Sports

The Irish team bowed their heads during playing of the Israeli national anthem on Sunday night and they declined to shake hands with their opponents, a gesture that is customary before international fixtures. Ireland played the match wearing black armbands in memory of those killed in Israel's military operation in the Gaza Strip, and just 24 hours earlier it was unclear whether the match would go ahead at all. 'Significant majority' vote to play On Saturday, the players voted in favor of playing what was technically a home match for Israel in Debrecen, Hungary, despite widespread opposition to their participation among the Irish public. David Courell, the chief executive of the Irish FA (FAI), told a press conference that had been delayed for several hours while players and coaches me...

In his first season in charge at Liverpool, Jürgen Klopp lost just one of his first five games. Germany are hoping for a similar run emerges after a shock defeat to Greece left Klopp with just one point after his first two games. Klopp's response was familiar. The head coach took responsibility for the loss, shielding this new crop of Germany players from criticism. "We have been together for a week now, all mixed together, and that needs time," Klopp said after the match.  "Let the new players develop. The established players are top players at their clubs, and they have my support. Feel free to criticize me, but not the boys. We don't need to completely tear everything apart. I was surprised that some people booed. The future is as bright as we make it. We'll take it on with everythin...

The letter released this Friday and signed by the heads of the Bundesliga, the Premier League, La Liga and Serie A called for major changes to how FIFA operates — and for a greater say in decision-making. "Football's ​longstanding foundations have, in recent years, been threatened by a fundamental governance problem, whereby FIFA's president has actively promoted exploitative ​ideas rather than safeguarding against them," it said. FFE private investment plan dropped FIFA President Gianni Infantino has been facing a wave of criticism since late July, when his plan for private investment through a commercial vehicle, FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), emerged. The idea was for FFE to organize FIFA's tournaments while maximizing profits. Vigorous opposition from UEFA, European football's go...

The letter released this Friday and signed by the heads of the Bundesliga, The Premier League, La Liga, and Serie A called for major changes to how FIFA operates – and for a greater say in decision-making. "Football's ​longstanding foundations have, in recent years, been threatened by a fundamental governance problem, whereby FIFA's president has actively promoted exploitative ​ideas rather than safeguarding against them," it said. FFE private investment plan dropped FIFA President Gianni Infantino has been facing a wave of criticism since late July, when his plan for private investment through a commercial vehicle, FIFA Forward Enterprise (FFE), emerged. The idea was for FFE to organize FIFA's tournaments while maximizing profits.  Vigorous opposition from UEFA, European football's go...

It looked, until the final moments, as though Germany would somehow hold on and grant Jürgen Klopp a victory in his first game as Germany coach.  "It felt mostly good," Klopp told German broadcaster RTL after the match, with his voice strained after a typically energetic display on the sidelines. "That was really exhausting for both teams today." He added that he naturally wanted a win but that he can "live with the point, too." In the end, an injury time Cody Gakpo goal meant Klopp and his team had to settle for a 1-1 draw in their Nations League opener against the Netherlands. While the timing of the equalizer will sting, Germany was second best for much of the contest, which turned a ill-tempered at times. Nevertheless, Klopp was upbeat. "I was very, very, very satisfied with many of...

Germany is hoping to win the right to host the Olympic Games in 2036, 2040 or 2044. On Saturday, the German Olympic Sports Confederation (DOSB) is to meet to vote on which of two bids (Munich and Cologne-Rhine-Ruhr) to throw its support behind. Berlin withdrew its application at short notice on Thursday. Munich: Political and public support The motto of Munich's Olympic bid is "For Games with heart and soul." The concept focuses on sustainability, with the 1972 Olympic Park serving as the centerpiece. According to documents published by the bid committee, around 90% of the competition venues are located less than 30 kilometers (18.6 miles) from the Olympic Village. Most of the venues that would be used already exist, with only a few temporary facilities to be constructed. In addition to...

"Gens una sumus" ("We are one family") is the motto of the World Chess Federation (FIDE). Yet when officials from some 200 countries gather for their congress in Samarkand on Saturday, September 26, it is not likely to feel like a joyous family reunion. A new FIDE president is to be elected in Uzbekistan, and a three-way, politically charged race for the post has erupted, with the outcome uncertain. It has been clear since July that the incumbent FIDE president, Arkady Dvorkovich, would not be standing for re-election. The European Union had placed the former Russian deputy prime minister on its sanctions list due to his support for Russia's war of aggression in Ukraine. Three entrepreneurs vying for the top job The candidates standing for election are Kazakh billionaire Timur Turlov an...

The third Asian Games gold medal looked as convincing as the first two, even if Yu Zidi insisted that: "It didn't feel easy at all. It was quite challenging." On Wednesday, the 13-year-old Chinese swimmer broke the Games record for the third time to add the women's 400 meter individual medley title to her golds in the 200 meter medley and 200 meter butterfly. The three medals add to a bronze she won last year at the World Championships. Even two years out from the Los Angeles Olympics, talk is turning to a potential rivalry with Canada's Summer McIntosh, 20, who herself finished fourth in the 2020 Olympics at 14 and won a world title at 15. As well as their remarkable talent, the pair's youth has raised some questions. "The first reaction you have when you see something like this is you...