Sports

REUTERS: Habib Cisse, former legal adviser to disgraced IAAF ex-president Lamine Diack, has been banned for life for corruption and fined US$25,000, the IAAF Ethics Board said on Monday. The IAAF said its ethics panel had found Cisse guilty of helping to cover up doping violations by Lilya Shobukhova "and other Russian athletes". Advertisement Advertisement Cisse was accused by independent investigator Dick Pound in 2016 of being part of a clique run by Diack that covered up organised doping in the sport. Diack, who is to be tried in France on charges of corruption and money laundering, diverted the handling of Russian doping cases to Cisse, who was serving at the time as the Senegalese's personal lawyer. "The decision (to ban Cisse) enters into force on 9 September 2019, being the date on which the decision was communicated to the parties," the IAAF said in a statement on its website. The world governing body added that

MONZA, Italy: Haas F1 and title sponsor Rich Energy have parted company after 14 races together, the U.S.-owned Formula One team announced on Monday. A Haas spokesman said the cars would retain the black and gold livery for the rest of the season but without the energy drink company's branding. Advertisement Advertisement "Haas F1 Team and Rich Energy have amicably agreed to end their partnership together in the FIA Formula One world championship with immediate effect," the team said in a statement. It said Rich Energy needed a revised global strategy due to a 'corporate restructuring process' and a termination of the agreement was best for both parties. The title sponsorship had been in doubt for some time, with Rich Energy posting on Twitter in July that they had terminated the contract. Shareholders later said in a statement issued by the team that those comments were unauthorised and the 'rogue actions' of one individual. Advertisement Advertisemen..

SINGAPORE – Life insurance firm Great Eastern and ActiveSG have partnered to launch Active Care, a personal accident protection plan, on Monday (Sept 9) to encourage people to lead healthy lives without worrying about accidents and injuries. The plan offers 24/7 coverage, which is not limited to sports, for those between three and 70 years old. Active Care is available exclusively to ActiveSG members for $9 annually and the scheme includes accidental death or permanent total disablement protection of up to $20,000 and medical expense reimbursements of up to $200. George Chan, whose son Gabriel is a participant in the ActiveSG Football Academy, said: "Active Care is a convenient initiative that offers parents like me an added peace of mind whenever we decide to participate in sporting activities ranging from a simple jog around our estate to group zumba workouts at the stadium." For every plan purchased, members earn a rebate of $2 that is directly credited to their ActiveSG Wallet...

(REUTERS) – Leaving Manchester United for Inter Milan has reinvigorated Romelu Lukaku and the striker is happy and hungry as he enters an important phase of his playing career, Belgium manager Roberto Martinez has said. The Belgium international joined Inter last month, ending a two-year spell at United, which began well, but ended with him battling for a place in the team. The 26-year-old has scored two league goals in as many games in Italy and Martinez is confident Lukaku's bright start to life in Serie A can translate into success for the national team. "This is the first time I've seen him free and happy. Going back to many camps, I've not seen Rom so focused, so happy, so refreshed by the new challenge," Martinez, who previously coached Lukaku at English Premier League club Everton, told reporters ahead of Monday's (Sept 9) Euro 2020 qualifier in Scotland. "I think he's now ready to face one of the biggest chapters in his career with the Inter move. H..

HONG KONG (REUTERS) – Iran's footballers have nothing to fear from anti-government protests in Hong Kong, said the head coach of the city's representative team, despite an unsuccessful bid by the visitors to play Tuesday's (Sept 10) World Cup qualifier at a neutral venue. Last week, Fifa and the Asian Football Confederation turned down a request from the Football Federation of the Islamic Republic of Iran to move the game outside Hong Kong owing to the protests that have hit the city over the past three months. But Hong Kong coach Mixu Paatelainen stressed that the visitors should not be affected during their stay in the Asian financial hub. "One thing I know is that Hong Kong is a safe place for any team to come and play," said the former Dundee United and Bolton Wanderers striker. "Protesters don't come to protest against these teams who come here to play sport. There's no problem at all. "I know that the Iran team will be safe and they can prepare here ..

Marcus Rashford played the full 90 minutes as England thrashed Bulgaria 4-0 on Saturday (Picture: Getty) Gareth Southgate has admitted that he is uncertain about Marcus Rashfords suitability to play as a central striker, claiming the Manchester United forward does his best work out wide. The 21-year-old was tipped to lead the line for United this season following the departures of Romelu Lukaku and Alexis Sanchez but he has tended to play from the left with Anthony Martial preferred through the middle. Rashford scored twice during Uniteds 4-0 win over Chelsea on the opening day of the season, but he has failed to find the target in four matches since for both club and country. Southgate stated that Rashfords hold-up play isnt as effective as his strike partner Harry Kane and instead considers him as more of a wide raider who can cause damage when floating in off the flank. Gareth Southgate believes Rashford is better suited to a wide role (Picture: Getty) When asked whether Rashfo..

The centre-back found his old Lyon teammates plea for a reunion very amusing (Picture: Canal+) Barcelona defender Samuel Umtiti has laughed off reports that Arsenal tried to sign him over the summer despite Alexandre Lacazette making a plea for the centre-back to join. Gunners boss Unai Emery was eager to strengthen his defence during the transfer window and eventually brought in David Luiz from Chelsea in an £8million deal on deadline day. Arsenal had been linked with a move for Umtiti – among a number of other top centre-backs – but the France international says, to his knowledge, there was never anything of substance to the rumours. Umtiti lost his starting place last season and was linked with a transfer away (Picture: Getty) In a sit-down interview with Canal Football Club on Sunday, Umtiti was shown a clip of old Lyon teammate Lacazette trying to set up a reunion at Arsenal, but only burst out laughing. Advertisement Advertisement Honestly, I dont know where this rumou..

The promoter is sceptical about the two heavyweights actually facing off again next year (Picture: Getty) Eddie Hearn has questioned whether a rematch between Deontay Wilder and Tyson Fury will actually go ahead and has mocked the lack of hype surrounding the Gypsy Kings next bout. Fury takes on Otto Wallin in Las Vegas next weekend, which is expected to be his final outing before a long-awaited rematch with WBC heavyweight champion Wilder in February 2020. But the Bronze Bomber has said recently that he would want Fury to step aside so he can unify the division against the winner of Andy Ruiz v Anthony Joshua, and AJs promoter isnt sure the fight will go ahead. Hearn made similar claims before Fury and Wilders first fight last December (Picture: Getty) Speaking about the much-anticipated rematch between Fury and Wilder, Hearn told IFL TV: God knows if that will even happen. Advertisement Advertisement One, he [Wilder] hasnt announced his Luis Ortiz fight yet. I understand t..

Nadal and Medvedev put on a real show (Picture: /AFP/Getty Images) The immediate aftermath of the US Open final was almost as entertaining as the five-set classic that came before it! Almost. In a heartwarming moment, Rafael Nadal, completely overwhelmed after a 7-5 6-3 5-7 4-6 6-4 win over Daniil Medvedev in four hours and 51 minutes, sobbed at the side of the court as his 19 Grand Slam wins were shown on the big screen. A matter of minutes later, a section of the notoriously venomous US Open crowd were up to their old tricks as they booed chair umpire Ali Nili – who handed Nadal three time violations in the match – but the Spaniard was quick to applaud him. The scenes were reminiscent of the womens final a year earlier when boos rained down on the stage – although Carlos Ramos was not given his gift on court after an infamous row with Serena Williams. Its something that hopefully wont become a tradition at the final Grand Slam of the year. For love of the game @RafaelNadal | #USO..

TOKYO: Namibia 0 New Zealand 0 at the Rugby World Cup! An improbable scoreline but one that could happen if their pool match is cancelled due to a typhoon. The disruption caused in Tokyo in the early hours of Monday (Sep 9) by powerful typhoon Faxai has reignited questions about contingency planning for the Rugby World Cup, which starts in just 11 days. Advertisement Advertisement Here are some of the key questions as one of the world's natural disaster hotspots prepares to host one of the world's biggest sporting events. A plaque advertising the 2019 Rugby World Cup is seen on the ground at the Higashiosaka Hanazono Rugby Stadium in Osaka, Japan. (Photo: REUTERS/Thomas White) WHAT HAPPENS IF A GAME IS CALLED OFF? The regulations vary depending on whether the match affected is during the pool stages or the knock-out phase of the competition. According to section three of World Rugby's tournament rules for Japan 2019: "Where a pool match cannot be commenced on th..