data-mm-id=”_sytjadgd5″>Attention was taken off the NBA playoffs when a video of police officers in Kenosha, Wisconsin shooting unarmed black man Jacob Blake in the back seven times went viral. All the players participating in the league's restart have been strong and constant in their unified messages to end police brutality and institutionalized racism in America. Thus, when asked about the video today, their frustration and anguish that this keeps happening was clear. It's also become clear to these men that simply speaking out isn't causing the widespread change they're calling for. Norman Powell and Fred VanVleet of the Toronto Raptors told reporters that boycotting a game or games is something the players have been talking about. Norm Powell and Fred VanVleet have both said that there have been conversations about boycotting. There is frustration that messages aren't getting across.— Kayla Grey (@Kayla_Grey) August 25, 2020Here's Powell's full initial response when asked about Jacob Blake. pic.twitter.com/uxF6wUgNYq— Blake Murphy (@BlakeMurphyODC) August 25, 2020Here's some extended VanVleet, as well. pic.twitter.com/aOJdrOThO5— Blake Murphy (@BlakeMurphyODC) August 25, 2020Boston's Marcus Smart said something similar when he met with media today. The Raptors and Celtics are slated to meet for Game 1 of their second-round playoff series on Thursday. Marcus Smart was asked if thinks a potential boycott is warranted to get the players heard: "Definitely. Something has to be done, and right now our focus should not be on basketball."— Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) August 25, 2020The players have knelt, donned t-shirts and jerseys adorned with social justice messages, and have dedicated most of their required time with media to speak on issues they feel to be the most important. Yet another black man was shot by police. George Hill, speaking to media yesterday, said that coming to the bubble was a mistake because it took the focus off the very issues they were trying to call attention to — and it's unlikely he's alone in how he feels. A boycott seems the natural next step in an effort to push change, because what they've done so far hasn't had the desired impact. We'll see what path they choose as the week goes on.
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Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp faces a hugely-significant January without talismanic top scorer Mohamed Salah but is confident he can find an acceptable solution among the attacking options at his disposal.
Salah will leave for the African Cup of Nations after Monday’s visit of Newcastle, the first of at least six matches which includes an FA Cup tie at Arsenal and a two-legged Carabao Cup semi-final with Fulham.
The 16-goal forward, second behind only Erling Haaland in the Premier League goalscoring stakes with 12 in the top flight this season, will link up with Egypt as they head to the Ivory Coast next week and will potentially be away for over a month.
Klopp has had to deal with it in the past and remains confident his side will do so again as they seek to …
It has been another Premier League season full of drama and entertainment.
Manchester City wrapped up another title, with Leicester, Leeds and Southampton relegated to the Championship.
Here, the PA news agency looks at 10 of the most memorable moments of the 2022-23 campaign.
Fireworks at the Bridge
TUCHEL VS CONTE: ROUND TWO!!!
— Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL)
When Tottenham made the trip to rivals Chelsea on the second weekend of the season, the early talk was of both being able to challenge City but what transpired on a hot day in August was tempers boiling over between Antonio Conte and Thomas Tuchel. The pair were involved in two heated exchanges and the now memorable handshake at the end of a 2-2 draw. It has largely been dow…
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Liverpool have a steep hill to climb in their second-leg clash with Real Madrid in the Champions League quarterfinals which is being played on Wednesday at Anfield. The Spanish giants won the first leg last week at the Alfredo Di Stefano stadium by 3-1, courtesy of a brace from Vinicius Junior and a strike from Marco Asensio in between, along with Mohamed Salah scoring the only goal for the Premier League champions.
Liverpool
Much has been said about the season Liverpool have had so far, particularly in terms of the injury crisis that has hit their back line pretty hard. Virgil van Dijk, Joe Gomez and Joel Matip have all been ruled out for the rest of the campaign, as has captain Jordan Henderson in midfield.
The search for the…
Wembley will become the UK’s first dementia friendly national stadium in a bid to keep sports fans affected by the condition “at the heart of the action”.
The Football Association and official charity partner Alzheimer’s Society have collaborated to improve the match-day experience for people living with dementia, who can find sporting venues disorientating and overwhelming.
Football’s governing body has also backed Alzheimer’s Society’s new Dementia Friendly Sports Clubs and Venues guide, while both the Premier League and the Racecourse Association have pledged their commitment to becoming dementia friendly.
Alzheimer’s Society chief executive officer Kate Lee said: “We want to see all sports showing their commitment to giving fans with dementi…
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Looking to extend on their remarkable Premier League flurry, Brighton will welcome Bournemouth to the Amex on Saturday lunchtime.
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Argentina qualified for the Copa America quarter-finals after ending their drought against Paraguay with a 1-0 victory.
Not since the 2015 Copa had Argentina tasted a win over Paraguay – a run of four consecutive matches – but La Albiceleste snapped that winless streak thanks to Papu Gomez on Monday.
Gomez scored the winner in the 10th minute, scooping an effort over onrushing Paraguay goalkeeper Antony Silva, for his second goal from just his sixth international appearance.
As Lionel Messi equalled the record for most Argentina appearances, Lionel Scaloni s men extended their winning streak to 16 games in Brasilia.
Angel Di Maria and Sergio Aguero were named in the starting XI for the first time during this year s Copa, and the veteran Argentina pair…
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Aston Villa travel to Luton hoping to consolidate their 4th place with a Kenilworth Road win. The hosts are engaged in a relegation battle and every single point might be decisive at the end of the season. The Hatters will count on the support of 10,000 fans who never fail to deliver.
Luton
Luton achieved a historic promotion to the Premier League last summer, but the harsh reality settled in quickly. After 26 rounds, the Hatters are in a relegation spot, four points from safety. Luton s survival hopes took another hit when Everton won the deduction points appeal.
A 6-2 midweek home defeat to Manchester City in the FA Cup was not the best result before welcoming Aston Villa. Although Rob Edwa…
Clubs must face sanctions if they fail to comply with diversity reporting requirements and workforce targets, Kick It Out’s chief executive has said.
Data released by the Football Association on Wednesday showed the 53 clubs signed up to the Football Leadership Diversity Code (FLDC) collectively failed to meet any of the eight hiring targets set last season.
The FA board has now approved the creation of a new rule which will make clubs publicly declare their workforce diversity data on age, sex, gender, ethnicity, disability and sexual orientation twice a year from 2024-25.
We have today published the third annual report on the Football Leadership Diversity Code, committing to mandatory diversity reporting.
Read the full 2022/23 report
— The …
Value betting is a strategy where you calculate the actual probability or likelihood of an event occurring. Next, you compare the probability with the odds a bookmaker gives to determine if the odds are higher and more profitable. This will help you determine whether the odds are in your favor.
A great example of a rare case of a value bet that bookmakers underestimated is the Euro 2016 Final. France was listed as the favorite to win the final against Portugal. France had odds of +105, Portugal +350, and the draw had odds of +220.
Daman Chick, a punter from the United Kingdom and an avid football fan, wagered £5 on Portugal to win. He correctly predicted the goalscorer and the minute of the goal. Betting a small amount on Portugal to win at +350 odds, as well as the add…
Jarell Quansah is relishing playing alongside Virgil van Dijk in Liverpool’s defence in a breakthrough season he admits has “exceeded all expectations”.
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Quansah – also a League Cup winner in the past few weeks – has been referred to as “Virgil 2.0” by Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp, and the England Under-21 inte…