SOCCER
Dyche doubts sin bins
Everton manager Sean Dyche said he does not think sin bins are needed nor wanted in soccer and urged rulemakers to “leave the game alone.” The International Football Association Board (IFAB) approved trials of 10-minute sin bins at “higher levels” of the sport at a meeting this week, while measures to improve player behavior and increase respect for match officials were also supported. A proposed trial whereby only the team captain may approach the referee in certain game situations was backed, and it was also agreed that temporary dismissals for dissent and specific tactical offences should be trialed. Sin bins have already been tested at grassroots levels, but Dyche saw no need for them at the top level. “I don’t know why they don’t leave the game alone at times,” he told BBC Sport. “I don’t think it is needed. I don’t think it is wanted, personally, but fans might have a different view.” He also questioned how sin bins would be managed. “If a player goes off the pitch, how are you going to manage that? The health and safety? Is he warming up, or is he allowed to sit down? Does he have to stay sitting down? Does he get two minutes out of the 10 to warm up again?” The IFAB is also considering a measure that would see referees announce the final decision of video reviews. “Leave referees alone,” Dyche said. “I say take everything away, take the screen away, the noise away and let them get on with their job.”
CRICKET
Dominica withdraws
Dominica on Thursday withdrew as one of the cohosts of next year’s ICC T20 World Cup, citing the delay in completing upgrades of match and practice venues, Cricket West Indies said. Dominica was one of seven countries in the West Indies selected to stage matches in the showpiece tournament in June along with the US. Windsor Park in Roseau was scheduled to host one group match and two Super Eight games of the 20-team tournament, but the government has conveyed its inability to get the facilities ready on time, Cricket West Indies said in a statement. “While recognizing their commitment, we note the reasons stated for the decision that has been made and understand the position,” Cricket West Indies chief executive officer Johnny Grave said. “We look forward to continuing to work with the government of Dominica and the Dominica Cricket Association to host international matches in the future.” Tournament director Fawwaz Baksh said that contingency plans were ready.
RUGBY UNION
Tackle change to be trialed
Rugby Australia yesterday said that it would trial a lowering of the legal tackle height from the shoulder line to below the sternum in a bid to reduce concussions. The new measure would take effect from February for two years at all levels of the game below Super Rugby, following six years of research by World Rugby. Phil Waugh, the governing body’s chief executive, said that research by World Rugby showed a clear opportunity to make the game safer. “Obviously it is impossible to remove all risk from the game,” he said. “However, we firmly believe that promoting safer tackle techniques and reducing the risk of head contact and concussion will lead to an even safer game.”
Taiwan kept its hopes of advancing to the 2026 World Baseball Classic (WBC) alive with a 9-1 victory over South Africa in a qualifier at the Taipei Dome last night, backed by solid pitching. Bouncing back from Friday’s struggles on the mound, when Taiwanese pitchers surrendered 15 runs to Spain, Team Taiwan kept the visiting team in check, allowing just one run in the bottom of the fourth inning. The win was crucial for Taiwan, as a loss would have eliminated the team from contention for the next WBC. Starting pitcher Sha Tzu-chen (沙子宸) struck out one and allowed no hits, except for
The Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) is considering reducing its pitch clock by two seconds to help players better adjust to the rules applied at the World Baseball Classic (WBC). The proposal aims to shorten the pitch timer from 25 seconds to 23 seconds with the bases empty, and from 20 seconds to 18 seconds with runners on base. Currently, the WBC mandates that pitchers deliver a pitch every 18 seconds with the bases empty and 15 seconds with runners on base. The issue was raised during a pre-season CPBL managers’ meeting on Tuesday by Rakuten Monkeys bench and batting
‘SETTING THE TONE’: Donovan Mitchell said that their determination to dominate had nothing to do with past results, but was about a potential post-season clash The Cleveland Cavaliers on Friday boosted their NBA-best record with a 142-105 romp past the New York Knicks, tightening their grip on the Eastern Conference lead with an all-around dominant display. Donovan Mitchell scored 27 points to lead six Cavs players to score in double figures, connecting on five of seven three-pointers as Cleveland drilled 19 from beyond the arc. “I think the biggest thing was just try to set the tone early,” Mitchell said, adding that the determination to dominate had nothing to do with the Knicks’ first-round playoff win over the Cavs two seasons ago and everything to do with
BELGIANS ADVANCE: Club Brugge gave Atalanta a lesson in efficiency, as Gian Piero Gasperini’s team had 29 efforts at goal, compared with seven from the visitors Seldom has a player’s sending off had such an influence on a game. AC Milan was to left rue Theo Hernandez’s second yellow card — for diving — as Feyenoord advanced to the UEFA Champions League last 16 at the former European champion’s expense with a 1-1 draw in the second leg of their playoff on Tuesday, giving the Dutch team a 2-1 win on aggregate. Bayern Munich, Club Brugge and Benfica also won their playoffs, eliminating Celtic, UEFA Europa League winner Atalanta BC and French team AS Monaco respectively. “In soccer everything changes in a second,” said Milan forward
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