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Olympic boxing’s IBA is out, but matches are still scheduled for the Paris Games

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International Boxing Association’s participation in Olympic competitions is no longer recognized by the International Olympic Committee.

The International Boxing Association (IBA) has been expelled from the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for failing to finish changes including governance, finances, and ethical issues.

On Thursday, 69 members of the IOC voted in support of banishing the IBA, with only one member voting against it. Ten members didn’t participate in the voting.

The executive board, which is led by IOC President Thomas Bach, advocated the IOC’s decision two weeks ago, thus it seemed inevitable that it would be adopted.

However, boxing will continue to be an Olympic event at the 2024 Paris Games.

“We place a great priority on the boxing sport. Because of their administration, we have a very significant issue with IBA,” Bach informed the IOC members during their online meeting.

The IOC had issues with the IBA’s management, which included Russian and Uzbek presidents, as well as its financial support from the Russian government’s energy company, Gazprom, as well as the fairness of the competition and the judging.

“The boxers fully deserve to be governed by an international federation with integrity and transparency,” the IOC president declared.

National boxing federations chose Gafur Rakhimov as their head in 2018, defying IOC warnings. The Uzbek businessman was reportedly connected to heroin trafficking and organized crime. The choice of Umar Kremlev to succeed Rakhimov in 2020 came after yet another series of election-related IOC cautions that went unheeded.

Under Kremlev, the IBA’s debts of close to $20 million were paid off, and the IOC took issue with the boxing federation’s reliance on Gazprom, a Russian energy company.

The IBA was no longer backed by Gazprom, Kremlev said last month during the men’s world championships, and his language towards Olympic authorities became increasingly combative.

As it did for the Tokyo Games in 2021, the IOC is already in charge of organizing boxing competitions at the Paris Olympics without consulting the IBA.

It was unclear if boxers competing for national federations who continue to be IBA members would be considered eligible for the Paris competition.

Boxing’s inclusion in the Olympic program for the 2028 Summer Games in Los Angeles, which the IOC and Bach withheld as leverage against the IBA, may now be confirmed as a result of the action. Members were assured on Thursday that boxing is “guaranteed” to take place in Los Angeles.

The IOC may now cooperate with World Boxing, a rival organization founded this year with backing from authorities in the United States, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom, as the connection with the IBA has now come to an end.

The IBA may appeal the judgment to the Court of Arbitration for Sport after labelling it a “tremendous error” on Thursday.

The Lausanne-based IBA said in a statement that the expulsion was “catastrophic for global boxing” and “blatantly contradicts the IOC’s claims of acting in the best interests of boxing and athletes.”

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Kylian Mbappe notifies PSG that he will not be extending his contract: Media

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According to reports, Paris Saint-Germain was hoping Mbappe would trigger a contract extension.

According to French sports weekly L’Equipe and foreign media outlets, French football sensation Kylian Mbappe has informed Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) that he will leave the Ligue 1 winners when his contract expires next year.

According to reports, Mbappe stunned the PSG hierarchy by declining the option of a 12-month contract extension, which he presented in a formal letter, and follows Lionel Messi’s recent announcement of his departure from PSG to Major League Soccer (MLS) side Inter Miami in the United States.

According to press sources, PSG will have to decide whether to sell the 24-year-old attacker, who scored a hat-trick for France against Argentina in the 2022 World Cup final, or let him depart for nothing when his current contract expires in June 2024.

According to reports in France, PSG is hoping to extend Mbappe’s contract.

Mbappe’s departure would be the most significant for PSG, as he is a national symbol in France and largely regarded as one of the few players capable of dethroning Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo as football’s biggest stars.

Mbappe wanted to help PSG win its first Champions League trophy, but the club experienced yet another setback in Europe’s premier competition, which Manchester City won by defeating Inter Milan 1-0 in the final on Saturday.

Mbappe has five French league titles with PSG and was France’s World Cup winner in 2018.

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Zlatan Ibrahimovic, 41, retires: Swedish great ends football career

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Swedish football icon Zlatan Ibrahimovic, aged 41, has retired from professional football, marking the end of a remarkable career.

After AC Milan’s final game of the season, Ibrahimovic bid farewell to the San Siro crowd, having already announced his departure from the Italian club. Throughout his illustrious journey, he achieved immense success, scoring 511 goals for renowned clubs such as Paris St-Germain, Manchester United, and both Milan teams.

Ibrahimovic clinched league titles in four countries and won a total of 34 trophies, including 14 league championships. Although he fell short of a UEFA Champions League triumph, he secured the 2017 Europa League title with Manchester United.

Additionally, he is Sweden’s all-time leading scorer with 62 international goals. Ibrahimovic expressed his gratitude for the love and support he received from fans and vowed to remain a Milanista for life.

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PGMOL Condemns Abuse Towards Europa League Final Referee Anthony Taylor

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The Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) has strongly denounced the abuse and criticism directed at referee Anthony Taylor following the Europa League final. The PGMOL expressed its deep concern and disappointment over the online harassment and personal attacks aimed at Taylor after the match between Villarreal and Manchester United.

In a statement, the PGMOL highlighted the importance of treating match officials with respect and dignity, emphasizing that abusive behavior towards referees is completely unacceptable. They called for an end to the online abuse and urged individuals to engage in constructive and respectful dialogue.

The PGMOL also stated that they are fully committed to supporting referees and ensuring their well-being both on and off the field. They stressed the need for collective efforts from all stakeholders in football to tackle the issue of referee abuse and create an environment of mutual respect.

Furthermore, the PGMOL called on social media platforms to take stricter measures against online abuse, including stronger identification protocols and more severe consequences for individuals responsible for such behavior.

The incident involving Anthony Taylor sparked a wider conversation about the treatment of referees and the impact of online abuse in the football community. The PGMOL’s condemnation serves as a reminder of the importance of fostering a culture of respect and civility towards match officials in the sport.

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Real players & fans show support for Vinicius Jr

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Real Madrid’s players and fans stood in solidarity with Vinicius Jr after he was racially abused during a match against Valencia. In their first game since the incident, the players wore Vinicius’s number 20 shirt, while anti-racism messages were displayed on armbands worn by the captains.

Supporters chanted Vinicius’s name in the 20th minute, and players from both teams held a sign that condemned racism in football. Vinicius, who missed the match due to injury, was applauded as he entered the pitch and later expressed his gratitude on Instagram.

Real Madrid won the game 2-1, with Rodrygo scoring the winning goal and making a black power salute in celebration. La Liga president Javier Tebas apologized to Vinicius for his handling of the situation, and the league announced plans to seek more powers to punish racism.

Valencia was sanctioned with a partial stadium closure and a fine. Prior to other matches, players and officials displayed banners against racism, and Barcelona’s Raphinha showed support for Vinicius when he was substituted.

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Three held in Spain over Vinicius Jr racial abuse during match

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Three individuals have been arrested by Spanish police in connection with racist abuse aimed at Real Madrid footballer Vinicius Jr during a recent match. The detained individuals are between the ages of 18 and 21, as reported by the police on Twitter. Vinicius Jr, who is black, has been subjected to racist abuse on multiple occasions throughout the season, and the latest incident during an away match against Valencia has sparked outrage in Spain and Brazil.

During the match, Vinicius reported the abusive behavior of opposition fans to the referee, leading to a temporary pause in the game. Following the match, Vinicius expressed his frustration, stating that “La Liga belongs to racists.” La Liga president Javier Tebas responded on Twitter, mentioning that Vinicius had failed to attend two meetings to discuss how the league could address racism and suggesting that proper information is necessary before criticizing and slandering La Liga. On the other hand, Luis Rubiales, the football federation chief, acknowledged that Spanish football has a serious racism problem that affects not only an individual but also entire teams, fan bases, clubs, and the country as a whole.

Spanish prosecutors will now determine whether to initiate a criminal investigation into the matter. The Brazilian government has expressed its outrage at the incident and has requested urgent meetings with Spanish ministers, prosecutors, and the football federation.

In a separate incident in January, four individuals were detained by Spanish police for hanging an effigy of Vinicius from a bridge in Madrid before a match between Real Madrid and their local rivals, Atletico Madrid. The effigy was suspended by its neck with a banner stating, “Madrid hates Real.”

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Spanish Football has Racism Problem, says Madrid Boss

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Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr has spoken out against racism in La Liga after being subjected to racial abuse by opposition fans during a match against Valencia. Vinicius was sent off for violent conduct during the game, but his main concern was the racism he experienced. He took to Instagram to express his frustration, stating that racism is normalized in La Liga and that the championship now belongs to racists. He apologized to the Spaniards who do not agree with his view but stated that in Brazil, Spain is known as a country of racists due to the incidents that occur regularly in the league.

Valencia has identified two fans who racially abused Vinicius and is expected to impose permanent stadium bans on them. La Liga has promised to investigate the incidents and take appropriate legal action if necessary. The league’s president, Javier Tebas, criticized Vinicius for not attending a meeting to discuss the issue of racism, but the player responded by asking for actions and punishments against the racists rather than targeting him.

During the match, Vinicius attempted to point out the fans who were abusing him, leading to a temporary pause in the game. Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti expressed his disappointment, stating that the entire stadium chanting racist slurs is unacceptable, and the match should have been stopped. Ancelotti called for an end to racism in football and said that Vinicius’ reaction was understandable given the circumstances.

Real Madrid issued a statement condemning the racist abuse suffered by Vinicius and filed a complaint with the State Attorney General’s Office, considering such attacks as hate crimes. They are seeking an investigation to determine the responsible parties.

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West Ham players confront AZ Alkmaar fans after ‘awful scenes’ as family section attacked

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During the Europa Conference League semi-final second leg between West Ham and AZ Alkmaar, a group of AZ Alkmaar fans attacked an area where friends and family of the West Ham players were watching the match. West Ham players, including Michail Antonio and Said Benrahma, intervened and tried to stop the clashes.

BBC commentator Alistair Bruce-Ball witnessed the incidents and described punches being thrown by the AZ fans. The families of the players were unharmed. Dutch police are investigating the footage of the incident, but no arrests have been made. UEFA will review reports of the incidents to determine any necessary action. West Ham manager David Moyes expressed his concern for the safety of the players’ families and friends.

The players themselves were angered by the events, and goalkeeper Alphonse Areola and midfielder Pablo Fornals voiced their worries about the well-being of the families. AZ may face sanctions as a result of the incident. West Ham won the match 1-0 and advanced to their first major European final since 1976.

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Barcelona beat Espanyol to win first La Liga since Messi’s exit

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Barcelona has won their first Spanish league title since Lionel Messi left the club two years ago, despite facing financial difficulties. They achieved a 4-2 victory over Espanyol, although the match was marred by Espanyol fans storming the pitch at the end of the game. Robert Lewandowski played a key role, scoring two goals to secure Barcelona’s league title with four rounds remaining.

This is the first time since the 1998-99 season that Barcelona has celebrated a league title without Lionel Messi in their squad. Messi joined the team in the 2004-05 season and won the league title that same year.

The on-field celebrations were cut short when a group of Espanyol fans, particularly from the ultra section behind one of the goals, rushed towards the Barcelona players. Security guards quickly intervened, and riot police had to block the tunnel entrance to prevent the fans from entering. The fans threw chairs and other objects during the incident.

In addition to Lewandowski’s goals, Alejandro Balde and Jules Koundé also scored for Barcelona. This victory brings Barcelona’s total number of league titles to 27, which is eight fewer than their arch-rivals, Real Madrid. Atletico Madrid, who currently hold the third position, are 16 points behind after losing 1-0 to the last-placed team, Elche, earlier on the same day.

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Real Madrid Win First Copa del Rey Since 2014

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Real Madrid claimed the Copa del Rey title after defeating Osasuna in the final in Seville, with Brazilian striker Rodrygo scoring twice to secure victory. Toni Kroos’ deflected shot fell to Rodrygo, who fired in the decisive goal from close range.

Despite a strong performance from Osasuna, who equalized through Lucas Torro, Real Madrid held on for the win. Rodrygo also opened the scoring for Real Madrid after just 106 seconds, marking the fastest goal in a Spanish cup final in 17 years. This victory marks Real Madrid’s first Copa del Rey win since 2014.

Osasuna, backed by nearly 25,000 fans inside the Estadio de La Cartuja, had their chances as they chased a first major trophy in their 103-year history.

They were denied a stoppage-time equaliser when Dani Carvajal produced a last-ditch block to keep out Kike Barja’s side-footed effort.

Los Rojillos, which translates as The Little Reds, had more shots on target (5) than Real (3), but Carlo Ancelotti’s side were ultimately more clinical in front of goal.

Victory for Real delivers a 20th Copa del Rey title as they now turn their attention to Tuesday’s Champions League semi-final first leg against Manchester City.

Ahead of the Copa del Rey final, Osasuna fans flooded Seville with enthusiasm and support, but their team got off to a rocky start on the field. Real Madrid’s Vinicius Jr, who was back in the starting lineup along with four other changes from their previous match, posed a constant threat from the left flank. He set up Rodrygo for the opening goal after just two minutes of play.

Although Osasuna had a chance to equalize soon after, Abde Ezzalzouli missed the target with his chipped effort. Osasuna eventually found the equalizer after the break when Lucas Torro scored against his former club, triggering enthusiastic celebrations among the red half of the stadium. The game was briefly paused due to a pyrotechnic issue involving Osasuna fans.

However, Real Madrid remained dangerous and eventually secured the victory thanks to a deflected shot from Toni Kroos that fell to Rodrygo to score his second goal of the match. With the La Liga title seemingly out of reach, Real Madrid will now focus on their upcoming Champions League match against Manchester City, hoping to welcome back Luka Modric from injury.

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