SPORTS

Doha, Qatar | AFP | FIFA President Gianni Infantino’s plan to expand the Qatar World Cup to 48 teams and increase the number of host countries risks worsening existing Gulf diplomatic tensions, claim analysts. The ambitious expansion proposal — which Infantino has optimistically stated might help Middle East peace — could …

Milan, Italy | AFP | UEFA on Monday opened an investigation into Cristiano Ronaldo’s goal celebration after scoring a hat-trick in Juventus’ Champions League comeback win against Atletico Madrid last week. European football’s governing body said Ronaldo was facing charges of “improper conduct” after he mimicked Diego Simeone’s crotch-grabbing ‘cojones’ gesture in last Tuesday’s 3-0 …

Kampala, Uganda | THE INDEPENDENT | Airtel Uganda in partnership with the Buganda Kingdom have launched the 2019 edition of the annual Airtel Kabaka run at the Buganda Kingdom offices in Bulange Mengo. This year’s run will be held on April 7, 2019 and the tickets are on sale at …

Nairobi, Kenya | AFP | Athletics Kenya (AK) on Thursday lambasted a decision by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) to scrap the 5,000 metres from the Diamond League programme as “illegitimate”. Their protest was quickly followed by another from the Ethiopian athletics federation, that asked the IAAF to reconsider …

London, United Kingdom | AFP | Brexit, what Brexit? All four English entrants are still in Europe. For the first time in a decade the Premier League reigns supreme, providing half of the Champions League quarter-finalists for Friday’s last-eight draw. Liverpool were the last to book their ticket, with a hugely …

Melbourne, Australia | AFP | Sebastian Vettel said Wednesday that Ferrari have “tried to turn the page” after being dominated by Mercedes in 2018 and their new car “feels good” ahead of the season-opening Australian Grand Prix. The German four-time world champion was speaking as the new Formula One season …

Madrid, Spain | AFP | Zinedine Zidane stood for 29 minutes fielding questions but all of them really came down to two: Why now? And, what next? In a packed auditorium in the belly of the Santiago Bernabeu on Monday night, Raul and Roberto Carlos took their seats in the front …

Turin, Italy | AFP | Cristiano Ronaldo has scored so many goals he gives Juventus “a great advantage” insisted coach Massimiliano Allegri as the Italian side look to overturn a two-goal Champions League deficit against Atletico Madrid in their last 16, second leg tie in Turin on Tuesday. “Cristiano has a lot of goals in …

Turin, Italy | AFP | Juventus’ Champions League hopes are hanging on Cristiano Ronaldo pulling off another sensational comeback as the Italians trail 2-0 to defensive specialists Atletico Madrid going into the last 16, second-leg tie in Turin on Tuesday. “We didn’t expect to lose the first leg 2-0, but anything …

Manchester, United Kingdom | AFP | “We are still not ready to fight for the latter stages, that is the reality,” Pep Guardiola’s reaction to beating Schalke 3-2 in the first leg of Manchester City’s Champions League last 16 tie was not that expected for the competition favourites. City manager …