Sport news in brief
Salazar’s four-year ban for doping rule violations upheld by CAS
Alberto Salazar’s four-year suspension for a series of doping violations has been upheld by the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). The 63-year-old, who ran the Nike Oregon Project, had appealed the decision imposed by the United States AntiDoping Agency (Usada) in 2019. A four-year ban on physician and endocrinologist Dr Jeffrey Brown, who worked alongside Salazar was also upheld.
In a statement, CAS confirmed its finding that Salazar and Brown “committed a number of anti-doping rule violations (ADRVs) and has confirmed the four-year bans imposed on them”. Salazar is the former coach of Mo Farah, whom he guided to four Olympic gold medals and six world titles. However, Salazar has never been found guilty of doping his athletes, nor has Farah been implicated in any of the rulings against him. CAS ruled Salazar guilty of three offences, namely possession of testosterone, complicity in Brown’s administration of a prohibited method, and tampering with the doping control process. PA
Knight leads England to ODI victory against New Zealand
Captain Heather Knight led from the front with an impressive 89 as England won the opening one-day international against New Zealand by 30 runs at Bristol.
Knight came in after a steady but unremarkable start from England and helped her side recover from a mini collapse which saw them slide from 109 for one to 140 for five, before they were eventually bowled out for 241. Katherine Brunt, who made 43 with the bat as England rallied, then starred with the ball, bowling four successive maidens at the start of New Zealand’s innings to ensure the tourists did not get off to a flying start.
The Kiwis were never too far behind the run rate, but lost wickets at key times, and despite a well-made 79 not out from Amy Satterthwaite which occasionally threatened to turn the game around, England remained on top to draw first blood in the series. Those wickets were part of a collapse that saw England lose four players for the addition of 31 runs, but Knight and Brunt ensured the home side had a decent total to defend in the end. PA
Three Lions move up to third in Fifa world rankings
England have moved into the top three of the Fifa rankings for the first time in nine years following their results during the
September international break. Having sat fourth in the standings since April 2019, the Three Lions leapfrogged world champions France to move up to third in the list released yesterday. Belgium remain top-ranked with Brazil still in second but Gareth Southgate’s side have now matched their best-ever position within the ranking system.
They held onto third place for August and September in 2012 under Roy Hodgson and have now amassed enough points to regain a spot on the podium. Following on from their Euro 2020 final defeat to Italy on penalties, England recorded back-to-back 4-0 wins over Hungary and Andorra before drawing 1-1 in Poland as they continue their campaign to qualify for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
England were as low as 13th when Southgate was appointed as manager permanently in November 2016. Since then England have reached the semi-finals of the 2018 World Cup, the last four of the inaugural Nations League the following summer and made their first major final in 55 years before losing to Italy in July. Scotland and Northern Ireland both enjoyed a leap of four places, to 45th and 47th respectively, while the Republic of Ireland dropped to 50th and Wales remained in 19th. PA
Vettel and Stroll retained at Aston Martin for 2022 season
Aston Martin have announced an unchanged driver line-up for the 2022 Formula One season with both Sebastian Vettel and Lance Stroll retained. Formerly Racing Point, Aston Martin returned to F1 this year with Mercedes power units. The team currently sit seventh in the constructors’ championship with four-time world champion Vettel taking their best result as the German finished second in Azerbaijan.
The 2022 season will see an overhaul of technical regulations within F1, their introduction having been delayed this year due to the effects of the pandemic. “I am really looking forward to racing the new generation of Formula One cars,” Vettel said following his contract extension with Aston Martin. “Their look is very different and the new technical regulations should
give us cars that can race much more closely than recently. More exciting racing will be great for the drivers as well as for the fans. The changes are so big that every team will be starting from a new beginning.” While their driver line-up is now official, it remains to be seen which engine manufacturer will work with Aston Martin beyond the current season. PA
Opening defeats for Old Firm clubs in Europa League
Celtic conceded four goals in 21 minutes as they let slip a twogoal lead in Seville against Real Betis. Ange Postecoglou’s side lost two goals in quick succession either side of half-time on their way to a 4-3 defeat. Rangers suffered a 2-0 defeat at Ibrox with captain James Tavernier scoring an own goal.
The visitors deservedly led through Albian Ajeti’s goal and a penalty from Josip Juranovic but their opening Europa League group game turned in dramatic fashion just after the half-hour mark. Juan Miranda pulled one back before Juanmi hit a double either side of a Borja Iglesias goal. Anthony Ralston headed home with four minutes left but Celtic could not fashion a clear chance to equalise. David Turnbull and Ajeti had efforts saved late on to deny Celtic a point. PA
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