Manchester United recently revealed it is seeking financial investment

Manchester United have denied speculation that a luxury lounge, which comes complete with a high-end shop front, set up ahead of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland is intended to attract the attention of billionaire investors.

The Premier League club revealed in November that it was seeking investment or even an outright sale, some 17 years after it was purchased by the US-based Glazer family.

Since then, it is understood that no formal offers have been received but it has been reported that there is interest in the club from Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United States, as well as from the United Kingdom’s wealthiest man, Jim Ratcliffe.

And while formal bids are expected to be submitted in the coming weeks, a Manchester United spokesperson has denied that the temporary lounge in Davos is set to be a hub for talks to take place throughout the World Economic Forum, which began on Monday and runs until January 20.

Manchester United is seeking a buyer and has set up a storefront on the Promenade at Davos. Wonder if any billionaires will wander in and place a bid.
Worth noting that the Saudis have some prime real estate nearby… pic.twitter.com/y4BcpUSdR1

— Dave Lawler (@DavidLawler10) January 16, 2023

Speaking on behalf of the football club, Ellie Norman said that the lounge was “definitely not” opened to attract bidders but it will instead be used to hold meetings between club figures and existing partners.

The strategic review into the club, announced as part of plans to seek investment last year, remains ongoing, Norman said, adding that “we don’t know the outcome.”

The main high street in Davos has been temporarily turned into a financial hub by various large tech firms and banks (among others) throughout the week of the forum, which is intended to bring together high-level influencers from various industries to discuss potential partnerships.

Manchester United’s lounge, though, stoked significant speculation given that the club is effectively available on the open market.

Co-chairman Avram Glazer is expected to attend the forum this week, while there will also be events featuring former player Peter Schmeichel and chief executive Richard Arnold.

“Manchester United is proud to be the first sports team to partner with the World Economic Forum,” it said in a statement.

“Our global community of 1.1 billion fans and followers provide us with powerful opportunities to engage across cultural and geographical boundaries. We are in Davos to explore ways to maximise the impact of the extraordinary reach.”

Manchester United recently revealed it is seeking financial investment

Manchester United have denied speculation that a luxury lounge, which comes complete with a high-end shop front, set up ahead of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland is intended to attract the attention of billionaire investors.

The Premier League club revealed in November that it was seeking investment or even an outright sale, some 17 years after it was purchased by the US-based Glazer family.

Since then, it is understood that no formal offers have been received but it has been reported that there is interest in the club from Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United States, as well as from the United Kingdom’s wealthiest man, Jim Ratcliffe.

And while formal bids are expected to be submitted in the coming weeks, a Manchester United spokesperson has denied that the temporary lounge in Davos is set to be a hub for talks to take place throughout the World Economic Forum, which began on Monday and runs until January 20.

Manchester United is seeking a buyer and has set up a storefront on the Promenade at Davos. Wonder if any billionaires will wander in and place a bid.
Worth noting that the Saudis have some prime real estate nearby… pic.twitter.com/y4BcpUSdR1

— Dave Lawler (@DavidLawler10) January 16, 2023

Speaking on behalf of the football club, Ellie Norman said that the lounge was “definitely not” opened to attract bidders but it will instead be used to hold meetings between club figures and existing partners.

The strategic review into the club, announced as part of plans to seek investment last year, remains ongoing, Norman said, adding that “we don’t know the outcome.”

The main high street in Davos has been temporarily turned into a financial hub by various large tech firms and banks (among others) throughout the week of the forum, which is intended to bring together high-level influencers from various industries to discuss potential partnerships.

Manchester United’s lounge, though, stoked significant speculation given that the club is effectively available on the open market.

Co-chairman Avram Glazer is expected to attend the forum this week, while there will also be events featuring former player Peter Schmeichel and chief executive Richard Arnold.

“Manchester United is proud to be the first sports team to partner with the World Economic Forum,” it said in a statement.

“Our global community of 1.1 billion fans and followers provide us with powerful opportunities to engage across cultural and geographical boundaries. We are in Davos to explore ways to maximise the impact of the extraordinary reach.”

The Serb is aiming to win a tenth trophy in Melbourne

Novak Djokovic couldn’t have wished for a better performance in his return to the Rod Laver Arena as he eased past past Roberto Carballes Baena to qualify for the second round of the Australian Open.

The Serb, who was infamously deported from Australia ahead of the Grand Slam event last year amid a Covid vaccination row with immigration authorities down under, thanked fans for an incredibly warm welcome after his three-set (6-3, 6-4, 6-0) win against the world’s 75th ranked player.

Djokovic, who has been battling a hamstring injury and had heavy strapping on his upper left leg, appeared on the court to a raucous reception from a capacity crowd at Melbourne Park but didn’t appear to suffer any setbacks as he eased past the Spaniard after a little over two hours of action.

“I couldn’t ask for a better start to the tournament,” the 35-year-old announced afterwards.

“Thank you for giving me such a welcoming reception that I could only dream of. I feel really happy that I’m back here in Australia and on the court where I have had the biggest success in my career.

“Definitely this court is the most special court in my life.”

Welcome back, Novak. 👋@DjokerNole beats Carballes Baena 6-3 6-4 6-0 to reach the second round. @wwos • @espn • @eurosport • @wowowtennis • #AusOpen • #AO2023 pic.twitter.com/AnBl31nlsx

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 17, 2023

The performance extends Djokovic’s remarkable sequence of wins at the Australian Open – where he is a nine-time champion – to 35, a run which dates back to 2018.

Another win at the first of four Grand Slam events this year would see Djokovic tie Rafael Nadal’s all-time record of 22 Grand Slam wins.

He will play either Hugo Dellien of Bolivia or France’s Enzo Couacaud in his second-round match on Thursday.

67 – Novak Djokovic is now 67-2 in Grand Slam First Rounds: he only lost in the opening Round in a Major to Marat Safin at the Australian Open 2005 and Paul Goldstein at the AO 2006. Astonishing.@atptour | #AusOpen2023 #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/EyqhTvX4B1

— OptaAce (@OptaAce) January 17, 2023

88 – Novak #Djokovic has won his last 88 Grand Slam matches when he won the opening set (incl. retirements) – the last time he lost such a match was at the US Open final in 2016 against Stan Wawrinka (6-7 6-4 7-5 6-3). Launch.#AusOpen #AustralianOpen pic.twitter.com/s7oYh56t0F

— OptaAce (@OptaAce) January 17, 2023

Elsewhere on Tuesday, there were wins for Andrey Rublev, while Germany’s Alexander Zverev won his first singles match after suffering a serious knee injury last year, when he came out on top in a five-set thriller with Juan Pablo Varillas.

“I am extremely happy because I missed this over the past seven months,” Zverev said after his victory.

“This match alone pays off for all the hard work and suffering that I have had. To win in front of this kind of crowd again… I can’t wait for the rest of the tournament. No matter what happens from now, the tournament is already a success for me.”

The Serb is aiming to win a tenth trophy in Melbourne

Novak Djokovic couldn’t have wished for a better performance in his return to the Rod Laver Arena as he eased past past Roberto Carballes Baena to qualify for the second round of the Australian Open.

The Serb, who was infamously deported from Australia ahead of the Grand Slam event last year amid a Covid vaccination row with immigration authorities down under, thanked fans for an incredibly warm welcome after his three-set (6-3, 6-4, 6-0) win against the world’s 75th ranked player.

Djokovic, who has been battling a hamstring injury and had heavy strapping on his upper left leg, appeared on the court to a raucous reception from a capacity crowd at Melbourne Park but didn’t appear to suffer any setbacks as he eased past the Spaniard after a little over two hours of action.

“I couldn’t ask for a better start to the tournament,” the 35-year-old announced afterwards.

“Thank you for giving me such a welcoming reception that I could only dream of. I feel really happy that I’m back here in Australia and on the court where I have had the biggest success in my career.

“Definitely this court is the most special court in my life.”

Welcome back, Novak. 👋@DjokerNole beats Carballes Baena 6-3 6-4 6-0 to reach the second round. @wwos • @espn • @eurosport • @wowowtennis • #AusOpen • #AO2023 pic.twitter.com/AnBl31nlsx

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 17, 2023

The performance extends Djokovic’s remarkable sequence of wins at the Australian Open – where he is a nine-time champion – to 35, a run which dates back to 2018.

Another win at the first of four Grand Slam events this year would see Djokovic tie Rafael Nadal’s all-time record of 22 Grand Slam wins.

He will play either Hugo Dellien of Bolivia or France’s Enzo Couacaud in his second-round match on Thursday.

67 – Novak Djokovic is now 67-2 in Grand Slam First Rounds: he only lost in the opening Round in a Major to Marat Safin at the Australian Open 2005 and Paul Goldstein at the AO 2006. Astonishing.@atptour | #AusOpen2023 #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/EyqhTvX4B1

— OptaAce (@OptaAce) January 17, 2023

88 – Novak #Djokovic has won his last 88 Grand Slam matches when he won the opening set (incl. retirements) – the last time he lost such a match was at the US Open final in 2016 against Stan Wawrinka (6-7 6-4 7-5 6-3). Launch.#AusOpen #AustralianOpen pic.twitter.com/s7oYh56t0F

— OptaAce (@OptaAce) January 17, 2023

Elsewhere on Tuesday, there were wins for Andrey Rublev, while Germany’s Alexander Zverev won his first singles match after suffering a serious knee injury last year, when he came out on top in a five-set thriller with Juan Pablo Varillas.

“I am extremely happy because I missed this over the past seven months,” Zverev said after his victory.

“This match alone pays off for all the hard work and suffering that I have had. To win in front of this kind of crowd again… I can’t wait for the rest of the tournament. No matter what happens from now, the tournament is already a success for me.”

Italy’s Camila Giorgi needed a vaccination certificate to play in last year’s Australian Open

Tennis star Camila Giorgi has denied allegations that she obtained a falsified Covid certificate to allow her to bypass vaccination mandates in countries such as Australia and the United States last year.

Numerous reports in the Italian media state that a doctor, Daniela Grillone, is under investigation for providing patients with falsified vaccination certificates upon request, with Grillone alleging that Giorgi was among those under her care who was not vaccinated against Covid-19.

Giorgi was in the field at last year’s Australian Open. At the time, Australian immigration rules required all visitors to be fully vaccinated against the virus.

She also competed in the United States last year, where proof of vaccination was similarly required to enter the country.

Speaking after the comprehensive two-set win against Russia’s Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in Melbourne on Tuesday, Giorgi confirmed that she did visit Grillone but added that she received vaccination shots from other healthcare professionals.

“I just did all my vaccination in different places, so the trouble is hers, not me,” she said. “So with that, I’m very calm. Of course, if not, I couldn’t come here and play this tennis, I think.”

Giorgi added that she was vaccinated on one occasion by Grillone.

“The other vaccination, I did it in different kind of places, so it’s what I’m trying to explain,” she added.

“So I’m fine … she’s in trouble with the law in Italy. I did everything what they ask, the Australian government,” she said. “It’s not my problem. It’s her problem.”

Craig Tiley, the chief executive of Tennis Australia, also stated that he was not fully aware of the allegations made against Giorgi.

“I think there’s still a lot to be uncovered on that and I think that’s going to be ultimately up to their family and the relevant authorities including the tour,” he said. “I don’t really know any further details.”

Nine-time Australian Open men’s singles champion Novak Djokovic was deported from the country on the eve of last year’s Grand Slam event after falling foul of its vaccination requirements.

However, Australia has since rolled back these requirements and in November canceled a three-year visa ban imposed on the Serbian star.

Italy’s Camila Giorgi needed a vaccination certificate to play in last year’s Australian Open

Tennis star Camila Giorgi has denied allegations that she obtained a falsified Covid certificate to allow her to bypass vaccination mandates in countries such as Australia and the United States last year.

Numerous reports in the Italian media state that a doctor, Daniela Grillone, is under investigation for providing patients with falsified vaccination certificates upon request, with Grillone alleging that Giorgi was among those under her care who was not vaccinated against Covid-19.

Giorgi was in the field at last year’s Australian Open. At the time, Australian immigration rules required all visitors to be fully vaccinated against the virus.

She also competed in the United States last year, where proof of vaccination was similarly required to enter the country.

Speaking after the comprehensive two-set win against Russia’s Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in Melbourne on Tuesday, Giorgi confirmed that she did visit Grillone but added that she received vaccination shots from other healthcare professionals.

“I just did all my vaccination in different places, so the trouble is hers, not me,” she said. “So with that, I’m very calm. Of course, if not, I couldn’t come here and play this tennis, I think.”

Giorgi added that she was vaccinated on one occasion by Grillone.

“The other vaccination, I did it in different kind of places, so it’s what I’m trying to explain,” she added.

“So I’m fine … she’s in trouble with the law in Italy. I did everything what they ask, the Australian government,” she said. “It’s not my problem. It’s her problem.”

Craig Tiley, the chief executive of Tennis Australia, also stated that he was not fully aware of the allegations made against Giorgi.

“I think there’s still a lot to be uncovered on that and I think that’s going to be ultimately up to their family and the relevant authorities including the tour,” he said. “I don’t really know any further details.”

Nine-time Australian Open men’s singles champion Novak Djokovic was deported from the country on the eve of last year’s Grand Slam event after falling foul of its vaccination requirements.

However, Australia has since rolled back these requirements and in November canceled a three-year visa ban imposed on the Serbian star.

French Football Federation President Noel Le Graet has denied allegations of sexual harassment

Noel Le Graet, the president of the French Football Federation (FFF), is under criminal investigation amid allegations of sexual harassment, Paris prosecutors confirmed on Tuesday.

The probe, which was opened on Monday, will investigate claims made by football agent Sonia Souid, who has alleged that Le Graet engaged in repeated harassment against her.

The 81-year-old was also accused of the harassment of several female employees by French publication So Foot last year, which prompted the FFF to threaten the magazine with a defamation lawsuit.

However, these claims led to the French Sports Ministry pursuing an audit of the allegations.

Le Graet denies any claims of sexual harassment but last week “took a step back” from the role he has held since 2011. He has been replaced on an interim basis by the organization’s Vice-President Philippe Diallo.

“In response to a report from the IGESR (General Inspection of Education, Sport and Research) on 13 January 2023, an investigation was opened yesterday into charges of moral harassment and sexual harassment,” prosectors said in a statement to Reuters on Tuesday.

This follows claims of impropriety against Le Graet by Souid, who told the media that he would repeatedly invite her to discuss business matters privately in his residence.

“He very clearly said to me in his apartment that, if I wanted him to help me, I had to let him have his way with me,” said Souid, who has given interviews on the subject to French daily L’Equipe and the RMC radio station.

“The only thing that interested him, and I apologize for speaking vulgarly, are my breasts and my ass,” she added.

The investigation into Le Graet comes shortly after he provoked the ire of French football by appearing to question the managerial acumen of football icon Zinedine Zidane while discussing the future of national team boss Didier Deschamps.

Le Graet told RMC last week that he “wouldn’t even have taken his call” had former Real Madrid boss Zidane expressed an interest in coaching Les Bleus.

Deschamps, who led France to victory at the World Cup in Russia in 2018, and lost last month’s final to Argentina on penalties, subsequently signed a new contract to extend his stay with France until 2026.

French Football Federation President Noel Le Graet has denied allegations of sexual harassment

Noel Le Graet, the president of the French Football Federation (FFF), is under criminal investigation amid allegations of sexual harassment, Paris prosecutors confirmed on Tuesday.

The probe, which was opened on Monday, will investigate claims made by football agent Sonia Souid, who has alleged that Le Graet engaged in repeated harassment against her.

The 81-year-old was also accused of the harassment of several female employees by French publication So Foot last year, which prompted the FFF to threaten the magazine with a defamation lawsuit.

However, these claims led to the French Sports Ministry pursuing an audit of the allegations.

Le Graet denies any claims of sexual harassment but last week “took a step back” from the role he has held since 2011. He has been replaced on an interim basis by the organization’s Vice-President Philippe Diallo.

“In response to a report from the IGESR (General Inspection of Education, Sport and Research) on 13 January 2023, an investigation was opened yesterday into charges of moral harassment and sexual harassment,” prosectors said in a statement to Reuters on Tuesday.

This follows claims of impropriety against Le Graet by Souid, who told the media that he would repeatedly invite her to discuss business matters privately in his residence.

“He very clearly said to me in his apartment that, if I wanted him to help me, I had to let him have his way with me,” said Souid, who has given interviews on the subject to French daily L’Equipe and the RMC radio station.

“The only thing that interested him, and I apologize for speaking vulgarly, are my breasts and my ass,” she added.

The investigation into Le Graet comes shortly after he provoked the ire of French football by appearing to question the managerial acumen of football icon Zinedine Zidane while discussing the future of national team boss Didier Deschamps.

Le Graet told RMC last week that he “wouldn’t even have taken his call” had former Real Madrid boss Zidane expressed an interest in coaching Les Bleus.

Deschamps, who led France to victory at the World Cup in Russia in 2018, and lost last month’s final to Argentina on penalties, subsequently signed a new contract to extend his stay with France until 2026.

Organizers of the major sporting event have banned the Russian and Belarusian flags from being displayed by fans in Melbourne

The decision by organizers of the ongoing Australian Open to ban the display of Russian and Belarusian flags by fans has been described as an “unacceptable politicization of sports” by Russia’s embassy in Canberra.

A statement from Tennis Australia on Tuesday said the decision was made following what was described as a “courtside incident” which occurred during the first round match between Ukraine’s Kateryna Baindl and Russia’s Kamilla Rakhimova on Monday, during which some supporters displayed the Russian tricolor and vocally supported the Russian player.

Supporters of Baindl, though, said Russian fans had been “taunting” the Ukrainian player and called for security staff to assess the situation. The Russian flag was subsequently removed but no further action was taken.

The scenes drew the condemnation of Ukrainian women’s player Marta Kostyuk as well as the Ukrainian ambassador to Australia, Vasily Myroshnychenko, who called upon Tennis Australia to impose a “neutral flag” policy, and said he “strongly condemned” the display of Russian colors at the event.

❗️The decision to ban 🇷🇺Russian and 🇧🇾Belorussian flags from appearing onsite at the @AustralianOpen is another example of unacceptable politicisation of sports🔗https://t.co/pno9ALImJE pic.twitter.com/wVpY9OCMZF

— Russia in Australia (@RusEmbAU) January 17, 2023

In response, Russia’s embassy in Australia issued a statement online in which it heavily criticized the decision to impose a ban on the display of the country’s tricolor throughout the tournament.

“The decision to ban Russian and Belarusian flags from appearing onsite at the Australian Open is another example of the unacceptable politicization of sports,” it wrote in a statement distributed on social media.

It added: “On top of already discriminating against Russian tennis players with its ‘neutral flag policy’ Tennis Australia now went further by making sure they cannot be visibly supported by their fans. 

“Quite ironically, Tennis Australia pledges to ‘continue to work… to ensure the best possible environment to enjoy the tennis.’

“It is indeed regrettable to see the tournament organizers give in to overt and rather arrogant political manipulation sacrificing the spirit of fair play once inherent to the Australian Open.”

Players from both Russia and Belarus, such as Daniil Medvedev and Aryna Sabalenka, are permitted to compete at the Grand Slam event but they must do so without the formal display of any national symbols, following sanctions introduced by the sport’s governing bodies following the onset of the conflict in Ukraine last year.

Read more

In advance of the event, the Ukrainian ambassador called on Tennis Australia to ban players from Russia and Belarus entirely in a similar manner to measures imposed at Wimbledon last summer, but the request was rejected by Australian tennis authorities – allowing the likes of Medvedev, Sabalenka and Andrey Rublev to compete at the event.

It was reported that a Russian flag was subsequently removed from the stands during fifth-seed Rublev’s opening round win against Dominic Thiem on Tuesday.

Organizers of the major sporting event have banned the Russian and Belarusian flags from being displayed by fans in Melbourne

The decision by organizers of the ongoing Australian Open to ban the display of Russian and Belarusian flags by fans has been described as an “unacceptable politicization of sports” by Russia’s embassy in Canberra.

A statement from Tennis Australia on Tuesday said the decision was made following what was described as a “courtside incident” which occurred during the first round match between Ukraine’s Kateryna Baindl and Russia’s Kamilla Rakhimova on Monday, during which some supporters displayed the Russian tricolor and vocally supported the Russian player.

Supporters of Baindl, though, said Russian fans had been “taunting” the Ukrainian player and called for security staff to assess the situation. The Russian flag was subsequently removed but no further action was taken.

The scenes drew the condemnation of Ukrainian women’s player Marta Kostyuk as well as the Ukrainian ambassador to Australia, Vasily Myroshnychenko, who called upon Tennis Australia to impose a “neutral flag” policy, and said he “strongly condemned” the display of Russian colors at the event.

❗️The decision to ban 🇷🇺Russian and 🇧🇾Belorussian flags from appearing onsite at the @AustralianOpen is another example of unacceptable politicisation of sports🔗https://t.co/pno9ALImJE pic.twitter.com/wVpY9OCMZF

— Russia in Australia (@RusEmbAU) January 17, 2023

In response, Russia’s embassy in Australia issued a statement online in which it heavily criticized the decision to impose a ban on the display of the country’s tricolor throughout the tournament.

“The decision to ban Russian and Belarusian flags from appearing onsite at the Australian Open is another example of the unacceptable politicization of sports,” it wrote in a statement distributed on social media.

It added: “On top of already discriminating against Russian tennis players with its ‘neutral flag policy’ Tennis Australia now went further by making sure they cannot be visibly supported by their fans. 

“Quite ironically, Tennis Australia pledges to ‘continue to work… to ensure the best possible environment to enjoy the tennis.’

“It is indeed regrettable to see the tournament organizers give in to overt and rather arrogant political manipulation sacrificing the spirit of fair play once inherent to the Australian Open.”

Players from both Russia and Belarus, such as Daniil Medvedev and Aryna Sabalenka, are permitted to compete at the Grand Slam event but they must do so without the formal display of any national symbols, following sanctions introduced by the sport’s governing bodies following the onset of the conflict in Ukraine last year.

Read more

In advance of the event, the Ukrainian ambassador called on Tennis Australia to ban players from Russia and Belarus entirely in a similar manner to measures imposed at Wimbledon last summer, but the request was rejected by Australian tennis authorities – allowing the likes of Medvedev, Sabalenka and Andrey Rublev to compete at the event.

It was reported that a Russian flag was subsequently removed from the stands during fifth-seed Rublev’s opening round win against Dominic Thiem on Tuesday.