and was forced to take a medical timeout for treatment on his hip. The Spaniard, 36, opted to play on but was unable to turn the tide as the 27-year-old McDonald booked his place in the third round.
Nadal and McDonald shook hands at the net after the Spaniard exited the tournament.
Nadal’s wife was seen watching on tearfully from the stands at Rod Laver Arena as her husband was again impeded by injury woes. Nadal’s departure removes one of the main contenders for the title in Melbourne, where record nine-time winner Novak Djokovic is back this year following his deportation drama in 2022.
Two-time Australian Open finalist Medvedev had been placed in the same quarter of the draw as Nadal and could have faced him in the last eight, although that match-up definitely won’t happen.
Nadal’s departure means it is the first time the men’s top seed at the Australian Open has exited in the second round since Gustavo Kuerten in 2001. Some may wonder if it is the last time fans see the 22-time Grand Slam winner in action in Melbourne, such are the consistent injury problems which Nadal has faced in recent years.
Former Russian national team coach Leonid Slutsky says Chelsea overpaid for Mikhail Mudryk Leonid Slutsky, the former CSKA Moscow, Rubin Kazan and Russian national team boss, says that Chelsea’s big money move for Ukraine winger Mikhail Mudryk is a risky one given his relative lack […]
Former Russian national team coach Leonid Slutsky says Chelsea overpaid for Mikhail Mudryk
Leonid Slutsky, the former CSKA Moscow, Rubin Kazan and Russian national team boss, says that Chelsea’s big money move for Ukraine winger Mikhail Mudryk is a risky one given his relative lack of experience.
Chelsea completed a £62 million (€70 million) deal for the 22-year-old former Shakhtar Donetsk on Sunday, though the fee could rise as high as £89 million (€101 million) based upon performance-related bonuses across the course of an eight-and-a-half year contract.
In doing so, the Blues skipped ahead of Mudryk’s longtime suitors in London rivals Arsenal, with Chelsea swiftly agreeing to the financial demands laid out by his now former club to ensure a transfer happened as swiftly as possible.
But the exceptionally large transfer fee for a player who has appeared in just 65 club games in his career represents a massive risk for Chelsea, according to Slutsky.
“100 million euros for a player who has played several matches in the Champions League – how [did that happen]?” said Slutsky to the Comment show YouTube channel, via translation.
“I don’t understand these transfers. Chelsea are not a team for the future, they are a team for the present. They cannot buy players for the future. And a player for the future cannot cost 100 million. It is simply impossible.”
Chelsea co-owner Todd Boehly, along with financial group Clearlake Capital, have invested heavily in the Premier League club since completing a takeover from former owner Roman Abramovich in May, but results have suffered under new head coach Graham Potter – with the former multiple-time champions of England languishing in tenth position in the league table.
It is hoped by the club that Mudryk, a pacy and creative wide player, will help to provide a platform for the team to succeed in the second half of the Premier League season.
But nonetheless, Slutsky says that the inflated price paid for Mudryk shows the new Chelsea regime’s inexperience in controlling a top European football club.
“Mudryk has amazing speed, there’s nothing to even talk about. But for me, for now, this is a player who runs very well. They paid 100 million because Arsenal were interested in him, but they took it because he is a prominent figure.”
It is expected that Mudryk will make his Premier League debut for Chelsea away to rivals Liverpool on Saturday.
Manchester United recently revealed it is seeking financial investment Manchester United have denied speculation that a luxury lounge, which comes complete with a high-end shop front, set up ahead of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland is intended to attract the attention of billionaire […]
Manchester United recently revealed it is seeking financial investment
Manchester United have denied speculation that a luxury lounge, which comes complete with a high-end shop front, set up ahead of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland is intended to attract the attention of billionaire investors.
The Premier League club revealed in November that it was seeking investment or even an outright sale, some 17 years after it was purchased by the US-based Glazer family.
Since then, it is understood that no formal offers have been received but it has been reported that there is interest in the club from Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United States, as well as from the United Kingdom’s wealthiest man, Jim Ratcliffe.
And while formal bids are expected to be submitted in the coming weeks, a Manchester United spokesperson has denied that the temporary lounge in Davos is set to be a hub for talks to take place throughout the World Economic Forum, which began on Monday and runs until January 20.
Manchester United is seeking a buyer and has set up a storefront on the Promenade at Davos. Wonder if any billionaires will wander in and place a bid. Worth noting that the Saudis have some prime real estate nearby… pic.twitter.com/y4BcpUSdR1
Speaking on behalf of the football club, Ellie Norman said that the lounge was “definitely not” opened to attract bidders but it will instead be used to hold meetings between club figures and existing partners.
The strategic review into the club, announced as part of plans to seek investment last year, remains ongoing, Norman said, adding that “we don’t know the outcome.”
The main high street in Davos has been temporarily turned into a financial hub by various large tech firms and banks (among others) throughout the week of the forum, which is intended to bring together high-level influencers from various industries to discuss potential partnerships.
Manchester United’s lounge, though, stoked significant speculation given that the club is effectively available on the open market.
Co-chairman Avram Glazer is expected to attend the forum this week, while there will also be events featuring former player Peter Schmeichel and chief executive Richard Arnold.
“Manchester United is proud to be the first sports team to partner with the World Economic Forum,” it said in a statement.
“Our global community of 1.1 billion fans and followers provide us with powerful opportunities to engage across cultural and geographical boundaries. We are in Davos to explore ways to maximise the impact of the extraordinary reach.”
The Serb is aiming to win a tenth trophy in Melbourne Novak Djokovic couldn’t have wished for a better performance in his return to the Rod Laver Arena as he eased past past Roberto Carballes Baena to qualify for the second round of the Australian […]
The Serb is aiming to win a tenth trophy in Melbourne
Novak Djokovic couldn’t have wished for a better performance in his return to the Rod Laver Arena as he eased past past Roberto Carballes Baena to qualify for the second round of the Australian Open.
The Serb, who was infamously deported from Australia ahead of the Grand Slam event last year amid a Covid vaccination row with immigration authorities down under, thanked fans for an incredibly warm welcome after his three-set (6-3, 6-4, 6-0) win against the world’s 75th ranked player.
Djokovic, who has been battling a hamstring injury and had heavy strapping on his upper left leg, appeared on the court to a raucous reception from a capacity crowd at Melbourne Park but didn’t appear to suffer any setbacks as he eased past the Spaniard after a little over two hours of action.
“I couldn’t ask for a better start to the tournament,” the 35-year-old announced afterwards.
“Thank you for giving me such a welcoming reception that I could only dream of. I feel really happy that I’m back here in Australia and on the court where I have had the biggest success in my career.
“Definitely this court is the most special court in my life.”
The performance extends Djokovic’s remarkable sequence of wins at the Australian Open – where he is a nine-time champion – to 35, a run which dates back to 2018.
Another win at the first of four Grand Slam events this year would see Djokovic tie Rafael Nadal’s all-time record of 22 Grand Slam wins.
He will play either Hugo Dellien of Bolivia or France’s Enzo Couacaud in his second-round match on Thursday.
67 – Novak Djokovic is now 67-2 in Grand Slam First Rounds: he only lost in the opening Round in a Major to Marat Safin at the Australian Open 2005 and Paul Goldstein at the AO 2006. Astonishing.@atptour | #AusOpen2023#AusOpenpic.twitter.com/EyqhTvX4B1
88 – Novak #Djokovic has won his last 88 Grand Slam matches when he won the opening set (incl. retirements) – the last time he lost such a match was at the US Open final in 2016 against Stan Wawrinka (6-7 6-4 7-5 6-3). Launch.#AusOpen#AustralianOpenpic.twitter.com/s7oYh56t0F
Elsewhere on Tuesday, there were wins for Andrey Rublev, while Germany’s Alexander Zverev won his first singles match after suffering a serious knee injury last year, when he came out on top in a five-set thriller with Juan Pablo Varillas.
“I am extremely happy because I missed this over the past seven months,” Zverev said after his victory.
“This match alone pays off for all the hard work and suffering that I have had. To win in front of this kind of crowd again… I can’t wait for the rest of the tournament. No matter what happens from now, the tournament is already a success for me.”
Italy’s Camila Giorgi needed a vaccination certificate to play in last year’s Australian Open Tennis star Camila Giorgi has denied allegations that she obtained a falsified Covid certificate to allow her to bypass vaccination mandates in countries such as Australia and the United States last […]
Italy’s Camila Giorgi needed a vaccination certificate to play in last year’s Australian Open
Tennis star Camila Giorgi has denied allegations that she obtained a falsified Covid certificate to allow her to bypass vaccination mandates in countries such as Australia and the United States last year.
Numerous reports in the Italian media state that a doctor, Daniela Grillone, is under investigation for providing patients with falsified vaccination certificates upon request, with Grillone alleging that Giorgi was among those under her care who was not vaccinated against Covid-19.
Giorgi was in the field at last year’s Australian Open. At the time, Australian immigration rules required all visitors to be fully vaccinated against the virus.
She also competed in the United States last year, where proof of vaccination was similarly required to enter the country.
Speaking after the comprehensive two-set win against Russia’s Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in Melbourne on Tuesday, Giorgi confirmed that she did visit Grillone but added that she received vaccination shots from other healthcare professionals.
“I just did all my vaccination in different places, so the trouble is hers, not me,” she said. “So with that, I’m very calm. Of course, if not, I couldn’t come here and play this tennis, I think.”
Giorgi added that she was vaccinated on one occasion by Grillone.
“The other vaccination, I did it in different kind of places, so it’s what I’m trying to explain,” she added.
“So I’m fine … she’s in trouble with the law in Italy. I did everything what they ask, the Australian government,” she said. “It’s not my problem. It’s her problem.”
Craig Tiley, the chief executive of Tennis Australia, also stated that he was not fully aware of the allegations made against Giorgi.
“I think there’s still a lot to be uncovered on that and I think that’s going to be ultimately up to their family and the relevant authorities including the tour,” he said. “I don’t really know any further details.”
Nine-time Australian Open men’s singles champion Novak Djokovic was deported from the country on the eve of last year’s Grand Slam event after falling foul of its vaccination requirements.
However, Australia has since rolled back these requirements and in November canceled a three-year visa ban imposed on the Serbian star.
French Football Federation President Noel Le Graet has denied allegations of sexual harassment Noel Le Graet, the president of the French Football Federation (FFF), is under criminal investigation amid allegations of sexual harassment, Paris prosecutors confirmed on Tuesday. The probe, which was opened on Monday, […]
French Football Federation President Noel Le Graet has denied allegations of sexual harassment
Noel Le Graet, the president of the French Football Federation (FFF), is under criminal investigation amid allegations of sexual harassment, Paris prosecutors confirmed on Tuesday.
The probe, which was opened on Monday, will investigate claims made by football agent Sonia Souid, who has alleged that Le Graet engaged in repeated harassment against her.
The 81-year-old was also accused of the harassment of several female employees by French publication So Foot last year, which prompted the FFF to threaten the magazine with a defamation lawsuit.
However, these claims led to the French Sports Ministry pursuing an audit of the allegations.
Le Graet denies any claims of sexual harassment but last week “took a step back” from the role he has held since 2011. He has been replaced on an interim basis by the organization’s Vice-President Philippe Diallo.
“In response to a report from the IGESR (General Inspection of Education, Sport and Research) on 13 January 2023, an investigation was opened yesterday into charges of moral harassment and sexual harassment,” prosectors said in a statement to Reuters on Tuesday.
This follows claims of impropriety against Le Graet by Souid, who told the media that he would repeatedly invite her to discuss business matters privately in his residence.
“He very clearly said to me in his apartment that, if I wanted him to help me, I had to let him have his way with me,” said Souid, who has given interviews on the subject to French daily L’Equipe and the RMC radio station.
“The only thing that interested him, and I apologize for speaking vulgarly, are my breasts and my ass,” she added.
The investigation into Le Graet comes shortly after he provoked the ire of French football by appearing to question the managerial acumen of football icon Zinedine Zidane while discussing the future of national team boss Didier Deschamps.
Le Graet told RMC last week that he “wouldn’t even have taken his call” had former Real Madrid boss Zidane expressed an interest in coaching Les Bleus.
Deschamps, who led France to victory at the World Cup in Russia in 2018, and lost last month’s final to Argentina on penalties, subsequently signed a new contract to extend his stay with France until 2026.
Organizers of the major sporting event have banned the Russian and Belarusian flags from being displayed by fans in Melbourne The decision by organizers of the ongoing Australian Open to ban the display of Russian and Belarusian flags by fans has been described as an […]
Organizers of the major sporting event have banned the Russian and Belarusian flags from being displayed by fans in Melbourne
The decision by organizers of the ongoing Australian Open to ban the display of Russian and Belarusian flags by fans has been described as an “unacceptable politicization of sports” by Russia’s embassy in Canberra.
A statement from Tennis Australia on Tuesday said the decision was made following what was described as a “courtside incident” which occurred during the first round match between Ukraine’s Kateryna Baindl and Russia’s Kamilla Rakhimova on Monday, during which some supporters displayed the Russian tricolor and vocally supported the Russian player.
Supporters of Baindl, though, said Russian fans had been “taunting” the Ukrainian player and called for security staff to assess the situation. The Russian flag was subsequently removed but no further action was taken.
The scenes drew the condemnation of Ukrainian women’s player Marta Kostyuk as well as the Ukrainian ambassador to Australia, Vasily Myroshnychenko, who called upon Tennis Australia to impose a “neutral flag” policy, and said he “strongly condemned” the display of Russian colors at the event.
In response, Russia’s embassy in Australia issued a statement online in which it heavily criticized the decision to impose a ban on the display of the country’s tricolor throughout the tournament.
“The decision to ban Russian and Belarusian flags from appearing onsite at the Australian Open is another example of the unacceptable politicization of sports,” it wrote in a statement distributed on social media.
It added: “On top of already discriminating against Russian tennis players with its ‘neutral flag policy’ Tennis Australia now went further by making sure they cannot be visibly supported by their fans.
“Quite ironically, Tennis Australia pledges to ‘continue to work… to ensure the best possible environment to enjoy the tennis.’
“It is indeed regrettable to see the tournament organizers give in to overt and rather arrogant political manipulation sacrificing the spirit of fair play once inherent to the Australian Open.”
Players from both Russia and Belarus, such as Daniil Medvedev and Aryna Sabalenka, are permitted to compete at the Grand Slam event but they must do so without the formal display of any national symbols, following sanctions introduced by the sport’s governing bodies following the onset of the conflict in Ukraine last year.
In advance of the event, the Ukrainian ambassador called on Tennis Australia to ban players from Russia and Belarus entirely in a similar manner to measures imposed at Wimbledon last summer, but the request was rejected by Australian tennis authorities – allowing the likes of Medvedev, Sabalenka and Andrey Rublev to compete at the event.
It was reported that a Russian flag was subsequently removed from the stands during fifth-seed Rublev’s opening round win against Dominic Thiem on Tuesday.
Tennis showpiece the Australian Open has reversed its policy after initially letting fans display the Russian tricolor in the stands Organizers at the Australian Open have said they will no longer allow fans to display Russian and Belarusian flags at the tournament, following a complaint […]
Tennis showpiece the Australian Open has reversed its policy after initially letting fans display the Russian tricolor in the stands
Organizers at the Australian Open have said they will no longer allow fans to display Russian and Belarusian flags at the tournament, following a complaint from the Ukrainian ambassador to the country regarding an “incident” on Monday.
“Flags from Russia and Belarus are banned onsite at the Australian Open,” read a statement from Tennis Australia on Tuesday. “Our initial policy was that fans could bring them in but could not use them to cause disruption. Yesterday we had an incident where a flag was placed courtside.”
A Russian flag was seen in the stands on the outer courts at Melbourne Park during the first-round match between Ukraine’s Kateryna Baindl and Russia’s Kamilla Rakhimova on Monday. The scene triggered anger from some Ukrainian observers, including women’s player Marta Kostyuk – who has already stated that she will continue her policy of not shaking hands with Russian and Belarusian players at the tournament. Kostyuk shared an image on Twitter of the Russian tricolor at the match between Baindl and Rakhimova, writing “no words…” followed by a series of ‘exploding head’ emojis.
Ukraine’s ambassador to Australia, Vasily Myroshnychenko, also weighed in, demanding that Tennis Australia enforce a “neutral flag” policy as he “strongly condemned” the presence of Russian colors.
An angry Myroshnychenko shared an image of the Russian flag in the stands at Melbourne Park.
One Russian fan who was reportedly among the group which displayed the flag, Eugene Routman, told Australian media outlet The Age: “We got a few complaints, but we weren’t heckling, we were just cheering for the Russian player because she only had one supporter, her mom.”
“It’s not like we’re waving Nazi flags and ISIS flags. It’s a sovereign country,” added Routman, who moved to Australia from Russia with his family at the age of five and was wearing a T-shirt bearing an image of President Vladimir Putin.
Ukrainian spectators accused Routman and his fellow fans of “taunting” their player and called security staff to the court, where the Russian flag was removed and no further action taken. Ukrainian-Australian spectator Maria Tumarkin claimed the behavior of Routman and his group was “unsafe” and “intimidating,” especially given the proximity of fans to the court.
Russian and Belarusian players are free to compete at the Australian Open but must do so without any national symbols – in line with the rules set by tennis’ governing bodies the ITF, WTA and ATP following the outbreak of the conflict in Ukraine in February.
Ahead of the tournament in Melbourne – which is one of four Grand Slams on the tennis calendar – Ukrainian ambassador Myroshnychenko had called on the Australian authorities to ban Russian and Belarusian players completely, following in the footsteps of British showpiece Wimbledon.
Organizers in Australia declined to take that step, instead allowing the likes of Russian top-10 stars Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev and Belarusian women’s world number five Aryna Sabalenka to compete, albeit under neutral status.
Commenting on the flag ban for spectators, Sabalenka said she was under the impression that “sport is nothing to do with politics,” but that “if everyone feels better this way, then it’s OK.”
Men’s star Rublev, who is seeded fifth, was in action in his first-round match against Dominic Thiem on Tuesday, with a Russian tricolor reportedly being removed from the stands at the John Cain Arena after the ban was introduced.
