Sports – Winnipeg Free Press

Man City defender Mendy found not guilty of sexual offenses

The Associated Press 2 minute read Friday, Jan. 13, 2023

CHESTER, England (AP) — Manchester City defender Benjamin Mendy was found not guilty Friday of six counts of rape and one of sexual assault.

Jurors at Chester Crown Court in northwest England could not reach verdicts on two other allegations against Mendy — one of attempted rape and another of rape — and were discharged.

Prosecutors said they will seek a retrial on the counts the jury could not reach verdicts at the end of a months-long trial.

Mendy, 28, covered his face with both hands and was gently rocking back and forth as the jury foreman delivered the verdicts in a hushed courtroom, Britain's Press Association reported. The not-guilty verdicts related to four young women or teenagers.

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Shakhtar, Russian clubs lose FIFA transfer rule cases at CAS

The Associated Press 2 minute read Preview

Shakhtar, Russian clubs lose FIFA transfer rule cases at CAS

The Associated Press 2 minute read Friday, Jan. 13, 2023

LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) — Shakhtar Donetsk and eight Russian soccer clubs lost their appeals Friday against FIFA emergency transfer rules that let foreign players and coaches suspend their contracts during Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

In separate rulings by the Court of Arbitration for Sport, Ukraine's Shakhtar had its appeal dismissed in a case heard in December which sought 50 million euros ($42 million) compensation from FIFA.

The Russian clubs, led by champion Zenit St. Petersburg, faced FIFA in November at sport’s highest court. Two of the three judges who ruled in that case also heard the Shakhtar appeal.

Both appeals challenged a FIFA decision last June to extend emergency transfer rules for the entire 2022-23 season that were first applied last March for the rest of that season.

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Friday, Jan. 13, 2023

FILE - Shakhtar's Mykhaylo Mudryk, left, run with the ball next to Real Madrid's Dani Carvajal during the Champions League group F soccer match between Real Madrid and Shakhtar Donetsk at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid, on Oct. 5, 2022. Shakhtar Donetsk's chief executive acknowledges it will be tough to win a $42 million claim for compensation from FIFA at the Court of Arbitration for Sport. (AP Photo/Bernat Armangue, File)

MIKE DEAL / WINNIPEG FREE PRESS
Co-owners Caroline Fisher, right, and Josh Markham, plan to opend Big Sky Run Co. at 194 Tache Ave. in March.

Best foot forward

Soon-to-open Big Sky Run Co. rooted in social aspect of running

Gabrielle Piché 5 minute read Friday, Jan. 13, 2023

Chelsea welcomes FA clampdown on offensive chants

The Associated Press 2 minute read Friday, Jan. 13, 2023

LONDON (AP) — Chelsea welcomed the English Football Association's decision to make a homophobic chant aimed at its supporters a punishable offense, calling it a “step in the right direction” on Friday.

The FA announced on Wednesday that chants of “Rent Boy,” which have been directed at Chelsea fans by rival supporters, are now considered a breach of its rules.

It has written to all Premier League clubs and clubs throughout English soccer to enforce the point and attempt to stamp out discriminatory behavior.

“The ‘Rent Boy’ chant is intolerable and has no place in football or anywhere else,” Chelsea said in a statement. “That opposition clubs can now face disciplinary action if their supporters engage in this discriminatory and offensive behavior is a step in the right direction. Everyone who chooses to participate in this chant must know their actions have consequences.”

Djokovic receives warm welcome in Melbourne return

The Associated Press 3 minute read Preview

Djokovic receives warm welcome in Melbourne return

The Associated Press 3 minute read Friday, Jan. 13, 2023

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Novak Djokovic received a warm and enthusiastic welcome in his return to Melbourne during an exhibition match against Nick Kyrgios on Friday.

Djokovic was deported ahead of last year's Australian Open because of a visa issue relating to his refusal to say whether he had been vaccinated for COVID-19.

But the nine-time Australian Open champion was allowed to return for this year's tournament beginning Monday because vaccination requirements have been dropped by the Australian government.

After enjoying what he said was a “fantastic” response from fans in Adelaide during a tournament last week, Djokovic admitted he was unsure how he would be received in Melbourne a year after he was deported.

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Friday, Jan. 13, 2023

Serbia's Novak Djokovic gestures during an exhibition match against Australia's Nick Kyrgios on Rod Laver Arena ahead of the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, Friday, Jan. 13, 2023. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)

New US owner of Bournemouth invests in French club Lorient

The Associated Press 1 minute read Friday, Jan. 13, 2023

BOURNEMOUTH, England (AP) — The new American owner of Premier League team Bournemouth has acquired a minority share in French club Lorient as part of what he is calling a “multi-club ownership strategy.”

The Black Knight Football and Entertainment consortium fronted by Bill Foley, which owns the Vegas Golden Knights in the NHL and bought Bournemouth in December, said Friday the deal with Lorient “provides the opportunity to invest additional capital after this season.”

Lorient is in sixth place in the French league and bidding to qualify for European competition next season.

“Loïc Fery has successfully built a best-in-class football club,” Foley said of Lorient’s president, “and will be a great partner as we build BKFE into a leading multi-club football operator.”

Sabres take 3-game losing streak into matchup with the Predators

The Associated Press 2 minute read Friday, Jan. 13, 2023

Buffalo Sabres (20-18-2, fifth in the Atlantic Division) vs. Nashville Predators (19-15-6, fifth in the Central Division)

Nashville, Tennessee; Saturday, 8 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: The Buffalo Sabres, on a three-game losing streak, take on the Nashville Predators.

Nashville has a 9-6-3 record in home games and a 19-15-6 record overall. The Predators have allowed 116 goals while scoring 110 for a -6 scoring differential.

Canucks enter matchup against the Panthers on losing streak

The Associated Press 2 minute read Friday, Jan. 13, 2023

Vancouver Canucks (17-20-3, sixth in the Pacific Division) vs. Florida Panthers (19-19-4, sixth in the Atlantic Division)

Sunrise, Florida; Saturday, 7 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: The Vancouver Canucks come into the matchup against the Florida Panthers as losers of three games in a row.

Florida has a 19-19-4 record overall and a 10-6-3 record in home games. The Panthers have committed 205 total penalties (4.9 per game) to lead NHL play.

Islanders bring losing streak into home matchup against the Canadiens

The Associated Press 2 minute read Friday, Jan. 13, 2023

Montreal Canadiens (16-22-3, eighth in the Atlantic Division) vs. New York Islanders (22-17-3, sixth in the Metropolitan Division)

Elmont, New York; Saturday, 7 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: The New York Islanders come into a matchup against the Montreal Canadiens after losing four straight games.

New York has a 22-17-3 record overall and a 12-7-1 record in home games. The Islanders have gone 21-5-1 when scoring three or more goals.

St. Louis faces Tampa Bay in a non-conference matchup

The Associated Press 2 minute read Friday, Jan. 13, 2023

Tampa Bay Lightning (25-13-1, third in the Atlantic Division) vs. St. Louis Blues (21-18-3, fourth in the Central Division)

St. Louis; Saturday, 8 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: The St. Louis Blues host the Tampa Bay Lightning in a non-conference matchup.

St. Louis has gone 8-9-2 at home and 21-18-3 overall. The Blues have a 19-4-2 record when scoring at least three goals.

Atlantic Division-leading Bruins host the Maple Leafs

The Associated Press 2 minute read Friday, Jan. 13, 2023

Toronto Maple Leafs (26-10-7, second in the Atlantic Division) vs. Boston Bruins (32-5-4, first in the Atlantic Division)

Boston; Saturday, 7 p.m. EST

BOTTOM LINE: The Toronto Maple Leafs face the top team in the Atlantic Division, the Boston Bruins.

Boston has gone 32-5-4 overall with a 6-3-2 record in Atlantic Division games. The Bruins serve 9.9 penalty minutes per game to rank ninth in the league.