The Malaysian Insider :: Sports
The Malaysian Insider :: Sports |
| Russia pledges Games open to all, IOC says, despite anti-gay law Posted: 22 Aug 2013 07:58 AM PDT Russia has pledged that the 2014 Winter Games will be open to all, despite its controversial anti-gay law, the International Olympic Committee said today. Amid a barrage of criticism over its legislation banning what it dubs homosexual propaganda, Russia responded to IOC calls to ensure that the law will not undermine the Games in the resort of Sochi. "The International Olympic Committee has today received strong written reassurances from the Russian government that everyone will be welcome at the Games in Sochi regardless of their sexual orientation," the IOC said in a statement. It quoted Dmitry Kozak, the deputy prime minister in charge of Russia's hosting of the Olympics, as saying that the country "guarantees the fulfilment of its obligations before the International Olympic Committee in its entirety." Kozak said that Russia had "committed itself to comply strictly" with the Olympic Charter. The charter, which sets out the rules and principles of the Olympic movement, bans "any form of discrimination with regard to a country or a person on grounds of race, religion, politics, gender or otherwise". In June, Russian president Vladimir Putin signed a law punishing the dissemination of information about homosexuality to minors. Activists say it can be used for a broad crackdown against gays and there are fears it could be used against athletes and others in Sochi. It has sparked calls for a boycott in some quarters and Russian officials have said all athletes will have to obey the law at the Games. "The IOC is clear that sport is a human right and should be available to all regardless of race, sex or sexual orientation," the Olympic body said. "The Games themselves should be open to all, free of discrimination, and that applies to spectators, officials, media and of course athletes. We would oppose in the strongest terms any move that would jeopardise this principle," it added. - AFP, August 22, 2013. |
| Chelsea would have got penalty, says Lambert Posted: 22 Aug 2013 07:51 AM PDT With Chelsea leading 2-1 in injury time yesterday's encounter at Stamford Bridge, home captain John Terry appeared to use an outstretched arm to block the ball inside the hosts' penalty area. However, referee Kevin Friend allowed play to continue, having earlier angered Lambert by failing to penalise Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic for catching Villa striker Christian Benteke with a flailing arm. Ivanovic was only booked, and went on to score the game's winning goal. Speaking the morning after the game, Lambert once again refused to divulge the content of his post-match discussion with the referee but said Chelsea would not have been denied a penalty had they made an appeal in similar circumstances. "I spoke to Kevin afterwards, and obviously what is said in there stays in there. But I didn't need to speak to him really," he said. "It was a clear handball. It's a stone-waller, a clear penalty. I don't care what anyone says, that is a penalty. "Gabby (Agbonlahor) has won the header and it has hit John's hand. I'm pretty sure if it had been down the other end, it would have been given." Lambert and Mourinho appeared to get involved in some spiky exchanges on the touchline during the match, but the Villa manager said their conversations had been light-hearted. "I was calm last night," he said. "I think there has been a lot made of me and Jose in the technical area. There was the odd little thing, but there was a lot of banter between us." Mourinho said in his post-game press conference that Lambert had complained about "every, every, every decision", but the Scot said: "So did he. It is the same. The two of us were shouting at referees and officials and everything. "I'm not going to go there and lie down, and neither is Jose. A lot has been made of me moaning – he does his fair share as well, just to let you know. "It is not a problem. We had a bit of banter between us and I saw him afterwards. I like him and he is a brilliant football manager. There was never a problem." - AFP, August 22, 2013. |
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