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Lionel Messi suspended by Paris St-Germain for two weeks over Saudi Arabia trip

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Lionel Messi, the captain of Paris St-Germain, has been suspended for two weeks by the club for travelling to Saudi Arabia without their permission. This came after the team’s recent loss to Lorient, in which Messi played the entire game. Messi had requested permission to travel for commercial purposes, but the club denied the request. Messi claims that he had initially been granted permission to travel, but that it was later rescinded due to a change in the club’s training schedule. During the two-week suspension, Messi will not be allowed to participate in any training or games with PSG.

In addition to being suspended by PSG for two weeks, Lionel Messi has also been fined by the club. Messi has been serving as a tourism ambassador for Saudi Arabia, which is believed to be the reason for his unauthorized trip to the country. His contract with PSG is set to expire this summer.

Reports from March suggest that Barcelona has been in contact with Messi about the possibility of returning to the Nou Camp. Messi has played 71 games for PSG, scoring 31 goals and contributing 34 assists. He helped the team win the Ligue 1 title last season. Due to his suspension, Messi will miss PSG’s upcoming matches against Troyes and Ajaccio. PSG is currently leading the league by five points with five games left to play, and is aiming to win their ninth league title in 11 seasons.

Lionel Messi has made a decision that indicates the end of his time with Paris St-Germain. While the team has three games left to play after his suspension, PSG’s future plans do not involve Messi, who less than five months ago won the World Cup.

PSG sees their actions as standard employee punishment for someone who left for work during work hours and outside of the approved location. However, this move is also a statement about the team’s future direction, which they plan to center around younger players, as well as their strict approach to discipline. PSG fans no longer want Messi, and it is highly unlikely that his contract will be renewed.

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Michael Schumacher: Magazine editor sacked over AI-generated ‘interview’ with seven-time F1 champion

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The editor of a German magazine called “Die Aktuelle” was fired for publishing an interview with former Formula 1 champion Michael Schumacher that was generated by an artificial intelligence program. Schumacher suffered serious head injuries in a skiing accident in 2013 and has not been seen in public since.

The magazine’s cover featured a smiling picture of Schumacher with the headline “Michael Schumacher, the first interview” and a strapline that read “it sounded deceptively real.” The quotes attributed to Schumacher in the article were created by an AI program called charatcter.ai. The magazine’s publisher has apologized to Schumacher’s family for the article.

“I can with the help of my team actually stand by myself and even slowly walk a few steps,” read the Schumacher ‘quotes’.

“My wife and my children were a blessing to me and without them I would not have managed it. Naturally they are also very sad, how it has all happened.

“They support me and are standing firmly at my side.”

Schumacher’s family said on Friday that they plan to take legal action against the magazine and over the weekend its publisher issued an apology.

“This tasteless and misleading article should never have appeared. It in no way meets the standards of journalism that we – and our readers – expect,” said Bianca Pohlmann, managing director of Funke media group.

“As a result of the publication of this article, immediate personnel consequences will be drawn.

“Die Aktuelle editor-in-chief Anne Hoffmann, who has held journalistic responsibility for the paper since 2009, will be relieved of her duties as of today.”

Michael Schumacher, who won seven Formula One world championships and 91 races in his career, suffered severe head injuries in a skiing accident in 2013. He was put into an induced coma and brought home in 2014, and his family has kept his medical condition private since then. Schumacher retired from racing in 2006, but returned in 2010 before retiring again in 2012. His son Mick is currently a reserve driver for Mercedes. In a 2021 documentary, Schumacher’s wife Corinna said that they live together at home and do everything they can to make him comfortable, including therapy and spending time together as a family.

“We’re trying to carry on as a family, the way Michael liked it and still does. And we are getting on with our lives.

“‘Private is private’, as he always said. It’s very important to me that he can continue to enjoy his private life as much as possible. Michael always protected us, and now we are protecting Michael.”

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Charles Leclerc: Ferrari driver asks fans to stop gathering outside his home

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Charles Leclerc has requested admirers to quit obtruding themselves outside of his flat in Monaco and to respect his privacy.

The 25-year-old claimed that after his address recently became known, supporters gathered outside to ring the doorbell. In public spaces or at the track, the Ferrari driver said he would still say hello to supporters, but gathering inside his home is “a barrier that should not be crossed.”

When Leclerc took a selfie with two individuals sporting scooter helmets in Italy last year, his watch was stolen. The theft that occurred in the beach resort of Viareggio last April was reported as a result of four persons being arrested, according to Italian police last week.

“For the past few months, my home address has somehow become public, leading to people gathering beneath my apartment, ringing my bell, and asking for pictures and autographs,” Leclerc wrote on his Instagram stories.

“While I’m always happy to be there for you and I truly appreciate your support, please respect my privacy and refrain from coming to my house.

“I’ll make sure to stop for everyone when you see me on the streets or at the track, but I won’t be coming downstairs if you visit my home.

“Your support, both in person and on social media, means the world to me, but there is a boundary that should not be crossed.”Leclerc has had a challenging start to the 2023 Formula 1 season, finishing 10th in the driver standings after being forced to retire from two of the first three races.

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Boris Becker: Six-time Grand Slam singles champion on prison, fame and the future

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Upon his release from prison, tennis legend Boris Becker said he is writing the “third chapter” of his life. The 55-year-old German completed eight months of his 2.5-year sentence after concealing loans and assets worth £2.5 million in order to avoid paying obligations.

After his release in December, he was removed from the UK. He said on 5 Live Breakfast, “I’m typically good in the fifth set – I’ve won the first two sets, I’ve lost the next two, and I’m planning to win that.”

The six-time Grand Slam singles winner was convicted on four offences under the Bankruptcy Act in April of last year. He shot to fame in 1985 when he won Wimbledon at the age of just 17.

The case focused on Becker’s bankruptcy in June 2017 as a result of a more than £3 million loan that was outstanding on his opulent Mallorca estate.

Becker remarked, “I don’t think there was a handbook published for how to behave, what to do, and how to live your life when you win Wimbledon at 17,” before the premiere of a new TV series on his life and career.

“The fame and fortune after was very new.

“Obviously I never studied business, I never studied finance and after my tennis career I made a couple of decisions probably badly advised but again it was my decision.”

After sentencing, Becker spent the first weeks of his detention at Wandsworth Prison in south-west London, before spending the majority of his sentence at Huntercombe Prison in Oxfordshire.

“Whoever says that prison life isn’t hard and isn’t difficult I think is lying,” the three-time Wimbledon champion said.

“I was surrounded by murderers, by drug dealers, by rapists, by people smugglers, by dangerous criminals.

“You fight every day for survival. Quickly you have to surround yourself with the tough boys, as I would call it, because you need protection.”

Becker said being a legendary tennis player counted for nothing while he was in prison.

“If you think you’re better than everybody else then you lose,” he said.

“Inside it doesn’t matter that I was a tennis player, the only currency we have inside is our character and our personality. That’s it, you have nothing else.

“You don’t have any friends at first, you’re literally on your own and that’s the hard part, you have to really dig inside yourself about your qualities and your strengths but also your weaknesses.”Becker was deported to Germany after being freed, and he won’t be permitted to come back to the UK until October 2024. Becker thinks his time in prison has taught him some important lessons.

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Lukaku Racially Abused by Juventus Fans

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Romelu Lukaku was subjected to racial taunts from Juventus supporters after converting a last-second penalty for Inter Milan and receiving a red card in the Coppa Italia match.

After scoring a penalty in the 95th minute, Lukaku received a second yellow card for celebrating in front of the home crowd.

The abuse was “beyond horrible,” according to Michael Yormark, head of Lukaku’s agency Roc Nation Sports International. Juventus promised to collaborate with the police to find the culprits.

A statement read: “Juventus Football Club, as always, are collaborating with the police to identify those responsible for the racist gestures and chants which took place last night.”

Following Lukaku’s equaliser, fights broke out amongst players from both teams.

At the final whistle, Inter captain Samir Handanovic and midfielder Juan Cuadrado received red cards, and the brawl continued down the tunnel.

“Tonight’s racist remarks made towards Romelu Lukaku by Juventus fans in Turin were beyond despicable and cannot be accepted,” Yormark said in a statement..

“Romelu scored a penalty late in the game. Before, during and after the penalty, he was subjected to hostile and disgusting racist abuse.

“Romelu celebrated in the same manner he has previously celebrated goals. The referee’s response was to award a yellow card to Romelu.

“Romelu deserves an apology from Juventus and I expect the league to condemn the behaviour of this group of Juventus supporters immediately.

“The Italian authorities must use this opportunity to tackle racism, rather than punish the victim of the abuse.”

During his first stint at Inter between 2019 and 2021, Lukaku, who returned to Inter on loan from Chelsea, experienced racism.

He claimed the sport “was moving backwards” in September 2019 after being subjected to racial taunts from Cagliari supporters.

As Cagliari were later exonerated of using racist chants, Piara Powar, the head of the anti-discrimination organisation Fare, claimed that the Italian football league’s disciplinary procedures were “not fit for purpose.”

Football racism, according to Lukaku, is at a “all-time high” and needs to be addressed further, players, football officials, and social media, in September 2021.

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Jakub Jankto: Czech Republic international midfielder comes out as gay

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Jakub Jankto of the Czech Republic says he “no longer wants to hide” as he comes out as gay in public, becoming the first active international player in men’s football.

The 27-year-old midfielder, on loan from Getafe of Spain, announced it on Twitter on Monday. In 45 appearances since making his senior debut for the Czech Republic in 2017, Jankto has four goals to his credit.

Like everybody else, I have my strengths, I have my weaknesses, I have a family, I have my friends,” he said.

“I have a job that I have been doing as best as I can for years with seriousness, with professionalism and passion.”

He added: “Like everybody else, I also want to live my life in freedom without fears, without prejudice, without violence but with love.

“I am homosexual and I no longer want to hide myself.”

In the men’s game in the UK last year, Jake Daniels of Blackpool made history by becoming the first professional athlete to come out while still competing in more than 30 years.

Justin Fashanu, who played for clubs in England and Scotland after coming out as gay in October 1990, was the last active men’s professional football player in the UK to do so before Daniels.

Josh Cavallo, an Adelaide United player who came out in October, was the only active out homosexual top-flight male professional footballer in the world prior to Jankto’s public coming out.

Sparta Prague announced in a statement that Jankto had “some time ago” spoken openly about his sexual orientation with the club’s management, coach, and teammates.

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Formula 1: Ferrari team principal Mattia Binotto to leave at end of year

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At the end of the year, Mattia Binotto will step down from his role as Ferrari team principal. The 53-year-old resigned from his position, according to a statement released by Ferrari on Tuesday, adding the search for a replacement was “underway”.

Since 1995, Binotto has been a member of the Ferrari team. He recently announced his decision to leave the company with regret. As difficult as it has been for me to make this decision, it is right to move forward.

Binotto rose through the ranks of the organisation, first overseeing the engine division, then serving as the technical director for the entire F1 team, and then becoming the helm. He leaves at the end of a season in which Ferrari achieved their goals of returning to winning races, but which was marked by a series of reliability failures and operational errors.

Binotto said: “I am leaving a company that I love, which I have been part of for 28 years, with the serenity that comes from the conviction that I have made every effort to achieve the objectives set.

“I depart from a solid and expanding team. I wish a strong team all the best in the future as they work together to accomplish the highest goals.”

Binotto was praised and given good wishes by Ferrari CEO Benedetto Vigna, who also said that because of his efforts, the team was “in a strong position to relaunch our challenge, above all for our amazing fans across the world, to win the ultimate reward in motorsport.”

Binotto’s successor is expected to be Frederic Vasseur, team principal of Alfa Romeo.

In an effort to eliminate the climate of fear that many people say prevents creativity and courageous actions at the team, Binotto strove to build a no-blame culture at Ferrari.

Ferrari was worried, though, because despite this, there didn’t seem to be any progress being made in resolving the team’s fundamental issues.

The goal of a no-blame culture is to foster an atmosphere of accountability and trust where problems may be recognised, comprehended, and resolved without anyone concerned about losing their job. Despite the numerous mistakes, however, not much seemed to change at Ferrari this year.

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Antonio Conte it is ’embarrassing for everybody’ after fan threw banana at Richarlison

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It is “embarrassing for everyone,” according to Tottenham manager Antonio Conte, because Richarlison was targeted by a banana during a friendly match between Brazil and Tunisia.  When the incident happened in Paris on Tuesday, the Spurs forward was celebrating a goal.

Conte demanded that the offending spectator receive a lifetime ban from football. Conte remarked, “What happened when Richy played for the national team and scored a goal is extraordinary. Being present for a situation like this in 2022 is embarrassing for everyone. The event is under investigation, and Fifa has stated that it has a “clear, zero-tolerance attitude” against racism.

Conte continued, “I hope this guy can receive a lifetime ban from playing football, but it is a circumstance that is very disappointing to make a comment about this.”

“As long as it’s ‘blah blah blah’ and they don’t punish, it will continue like this,” Richarlison tweeted after the game. “[Racism] occurs everywhere and every day. No time, buddy.

Before the game began, Brazil posed with an anti-racism flag and lined up with the words: “Without our black players, we wouldn’t have stars on our shirts.”

In a statement, the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) said it “reinforced its position to combat racism” and “repudiates any display of prejudice”.

Tottenham also condemned the the abuse and offered Richarlison support: “This has no place in football, or anywhere. We stand with you, Richy.”

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“24 Years Feels Like 24 Hours”: Roger Federer Announces Retirement

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The only male tennis player to win 20 grand slam titles, Roger Federer, has declared his intention to stop competing after the Laver Cup in 2022. Federer posted a message on his Twitter account announcing his choice. When he won the Wimbledon championship in 2003, Federer captured his maiden grand slam. Since then, he has won six Australian Opens, one French Open, eight Wimbledons, and five US Opens. He’s been dealing with a knee problem for a very long time.

He announced it on his Twitter account: “The Laver Cup next week in London will be my final ATP event.”The 20-time Grand Slam champion, 41, has been out since losing in the Wimbledon quarterfinals in 2021 before requiring more knee surgery. Serena Williams’ retirement and Federer’s announcement are related events. Serena retired having won the second-most grand slam titles in women’s tennis (23). In terms of the total number of grand slam titles won, Federer sits third, behind his top competitors Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal.

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Ivan Kuliak: Russian gymnast given one-year ban for wearing pro-war symbol on podium next to Ukrainian

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Ivan Kuliak, a Russian gymnast, was given a one-year suspension for wearing a national war symbol on the podium at a competition in Qatar in March.

Kuliak took bronze in the Apparatus World Cup parallel bars final in Doha, wearing a letter ‘Z’ taped to his chest as he stood next to Ukraine’s Illia Kovtun, who won gold. Kuliak must now return his medal, but he has 21 days to file an appeal.

With Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the letter Z became symbolic. It was painted on the sides of tanks and military vehicles, and it was worn by pro-war Russian politicians.

The International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) investigated the incident, and Kuliak was sanctioned by the Gymnastics Ethics Foundation (GEF) disciplinary commission for violating FIG rules.

For the next 12 months, the 20-year-old is not permitted to compete in any FIG-sanctioned event or competition hosted by an affiliated FIG member federation. “If the protective measures preventing Russian athletes from competing are still in place on 17 May 2023, the ban shall continue and expire six months after said measures are removed,” the statement added.

Kuliak must also repay his prize money of 500 Swiss francs (£403) as well as a 2,000 Swiss francs (£1,612) contribution to the proceedings’ costs. Valentina Rodionenko, the head of the Russian delegation, and coach Igor Kalabushkin were found not to have broken any FIG rules.

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