Sport news in brief
No TV deal in place for women’s World Cup
Supporters still do not know where they can watch this summer’s Women’s World Cup, as a UK broadcast deal has not yet been agreed a mere six months before the tournament starts in New Zealand and Australia. The situation has aggravated a number of stakeholders within the game due to the knock-on effect, especially with regard to capitalising on the impact of England’s Euro 2022 win and the inability to plan without the most important media agreed.
One involved source describes it as “unprecedented”, pointing to how a similar timescale for the men’s World Cup – in June 2022 – was already seeing the TV schedule for the knock-outs finalised. The Independent has been told that meetings over the rights took place between UK broadcasters and Fifa in Doha, after the tender process started in June. Various sources have described the offers from UK channels as ranging from “lowballing Fifa” to “unacceptable”, although discussions are ongoing and there is hope of an announcement within the next few weeks.
The lack of clarity has nevertheless led to sources doubting “commitment” to the women’s game after Euro 2022, although it is understood that one issue for broadcasters is the time of the games. England’s first match against one of the remaining playoff winners in Brisbane on 22 July will take place at 9.30am UK time with their second, against Denmark in Sydney, kicking off at 7.30am UK time. Defending champions USA, meanwhile, start both of their opening games at midnight UK time.
Snooker charges 10 Chinese players in match-fixing scandal
Ten Chinese snooker players have been charged with matchfixing in a major corruption scandal. The 2021 Masters champion Yan Bingtao, UK Championship winner Zhao Xintong and finalist Liang Wenbo are among those suspended by the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) pending the outcome of the case.
Allegations include fixing matches, approaching players to cheat, betting on snooker and seeking to obstruct the investigation. An independent hearing will consider the evidence. Zhao Xintong, who beat Luca Brecel to win the 2021 UK Championship title, was suspended earlier this month along with Zhang Jiankang.
All 10 players are currently suspended from attending and competing on the World Snooker Tour and in other WPBSAgoverned events. An independent disciplinary tribunal will now be convened to consider the evidence.
Bamford scores twice as Leeds thrash Cardiff in FA Cup
Willy Gnonto and Patrick Bamford both struck twice as Leeds United thumped Cardiff City 5-2 in their FA Cup third-round replay at Elland Road last night.
Gnonto gave Leeds a flying start with a stunning volley inside the opening minute and fired home his second after Rodrigo had struck his 11th goal of the season to put his side 3-0 up before the interval.
Substitute Patrick Bamford then bagged a second-half double before Callum Robinson scored two late consolations for Cardiff, the second a penalty, as Leeds reached the fourth round of the competition for the first time in six years. PA
Welsh FA agrees equal pay for women and men national teams
The Football Association of Wales (FAW) has announced that it has reached an equal pay agreement for its men’s and women’s teams. The new agreement covers the period up to and including the 2026 World Cup and the 2027 Women’s World Cup.
A joint statement released by the men’s and women’s teams: “Together Stronger has been the mantra across the Cymru national teams for us all, both on and off the pitch as we look to put Wales on the world stage. As part of the FAW’s strive towards equality, we are now proud to announce that together, our men’s and women’s teams have agreed to an equal pay structure for future international matches.
“We hope that this will allow future generations of boys and girls to see that there is equality across Welsh international football, which is important for society as a whole. With this agreement in place, we will now look ahead to the Euro 2024 and 2025 qualifying campaigns, as we aim to see further success across both our senior teams in the near future.”
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