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In the world of football, Jurgen Klopp called Liverpool’s 3-0 defeat to Atalanta during the UEFA Europa League quarter-final stage “a really bad game.” The Premier League will be using the Semi-Automated Offside Technology (SOAT) from the upcoming season of 2024/25. Sumit Nagal took a set off Holger Rune before losing to him 3-6, 6-3, 2-6 in the Monte Carlo Masters.
Read below to learn details about these top stories and other happenings in the sporting world in the last 24 hours.
Football
Jurgen Klopp reacts in shock at Liverpool’s 3-0 defeat against Atalanta at Anfield
The Liverpool manager, Jurgen Klopp, was shocked at the performance of his players in the aftermath of a 3-0 defeat against Atalanta in the first leg of the UEFA Europa League quarter-final clash at Anfield. In his post-match reaction to the press, the 56-year-old was quoted as saying, “It was a really bad game, oh my God. We started really well but didn’t continue. Before they scored we just lost the plot. We were everywhere and nowhere.”
Premier League agree to use Semi-Automated Offside Technology from 2024/25 season
The Premier League have announced that they will use the Semi-Automated Offside Technology (SOAT) from the 2024/25 season onwards, to ensure a quicker and consistent placement of the virtual offside line, based on optical player tracking. In their official statement, it has been anticipated that the new technology will be ready to be introduced as early as September of this year.
Turkish Super Lig to appoint foreign VAR officials for crucial matches
After claims of bias from Fenerbahce President, who spoke about an “underground network” to decide matches by “using referees” in Turkey, the Turkish Super League will appoint foreign Video Assistant Referees (VAR) in crucial matches until the end of the season. The Turkish Football Federation have collaborated with different football associations across Europe to appoint VAR officials after fining Fenerbahce £98,450 for staging a walkout in a protest against the officiating during the Turkish Super Cup match against Galatasaray.
Manchester City lead race to sign Bayern Munich’s Jamal Musiala: Reports
Manchester City are reportedly leading the race to sign the Bayern Munich forward, Jamal Musiala, but the other clubs, including the likes of Liverpool, Barcelona, and Paris Saint-Germain are also interested in him. As per the report from the Independent, the 21-year-old, who’s contract with Bayern Munich runs until 2026, is frustrated at the ongoing season for the club, wanting guarantees about their ability to compete in big competitions.
Some major results in football are as under:
UEFA Europa League 2023-24
Bayer Leverkusen 2-0 West Ham United
Benfica 2-1 Marseille
Liverpool 0-3 Atalanta
AC Milan 0-1 Roma
UEFA Europa Conference League 2023-24
Olympiakos 3-2 Fenerbahce
Viktoria Plzen 0-0 Fiorentina
Aston Villa 2-1 Lille
Club Brugge 1-0 PAOK Salonika
Tennis
Novak Djokovic reaches quarter-final of Monte Carlo Masters
The Serbian Novak Djokovic has reached the quarter-final stage of the Monte Carlo Masters after a straight sets win over the Italian Lorenzo Musetti with a 7-5, 6-3 scoreline in the round of 16. With this vital victory, the 36-year-old also avenged his loss to the same opponent in the same stage of the Monte Carlo Masters last year, and he is set to play against Alex de Minaur next.
Sumit Nagal takes set off Holger Rune before losing in Monte Carlo Masters
The world number 93, Sumit Nagal from India, played bravely against the seventh seed Holger Rune of Denmark in the round of 32 clash at the Monte Carlo Masters. The 26-year-old took a set off the clay court specialist in a rain delayed match before losing to him 3-6, 6-3, 2-6 in a pulsating battle which lasted for two hours and 10 minutes.
Olympics
MC Mary Kom steps down from role of India’s chef-de-mission for Paris 2024
The Olympic bronze medalist, MC Mary Kom, has stepped down from the role of India’s chef-de-mission for the Paris 2024 later this year, as announced by the President of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA), PT Usha. In her official statement, the 41-year-old was quoted as saying, “I consider it an honour to serve my country in every way possible, and I was mentally prepared for it. However, I regret that I will not be able to uphold the prestigious responsibility and would like to resign, owing to personal reasons.”
Hockey
Australia defeats India 3-1 in fourth hockey Test match
In the fourth hockey Test, Australia defeated India 3-1 to take an unassailable 4-0 lead in the five-match series in Perth. After the Indian men’s hockey team went ahead in the 12th minute through Harmanpreet Kaur’s penalty corner, the Australians levelled the scoreline through Jeremy Hayward’s penalty corner minutes later, following which the hosts scored two more goals in the last quarter.