Smartly timed, this week brought momentous news in a handful of major sports. The lead story is a heady mix of defeat, pledge and hope. Erriyon Knighton (l) Never heard of him, you say? Regrettably, that’s exactly what has happened to him with a four-year ban hanging over his promising career. Diribe Welteji’s eligibility to compete in the Tokyo Olympics is now being questioned. Her case has not yet been adjudicated, and therefore, her future is still in limbo.
The chief of Japanese athletics demonstrated his anguish by weeping. He underscored how important it is to be re-establishing trust in the sport. He committed to winning the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo to be a game changer. This event would go some way in erasing the awful impressions associated with the “Covid Olympics” that took place in 2021. The Tokyo 2023 event will be a significant opportunity to restore the image of the sport amid the crisis in Japan.
While on the football pitch, ex-Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has pledged his public life to restoring the glory of speedway. His commitment is the latest move by the sporting community to generate excitement and increase involvement in this exciting player powered motorsport. Erling Haaland wasn’t shy in showing his displeasure at Manchester City’s lackluster start to the season on the field. He criticized their performance as “not good enough.” The Republic of Ireland striker underlined that this Sunday’s south Wales derby is a “perfect” opportunity to make a start on that.
Over in Scotland, Nico Raskin looks likely to stay with Rangers as they host Hearts on Saturday. The decision highlights the club’s desire to ensure continuity while they push through a difficult stretch in their campaign.
Police from around the rest of the UK were mobilized into London this week. They were told to expect potentially severe civil unrest at two opposing marches. This civil disturbance comes at the same time as five Premier League matches taking place in the capital. Public safety is a concern with so much influx of visitation for this high-traffic sporting weekend.
Adding to the week’s controversies, a former England international cricketer is now the subject of a police investigation after being accused of sexual assault. The former cricketer’s account notes that two women have now publicly identified themselves. They allege that their drinks were drugged at a London public house co-owned by former and present sporting celebrities. The unfolding investigation highlights the ongoing issues surrounding safety and consent within social environments frequented by athletes and fans alike.
According to regional media reports, Everton is strongly optimistic. Their target is to get Jack Grealish at a friendly price by the end of that season. The potential signing could bolster their squad and signal an ambitious approach to upcoming competitions.
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