Day: November 18, 2021

The head of the Women’s Tennis Association on Wednesday voiced concern over an email it received in which Chinese professional tennis player Peng Shuai was said to deny her previous allegations of sexual assault.

Peng, one of China’s biggest sport stars, said on social media earlier this month that former Chinese vice premier Zhang Gaoli coerced her into sex and that they later had an on-off consensual relationship.

Her post was quickly deleted and she had not been seen publicly or made a statement since then, alarming the global tennis community.

On Twitter, Chinese state-affiliated media outlet CGTN released what it said was an email Peng had sent to WTA Chairman and CEO Steve Simon in which she denied the allegations, and that she was not missing or unsafe, but just “resting at home.”

But in his own written statement, Simon said the email only raised his concerns as to Peng’s “safety and whereabouts,” and that he had a hard time believing she actually wrote the email.

Peng is a former World No. 1-ranked doubles player, taking 23 tour-level doubles titles, including Grand Slams at Wimbledon in 2013 and the French Open in 2014.

She hasn’t competed on tour since the Qatar Open in February 2020, before the COVID-19 pandemic forced tennis to take a hiatus.

Former Vice Premier Zhang retired in 2018 and has largely disappeared from public life, as is usual with former Chinese officials.

Source: Voice of America

Doha:The State of Qatar and the Qatar Olympic Committee (QOC) today facilitated a meeting between

the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and representatives of the NOC of Afghanistan and the General Directorate of the Physical Education and Sports.

The QOC facilitated the meeting with the integral support of The Ministry of Foreign Affairs as part of its ongoing commitment to supporting the IOC and the Olympic Movement. The meeting was held by the IOC to discuss the future of sport in Afghanistan and the representation of the country in international competitions.

The IOC delegation was led by IOC Deputy Director General Pere Miro, and included the Olympic Council of Asia Director General, Husain Al-Musallam. Her Excellency Lolwa Al Khater Qatar’s Assistant Foreign Minister, and His Excellency QOC Secretary General Jassim Rashid Al-Buenain also attended the meeting.

The Afghan delegation included the NOC President, Hafizullah Wali Rahimi, and Eng. Nazar Mohammad Mutmaeen, the General Director of the Physical Education and Sport.

Source: Qatar Olympic Committee

Rotterdam, Netherlands captain Virgil van Dijk says his country’s World Cup qualification was deserved despite an anxious last two qualifying matches before eventually booking their place at next year’s tournament in Qatar.

The Dutch, who missed out on the 2018 finals in Russia, ensured top place in Group G with a 2-0 win over Norway in Rotterdam on Tuesday to finish ahead of Turkey.

But they had let slip a chance in Montenegro at the weekend to earn early qualification and were anxious as they faced Norway, who needed victory to usurp them in the standings, Reuters reported.

It was not until the last six minutes that the Dutch made sure with goals from Steve Bergwijn and Memphis Depay.

“It was deserved. I don’t think we gave anything away, nothing at all,” insisted Van Dijk.

“After Saturday, we were asked to respond and we did an excellent job. There is still a lot of room for improvement, but it was all about the result.”

Van Dijk said he had embraced the tension of the occasion, made more eerie by the fact no spectators were allowed into De Kuip because of new COVID-19 restrictions.

“These are the games you want to play, there was a lot of pressure. I can’t speak for everyone, but I was really looking forward to it.

“Of course, you don’t really want to be in a situation like that, but it was the way it was and I think we showed real character. It was not easy to switch on again after Montenegro, but we did it,” he added.

Van Dijk missed the European Championship in mid-year because of a serious knee injury sustained early last season with Liverpool, making World Cup qualification all the sweeter.

“I can’t wait to lead this group of guys and create something beautiful. It’s still a long way to the World Cup, but we deserved to qualify.”

Source: Bahrain News Agency

Sao Paulo, Uruguayan referee Andres Cunha and video assistant Esteban Ostojich were suspended Wednesday after failing to give a red card to Argentina defender Nicolas Otamendi during a World Cup qualifying match against Brazil.

Otamendi hit Brazil forward Raphinha with his elbow in the 35th minute of Tuesday’s match in San Juan. The Brazilian needed five stitches at halftime and still continued to bleed in the second half, AP reports.

“It looks like a foul for a yellow card. I don’t see a red,” Ostojich told Cunha, according to a video released Wednesday by South American soccer body CONMEBOL.

Otamendi wrote on Twitter he had only touched the ball.

The match ended in a 0-0 draw, which was enough for Argentina to qualify for next year’s World Cup in Qatar. Brazil had already qualified for the tournament.

CONMEBOL said in a statement that Cunha and Ostojich committed “a serious mistake” and the two were suspended for an “indefinite time.” The Uruguayan referee was removed from the VAR booth for Saturday’s Copa Sudamericana final between Red Bull Bragantino and Athletico.

Also Wednesday, CONMEBOL suspended Chilean referee Roberto Tobar for not punishing Neymar and Juan Guillermo Cuadrado in Brazil’s 1-0 win over Colombia last Thursday.

Neymar put his chest close to Tobar’s during that match in Sao Paulo, but the Brazilian wasn’t booked. Cuadrado illegally used his arm later in the game and wasn’t carded. either.

The Brazilian soccer confederation said it will seek punishment for Otamendi at FIFA’s disciplinary committee.

Speaking after the goalless draw, Brazil coach Tite criticized Cunha and his video assistant referees.

“It is simply impossible not to see Otamendi’s elbow on Raphinha,” Tite said. “Was that going to decide the match? I don’t know. It was a great match, but there is an element (missing) that should be equal for both teams.”

Source: Bahrain News Agency