Sport Dispatch

Football: Serie A talking points

INTER HIT TOP GEAR AT RIGHT TIME AC Milan and Napoli's long unbeaten start to the Serie A season meant Inter Milan were playing catch-up for much of the campaign to date,…

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Football: Premier League talking points

RANGNICK HAS WORK TO DO TO OVERHAUL MAN UNITED Manchester United's interim boss Ralf Rangnick can take some positives from their 1-0 wins against Crystal Palace and Norwich City in…

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Gerrard primed for emotional Liverpool return with Villa

As much as Aston Villa manager Steven Gerrard may protest that his mind is focused purely on his team beating Liverpool in the Premier League on Saturday, there can be…

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Pioli learns from Anfield thriller to prepare for crunch Champions League game

AC Milan coach Stefano Pioli said he has done all the necessary homework to be ready for this evening's must-win Champions League clash with Liverpool at the San Siro, having learned lessons from the…

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FA Cup draws: Man Utd face Villa, Leicester host Watford in third round

Manchester United entertain Aston Villa in the FA Cup third round, while holders Leicester City welcome Watford and West Ham United are at home to Leeds United following Monday's draw.…

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U.S. officials to boycott Beijing Olympics over rights ‘atrocities’

U.S. government officials will boycott the 2022 Winter Olympics in Beijing because of China's human rights "atrocities", the White House said on Monday, just weeks after talks aimed at easing tense relations between the…

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Premier League: Late Gray show gives Everton 2-1 win over Arsenal

Everton eased some of the pressure on manager Rafa Benitez as they ground out a comeback 2-1 home win over Arsenal in the Premier League on Monday, with Demarai Gray netting a stunning…

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Football: Premier League Talking Points

BACK TO THE FUTURE FOR UNITED? New Manchester United interim manager Ralf Rangnick enjoyed a victory in his opening game in charge of the club with a 1-0 win against…

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Football: Bundesliga talking points

BUNDESLIGA MINNOWS Freiburg and Union Berlin's budgets are only a fraction of that of the big clubs but the minnows have given Bundesliga powerhouses a run for their money this…

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Croatia beat Italy to reach semis at Davis Cup Finals

Croatia became the first team through to the last four of the Davis Cup Finals after doubles pair Nikola Mektic and Mate Pavic beat Italian duo Fabio Fognini and Jannik…

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UEFA’s new charter urges clubs to teach players and staff about concussion

UEFA has launched a concussion charter in a further measure to safeguard players sustaining blows to the head, European soccer's governing body said on Monday. The charter, drawn up by…

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Ronaldo hits back at ‘lies’ about Ballon d’Or rivalry with Messi

Cristiano Ronaldo has hit back at comments made by Ballon d'Or organiser Pascal Ferre, saying the editor-in-chief of France Football "lied" about his rivalry with Lionel Messi. Ferre told the…

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FIFA to trial semi-automated offside technology at Arab Cup

World soccer's governing body FIFA will test its semi-automated offside technology at the Arab Cup 2021 which begins in Qatar on Tuesday, with Chief Refereeing Officer Pierluigi Collina saying the competition represented its most…

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Football: Serie A talking points

JUVE CANNOT DO ANYTHING RIGHT AT THE MOMENTFour days after their heaviest defeat in all competitions since 2004 at Chelsea in the Champions League, Juventus welcomed Atalanta to Turin on…

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Football: Premier League talking points

TUCHEL SAYS HE'S NOT WORRIED, AND YET... Chelsea manager Thomas Tuchel said he was not worried after the Blues dominated a home league match only to draw for the second…

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FIFA wraps up inspection of potential 2026 World Cup venues

FIFA, world soccer's governing body, wrapped up site visits to potential venues for the 2026 World Cup to be co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico with a stop…

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Cuban woman says soccer star Maradona raped her as teenager, ‘stole my childhood’

Mavys Alvarez, a Cuban woman who had a relationship with late soccer star Diego Maradona two decades ago, told a news conference on Monday that the Argentine player had raped…

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Crowd problems put future of French football at risk, says minister

Repeated crowd problems in Ligue 1 are putting the future of French soccer at risk, French Sports Minister Roxana Maracineanu said after Sunday's game between Olympique Lyonnais and Olympique Marseille was abandoned due to…

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Football: LaLiga talking points

REAL MADRID SURGE INTO THE LEAD Real Sociedad stumbled at home in a goalless draw against Valencia on Sunday, allowing Real Madrid to leapfrog them to the top of the…

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Football: Premier League talking points

Premier League reality check for Maguire and Kane For England this month they could do no wrong with Kane scoring seven goals in two games against Albania and San Marino…

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Manchester City’s Mendy charged with two additional counts of rape

Manchester City defender Benjamin Mendy has been charged with two additional counts of rape in addition to earlier charges of rape and sexual assault, English prosecutors said on Tuesday. Mendy…

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Messi will start qualifier v Brazil, Neymar out injured

Argentina captain Lionel Messi is fit again and will start their World Cup qualifier at home to Brazil on Tuesday but Neymar will miss out for the visitors after feeling pain in his…

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Kane hits four as England book World Cup place ahead of Poland

Harry Kane scored four goals in England's 10-0 demolition of San Marino on Monday as Gareth Southgate's side made official their place in next year's World Cup finals in Qatar. In truth England needed only a point against…

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190 athletes take part in La Salle AC’s Cross-Country League

The Cross-Country League organised by La Salle Athletics Club came to an end this weekend, on the grass area within the Marsa Sports Complex. The league saw the participation of…

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Italy fire blanks in Northern Ireland as Swiss qualify as group winners

Switzerland striker Noah Okafor scored his first international goal as they brushed Bulgaria aside 4-0 to seal a place at next year's World Cup in Qatar as Group C winners. Ruben Vargas, Cedric…

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Dillon Cassar and Lisa Bezzina claim Cross Country National Title

Dillion Cassar and Lisa Bezzina claimed the National Cross-Country title with the event making a return after an absence of a few years on the senior national athletics calendar. While…

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Athletics Malta announces major reform in organisation of non-stadia events

Athletics Malta has announced a major reform in the organisation of non-stadia events aimed at improving the quality and athlete experience at these events though the establishment of a label…

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Wallabies fired up to face England, says Hooper

Defeat to Scotland brought Australia's five-game winning streak to an end but captain Michael Hooper says the setback has only fired up the Wallabies as they prepare to face England…

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Football: Serie A Talking Points

INTER AND MILAN SHARE SPOILS The coaches of AC Milan and Inter Milan saw things in contrasting lights after their sides played out a 1-1 draw in a thrilling Milan…

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Football: English Premier League talking points

SOLSKJAER BACK IN THE DOCK A 3-0 win at Tottenham Hotspur last week proved to be only a temporary respite for Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer as defeat by…

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PSG’s Messi to miss match against Leipzig, Mbappe included in squad

Lionel Messi was not included in the Paris St Germain squad that will face RB Leipzig in the Champions League on Wednesday but forward Kylian Mbappe made the team. Messi had limped…

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Tottenham Hotspur announce Conte as new manager

London club Tottenham Hotspur have formally announced Italian Antonio Conte as their new manager. https://twitter.com/SpursOfficial/status/1455504660949778433 Multiple sources have reported that Antonio Conte signed an 18-month contract at Tottenham after Daniel…

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Athletics: Elite athletes in week-long Italy training camp

Thirteen of Malta’s most promising have begun their international training commitments early with a week-long, high-intensity professional training camp in Formia, Italy. The camp is being managed by Athletics Malta…

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Benitez laments injury after Everton lose at Wolves

Everton's promising start to the Premier League season has been derailed by injuries to key players, manager Rafa Benitez said after Monday's 2-1 defeat at Wolverhampton Wanderers. Everton were without Lucas Digne, Yerry…

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Nadal plans to return at Abu Dhabi exhibition next month

Rafa Nadal is aiming to return from injury at an exhibition event in Abu Dhabi next month before playing another tournament in his buildup to the Australian Open, the world number five…

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Tennis-Canada stun holders France as Billie Jean King Cup finals kick off

Canada's Gabriela Dabrowski and Rebecca Marino won the deciding doubles rubber to help stun defending champions France 2-1 on the opening day of the new-look Billie Jean King Cup finals…

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Bayern support vaccination but not mandatory, amid Kimmich furore

German champions Bayern Munich support the vaccination of its players to protect against COVID-19 but it is not mandatory, the club said amid a furore caused by player Joshua Kimmich's announcement he was not vaccinated. The…

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Football: Serie A weekend talking points

EVERGREEN IBRAHIMOVIC HAS FINAL SAY Even by Zlatan Ibrahimovic's standards, Saturday's 4-2 victory for AC Milan at an embattled nine-man Bologna was an eventful occasion. With his side cruising 2-0…

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Football: Premier League talking points

via Reuters IS SOLSKJAER READY TO DROP RONALDO? After Manchester United's humiliating 5-0 defeat by Liverpool on Sunday, manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer faced predictable calls for him to be removed…

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Football: LaLiga’s weekend talking points

VINICIUS JR IS A RISING STAR In the first El Clasico without Lionel Messi and Sergio Ramos, Real Madrid's Vinicius Jr showed once again this season that he can be…

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Inter will not underestimate Sheriff – Inzaghi

Inter Milan will not underestimate surprise package Sheriff Tiraspol when they meet in the San Siro for a crucial Champions League clash, coach Simone Inzaghi said. The Moldovans have enjoyed a stunning start…

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Liverpool’s Alisson, Fabinho back for Atletico game, but Thiago still out

Liverpool goalkeeper Alisson Becker and midfielder Fabinho will return to the squad for Tuesday's Champions League group match away to Atletico Madrid but midfielder Thiago Alcantara remains sidelined with a calf…

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Tennis-No special deals to allow unvaccinated players at Australian Open: official

Australia's Victoria state will not do special deals with unvaccinated athletes to allow them to compete at major events, an official said on Tuesday, putting Novak Djokovic's Australian Open title…

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England get one-game stadium ban over Euro 2020 final chaos

England have been ordered to play their next two home games in UEFA competition without supporters present after disturbances during their Euro 2020 final against Italy at Wembley in July,…

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Arsenal salvage last gasp draw at home to Crystal Palace

Substitute Alexandre Lacazette struck with the last kick of the game to give Arsenal a rollercoaster 2-2 home draw with Crystal Palace in the Premier League on Monday after the visitors had fought back from a…

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Athletics: Malta to host Championships of the Small States of Europe in 2022

The Athletic Association of Small States of Europe (AASSE) has accepted Malta’s bid to host the biennial Athletics Championships of the Small States of Europe in June 2022, a prestigious…

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Southgate to discuss England contract in next few weeks

England manager Gareth Southgate said he will speak to the Football Association about his contract in the next few weeks as his immediate focus is helping the team reach the 2022 World…

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Tennis-Get vaccinated if you want to play Australian Open, minister tells players

Tennis players planning to compete in the Australian Open at Melbourne Park should get vaccinated for COVID-19 to give themselves the best chance of playing the Grand Slam, an Australian…

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Beaten Wilder has no plans to retire, says trainer

Deontay Wilder has no plans to retire, the American boxer's trainer Malik Scott said, after he was knocked out by Briton Tyson Fury in their WBC heavyweight world championship fight…

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Croatia lose ground after 2-2 draw with Slovakia

Croatia dented their hopes of qualifying automatically for the 2022 World Cup after a 2-2 home draw with Slovakia in their Group H clash on Monday left them trailing Russia…

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Germany becomes first European team to qualify for 2022 World Cup with North Macedonia win

Germany became the first European team to qualify for the 2022 World Cup by crushing North Macedonia 4-0 away on Monday to secure top spot in Group J with two games to spare. A…

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Football: European Qualifiers – Monday’s results

Here's a round-up of Monday's matches. Cover photo via Malta Football Association Facebook

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Real, Barca influence on Spain fades along with club superpower status

While Real Madrid and Barcelona's superpower status a decade ago was reflected in their dominance of Spain's all-conquering national side, their decline can be measured in the very same way:…

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Ferguson says Ronaldo should have started against Everton

Former Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson said Cristiano Ronaldo should have started last weekend's 1-1 home draw with Everton instead of being brought on as a second-half substitute by current boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.…

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Nations League final four offers silverware to Europe’s best

Fans of international football can be forgiven if it has slipped their attention that four of Europe's top national teams are about to play off this week for the Nations League title.…

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Watford appoint Ranieri as manager on two-year deal

English Premier League club Watford have appointed former Chelsea and Leicester City boss Claudio Ranieri as their new manager on a two-year contract, the Premier League club said on Monday.…

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Man City complain to Liverpool over alleged fan spitting incident

Manchester City have made a complaint to Liverpool after a fan allegedly spat at their backroom staff during Sunday's 2-2 Premier League draw at Anfield, media reported. Sky Sports said…

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