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Salah Scores Four, Lesotho Shock Nigeria in World Cup Qualifying

Mohamed Salah (L) of Liverpool celebrates with teammate Konstantinos Tsimikas after scoring the 2-0 goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool FC and Brentford FC, in Liverpool, Britain, 12 November 2023. (EPA)
Mohamed Salah (L) of Liverpool celebrates with teammate Konstantinos Tsimikas after scoring the 2-0 goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool FC and Brentford FC, in Liverpool, Britain, 12 November 2023. (EPA)
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Salah Scores Four, Lesotho Shock Nigeria in World Cup Qualifying

Mohamed Salah (L) of Liverpool celebrates with teammate Konstantinos Tsimikas after scoring the 2-0 goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool FC and Brentford FC, in Liverpool, Britain, 12 November 2023. (EPA)
Mohamed Salah (L) of Liverpool celebrates with teammate Konstantinos Tsimikas after scoring the 2-0 goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Liverpool FC and Brentford FC, in Liverpool, Britain, 12 November 2023. (EPA)

Liverpool star Mohamed Salah scored four goals as Egypt trounced Djibouti 6-0, and minnows Lesotho pulled off a shock 1-1 draw in Nigeria in World Cup qualifying on Thursday.

After reaching the 200-goal mark in English football last Sunday, Salah netted twice in each half of a Group A matchday one romp in Cairo. Mostafa Mohamed and Trezeguet also scored.

Djibouti are ranked 154 places below Egypt and survived for only 17 minutes before a low cross eluded two defenders and Salah fired into the net at the far post, AFP reported.

He slammed a penalty over goalkeeper Sulait Luyima and into the roof of the net five minutes later to give record seven-time African champions Egypt a two-goal lead by half-time.

Salah completed his hat-trick with a tap over the line at the far post on 48 minutes and netted again on 69 minutes with a close-range shot into the far corner.

The two-time African Footballer of the Year has scored 52 goals for Egypt, who are seeking a fourth World Cup appearance, with Canada, Mexico and the United States hosting the 2026 finals.

Nigeria are 113 places above Lesotho in the world rankings and were expected to make a winning start in Group C despite the absence through injury of star forward Victor Osimhen.

But Lesotho stunned the nome crowd in the southeastern city of Uyo by taking a 56th-minute lead when Motlomelo Mkhwanazi rose at the far post to nod home after a corner.

Nigeria equalised 11 minutes later when Semi Ajayi, who plays for English second-tier club West Bromwich Albion, scored with a powerful header off a corner taken by captain Kelechi Iheanacho.

Aided by a second-minute own goal in Algiers, four-time World Cup qualifiers Algeria defeated lowly ranked Somalia 3-1 in Group G.

After a low cross struck Ahmed Abdi and entered the Somali net, Baghdad Bounedjah doubled the lead before half-time.

Yusuf Ahmed halved the deficit midway through the second half and Algeria had to wait until 10 minutes from time before restoring a two-goal lead through Islam Slimani.

Kenya, back in international football after a FIFA ban for political interference prevented them playing in 2024 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying, lost 2-1 away to Gabon in Group F.

Masoud Juma put Kenya ahead just before half-time in Franceville, Denis Bouanga levelled on the hour mark and Guelor Kanga snatched an 88th-minute winner for the home side.

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Sports

FIFA Sets Date for First Women's Club World Cup

FILED - 06 January 2020, Egypt, Giza: The shadows of spectators can be seen on a FIFA banner. Photo: Omar Zoheiry/dpa
FILED - 06 January 2020, Egypt, Giza: The shadows of spectators can be seen on a FIFA banner. Photo: Omar Zoheiry/dpa
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FIFA Sets Date for First Women's Club World Cup

FILED - 06 January 2020, Egypt, Giza: The shadows of spectators can be seen on a FIFA banner. Photo: Omar Zoheiry/dpa
FILED - 06 January 2020, Egypt, Giza: The shadows of spectators can be seen on a FIFA banner. Photo: Omar Zoheiry/dpa

FIFA finally set a date Wednesday to play the first Women’s Club World Cup tournament in January and February 2026.
The first edition should involve 16 teams though FIFA’s ruling council did not specify how they would qualify or where they could play.
Barcelona and Lyon are the top-ranked European teams and have combined to win 10 Champions League titles since 2011. They will meet in the next final on May 25 in Bilbao, Spain, The Associated Press reported.
A 32-team men’s Club World Cup will debut in June-July next year in the United States with teams qualifying by winning or getting consistently good results in four years of continental championships through 2024. The inaugural men's edition will have 12 European teams and six from South America.
FIFA has made launching a global club tournament a key part of its strategy to develop women’s soccer since the soccer body’s current president Gianni Infantino was elected in 2016.
The tournament should be held every four years, like the men’s edition. In other years, an “additional FIFA women’s club competition” was proposed to be organized, again like the men.
FIFA plans to launch an annual “Intercontinental Cup” in December featuring just the champions of the six men’s continental competitions, such as the Champions League in Europe.

Sports

Villa’s Champions League Qualification a Special Day, Says Boss Emery 

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery after a Premier League match on May 13, 2024. (Reuters)
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery after a Premier League match on May 13, 2024. (Reuters)
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Villa’s Champions League Qualification a Special Day, Says Boss Emery 

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery after a Premier League match on May 13, 2024. (Reuters)
Aston Villa manager Unai Emery after a Premier League match on May 13, 2024. (Reuters)

Aston Villa manager Unai Emery celebrated a "very special day" after the Premier League club clinched a spot in Europe's top-tier club-football competition for the first time since 1983 and said he is excited by the future of his team.

The West Midlands side secured the Champions League spot on Tuesday after Tottenham Hotspur suffered a 2-0 home loss to Manchester City in the Premier League. Aston Villa had won the old European Cup, precursor to the Champions League, in 1982, but have not played in the continental competition for 41 years.

Villa are fourth in the Premier League standings with 68 points, five more than Tottenham, who sit fifth with one game to play. City are now within touching distance of an unprecedented fourth successive Premier League title.

"It's a very special day today," Emery told Villa's website. "It was our dream when we started the season to be here. To play Champions League is, after the Premier League, the best.

"You can play in the Premier League against the best teams in the world, it's very difficult. When you are playing in the Champions League you are playing against the best teams, at the same time, from other countries. And it's amazing.

"And we are always responsible about the history here, we know the history of Aston Villa is so long and so successful. Even in the Champions League, before it was the European Cup, we knew the responsibility was to try to increase our level, try to be demanding and to dream.

"I want to enjoy more and, next year, now the new challenge starts for us. To build again a team, and being strong to go and always increase our level. This is our objective."

The confirmation of their top-four finish coincided with the club's End of Season Awards Dinner at Villa Park, where captain John McGinn also spoke on the achievement.

"On behalf of all the players, it's been an amazing season," the 29-year-old Scotland international said.

"We got promoted, we got into the Premier League and were seven points behind with four games to play, we managed to stay in the league.

"We kept building and thankfully we've achieved something we haven't done for 40 years. So, on behalf of all the players and staff, we're over the moon, we're delighted."

Villa will conclude their campaign with a trip on Sunday to in-form Crystal Palace, who are 12th in the league.

Sports

Guardiola Feels Man City Are ‘Serving for Wimbledon’ 

Football - Premier League - Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester City - Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, Britain - May 14, 2024 Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola. (Reuters) 
Football - Premier League - Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester City - Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, Britain - May 14, 2024 Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola. (Reuters) 
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Guardiola Feels Man City Are ‘Serving for Wimbledon’ 

Football - Premier League - Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester City - Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, Britain - May 14, 2024 Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola. (Reuters) 
Football - Premier League - Tottenham Hotspur v Manchester City - Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, Britain - May 14, 2024 Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola. (Reuters) 

Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has likened his side's final Premier League game of the season to "serving for Wimbledon" as they moved to the top of the table after beating Tottenham Hotspur 2-0 on Tuesday.

Guardiola's side have 88 points, two clear of Arsenal, and will secure a record fourth successive league title if they beat West Ham at home on Sunday, the final day of the season.

"The tennis players say 'the serve to win Wimbledon', the last match, is the most difficult," Guardiola told the BBC.

"We know what we're playing for. The tension is there. We have a day off, two days to prepare and then we will do our best," he added.

City, who have kept up the pace in the title chase, are now unbeaten in 22 league games, while Arsenal, who need to beat Everton, will be hoping for the best on Sunday.

Guardiola also spoke about goalkeeper Ederson, who was treated on the pitch after being tripped by Cristian Romero and midfielder Kevin de Bruyne, and was forced to come off through injury.

"Ederson had a problem with his eye, he couldn't see well, so the doctor said he had to come off. De Bruyne had injured his ankle," he added.

Sports

Real Madrid Presents Spanish League Trophy to Fans and Then Routs Alaves 5-0 

Real Madrid's Vinícius Júnior celebrate after scoring the 4-0 goal during the Spanish LaLiga soccer match between Real Madrid and Deportivo Alaves, in Madrid, Spain, 14 May 2024. (EPA)
Real Madrid's Vinícius Júnior celebrate after scoring the 4-0 goal during the Spanish LaLiga soccer match between Real Madrid and Deportivo Alaves, in Madrid, Spain, 14 May 2024. (EPA)
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Real Madrid Presents Spanish League Trophy to Fans and Then Routs Alaves 5-0 

Real Madrid's Vinícius Júnior celebrate after scoring the 4-0 goal during the Spanish LaLiga soccer match between Real Madrid and Deportivo Alaves, in Madrid, Spain, 14 May 2024. (EPA)
Real Madrid's Vinícius Júnior celebrate after scoring the 4-0 goal during the Spanish LaLiga soccer match between Real Madrid and Deportivo Alaves, in Madrid, Spain, 14 May 2024. (EPA)

Real Madrid presented its 36th Spanish league trophy to its fans at the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium on Tuesday, then followed up the celebrations with a 5-0 rout of Alaves that featured a pair of goals by Vinícius Júnior and another by Jude Bellingham.

Federico Valverde and Arda Guler also scored for Madrid, which was yet to play at the Bernabeu since clinching the league two rounds ago. The club celebrated the title on Sunday through the streets of Madrid, but it couldn't go through its traditional celebration at the Bernabeu because of a concert at the stadium.

It couldn't celebrate when it clinched the title in advance with a win against Cadiz on May 4 because it had to play Bayern Munich a few days later in the semifinals of the Champions League, a game it won 2-1 to make it to the June 1 final against Borussia Dortmund in London.

“I’m really pleased with the team’s performance, we need to get into a good rhythm. We have a very important game left to crown our season,” Vinícius said. “We always enjoy wearing this shirt and playing for these fans at this stadium. My dream since I was a child was to play here and now we have the opportunity to deliver this victory for many kids who want to be here but can’t.”

Alaves' players gave Madrid a guard of honor before the match, lining up near the sideline and applauding Madrid players as they entered the field. Madrid captain Nacho Fernández stepped onto the field carrying the league trophy.

The other 35 league trophies were represented in images placed around the midfield circle.

Coach Carlo Ancelotti used the regular starters again after giving them some rest in a 4-0 win at Granada on Saturday.

Bellingham opened the scoring in the 10th minute, Vinícius scored his first goal in the 27th and Valverde found the net in first-half stoppage time. Vinícius got his second in the 70th and Guler sealed the result in the 81st.

It was the ninth straight league win for Madrid and sixth in its last seven matches in all competitions. It reached 93 points from 36 matches, 17 points more than second-place Barcelona.

Earlier, relegation-threatened Mallorca drew 1-1 at Osasuna, moving to 15th place and staying seven points from the demotion zone.

Girona missed a chance to overcome Barcelona for second place after a 1-0 loss to mid-table Villarreal at home. Girona stayed in third place after the loss, one point from Barcelona and five ahead of fourth-place Atletico Madrid.

Atletico visits mid-table Getafe on Wednesday, while Barcelona is at last-place Almeria on Thursday.

Sports

Caitlin Clark Finishes with 20 Points as Indiana Falls to Connecticut in WNBA Opener

The NCAA’s all-time Division I scoring leader, who finished the game 5 for 15 from the field, had 10 turnovers and went scoreless in the first quarter. - The AP
The NCAA’s all-time Division I scoring leader, who finished the game 5 for 15 from the field, had 10 turnovers and went scoreless in the first quarter. - The AP
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Caitlin Clark Finishes with 20 Points as Indiana Falls to Connecticut in WNBA Opener

The NCAA’s all-time Division I scoring leader, who finished the game 5 for 15 from the field, had 10 turnovers and went scoreless in the first quarter. - The AP
The NCAA’s all-time Division I scoring leader, who finished the game 5 for 15 from the field, had 10 turnovers and went scoreless in the first quarter. - The AP

Caitlin Clark struggled early in her WNBA debut before finishing with 20 points as the Indiana Fever fell to the Connecticut Sun 92-71 on Tuesday night.

Alyssa Thomas led the Sun with 13 points, 13 assists and 10 rebounds, registering the 12th triple-double of her career. DeWanna Bonner added 20 points and DiJonai Carrington had 16. She also was a major reason for Clark's early offensive struggles, hounding the guard.

The NCAA’s all-time Division I scoring leader, who finished the game 5 for 15 from the field, had 10 turnovers and went scoreless in the first quarter. She missed her first four shots before finally getting on the board midway through the second period, The AP reported.

Clark stole the ball around the foul line and drove the length of the court before laying the ball in. She later added two free throws and hit a 3-pointer with 29.9 seconds left in the first half to finish the opening 20 minutes with seven points, hitting two of her seven shot attempts. The Fever trailed 49-39 at the break.

The Fever got within 63-57 late in the third quarter on two free throws by Clark, but couldn't get closer the rest of the way.

Clark did start heating up from the field, hitting four 3-pointers, including one from long range.

Bonner moved into fifth on the WNBA's career scoring list, moving ahead of former Phoenix Mercury teammate Candice Dupree. who finished her career with 6,895 points. Bonner passed Dupree on a layup midway through the third quarter. Bonner, who now has 6,901 points, raised her hands to the crowd after a timeout to acknowledge the accomplishment.

Brionna Jones played for the first time since rupturing her right Achilles tendon last June. The Sun's All-Star center had eight points while playing just under 20 minutes.

Sports

Haaland Double Puts Man City on Brink of Premier League History

Manchester City forward Erling Haaland celebrates after scoring against Tottenham © Ben Stansall / AFP
Manchester City forward Erling Haaland celebrates after scoring against Tottenham © Ben Stansall / AFP
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Haaland Double Puts Man City on Brink of Premier League History

Manchester City forward Erling Haaland celebrates after scoring against Tottenham © Ben Stansall / AFP
Manchester City forward Erling Haaland celebrates after scoring against Tottenham © Ben Stansall / AFP

The Norwegian forward tapped home a pinpoint Kevin De Bruyne cross early in the second half to score City's first-ever league goal at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.

And he netted a late penalty to seal the three points for the visitors, minutes after substitute goalkeeper Stefan Ortega saved brilliantly from Son Heung-min.

The win takes Pep Guardiola's team two points clear of Arsenal at the top of the table after 37 games.

Victory at the Etihad against West Ham on Sunday will make them champions for a fourth consecutive season, regardless of the Gunners' result against Everton.

No team in English top-flight history has ever won four titles in a row, AFP reported.

Defeat for Spurs also guarantees that Aston Villa will finish in the fourth Champions League spot, joining City, Arsenal and Liverpool in Europe's top-tier competition next season.

"We gave the chance in our hands for the last game," Guardiola told the BBC. "The tennis players say 'The serve to win Wimbledon, the last game, is the most difficult one'.

"It happened in our period against Aston Villa (in 2022). And many, many years ago it happened with Sergio Aguero (scoring) in 93 minutes 20 seconds against QPR. So there will be the typical game."

Guardiola called for help from City's fans to get them over the line.

"We know what we're playing for," he said. "The tension is there, the rival is so good. It's why it is difficult, we know that.

"Everyone come to the stadium and make noise. These games are more difficult but you have to do it. We'll have one day off, two days to prepare, and then we will do our best."

The build-up to the game in north London was dominated by a fierce debate over whether home fans wanted their own team to lose in order to leave City in the driving seat, with Arsenal their nearest challengers.

The Spurs supporters made their feelings towards their bitter local rivals clear in the opening minutes, with chants of "Stand up if you hate Arsenal" ringing around the stadium.

Tottenham had the first sight of goal, with City's Ederson tipping over a fierce Rodrigo Bentancur effort before Spurs goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario kept out Phil Foden's close-range shot.

City, who came into the match unbeaten in 21 league matches, were short of their fluent best while Spurs struggled to put the finishing touches to their attacking moves.

Moments after the re-start Vicario dived full length to keep out a stinging De Bruyne effort.

But the visitors broke the deadlock in the 51st minute when Bernardo Silva found De Bruyne in the box and the Belgian crossed for Haaland to slot home from point-blank range.

Thousands of Spurs fans chanted "Are you watching Arsenal" as the City faithful celebrated in their corner.

The game then became disjointed as De Bruyne was raked down the Achilles by Pape Sarr before Ederson took a blow to the head in denying Cristian Romero and was replaced shortly afterwards by Ortega.

The German was called into action immediately, denying substitute Dejan Kulusevski from close range.

Time stood still when Son burst through with five minutes of normal time remaining but Ortega saved with his legs when the South Korean seemed certain to score.

Guardiola fell to the ground, clutching his head in disbelief.

Instead City were awarded a penalty when Pedro Porro brought down substitute Jeremy Doku and Haaland smashed home in the 91st minute to spark wild celebrations from the players in front of the City faithful, taking his league tally to 27 goals for the season.

Last year's treble winners will prepare for Sunday's finale knowing they stand just 90 minutes away from creating another slice of football history.

Sports

European Football a 'Driving Force' for Newcastle, says Howe

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe is targeting European qualification © Andy Buchanan / AFP/File
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe is targeting European qualification © Andy Buchanan / AFP/File
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European Football a 'Driving Force' for Newcastle, says Howe

Newcastle manager Eddie Howe is targeting European qualification © Andy Buchanan / AFP/File
Newcastle manager Eddie Howe is targeting European qualification © Andy Buchanan / AFP/File

Howe's men are sixth in the table, two places and three points better off than their hosts with two games to go for each team.

Chelsea are in seventh place on 57 points -- the same as Newcastle.

As it stands, the team in sixth place at the end of the season will earn a spot in the UEFA Conference League, the third-tier European competition.

But if Manchester City beat Manchester United in the FA Cup final, the sixth-placed team would qualify for the Europa League and the side in seventh would enter the Conference League.

"Massive fixture for both teams," Howe said at his pre-match press conference on Tuesday, AFP reported.

"It's coming to the end of a long season for both clubs. We're desperate to do well in the game, we're desperate to finish as high as we can.

"We know European competition is there but it can also be a long way away if we don't get the results we need."

The Newcastle boss said his team were embracing the pressure after recovering from a poor start to the season and a damaging run of losses in December and January.

Howe, whose team flopped in this season's Champions League, said it was vital for Saudi-backed Newcastle to be in Europe.

"We need to be there as a football club," he said. "That's a driving force for us. We'll embrace the extra games, the travel, the experience, everything about the competition. We feel we're in a position to do it."

Howe said he was anxious not to underestimate misfiring United despite their poor form as Newcastle seek their first league double against the 20-time English champions since the 1930/31 season.

"We can't underestimate the challenge in front of us," he added. "That would be foolish. That would counteract everything that we need to be in this game.

"I think we don't underestimate Manchester United's qualities, we don't underestimate the magnitude of the game.

"We are preparing for a really tough match. We know it will be and we expect a good atmosphere."

Forwards Alexander Isak and Callum Wilson are doubts for the match at Old Trafford after suffering from illness and neither trained on Monday.

Howe said it was "fingers crossed" Isak would train on Tuesday.

On Wilson, he added: "We'll see. We haven't seen Callum yet, so we'll see if he's available to train today. If not, then I'm sure he'll be fit for Brentford."

Newcastle have confirmed they will travel to Japan for a pre-season tour to face Urawa Red Diamonds on July 31 and Yokohama F. Marinos at the Japan National Stadium three days later.

Sports

Maradona Heirs Say his Golden Ball Trophy Was Stolen. They Want to Stop its Auction

Francois Thierry, the sports expert at Aguttes auction house, presents the Diego Maradona's Golden Ball trophy in the case display, near Paris, France, 13 May 2024. EPA/CHRISTOPHE PETIT TESSON
Francois Thierry, the sports expert at Aguttes auction house, presents the Diego Maradona's Golden Ball trophy in the case display, near Paris, France, 13 May 2024. EPA/CHRISTOPHE PETIT TESSON
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Maradona Heirs Say his Golden Ball Trophy Was Stolen. They Want to Stop its Auction

Francois Thierry, the sports expert at Aguttes auction house, presents the Diego Maradona's Golden Ball trophy in the case display, near Paris, France, 13 May 2024. EPA/CHRISTOPHE PETIT TESSON
Francois Thierry, the sports expert at Aguttes auction house, presents the Diego Maradona's Golden Ball trophy in the case display, near Paris, France, 13 May 2024. EPA/CHRISTOPHE PETIT TESSON

Diego Maradona's heirs will launch a lawsuit to try and stop the auction of a trophy he was awarded after the 1986 World Cup won by Argentina, their lawyer told The Associated Press on Tuesday.
The Golden Ball trophy rewarding the best player of the tournament had been missing for decades after it disappeared in unclear circumstances and only recently resurfaced. It is set to be auctioned in Paris next month, the Aguttes auction house said last week.
Maradona, who died in 2020 at age 60, captained Argentina in its 3-2 win over West Germany in the 1986 final in Mexico City. Before that were the “Hand of God” goal and the “Goal of the Century” in a 2-1 win over England in the quarterfinals.
Maradona’s heirs say the trophy was stolen and claim the current owner cannot be entitled to sell it.
Gilles Moreu, a lawyer working with Paradox Lawyers firm, said he will throw an urgent request to the president of the Nanterre judicial court near Paris to have the Golden Ball withdrawn from the auction. He told the AP he will also request a judicial sequestration of the trophy and file a complaint for theft and concealed theft.
Aguttes said the trophy reappeared in 2016 among other lots that were acquired from a private collection at auction in Paris.
Maradona received the award in 1986 at a ceremony at the Lido cabaret on the Champs-Élysées. It subsequently disappeared, giving rise to rumors.
Some say it was lost during a poker game or sold to pay off debts, Aguttes said. Others say Maradona stored it in a safe in a Naples bank that was robbed by local gangsters in 1989, when he played in the Italian league. Maradona’s heirs believe it was stolen from the bank.
Moreu, who represents two daughters of Maradona, say the heirs found out only recently that the trophy had been stolen. According to the lawyer, Maradona's family wants the sale to be banned because it believes the Golden Ball belongs to them.
Moreu said he was contacted by an Argentine colleague after the two daughters discussed the matter with the other heirs, who gave their approval to the legal action.
The auction house's argument is the person who bought the trophy years ago was not aware it had been stolen.
“If the owner of an object can claim ownership under French law, it is on the obvious condition that his or her good faith cannot be called into question,” the Paradox Lawyers firm said in a statement to the AP. “This cannot be the case for the owner of a trophy that was famously stolen from Diego Maradona and whose heirs can legally claim ownership.”
Moreu said, "It doesn’t appear that the seller contacted Diego, which wasn’t that complicated."
The auction house said it expects the trophy “to fetch millions due to its uniqueness.”
Bidders will be asked to make a deposit of 150,000 euros ($161,000) to participate in the June 6 auction.
The Hand of God goal came when Maradona punched the ball into England’s net. Four minutes later, he weaved through England’s midfield and defense and past goalkeeper Peter Shilton for what FIFA later declared the greatest goal in World Cup history.

Sports

Aryna Sabalenka Survives Three Match Points to Make Rome Quarters 

Tennis - Italian Open - Foro Italico, Rome, Italy - May 14, 2024 Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka celebrates after winning her round of 16 match against Ukraine's Elina Svitolina. (Reuters)
Tennis - Italian Open - Foro Italico, Rome, Italy - May 14, 2024 Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka celebrates after winning her round of 16 match against Ukraine's Elina Svitolina. (Reuters)
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Aryna Sabalenka Survives Three Match Points to Make Rome Quarters 

Tennis - Italian Open - Foro Italico, Rome, Italy - May 14, 2024 Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka celebrates after winning her round of 16 match against Ukraine's Elina Svitolina. (Reuters)
Tennis - Italian Open - Foro Italico, Rome, Italy - May 14, 2024 Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka celebrates after winning her round of 16 match against Ukraine's Elina Svitolina. (Reuters)

World No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka saved three match points en route to defeating No. 16 seed Elina Svitolina 4-6, 6-1, 7-6 (7) in a late-night marathon in the Round of 16 of the Internazionali BNL d'Italia on Monday in Rome.

Sabalenka also endured an injury to her lower back/hip area that required a long medical timeout and kept going.

"I gave it all today," said Sabalenka, the two-time Australian Open champ from Belarus. "I couldn't give up. I couldn't leave the court. I felt like if my body allows me to play even 15 percent of my best tennis, I'm going to stay there, I'm going to fight."

Svitolina, a Ukraine native, took a 6-5, 40-15 lead in the third set before Sabalenka saved consecutive match points to bring the score level at deuce. She went on to win the 12th game, forcing the tiebreaker.

Sabalenka took a 6-5 lead for her first match point, but Svitolina served and won the next two points to swing the score in her favor. Sabalenka saved her third match point down 7-6 and ended up winning the final three points of the match.

"Sometimes I think you need to accept these tough challenges when everything is against you and fight through it," Sabalenka said. "It's a good preparation for the Grand Slams because in the Grand Slams sometimes not everything is going. your way and you have to fight through it."

In the quarterfinals, Sabalenka will face Latvian No. 9 seed Jelena Ostapenko, who is also coming off a lengthy match. She rallied past Slovakia's Rebecca Sramkova 4-6, 6-4, 7-6 (3) in two hours and 46 minutes.

World No. 1 Iga Swiatek of Poland also played Monday and advanced to the quarters with a 7-5, 6-3 victory over Angelique Kerber of Germany. Swiatek was patient as Kerber saved 9 of 13 break points.

"For sure, wasn't easy," Swiatek said after her latest win. "I'm happy in important moments at the end of both sets I was ready to break. I got my focus up a little bit. At the end that's what made the difference, so I'm happy."

Swiatek, who won the title in Rome in 2021 and 2022, is due to face Madison Keys in the quarters. The 18th-seeded American needed an hour flat to dispatch Romanian No. 28 seed Sorana Cirstea 6-2, 6-1.

It will be Keys' first appearance in the quarterfinals at Foro Italico since 2016.

Keys is joined by two other Americans in the quarters. No. 3 seed Coco Gauff outlasted Spaniard Paula Badosa 5-7, 6-4, 6-1 to advance. No. 13 seed Danielle Collins beat Romania's Irina-Camelia Begu 6-0, 6-3 in 67 minutes for her 18th win in her past 19 matches.

Gauff's next opponent is seventh seed Qinwen Zheng of China, who beat Japan's Naomi Osaka 6-2, 6-4. Collins will meet No. 24 seed Victoria Azarenka of Belarus, who knocked out fifth seed Maria Sakkari of Greece 6-4, 6-1.

Sports

Gauff Says Tweaked Serve Needs Time to Take Off 

USA's Coco Gauff serves to Spain's Paula Badosa during the Women's WTA Rome Open tennis tournament at Foro Italico in Rome on May 13, 2024. (AFP)
USA's Coco Gauff serves to Spain's Paula Badosa during the Women's WTA Rome Open tennis tournament at Foro Italico in Rome on May 13, 2024. (AFP)
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Gauff Says Tweaked Serve Needs Time to Take Off 

USA's Coco Gauff serves to Spain's Paula Badosa during the Women's WTA Rome Open tennis tournament at Foro Italico in Rome on May 13, 2024. (AFP)
USA's Coco Gauff serves to Spain's Paula Badosa during the Women's WTA Rome Open tennis tournament at Foro Italico in Rome on May 13, 2024. (AFP)

American Coco Gauff has accumulated 35 double faults in three matches at the Italian Open, but the world number three said the technical changes to her serve only need time to settle.

A potent serve can be a powerful weapon in tennis, but US Open champion Gauff has struggled with her delivery in the clay swing, averaging almost 10 double faults in the five matches that she played on the slower surface ahead of Rome.

Gauff sent down 11 more in Monday's 5-7 6-4 6-1 win over Paula Badosa, but the 20-year-old said after making the quarter-finals that she was already seeing some improvements ahead of the French Open which starts on May 26.

"I'm going big on the first serve, so I know I'm probably going to miss more. It's just finding the balance of going big but also knowing when to slow down just to get the serve in," Gauff, the 2022 Roland Garros runner-up, told reporters.

"I bet on myself to continue to go big. I know when I go big and my serve goes in it's dangerous. Even though this tournament I want to win, I'm trying to think long-term. I don't want to lose the 120 (mph) serve by not going for it."

World number two Aryna Sabalenka famously struggled with her serve over the last few years before a stint with a biomechanics trainer turned her weakness into a weapon, which she deployed to great effect en route to winning two Australian Opens titles.

Gauff, who is coached by Brad Gilbert and Jean-Christophe Faurel, said she was also trying to make technical tweaks.

"It's tough to do in-season and in-tournament," she said.

"I feel from the night before my last match to now, it's better. It's only been two days. I'm trying."