Every morning, first thing in the morning, Eurosport.ro makes a short press review, to give you the most interesting and fresh information in sports.
1. Aryna Sabalenka, message for fans, after the drama she went through
Two weeks after her boyfriend, Konstantin Koltsov, passed away, Aryna Sabalenka came forward to thank everyone who supported her during this difficult time.
The world number two tried to overcome the drama by focusing on tennis, choosing to play in Miami, but not participating in the press conferences. Obviously, the Australian Open champion could not focus exclusively on what she has to do on the field and left the competition in the 3rd round, even if she showed an extremely strong mentality simply by being in the tournament.
Now, half a month away, the great champion from Belarus wanted to thank everyone who was close to her during this terrible time, with fans helping her enormously by sending compassionate messages.
“I want to take a moment to thank all my fans for the love and support they have shown me during this difficult time. Your kind words mean so much and I carry them with me every day. I am so thankful for all of youSabalenka wrote on Twitter.
Sabalenka will return to the WTA circuit with the tournament in Stuttgart, which will take place between April 15 and 21. Belarus has played the final in Germany in each of the last 3 years, but lost each time (Barty and twice Swiatek beat them).
2. Trabzonspor demands the resignation of the Turkish Football Federation
On Monday, the Trabzonspor club requested, in a statement, the resignation of the leadership of the Turkish Football Federation (TFF), considering that this organization was too lenient with the rival Fenerbahce Istanbul, Foot Mercato website informs.
As announced, three Fenerbahce players were summoned to the Disciplinary Commission of the Turkish Federation to give explanations on the violence that happened after a championship match with Trabzonspor. In the March 17 match, won by Fenerbahce (3-2), Trabzonspor supporters threw plastic bottles at the players from Istanbul and at the end of the game they entered the field. The footballers defended themselves in the fights on the pitch, and the law enforcement managed to protect the players from reaching the dressing rooms.
According to Trabzonspor, the Federation’s decision to summon three players to the Disciplinary Commission “means the height of immorality”.
“The TFF ignored the ‘attack’ committed by two Fenerbahce footballers, Osayi Samuel and Jayden Oosterwolde, on our supporters in front of millions of people, as if it never happened. By referring the players concerned to the Disciplinary Committee for the offense of ‘participating in brawling’, rather than this action, it ensured that they would receive less punishment. Committing another illegal act, the TFF decided it was unnecessary to send off Mert Muldur and Michy Batshuayi, who kicked our supporters, and legitimized and even encouraged a professional player to resort to violence on the pitch in Turkey“, the statement says.
“Turkish football must urgently regain the respect it deserves, find a fair and honest competitive environment and regain its lost reputation in the world. Our club is not willing to maintain this cowardly, weak and biased structure which, through its decisions, takes the future of Turkish football to a point of no return. We demand that this structure, which does not recognize the laws and rules, especially Mehmet Buyukekşi (president of the Federation – no), resign immediately“, added Trabzonspor.
3. Tom Pidcock, admitted to hospital after falling before the counter-time in the Basque Country
British cyclist Tom Pidcock was taken to hospital after falling during a reconnaissance lap before the Tour of the Basque Country, his team, Ineos Grenadiers, announced on Monday, Reuters writes.
Pidcock, 24, has been withdrawn from the competition, the team said in a post on X.
The Briton won the men’s cross-country event at the Tokyo Olympics.
The first round of the Tour of the Basque Country, an 11-kilometer time trial, was won by Primoz Roglic, marking his first victory in Bora’s jersey. Remco Evenepoel, the big favorite of the stage, fell, but even so he managed to finish in 4th place, 11 seconds behind the Slovenian. He surprised the less convincing result of Jonas Vingegaard, who was only 6th, 16 seconds behind the winner.
Primoz Roglic, the first victory in Bora’s jersey! He won the time trial of the Tour of the Basque Country
The Tour of the Basque Country is every day on Eurosport 1 and in the Eurosport app, from 16:30.
