Nov. 2, 2020 England World Cup winner and former Manchester United stalwart Bobby 11 Charlton has been diagnosed with dementia, The Telegraph reported.

Iran undecided on volleyball head coach, Iranian weightlifter Moradi ‘far from ideal fitness’ names Alekno, Castellani as candidates after training resumption Sports Desk Sports Desk tocols amid the coronavirus outbreak. “The circumstances are tough and much ran Volleyball Federation is yet ’s said he is still suffering different to the previous camps,” said the to reach a conclusion over the from minor injuries as the weightlifting sen- world 96kg triple record holder. Ifuture national team head coach sation is back in training ahead of upcoming “I’ve just started major training after a long but revealed the two contenders for qualification tournaments for next summer’s time,” added the six-time world gold medal- the job on Sunday. Tokyo Olympics. ist, who believes he is only “50 percent fit.” The federation’s Technical Com- The 2016 Rio Games gold medalist was “I’m still suffering from slight injuries and mittee confirmed that either Vladi- sidelined for the major part of 2019 with a need to work harder to reach full fitness,” said mir Alekno of Russia or Argentine dislocated shoulder and a spinal injury. Moradi. Daniel Castellani will be handed the task to steer Iran at next summer’s Tokyo Olympics. Alekno, 53, who is believed to be the leading candidate, led his coun- try to the gold medal at the 2012 Olympics in – having won the bronze in Beijing 2008. His Russian team also won the gold at the World League, now called Volleyball Nations League, and the FIVB World Cup in 2011. The Russian, who is now the head coach of Zenit-Kazan in his coun- try, won the 2017-18 CEV Champi- ons League – the top clubs compe- tition in Europe – with the Russian IRNA Iran Volleyball Federation confirmed Vladimir Alekno (L) of Russia and Argentine Daniel Castellani as the candidates to side, with Iran’s world class setter take charge of Iran for the Tokyo Olympics. Saied Ma’rouf at his disposal.

Castellani – currently in charge of club manager in several countries, During his final months in the land, Italy – the silver medalist in MEHR NEWS AGENCY the Polish club AZS Olsztyn – led including , Belgium and Po- job, Iran secured a second consecu- Rio 2016 – Canada, and Venezuela. Poland to the European Champion- land. tive spot at the Olympics – after a Pool B will see the defending On Saturday, Iran’s 40-day training camp The Iranian will have to have to compete with ship title in 2009 in Turkey. Iran’s role has been vacant since last-eight finish in Rio 2016. champion , USA, Russia, Ar- for next year’s Asian Weightlifting Champi- compatriot Kianoush – also a Rio 2016 A bronze medalist at 1988 Seoul former manager Igor Kolakovic Iran is pitted in Pool A of the gentina, , and Tunisia squar- onships kicked off under restrict hygiene pro- gold winner – for a 96kg place at the Olympics. Games as a player, Castellani has parted ways with the Asian power- volleyball competition in Tokyo, ing off for four spots in the quarter- also enjoyed a glittering career a house in April. alongside the host nation , Po- finals. Koeman concerned about Hamilton wins at Imola as Mercedes clinches constructors’ title Barca wastefulness Lewis Hamilton took a re- ing lap after a poor start, cord-extending 93rd career could now equal Ferrari Barcelona coach Ronald Koeman cursed after Barca lost 3-1 at home to Real Madrid win at the Emilia Romagna great Michael Schumacher’s his side’s profligacy after it drew 1-1 at and was beaten 1-0 at Getafe. The Catalan Grand Prix on Sunday as his record seven titles in two Alaves on Saturday, dropping points for club is 12th in the table with eight points Mercedes team clinched an weeks’ time at the Turkish the fourth game in a row in La Liga. from six games. unprecedented seventh suc- Grand Prix. Barca fired 25 shots at goal but only Koeman could barely hide his frustra- cessive Formula One con- “What an incredible managed to beat Alaves’ brilliant goal- tion at recent results, appearing spiky as he structors’ title with four races achievement for all of you. keeper Fernando Pacheco once, when An- dealt with questions from reporters about to spare. I am so proud of everybody toine Griezmann netted early in the second his decisions in the game and his touchline They did it in one-two for- and I am so grateful to be half almost immediately after Jota had demeanor. mation, the six-time world a part of it,” said Hamilton been sent off for the host, Reuters reported. “I’m surprised I’m being criticized for champion taking the che- over the team radio after be- quered flag at Italy’s Imola ing told of the constructors’ circuit 5.783 seconds ahead success. of teammate Valtteri Bottas, “People watching maybe who had started on pole posi- think we’re used to this but it tion, Reuters reported. always feels like the first with Australian Daniel Ric- this team and I think that’s ciardo finished third for Re- because of the spirit,” he said nault, his second podium of after stepping out of the car. the season. “It’s unbelievable... seven- Hamilton also banked a times champs. That’s some- GETTY IMAGES bonus point for the fastest lap thing I’m going to be able F1 driver Lewis Hamilton (with the helmet) celebrates with Mercedes teammates after winning the to extend his lead over Bottas to tell my grandchildren one Emilia Romagna Grand Prix in Imola, Italy, on November 1, 2020. – now the only other driver in day.” stappen crashed out with points more than Mercedes to damaged car, on lap 43 title contention – to a hefty 85 Mercedes had already what looked like a sudden keep the championship open of 63. His under-pressure points. started celebrating the team rear puncture while in second beyond Imola. Thai teammate Alexander The Briton, who had title 12 laps from the end place. Verstappen had passed Albon failed to score in dropped to third on the open- when Red Bull’s Max Ver- Red Bull had to score 34 Bottas, struggling with a 15th place. ATP Finals continue plans for closed-door event in London

the coronavirus after positive cases passed one million in the , Reuters reported. The 50th anniversary edition of the finals, which features the top eight men’s singles players and doubles teams, will be held at The O2 in London for the last time from November 15-22 before it moves to Turin in Italy for the next five years. “We will continue to work with JUAN MANUEL SERRANO ARCE/GETTY IMAGES all relevant authorities, both at a Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman (R) is seen on the touchline during a 1-1 draw against Alaves national and local level, to ensure at Mendizorrotza Stadium, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain, on October 31, 2020. that all necessary measures are put in place to ensure the safety of all Barca went behind before the interval the image I gave on the touchline. I think those involved in the tournament,” when Luis Rioja pounced on a disastrous we did everything we could from the dug- the ATP said in a statement. error from keeper Neto following a mix-up out and on the pitch,” he said. World number one Novak Djokov- with defender Gerard Pique. “In the last 10 minutes we played as we ic and 20-time Grand Slam winner “I’m worried about our performance in needed to play. If you criticize me for how Rafael Nadal will be among a host attack. We don’t have a problem with our I appear on the touchline, then we might as of top players who will assemble in attitude or concentration, we just need to well give up.” London for the season-ending men’s be more efficient in front of goal,” Koeman The Dutchman added, “Of course I’m event in the 2020 calendar. told reporters. worried that we’ve only got two points Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas will “We also gifted a goal to Alaves, but from the last 12. I think overall we played JOHN WALTON/PA look to defend his title with US when you create so many chances you ok; I’d be more worried if we weren’t cre- Open winner Dominic Thiem, can’t afford to miss them. If you create that ating chances. “But we need to do better The ATP Finals, the flagship event month, organizers said, following British Prime Minister Boris and New York finalists Alexander many chances and only score once, it’s not in front of goal, with the final pass, the fi- on the men’s tennis Tour, will the announcement of a month-long Johnson said the lockdown would Zverev and Daniil Medvedev the good.” nal shot. We cannot afford to squander so continue preparations to be held lockdown in England starting next kick in on Thursday and last until other players to have booked their The surprise draw against Alaves came many chances, we missed too many.” without spectators in London this week. December 2 to contain the spread of spot for the tournament.