Sports Highlights, April 1: Vandana Retires After 15-Year Int'l Hockey Career; Inter Kashi's I-League Fate Depends On AIFF Appeal

Greetings to all and sundry on April Fool's Day. Here's hoping that none of our favourite teams inflict practical jokes on us in the field of play. Banter aside, we will bring to you all that is latest in the world of sports, so watch this space.

Norwegian athletics coach Gjert Ingebrigtsen denied abuse allegations in court, calling himself an "overly protective" father who loves his children. The 59-year-old is accused of physically and mentally abusing his son Jakob, 24, and another child. Jakob, a double Olympic champion, testified last week, accusing his father of manipulation and control.

Read everything about the Gjert Ingebrigtsen trial HERE.

With the AIFF Appeal Committee set to rule on Match No. 45—where Inter Kashi were initially awarded a 3-0 forfeit win before a stay order reinstated Namdhari's original 2-0 victory, their I-League title hopes remain alive under specific conditions.

Inter Kashi must first receive a favorable verdict in the hearing. From there, they need to beat Rajasthan United while Churchill Brothers fail to win against Real Kashmir, or they could settle for a draw if Churchill Brothers lose to Real Kashmir and Gokulam Kerala fail to beat Dempo.

Kraigg Brathwaite has stepped down as the West Indies' Test captain after three years at the helm. The 32-year-old will pass on the captaincy to an undisclosed successor ahead of Australia라이브 바카라 three-match Test series in the Caribbean, set for June and July.

Brathwaite, who took charge in March 2021, led the team to a home series victory over England in 2022 and secured a historic win in Australia in 2024, the West Indies’ first Test victory there in 27 years.

New Zealand Rugby (NZR) and British petrochemical firm Ineos have reached a settlement over their sponsorship dispute. Ineos, which also has a stake in Manchester United, prematurely ended its sponsorship agreement with NZR, prompting legal action from the rugby governing body.

On Monday, both parties confirmed the issue has been resolved with a joint statement.

A 2003 Upper Deck Exquisite Rookie Patch Autograph LeBron James card sold for $1.159 million at Goldin Auctions, becoming the second from this set to top $1 million in five weeks.

Meanwhile, Caitlin Clark라이브 바카라 2024 Panini Prizm WNBA Gold Vinyl Prizm card, graded a perfect 10, set a women라이브 바카라 sports card record by selling for $366,000, surpassing the $266,400 mark set by a 2003 Serena Williams NetPro RPA in 2022.

Rory McIlroy has become only the second golfer, after Tiger Woods, to surpass $100 million (£77m) in career earnings on the PGA Tour. The Northern Irishman reached the milestone after earning $338,000 for finishing in a four-way tie for fifth at the Houston Open. Since his PGA Tour debut in 2010, the 35-year-old has claimed 28 victories across 262 events.

Richard Sherman recently revealed that his home was the target of an armed robbery while his wife and children were inside. The former NFL cornerback shared footage from his home security system on social media, showing masked suspects forcing their way into the house at gunpoint. Sherman is now asking the public for help in identifying the individuals responsible for the robbery.

Read the full story HERE.

Sheffield Wednesday have failed to pay their players' March wages due to financial difficulties faced by owner Dejphon Chansiri. The club attributed the delay to a "temporary issue" linked to outstanding debts owed to the 56-year-old Thai businessman, whose family controls the Thai Union Group, the world라이브 바카라 largest canned tuna producer.

Currently sitting 12th in the Championship, Wednesday are five points adrift of the play-off spots as they prepare to host Hull City on Saturday. In an official statement, the club acknowledged the situation, assuring that efforts are underway to resolve the matter.

Chelsea reported a pre-tax profit of £128.4m for the year ending June 2024, an improvement from the £90.1m loss in the first year under Todd Boehly's Clearlake Capital ownership.

Despite a drop in revenue from £512.5m in 2023 to £468.5m, largely due to the absence of Champions League football, the club credited the profit to £152.5m from player registrations and the repositioning of their successful women's team.

England Test captain Ben Stokes is set to miss the early rounds of the County Championship as he continues his recovery from hamstring surgery, according to his Durham coach, Ryan Campbell. The 33-year-old suffered a second tear of his left hamstring in December and, after undergoing surgery earlier this year, has not played since.

Stokes will be unavailable when the County Championship kicks off on Friday. Durham's Brydon Carse, who is still recovering from a toe injury that kept him out of the Champions Trophy last month, will also miss the initial matches.

LeBron James continues to surpass expectations as he defies age. In Monday night's matchup between the Los Angeles Lakers and the Houston Rockets, the 39-year-old superstar produced another viral moment that left fans in awe.

Erling Haaland is set to consult a specialist following an ankle injury sustained during Manchester City's 2-1 FA Cup victory over Bournemouth on Sunday. The striker, who scored the equalizer in the 61st minute, was substituted soon after as City advanced to the semi-finals.

Haaland was seen leaving the Vitality Stadium on crutches with his left ankle in a protective boot. Despite the setback, City remains optimistic, stating they expect Haaland to play again this season, including in the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup.

Real Betis midfielder Isco has jokingly suggested that the club should crowdfund to extend winger Antony라이브 바카라 loan from Manchester United. Since joining Betis in January, Antony has made a significant impact, scoring four goals and providing four assists in 12 games across all competitions.

The Brazil international is on loan until the end of the season, with Betis reportedly covering at least 84% of his wages, which are said to exceed £100,000 per week. Despite this, Isco believes extending the loan would be beneficial for the club.

Churchill Brothers played out a thrilling 2-2 draw at home against Inter Kashi in Goa on Sunday, keeping them in front in the I-League title race. As it stands, Churchill Brothers holds a two-point advantage and could win their third title, a first since 2013. The team finishing at the top of the table will also secure promotion to the Indian Super League (ISL).

Read the full story HERE.

That's all for today. We'll see you all with another live blog. Until then, goodbye! The sports action continues, so don't forget to follow our IPL 2025 live blog this evening. Bye for now!