Sports Minister: War has Killed 262 Ukrainian Athletes

A general view shows an empty street and buildings damaged by a Russian military strike, as Russia's attack on Ukraine continues, in the front line city of Bakhmut, Ukraine March 3, 2023. REUTERS/Oleksandr Ratushniak
A general view shows an empty street and buildings damaged by a Russian military strike, as Russia's attack on Ukraine continues, in the front line city of Bakhmut, Ukraine March 3, 2023. REUTERS/Oleksandr Ratushniak
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Sports Minister: War has Killed 262 Ukrainian Athletes

A general view shows an empty street and buildings damaged by a Russian military strike, as Russia's attack on Ukraine continues, in the front line city of Bakhmut, Ukraine March 3, 2023. REUTERS/Oleksandr Ratushniak
A general view shows an empty street and buildings damaged by a Russian military strike, as Russia's attack on Ukraine continues, in the front line city of Bakhmut, Ukraine March 3, 2023. REUTERS/Oleksandr Ratushniak

Russia's war against Ukraine has claimed the lives of 262 Ukrainian athletes and destroyed 363 sports facilities, the country's sports minister, Vadym Huttsait, said on Saturday.

Meeting the visiting president of the International Federation of Gymnastics, Morinari Watanabe, Huttsait said no athletes from Russia should be allowed at the Olympics or other sports competitions.

"They all support this war and attend events held in support of this war," Huttsait said, according to a transcript on President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's website.

The International Olympic Committee has recommended the gradual return of Russian and Belarusian athletes to international competition as neutrals. It has not decided on their participation in the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Ukraine said on Friday its athletes will not be allowed to take part in qualifying events for the 2024 Games if they have to compete against Russians, a decision the IOC has criticized.

Reuters could not independently verify the number of Ukrainian athletes killed or how many facilities have been destroyed.

In the wake of Russia's full-scale invasion on Ukraine in February 2022, a number of Ukrainian national-level athletes have taken up arms voluntarily to defend their country.

Among those killed this year alone have been figure skater Dmytro Sharpar, who died in combat near Bakhmut, and Volodymyr Androshchuk, a 22-year-old decathlon champion and future Olympic hopeful.



Guardiola Focused on ‘Final’ Against Arsenal 

Manchester City's head coach Pep Guardiola follows the FA Cup quarter-finals soccer match between Manchester City and Newcastle United in Manchester, Britain, 16 March 2024. (EPA)
Manchester City's head coach Pep Guardiola follows the FA Cup quarter-finals soccer match between Manchester City and Newcastle United in Manchester, Britain, 16 March 2024. (EPA)
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Guardiola Focused on ‘Final’ Against Arsenal 

Manchester City's head coach Pep Guardiola follows the FA Cup quarter-finals soccer match between Manchester City and Newcastle United in Manchester, Britain, 16 March 2024. (EPA)
Manchester City's head coach Pep Guardiola follows the FA Cup quarter-finals soccer match between Manchester City and Newcastle United in Manchester, Britain, 16 March 2024. (EPA)

Manchester City are still in the running to pick up two trophies at Wembley this season, but manager Pep Guardiola said all his focus is on their Premier League clash with title rivals Arsenal at the end of the month, a match he described as a "final".

City face Chelsea in the FA Cup semi-finals next month, as well as Real Madrid in the quarter-finals of the Champions League, which has its title decider at Wembley this season.

Guardiola, however, said he was not looking past their next league fixture against Mikel Arteta's side on March 31.

"One step at a time," he told City's website. "We have a final against Arsenal.

"I don't want to think too much in the future right now. It's been an intense period."

Guardiola said he hoped all his players return from the international break fit and ready for the match against Arsenal, who lead the league on goal difference from Liverpool with City a point further back.

"I will not watch the (International) games. I will rest and when they arrive we will see which players survive," he added.

"When we come back we will have three days to prepare for the game against Arsenal. Let's go"


Türkiye: Trabzonspor Fans Invade Pitch, Attack Fenerbahce Players

Fenerbahce's players clash with Trabzonspor supporters at the end of Turkish Super Lig soccer match between Trabzonspor and Fenerbahce at the Senol Gunes stadium in Trabzon, Türkiye, Sunday, March 17, 2024. (Huseyin Yavuz/Dia Images via AP)
Fenerbahce's players clash with Trabzonspor supporters at the end of Turkish Super Lig soccer match between Trabzonspor and Fenerbahce at the Senol Gunes stadium in Trabzon, Türkiye, Sunday, March 17, 2024. (Huseyin Yavuz/Dia Images via AP)
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Türkiye: Trabzonspor Fans Invade Pitch, Attack Fenerbahce Players

Fenerbahce's players clash with Trabzonspor supporters at the end of Turkish Super Lig soccer match between Trabzonspor and Fenerbahce at the Senol Gunes stadium in Trabzon, Türkiye, Sunday, March 17, 2024. (Huseyin Yavuz/Dia Images via AP)
Fenerbahce's players clash with Trabzonspor supporters at the end of Turkish Super Lig soccer match between Trabzonspor and Fenerbahce at the Senol Gunes stadium in Trabzon, Türkiye, Sunday, March 17, 2024. (Huseyin Yavuz/Dia Images via AP)

Turkish top tier club Trabzonspor fans invaded the pitch following a home loss against Fenerbahce late Sunday, touching off violent scuffles between the fans and visiting players.
The Trabzonspor fans charged onto the pitch as Fenerbahce players celebrated their 3-2 win following the final whistle of the Turkish Superlig game in the Black Sea coastal city of Trabzon.
Some Fenerbahce players hit back at fans who kicked or punched them, the state-run Anadolu Agency reported. Security staff later helped the Fenerbahce players down the tunnel into the dressing room, The Associated Press said.
The incident came just months after the president of top-flight club Ankaragucu was arrested for punching a referee following a match, prompting the Turkish Football Federation to briefly suspend league games.
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya announced on X, formerly known as Twitter, that an investigation has been launched and that those who invaded the pitch would be identified.
“The occurrence of violence on football fields is not acceptable,” he wrote.
The Turkish Football Federation also condemned the incident and said those responsible would be punished following an investigation.


Alcaraz Defeats Medvedev to Defend Indian Wells Title

17 March 2024, US, Indian Wells: Spanish tennis player Carlos Alcaraz celebrates with the trophy after defeating Russia's Daniil Medvedev during their Men's final tennis match of the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament at Indian Wells Tennis Garden. Photo: Charles Baus/CSM via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
17 March 2024, US, Indian Wells: Spanish tennis player Carlos Alcaraz celebrates with the trophy after defeating Russia's Daniil Medvedev during their Men's final tennis match of the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament at Indian Wells Tennis Garden. Photo: Charles Baus/CSM via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
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Alcaraz Defeats Medvedev to Defend Indian Wells Title

17 March 2024, US, Indian Wells: Spanish tennis player Carlos Alcaraz celebrates with the trophy after defeating Russia's Daniil Medvedev during their Men's final tennis match of the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament at Indian Wells Tennis Garden. Photo: Charles Baus/CSM via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
17 March 2024, US, Indian Wells: Spanish tennis player Carlos Alcaraz celebrates with the trophy after defeating Russia's Daniil Medvedev during their Men's final tennis match of the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament at Indian Wells Tennis Garden. Photo: Charles Baus/CSM via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa

Carlos Alcaraz arrived at Indian Wells full of doubt about his twisted right ankle. He's leaving as a two-time champion, The Associated Press reported.
He defeated Daniil Medvedev 7-6 (5), 6-1 for the second straight year in the BNP Paribas Open final on Sunday, earning his first title since winning Wimbledon last year.
Iga Swiatek beat Maria Sakkari 6-4, 6-0 in just over an hour to win the women’s title, with Swiatek losing just 21 games in six matches during the 12-day tournament — an average of 3.5 games per match.
Alcaraz sprained his ankle at the Rio Open in late February. His first practice at Indian Wells lasted 30 minutes without any movement. His first practice with his fellow pros “was really tough for me,” he said in a Tennis Channel interview.
Alcaraz outlasted Jannik Sinner in a three-set semifinal after needing three sets to get out of his second-round match.
“After every match I was feeling better,” Alcaraz said. “I was getting more confident after every match. Winning a Master 1000 again, a really important tournament to win, gives you motivation to keep going.”
Alcaraz became the first man to defend his Indian Wells title since Novak Djokovic won three in a row from 2014-16. He beat Medvedev 6-3, 6-2 last year in the Southern California desert.
“It’s definitely your court, you like it here,” Medvedev told Alcaraz during the victory ceremony. “Hopefully you can one day let me play a little bit better here.”
Medvedev led 3-0 in the first set while Alcaraz had eight unforced errors over those games. The Spaniard won three games in a row to tie it, 3-3.
The players held serve the rest of the set, with Alcaraz serving a love game to get into the tiebreaker. He led 3-0 and 5-2 before Medvedev tied it 5-5. Alcaraz won the next two points to close it out.
Alcaraz got the only two breaks in the second set, when Medvedev had one winner and nine errors.
For the match, Alcaraz hit 25 winners and had 26 unforced errors, while Medvedev had 11 winners and 23 unforced errors.
Swiatek improved to 20-2 this year, with her wins leading the WTA Tour.
It was a repeat of the 2022 final, in which Swiatek beat Sakkari 6-4, 6-1. Sakkari hasn’t defeated the Polish star since 2021.
Swiatek raced to a 3-0 lead in the opening set. Sakkari recovered to win three straight games, including a break of Swiatek. She served a love game to tie it, 4-4. Swiatek lost just two points on her serve the rest of the set, wrapping it up with a forehand winner in the corner.
Swiatek was more dominant in the second set, breaking Sakkari three times all in love games. She lost just five points in the set.
Swiatek hit 15 winners and had 11 unforced errors in the 1 hour, 8-minute match. Sakkari had eight winners and 18 unforced errors.
Alcaraz and Swiatek earned $1.1 million each for their wins. That's less than the $1.26 million the women's and men's champions received in 2023. This year more prize money was allocated to the earlier rounds, reducing the champions' prize money by nearly 13%.


Fourth Place Not the Goal for Tottenham, Postecoglou Says

Tottenham Hotspur's Greek-Australian Head Coach Ange Postecoglou gestures on the touchline during the English Premier League football match between Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur at Craven Cottage in London on March 16, 2024. (AFP)
Tottenham Hotspur's Greek-Australian Head Coach Ange Postecoglou gestures on the touchline during the English Premier League football match between Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur at Craven Cottage in London on March 16, 2024. (AFP)
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Fourth Place Not the Goal for Tottenham, Postecoglou Says

Tottenham Hotspur's Greek-Australian Head Coach Ange Postecoglou gestures on the touchline during the English Premier League football match between Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur at Craven Cottage in London on March 16, 2024. (AFP)
Tottenham Hotspur's Greek-Australian Head Coach Ange Postecoglou gestures on the touchline during the English Premier League football match between Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur at Craven Cottage in London on March 16, 2024. (AFP)

Tottenham Hotspur manager Ange Postecoglou said he is more interested in building a competitive team than in finishing in the top four of the Premier League, after his side were beaten 3-0 by Fulham on Saturday.

Tottenham would have moved above Aston Villa into fourth place in the standings with a win, but the defeat ensured Postecoglou's side remained in fifth with 53 points from 28 games.

Asked if Tottenham could still finish fourth and secure the final Champions League qualifying spot, the Australian told reporters: "I don't see fourth as the prize. I don't want to finish fourth if we haven't grown and developed as a team.

"Part of the narrative is to push you in these kinds of positions where you think that fourth is some kind of achievement that gives you something for next year.

"Fourth would be great if I feel like we're growing as a team, and we're creating something that is going to bring us success next year. But fourth is not our goal... If we finish fifth, and if I think we've got a team to challenge next year, then I won't be disappointed."

Tottenham next host 18th-placed Luton Town in a league game on Saturday.


Casemiro Out of Brazil Squad with Injury, Porto Forward Pepe to Take His Place

Casemiro of Manchester United thanks the fans after the English Premier League match between Manchester United and Everton FC, at Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain, 09 March 2024. (EPA)
Casemiro of Manchester United thanks the fans after the English Premier League match between Manchester United and Everton FC, at Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain, 09 March 2024. (EPA)
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Casemiro Out of Brazil Squad with Injury, Porto Forward Pepe to Take His Place

Casemiro of Manchester United thanks the fans after the English Premier League match between Manchester United and Everton FC, at Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain, 09 March 2024. (EPA)
Casemiro of Manchester United thanks the fans after the English Premier League match between Manchester United and Everton FC, at Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain, 09 March 2024. (EPA)

Manchester United midfielder Casemiro is out of the Brazil squad for this month's friendlies against England and Spain due to injury, coach Dorival Junior said on Saturday, with Porto winger Pepe set to take his place.

Casemiro is the latest absence for Brazil, following injuries to Man City keeper Ederson, Arsenal striker Gabriel Martinelli and Paris St Germain defender Marquinhos, ahead of a match at Wembley on March 23 and one in Madrid's Santiago Bernabeu three days later.

"From a preliminary list of 50 names, 13 had already been ruled out by injury at their clubs," coach Junior said.

"Unfortunately, we also lost Casemiro. Pepe, from Porto, a forward by origin and now a midfielder, has been called up."

It is the 27-year-old Pepe's second call-up by Brazil, after his debut in a 2-1 loss to Colombia in a World Cup qualifier last year.

Dorival named Vasco da Gama keeper Leo Jardim, Flamengo defender Fabricio Bruno and Porto forward Galeno to replace the injured. It is the first call-up to the national side for all three players.

Squad:

Goalkeepers: Bento (Athletico-PR), Leo Jardim (Vasco da Gama), Rafael (Sao Paulo)

Defenders: Danilo (Juventus), Yan Couto (Girona), Ayrton Lucas (Flamengo), Wendell (Porto) Beraldo (Paris St Germain), Gabriel Magalhaes (Arsenal), Fabricio Bruno (Flamengo), Murilo (Palmeiras)

Midfielders: Andre (Fluminense), Andreas Pereira (Fulham), Bruno Guimaraes (Newcastle United), Douglas Luiz (Aston Villa), Joao Gomes (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Lucas Paqueta (West Ham United), Pablo Maia (Sao Paulo)

Forwards: Endrick (Palmeiras), Pepe (Porto), Galeno (Porto), Raphinha (Barcelona), Richarlison (Tottenham Hotspur), Rodrygo (Real Madrid), Savinho (Girona) and Vinicius Jr (Real Madrid).


Paris Games Could Feature Only 40 Russian Athletes, Says IOC’s Coates

 A view shows the Eiffel Tower and rooftops of Paris, France, March 16, 2024. (Reuters)
A view shows the Eiffel Tower and rooftops of Paris, France, March 16, 2024. (Reuters)
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Paris Games Could Feature Only 40 Russian Athletes, Says IOC’s Coates

 A view shows the Eiffel Tower and rooftops of Paris, France, March 16, 2024. (Reuters)
A view shows the Eiffel Tower and rooftops of Paris, France, March 16, 2024. (Reuters)

Senior International Olympic Committee (IOC) Vice-President John Coates is unsure how many Russian athletes will compete as neutral athletes at the Paris Games, but thinks reports that it might be as low as 40 could be close to the mark.

Under sanctions put in place because of the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, for which Belarus acted as a staging post, the IOC is allowing only some Russian and Belarussian athletes to compete in Paris under tight restrictions.

The inclusion of the neutral athletes remains a contentious issue, with Ukraine Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba describing December's decision to allow them as "shameful", and Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo saying last week she hoped they would not come.

"The issue is how many of them are going to be there too, because they're not going to be in any team sports because they can't compete as Russia," Coates said in Sunday's edition of Sydney's Daily Telegraph.

"And then anyone who is prepared out of the Russian military clubs, they're not going. I don't know, but obviously some athletes might choose not to go if they're not competing for Russia.

"I mightn't be right, but I think that I've read something that it might be as little as 40."

Neutral athletes will compete only in individual sports without flags, emblems or national anthems, and athletes who actively support the war in Ukraine, or are contracted to the Russian or Belarusian military, are not eligible.

Moscow, which describes the invasion as a "special military operation", called the restrictions "illegitimate, unfair and unacceptable", but Russia's Olympic chief, Stanislav Pozdnyakov, has confirmed its athletes would not boycott the Games.

Because of doping sanctions that prevented them from competing under the Russian flag, 335 athletes took part in the 2021 Tokyo Summer Games as the Russian Olympic Committee (ROC) team, winning 71 medals. Belarus sent 101 athletes who won seven medals.

The ROC has since been suspended by the IOC for recognizing regional Olympic Councils in territories annexed from Ukraine, a decision upheld by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) last month.

Of 4,600 athletes who had qualified for the Games at the time of the December decision on neutral athletes, eight were Russians and three held Belarusian passports. More than 60 Ukrainians had qualified.

Some sports, such as equestrian, have announced they will not allow any athletes from the two countries to compete, while World Athletics has had a blanket ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes since early 2022.

Others, such as World Swimming and the International Tennis Federation (ITF), will allow Russians and Belarussians to compete under the IOC restrictions.

Russia's world number four tennis player, Daniil Medvedev, said earlier this month he was looking forward to competing and would abide by the rules.

The Paris Olympics run from July 26 to Aug 11.


Howe Insists Newcastle Can Still Salvage Season after FA Cup Exit

Football - FA Cup - Quarter Final - Manchester City v Newcastle United - Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain - March 16, 2024 Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe applauds fans after the match. (Reuters)
Football - FA Cup - Quarter Final - Manchester City v Newcastle United - Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain - March 16, 2024 Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe applauds fans after the match. (Reuters)
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Howe Insists Newcastle Can Still Salvage Season after FA Cup Exit

Football - FA Cup - Quarter Final - Manchester City v Newcastle United - Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain - March 16, 2024 Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe applauds fans after the match. (Reuters)
Football - FA Cup - Quarter Final - Manchester City v Newcastle United - Etihad Stadium, Manchester, Britain - March 16, 2024 Newcastle United manager Eddie Howe applauds fans after the match. (Reuters)

Newcastle United's 2-0 FA Cup defeat to Manchester City has left them without a shot at silverware, but manager Eddie Howe said his side still have plenty to play for in the final months of the season as they chase qualification for European football.

Newcastle have been eliminated from the FA Cup, League Cup and Champions League. Howe's side are 10th in the Premier League standings after 28 games and still have an outside chance of qualifying for the Europa Conference League next season.

"We have a responsibility in the last 10 games to build. We will always have our targets for the season because we are building for the future and to be the most competitive team we can be," Howe told reporters on Saturday.

"There will be no negativity from me or the players. We know the importance of representing the club well in every game and every single moment."

Asked if qualifying for European football would help salvage the season, the English manager said: "That's our aim. There is a huge amount to play for, people say our season is over and that's absolute nonsense.

"We're driving forward to try to get our best form back and try to win as many games as we can. We aim to finish the season in a positive way."

Newcastle next host West Ham United in a league match on Saturday.


Novak Djokovic Withdraws from Miami Open

11 March 2024, US, Indian Wells: Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic in action against Italy's Luca Nardi during their men's singles second round match of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden. Photo: Charles Baus/CSM via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
11 March 2024, US, Indian Wells: Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic in action against Italy's Luca Nardi during their men's singles second round match of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden. Photo: Charles Baus/CSM via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
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Novak Djokovic Withdraws from Miami Open

11 March 2024, US, Indian Wells: Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic in action against Italy's Luca Nardi during their men's singles second round match of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden. Photo: Charles Baus/CSM via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa
11 March 2024, US, Indian Wells: Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic in action against Italy's Luca Nardi during their men's singles second round match of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden. Photo: Charles Baus/CSM via ZUMA Press Wire/dpa

Top-ranked Novak Djokovic will skip the Miami Open, saying less than a week after a surprise loss at Indian Wells that he needs to balance his “private and professional schedule.”
The Serb's announcement Saturday on his social media accounts follows his 6-4, 3-6, 6-3 defeat to unheralded Luca Nardi on Monday in the third round of the BNP Paribas Open.
“At this stage of my career, I’m balancing my private and professional schedule. I’m sorry that I won’t experience some of the best and most passionate fans in the world,” Djokovic wrote.
Nardi, who is ranked No. 123, become the lowest-ranked player to beat Djokovic in a Grand Slam or ATP Masters 1000 level event, surpassing No. 122 Kevin Anderson in 2008 in Miami.
The 20-year-old Italian got into the field as a “lucky loser,” which is a player who stumbled on the final hurdle in qualifying but made it into the main draw as a replacement for an injured player who pulled out before the first round.
The 36-year-old Djokovic is a six-time champion in Miami. The hardcourt tournament begins next week.


FIFA Gives President Infantino 33% Raise in Pay Deal Worth $4.6 Million in Women’s World Cup Year

FIFA President Giovanni Infantino attends the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup UAE 2024 final match between Brazil and Italy at the Dubai Design District Stadium in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Feb. 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Christopher Pike)
FIFA President Giovanni Infantino attends the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup UAE 2024 final match between Brazil and Italy at the Dubai Design District Stadium in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Feb. 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Christopher Pike)
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FIFA Gives President Infantino 33% Raise in Pay Deal Worth $4.6 Million in Women’s World Cup Year

FIFA President Giovanni Infantino attends the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup UAE 2024 final match between Brazil and Italy at the Dubai Design District Stadium in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Feb. 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Christopher Pike)
FIFA President Giovanni Infantino attends the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup UAE 2024 final match between Brazil and Italy at the Dubai Design District Stadium in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Sunday, Feb. 25, 2024. (AP Photo/Christopher Pike)

FIFA raised president Gianni Infantino's base salary 33% last year to lift his total pay package to more than 4.13 million Swiss francs ($4.67 million), soccer’s governing body said in its financial report.

Infantino was re-elected unopposed in 2023 to extend his presidency to 11 years before FIFA staged the Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand and picked preferred candidates to host two future men’s World Cups, including the 2034 edition in Saudi Arabia.

Infantino’s pre-tax base salary payment rose by more than 500,000 Swiss francs ($565,000) last year to reach more than 2.46 million Swiss francs ($2.78 million). His annual bonus was 1.65 million Swiss francs ($1.87 million), the same as in 2022 when the men’s World Cup was played in Qatar.

The previous FIFA president, Sepp Blatter, had a contracted bonus of $12 million for the 2014 World Cup on top of a $3 million basic salary and annual bonuses.

Infantino had a home in Qatar to oversee preparations for the 2022 tournament and now spends time in Florida, where FIFA has offices at Coral Gables, ahead of the United States co-hosting the next men’s World Cup with Canada and Mexico. Florida does not have a state income tax.

 

 


Sakkari Outlasts Gauff in 3 Sets of Rain-delayed Semi at Indian Wells

INDIAN WELLS, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 15: Maria Sakkari of Greece returns a shot to Coco Gauff of the United States during the Women's Semifinals of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 15, 2024 in Indian Wells, California.   Matthew Stockman/Getty Images/AFP
INDIAN WELLS, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 15: Maria Sakkari of Greece returns a shot to Coco Gauff of the United States during the Women's Semifinals of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 15, 2024 in Indian Wells, California. Matthew Stockman/Getty Images/AFP
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Sakkari Outlasts Gauff in 3 Sets of Rain-delayed Semi at Indian Wells

INDIAN WELLS, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 15: Maria Sakkari of Greece returns a shot to Coco Gauff of the United States during the Women's Semifinals of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 15, 2024 in Indian Wells, California.   Matthew Stockman/Getty Images/AFP
INDIAN WELLS, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 15: Maria Sakkari of Greece returns a shot to Coco Gauff of the United States during the Women's Semifinals of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 15, 2024 in Indian Wells, California. Matthew Stockman/Getty Images/AFP

Maria Sakkari outlasted Coco Gauff 6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-2 after blowing three match points in the second set of their rain-delayed semifinal Friday night to reach the BNP Paribas Open final.
Sakkari will play top-ranked Iga Swiatek in Sunday's final. Swiatek routed Marta Kostyuk 6-2, 6-1 to improve to 19-2 this year, with her match wins leading the WTA Tour.
Swiatek has beaten Sakkari in three of their five meetings.
There were delays of 20 minutes and two hours during the semifinal between third-seeded Gauff and ninth-seeded Sakkari, The Associated Press reported.
Sakkari broke Gauff twice in taking a 5-2 lead in the second set. But Gauff won four straight games and fought off three match points in the 10th game to take a 6-5 lead.
Sakkari held to force the tiebreaker in which she fell behind 6-2 before Gauff won it, 7-5.
There were break points in each of the first six games of the third. After dropping serve to open the set, Sakkari twice broke Gauff and then held for a 4-1 lead. She held again to go up 5-2 and then one hour and 10 minutes after her first three match points, Sakkari hit a forehand winner to set up her fourth. She closed out the match on Gauff's forehand error.
Swiatek won the 2022 tournament as part of a 37-match winning streak. She had advanced to the semis when Caroline Wozniacki retired trailing 6-4, 1-0 in their quarterfinal. Swiatek has lost just 17 games through the semis.
Kostyuk hit 17 winners to 14 for Swiatek in the match. But Swiatek was better in nearly every other facet and didn't face a break point. Swiatek connected on 74% of her first serves, won 83% of her first-serve points and 50% of her second-serve points on a cool and windy evening in the Southern California desert.
“It was the cleanest match I played here,” Swiatek said in an on-court interview. “I didn't really have any moment today in the match where I didn't feel confident."
In the men's doubles final, Nikola Mektic of Croatia and Wesley Koolhof of the Netherlands defeated fifth-seeded Marcel Granollers of Spain and Horacio Zeballos of Argentina, 7-6 (2), 7-6 (4). The winning pair split $447,300.