Category sport-news

Conor McGregor, a mixed martial arts fighter, lost an appeal in Ireland on Thursday following a civil court’s ruling last year awarding damages to a woman who had accused him of rape.

McGregor, 36, filed a lawsuit against all of the legal arguments he brought against him in Dublin, but three judges at the Court of Appeal in Dublin decided against them.

Nikita Hand, 35, who claimed McGergor raped her in a hotel in the Irish capital in 2018, was awarded damages in the amount of almost €250, 000 ($258, 000) by Dublin’s High Court in November.

Conor McGregor Appeals the Rape Case As He Starts the Election Bidding, READ ALSO.

The court was informed of allegations that Hand had been “brutally raped and battered” by McGregor.

The Irish sports star has argued that the couple engaged in sexual activity.

Hand, however, lost a second-party assault lawsuit.

Following the ruling in November, McGregor was ordered to pay the entire case’s estimated $1. 5 million ($1. 58 million).

He requested a retrial of the civil case against him and made an appeal against the jury’s decision.

McGregor, a vocal member of the Irish anti-immigration movement who visited US President Donald Trump on Saint Patrick’s Day in March, did not appear in court during appeal hearings.

His legal team claimed that there were erroneous judicial decisions made during the first trial, including regarding his cross-examination.

Hand claimed that the appeal had “retraumatized” her but that she can now “finally move on and try to heal” after the decision.

Every survivor out there, I realize how difficult it is, but she urged people to speak out and demand justice as well. You deserve to be heard, she said.

McGregor, who was previously the featherweight and lightweight champion, is one of the biggest stars in the history of the mixed martial arts division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).

In January, the Irishman was charged with sexual assault at a Miami, Florida, NBA game in 2023 in a US court.

He has made it known that he intends to run for president in Ireland this year.

Tottenham won the first north London derby staged outside the UK on Thursday, beating Arsenal goalkeeper David Raya 1-0 thanks to Pape Matar Sarr’s strong performance from the halfway line.

Raya was again at fault in the 45th minute when Sarr robbed Myles Lewis-Skelly just inside the Arsenal half after previously being caught twice in no-man’s land when inswinging corners hit the post.

The Spurs midfielder looked up, saw Raya stranded far outside of his penalty area, and flew off in a bizarre manner from 50 yards out.

“It was fantastic, fantastic.” Thomas Frank, the new manager of Tottenham, praised the goal as well taken.

“And Papa, thank you.” He impressed me, and I must admit, he has done a lot of good in the last four weeks.

No love lost on the pitch between the bitter rivals, which was nominally a pre-season “friendly”.

In a fiercely contested fight in front of a 49, 975 sellout crowd under the roof in the air-conditioned Kai Tak Stadium, tacks flew in and tempers sped.

At least until the pair again face off in the Premier League on November 22 at the Emirates Stadium, where Sarr’s screamer earned him the title.

Frank responded, “This was not a friendly situation. It resembled a fierce competition. I believe that if you played it, it would be very competitive and if you saw it, it would be competitive.

Tottenham hit the woodwork three times in a frantic opening period, and Arsenal deserved to take the lead at the break. Arsenal started stronger, but Tottenham did so in a hurry.

Also read: Super Falcons Want to Be Ajibade’s Best Women’s Team in the World

Quality and energy

At the start of the second half, Arsenal were under siege for the Tottenham goal, but Frank was well-equipped for his defense and the Gunners struggled to break through.

On 58 minutes, Gabriel Martinelli did have a chance to open a shot but it went wastefully over from 14 yards.

Martin Zubimendi, a new signing at Arsenal, almost scored with his first touch when his shot was deflected over the bar.

Tottenham introduced Son Heung-min in the 75th minute, which caused a lot of cheer.

With 13 minutes left, Viktor Gyokeres, who made his Arsenal debut, also came off the bench to receive an even bigger ovation.

The Swedish striker, who wears the number 14 shirt that Arsenal legend Thierry Henry is famous for, signed for $67 million six days ago and has only trained with his new teammates.

As Arsenal pressed for a late equaliser, he only managed two touches as he made some darting runs.

The late-season signing of defender Cristhian Mosquera was applauded by Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta for what he saw from his two most recent additions.

Arteta addressed reporters, “Really happy, obviously, to have them here.” They will “adhere a lot of energy and quality.”

Arsenal travels home after three Asian tour starts while Tottenham now takes them to Newcastle United on Sunday.

“Everything I’ve seen over the past ten days gives me a lot of encouragement,” Arteta continued, “even though I lost.”

In many ways, “We are ahead of what I was anticipating.”

An independent regulatory commission on Thursday cleared West Ham midfielder Lucas Paqueta of spot-fixing charges.

The Brazilian international was accused of four alleged FA regulations violations involving Premier League games.

The 27-year-old allegedly intentionally sought to get a card from the referee for the “improper purpose of affecting the betting market” in an attempt to influence matches.

Following a hearing, the independent regulatory commission determined that the allegations were unsupported.

The Football Association reported that it had established the existence of two allegations against Paqueta relating to her failure to cooperate with its investigation.

Also read: Super Falcons Want to Be Ajibade’s Best Women’s Team in the World

A commission would “at the veryearliest opportunity” decide on a suitable sanction for those whose breaches had been proven.

The Brazilian asserted in a statement from West Ham that he had always defended his innocence in the face of “these very serious accusations.”

Karren Brady, vice president of West Ham United, expressed his satisfaction with Lucas’ clearance. We have resolutely stood by him and supported him throughout the entire process because he has always maintained innocence.

In Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, D’Tigress from Nigeria will face Cameroon in the quarter-final of the 2025 Afrobasket.

On Wednesday, Cameroon defeated Angola 85-64 to place in the final eight spots.

On the other hand, Nigeria won their matches against Rwanda and Mozambique in order to advance to the quarter-finals.

Battle report from the field. Taking care of Mozambic. pic. twitter.com/55IuzFIJEo

They defeated the former 60-55 before the latter was defeated 92-45.

Final Roster image twitter.com/sO0ELvDQIh

NBA To Play 2026 Regular Season Games In London and Berlin READ ALSO.

The D’Tigress are aiming for a fifth straight Afrobasket title, making them the first team to do so in the sport.

QUALIFIED ! pic. Twitter.com/ypAomlfmo

In the semi-final of the competition in 2015, Cameroon defeated Nigeria.
The West Africans have since won four Afrobasket crowns on the bounce, but since that defeat, they have not lost.

Picture of this moment captured. twitter.com/Dhvs3CbCET

When both teams meet tonight at the Palais Des Sports de Treichville, Rena Wakama’s side will be aiming to advance their quest for a fifth consecutive continental title.

D’Tigress defeated both Australia and Canada in the group stage of the Paris Olympics to become the first African team to reach the quarter-finals.

In the final eight, they bowed gallantly to the US.

Among the nations, Coach General!

Builder of Queens, a force that rejects the norm. Nothing or nothing!
Our very own @Coach_Rena photo twitter.com/T23hoclaoe

Despite losing, Wakama, the country’s gaffer, was chosen as the competition’s best female basketball coach.

Rene Wakama, Nigeria, the best female basketball coach at #Paris2024 Women’s Basketball, was the subject of a tweet from Sunday evening on the International Basketball Federation’s X handle.

The Super Falcons, the 10-time WAFCON champions, paraded their trophy through the streets of Lagos to the cheers of enthralling football fans.

The triumphant Super Falcons left Lagos on Wednesday afternoon, still riding high on the wave of national recognition, which included a presidential award and generous cash prizes. &nbsp,

A jubilant trophy parade that passed through famous landmarks on Lagos Island attracted crowds of excited fans who lined the streets to celebrate the team’s historic WAFCON victory.

Read more about Tinubu’s Super Falcons, which receive awards worth $100, 000 to each player.

The parade began at Costain, passing through Victoria Island, Eko Bridge, Apongbon, Obalende, Ikoyi Road, and Apongbon, before ending at the Eko Hotel.

Fans greeted the team at various locations along the parade route.

On Monday, the team made an airplane-based arrival at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport in Abuja from Morocco, arriving at around 2:26 p.m.

They then proceeded to President Bola Tinubu’s presidential villa, where they presented the trophy.

The Super Falcons received the national honor of Officer of the Order of Niger in recognition of their accomplishments. Additionally, he made an announcement about the giving of $100, 000, the equivalent of $100, 000 to each of the 24 players.

The winners would each receive a three-bedroom apartment, according to the President. Additionally, he made an announcement about the technical team receiving the naira equivalent of $50, 000.

Manager Mikel Arteta announced on Wednesday that Viktor Gyokeres might make his Arsenal debut in front of 50, 000 Hong Kong supporters this week.

The $67 million Swedish striker attended an open training session at Kai Tak Stadium, where Arsenal will face Tottenham on Thursday in their bitter rivals’ first game away from the UK.

Gyokeres, who signed from Sporting Lisbon for the club for a short time before being released, will have a chance to play on the field if the club’s medical staff determines that he is ready, according to Arteta.

However, he and his new teammates, who met in Singapore last week against AC Milan and Newcastle, are playing fitness catch-up.

Arteta told reporters, “Yes, I understand he’s only finished today’s session and yesterday, very little.”

It’s possible if the medical staff is pleased with his condition and that they will evaluate him tonight.

Everyone is fine with the rest of the squad, according to the statement.

READ MORE: &nbsp, England’s Lionesses At Women’s Euro Victory Party, Sarina Wiegman, and Burna Boy Thrills.

The 27-year-old Gyokeres fired Sporting to the Portuguese title last year with 39 goals and made headlines when he scored a Champions League hat-trick against Manchester City.

The Portuguese striker, who chose to wear the number 14 shirt that Arsenal legend Thierry Henry made famous, scored a remarkable 97 goals in 102 games for the club.

He has a five-year contract with Arsenal, which could cost the north London club $89 million with performance-related bonuses.

His arrival increased Arsenal’s close-season spending to about $ 277,000.

Additionally, they have signed goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, Christian Norgaard, Christian Norgaard, and Noni Madueke, along with defender Cristhian Mosquera, midfielder Martin Zubimendi, and midfielder Martin Zubimendi.

Arteta, who wants to become the first manager to win the Premier League since Arsene Wenger in the 2003/2004 season, was undoubtedly pleased with the way the club has handled the situation in the transfer window.

Arteta, who finished second in the Premier League for the third time in three seasons, said, “I am very happy with the way we have approached the window and how aggressive we have been.

Martin Odegaard, the captain of Arsenal, expressed his excitement at the prospect of playing alongside Gyokeres, a fellow Scandinavian, and called him a “very complete player.”

Norwegian international Odegaard said, “I think you’ve all seen what he’s done so far in his career, especially in his final season at Sporting, and the statistics speak for themselves.”

He is physically strong, quick, good at finishing, and intelligent, as you may well know.

He’s a very complete striker, Odegaard said.

“I’m really looking forward to having him join the team.” You can already tell how good he is, how much energy he has, and how willing he is to work.