Sports

Chelsea fans received an unwelcome present on the Premier English League team's 117th birthday Thursday: British government sanctions against Russian owner Roman Abramovich, which only served to exacerbate the team's growing pariah status in the soccer world. The aluminum magnate is one of seven wealthy Russians whose assets were frozen by British sanctions on Thursday in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Under the unprecedented government action, Chelsea will play the rest of the season with a special "Russia Regulations" license that, among other things, prohibits the team from selling new tickets or merchandise or signing new players. The club's future was already in doubt: Abramovich, whose $2 billion investment in Chelsea over 19 years transformed the team into a force in European football, had put the squad up for sale last week amid growing calls for sanctions to be imposed on a man the government has labeled a "pro-Kremlin…

Liverpool advanced to the quarterfinals of the UEFA Champions League 2021/22 with a 2-1 aggregate victory over Italian champions Inter Milan. Lautaro Martinez's second-half stunner gave the reigning Serie A champions victory on the night, though Liverpool gained passage after Alexis Sanchez was shown a second yellow card just moments after the goal. Inter Milan became the first team to defeat Liverpool at Anfield in over a year, since Fulham managed a 1-0 victory in March 7, 2021. Salah, who struck the woodwork twice, stated post-match that progress in the competition was the most decisive takeaway on a difficult night in L4. “It was a tough game - they were very good in the away game. We struggled at the start, but the most important thing is that we have qualified,” Salah told BT Sport. “I hit the post twice, it’s OK – maybe next game I will score three!…

Super Eagles Coach Augustine Eguavoen announced his 30-man squad for the FIFA World Cup Qatar 2022 play-offs against Ghana. Ademola Lookman of Leicester City is the most notable name on this list. FIFA recently cleared the bi-national to switch international allegiance to the Super Eagles, and he is now set to make his debut later this month. Nigeria will play Ghana in a potentially tense West African derby on March 25th before hosting Ghana four days later as both teams compete for one of Africa's five tickets to the World Cup, which will be held later this year in Qatar. FULL SQUAD: Goalkeepers: Francis Uzoho (AC Omonia, Cyprus); Daniel Akpeyi (Kaizer Chiefs, South Africa); Maduka Okoye (Sparta Rotterdam, The Netherlands) Defenders: Oluwasemilogo Ajayi (West Bromwich Albion, England); Kenneth Omeruo (CD Leganes, Spain); Leon Balogun (Glasgow Rangers, Scotland); William Ekong (Watford FC, England); Olaoluwa Aina (Torino FC, Italy); Calvin Bassey (Glasgow…

Liverpool defeated Chelsea in the final of the League Cup on penalties. It is the first time in five years that the competition was not won by Manchester City. Liverpool wins the League Cup for a record ninth time, it was previously tied on eight with City while Chelsea has won it five times, most recently in 2015. Chelsea, which has already won the Club World Cup this month, lost on its last visit to Wembley Stadium to Leicester in the FA Cup final last season. After an entertaining 120 minutes of action, the 2022 Carabao Cup final was decided by a penalty shootout as Chelsea goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga smashed his penalty high over the crossbar. Kepa was the only player to miss in the shoot-out as Liverpool converted all 11 of their kicks and Chelsea netted 10. The Spaniard replaced Edouard Mendy in the final minutes of extra time.…