Around the Betting Planet: Semenya loses supreme court appeal

US

Hopkins extends Cardinals contract

According to reports, DeAndre Hopkins has extended his contract with the Arizona Cardinals for two years. Sources say the three-time All-Pro wide receiver has sought out the contract extension for a while now.

Hopkins has been voted the second-best wide receiver by fans on the NFL’s Top 100 list for 2020. We’re excited to see him in action once the NFL season kicks off this Thursday.

UK

England blood four rookies in Denmark draw

Youngsters Phil Foden and Mason Greenwood, who both made their debut for England national football team last Saturday, have been sent home. The pair broke UEFA’s isolation protocol by leaving the squad’s secure bubble after their Nations League victory over Iceland.

England manager Gareth Southgate brought in Kalvin Phillips and Conor Coady to make their debut for their national side against Denmark. Jack Grealish and Ainsley Maitland-Niles also made their bow for the Three Lions, coming on as substitutes in the goalless draw.

Africa

Caster loses appeal against CAS ruling

Caster Semenya appealed to the supreme court in Switzerland against the Court of Arbitration for Sport, which had ruled in favour of track-and-field rules that prohibit the South African athlete from competing in women’s events due to her abnormally high testosterone levels.

Semenya has lost, which means that she’ll be unable to defend her 800m Olympic title in Tokyo next year. She’ll also be prevented from participating in any race between 400m and a mile unless she decides to lower her testosterone levels by taking drugs that will suppress the hormone.

Europe

De Bruyne wins PFA Player of the Year

Belgian midfielder Kevin De Bruyne has been named PFA Player of the Year, making him the first Manchester City man to win the award. He was also voted the top performer of the 2019/20 English Premier League campaign by his peers. 

Other significant awards announced include:

• Marcus Rashford: Merit Award for securing free meals for children in need
• Bethany England: Women’s Player of the Year
• Lauren Hemp: Women’s Young Player of the Year
• Trent Alexander-Arnold: Younger Player of the Year

South America

Rodriguez signs for Everton

James Rodriguez, the Colombian football star, has signed a two-year deal with Everton, thus ending an indifferent spell at Real Madrid. The midfielder is excited to join the English team for the upcoming Premier League season, which starts on Saturday.

This will be Rodriguez’s third time playing under the Italian manager Carlo Ancelotti. The pair have worked together at Bayern Munich and Real Madrid and know each other well. Ancelotti has also signed Brazil’s Allan and France’s Abdoulaye Doucoure in rebuilding the Everton side.

Australia

Aussies win third T20 against England

Yesterday marked the third and final games of the T20 cricket series between Australia and England. It was a close game, but the Aussies managed to walk away with a five-wicket win despite a middle-order collapse.

England took the series honours, however, defeating Australia in two of the three matches. Even so, the Aussies remain number one in the world rankings. The two countries will face off once again for three ODI games on Friday, Sunday, and Thursday.

New Zealand

Test rugby still a possibility in 2020

Chris Fleming, the CEO of New Zealand’s Southern District Health Board, has confirmed that his group has put together a proposal for international sports teams to tour the country. This comes after the NZ prime minister, Jacinda Ardern, stated that test rugby is a real possibility this year. 

If teams are permitted to enter New Zealand, they’ll first have to be isolated at home before entering the country. Upon arrival, they’ll stay in Queenstown in a quarantine facility for 14 days. If the proposal is approved, there’s a likelihood that the Rugby Championship will go ahead.