World Cup winner Bastian Schweinsteiger is leaving Manchester United to join the Chicago Fire. The former Germany midfielder has struggled for playing opportunities since joining United in 2015. United says the 32-year-old Schweinsteiger still needs to pass a medical examination and obtain a visa before moving to Major League Soccer. Schweinsteiger says he’s “sad to leave so many friends at Manchester United. But I am grateful to the club for allowing me the chance to take up the challenge at Chicago Fire.”
FIFA bans referee for life over disputed penalty
FIFA has banned for life the referee who awarded a disputed penalty for South Africa against Senegal in a World Cup qualifying match. Referee Joseph Lamptey of Ghana gave a penalty for a non-existent handball against Senegal defender Kalidou Koulibaly. Replays clearly showed the ball struck Koulibaly’s knee and then dropped to the ground. Lamptey was found guilty of breaching the rule relating to “unlawfully influencing match results,” FIFA said. His assistant was cleared. South Africa scored the penalty kick to lead 1-0 in the 42nd minute. The home team went on to beat Senegal 2-1 and is now in second place in the four-team group after two matches. Senegal is third, with only the group winner advancing to play in Russia.
Cricket – Australia offers to double incomes of female players
Cricket Australia has offered to more than double the salaries of female international players and raise payments for all professionals in a five-year deal it is proposing in lieu of a long-standing revenue sharing model. Cricket Australia chief executive James Sutherland unveiled the plan yesterday, highlighting that the top female players were in line for an immediate average pay rise of more than 125 percent — from an average of 79,000 Australian dollars (USD61,000) to 179,000 Australian dollars — and an estimated average of 210,000 Australian dollars by 2021. Sutherland said Cricket Australia was promoting gender equality by ensuring the minimum and average hourly pay would be the same for men and women.
No Comments