Lionel Messi angry with the MLS Referee for accusing him of being unaware of the rule!
Lionel Messi is angry with MLS referees! Messi, irked with referring is generally not seen. But the Argentine lambasted them for the mediocre officiating during Inter Miami’s clash against rivals Orlando City. Struggling Inter Miami drop has dropped to sixth in the Eastern Conference of the MLS and were thrashed 3-0 on home soil by rivals Orlando City. The team conceded five of their last seven matches. In a manner of adding insult to injury, Messi was also booked for dissent in the second half of their walloping against Orlando City: an action that the Argentine took issue with and voiced his concern about. “It was a strange play, where one of their players passed to the goalkeeper, and the referee himself told me he didn’t know the rule, that he didn’t think so, that he didn’t understand it… And, well, that’s where the ball hit the ball and the goal came,” Messi reportedly told Relevo. “But the truth is that sometimes there are specific errors, like the last game, you know? They’re not excuses, but something always happens with the referees on a specific play. I think MLS should look a little more closely at the refereeing issue,” added Argentina’s World Cup-winning captain. After their loss, the eight-time Ballon d’Or winner, who rarely gives interviews after matches, told Apple TV that it’s imperative for the team to stick together. He continued, “It’s a difficult time, but we’re going to come through this,” Messi said in Spanish. “Now we’ll really see if we’re a team. These are difficult times. When everything is going well, it’s very easy, but when difficult times come — like now — we have to be more united than ever, be a real team, and get through it.”
Ben Stokes quits alcohol to boost fitness!
England’s Test captain Ben Stokes has revealed that he has given up alcohol to recover from a hamstring injury, which he suffered in December in a Test match in New Zealand. According to media reports, the all-rounder has stopped drinking alcohol since 2nd January this year, making a lifestyle shift for the all-rounder. Stokes has admitted that his previous drinking habits were “all or nothing” and had begun to affect both his physical recovery and personal well-being. The 33-year-old spoke on the Untapped podcast, saying, “After my first major injury, I remember the shock of it, after the initial adrenaline had stopped, thinking: ‘How has this happened? We did have a bit of a drink four or five nights ago, could that have played a part? It wouldn’t have helped.’ “Then I was like: ‘OK, I need to start changing what I do.’ I don’t think I’ll ever be completely sober, but I’ve not had a drink since 2 January. I said to myself: ‘Not until I finish my injury rehab and get back on the field.’ I think the day I wake up and can’t be bothered to do the training program is getting towards that time when you don’t want it anymore. But I haven’t got any interest in stopping. “It’s just getting harder to do everything. Hence why now I feel like I have to work so much harder away from the field, in the gym, and all that kind of stuff to just give me the best chance of being out there to perform. But I’ll keep going as long as I possibly can.”
BCCI yet to take decision about withdrawal from the Asia Cup
BCCI secretary Devajit Saikia said any matter related to participation in events of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC) has not come up for discussion at any level, adding that any news or report around is purely speculative and imaginary. On Monday, various reports emerged about the BCCI informing the ACC about its decision to withdraw from the Women’s Emerging Asia Cup in Sri Lanka and the Men’s Asia Cup, which will be held in June and September, respectively, citing the continuing tensions between India and Pakistan. It is to be noted that the ACC is currently headed by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) chairman Mohsin Naqvi, who is also the Interior Minister in the country’s central government. Since this morning, it has come to our notice that some news items about BCCI’s decision not to participate in the Asia Cup and Women’s Emerging Teams Asia Cup, both ACC’s events. Such news is devoid of any truth as BCCI has not even discussed or taken any such steps regarding the ensuing ACC events, let alone writing anything to the ACC. At this stage, our prime focus is on the ongoing IPL and subsequent England series, both men’s and women. “The Asia Cup matter or any other ACC event issue has not come up for discussion at any level, hence any news or report on that is purely speculative and imaginary. It may be said that BCCI, as and when any discussion on any ACC events takes place and any important decision is reached, the same will be announced through the media,” said Saikia in a statement issued to IANS. India does have the hosting rights for the Men’s Asia Cup, set to happen in September this year in T20 format. Apart from India and Pakistan, Bangladesh, UAE, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Hong Kong, and Oman are supposed to be a part of the tournament. India is the defending champion of the Men’s Asia Cup, after beating Sri Lanka in the 2023 final held in the 50-over format in Colombo. That event was also affected by India-Pakistan tensions. Originally set to be hosted entirely by Pakistan, the 2023 Men’s Asia Cup was held in a hybrid model after India refused to travel there and had all its matches shifted to Sri Lanka.
Chhetri visits Blue Tigress; gives a rousing speech
Iconic striker and senior national captain Sunil Chhetri visited the India’s ongoing women’s football camp at SAI complex in Bangalore on Sunday and offered inspiring messages to the team members ahead of their AFC Challenge Cup qualifiers. Chhetri had some encouraging words for the women’s team as they prepare for the AFC Women’s Asian Cup 2026 qualifiers, to be held next month. The senior women’s national team, coached by Crispin Chettri, is currently training at the Padukone-Dravid Centre for Sports Excellence in Bengaluru, and will also play two FIFA Women’s International Friendlies against Uzbekistan on May 29 and June 3, in the city. He said, “Your coach (Crispin Chhetri) and I were in same team once. The reason I am saying this is to tell you that time flies. Fast! If you really want it bad, take all the margins. There will be no difference between sleeping at 10 pm and sleeping at 10.45 pm in one night. But do this for a year, and you see the difference. If you eat a samosa one day, won’t make too much of a difference. But don’t eat it for one year, you see where you are! Please don’t waste it (your youth). You’re still young. Just go mad!” The captain at the same time divulged that retiring from mainstream football completely will be the most sad moment for him. “I cannot the think that one day will come when I have to say goodbye completely from the mainstream of the game. I will be no more a professional footballer after that. That will my saddest day,” added Chhetri.
