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December 2, 2021 WTA Announces Immediate Suspension Of Tournaments In China Over Peng Shuai Concerns

WTA Announces Immediate Suspension Of Tournaments In China Over Peng Shuai Concerns

The Women's Tennis Association has announced the immediate suspension of all tournaments in China amid concern for Chinese tennis player Peng Shuai.

Peng, 35, disappeared from public view for three weeks after accusing a top Chinese official of sexual assault.

WTA chief Steve Simon said he had "serious doubts" that Peng was "free, safe and not subject to intimidation".

"In good conscience, I don't see how I can ask our athletes to compete there," he said.

The WTA has repeatedly called for a full investigation into Peng's claims.

There was widespread concern for Peng after she accused former Vice-Premier Zhang Gaoli of sexual assault.

She said she was "safe and well"  during a video call with Thomas Bach, the president of the International Olympic Committee, in November.

However, the WTA said the video was "insufficient evidence" of Peng's safety.

In a lengthy statement, Simon said he was "greatly concerned" about the risks players and staff could face if events were held in China in 2022.

"The leadership in China has not addressed this very serious issue in any credible way," he said.

"If powerful people can suppress the voices of women and sweep allegations of sexual assault under the rug, then the basis on which the WTA was founded - equality for women - would suffer an immense setback.

"I will not and cannot let that happen to the WTA and its players."

The suspension also includes tournaments in Hong Kong.

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December 2, 2021 Chelsea Stay Top After Win At Watford

Chelsea Stay Top After Win At Watford

Chelsea remained top of the Premier League after claiming a 1-0 victory over Watford.

The under-par Blues needed a goal from substitute Hakim Ziyech to edge out their hosts after Hornets forward Emmanuel Dennis had cancelled out Mason Mount's opener.

With title rivals Manchester City and Liverpool both victorious, Chelsea would have slipped to third had they drawn - but Ziyech ensured they still lead the way.

Watford had twice gone close to taking the lead when England midfielder Mount broke the deadlock with a first-time finish at the end of a lovely move involving Marcos Alonso and Kai Havertz.

The Hornets equalised after Ruben Loftus-Cheek lost possession and Moussa Sissoko set up Dennis, who scored with a shot that deflected off Antonio Rudiger.

But having scored his side's first, Mount then set up the winner by providing the pass for Ziyech to fire past Daniel Bachmann.

Chelsea's fifth straight Premier League away win kept them one point clear at the top.

The game was halted for 32 minutes with the score 0-0 while a fan, who had suffered cardiac arrest in the stands, was stabilized. 

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December 2, 2021 Karim Benzema Sends Real Madrid Seven Points Clear

Karim Benzema Sends Real Madrid Seven Points Clear

Karim Benzema scored the only goal of the game as Real Madrid extended their lead at the top of La Liga to seven points by beating Athletic Bilbao.

The France international scored his 17th goal of the season when he diverted home Luka Modric's wayward shot five minutes before half-time.

The visitors pressed late on but were unable to find an equaliser and remain eighth, without a win in six games.

Victory extended Real's advantage over defending champions Atletico Madrid.

And Carlo Ancelotti's side were dominant for long periods, having 62% possession and 17 shots on goal.

They made the breakthrough when Benzema turned home from 10 yards for his 12th league goal of the season after Modric skewed a shot into his path when Unai Simon parried Marco Asensio's effort.

Benzema has now scored 35 goals in 46 games in all competitions for Real in 2021, equalling his best goalscoring tally in a single calendar year for the club in 2019.

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December 2, 2021 Salah Double Helps Liverpool Ease Past Merseyside Rivals Everton

Salah Double Helps Liverpool Ease Past Merseyside Rivals Everton

Liverpool increased the scrutiny on former manager Rafael Benitez as they cruised to an easy Merseyside derby win over Everton at Goodison Park.

Jurgen Klopp's side had won only once on their previous nine visits to Everton but a blistering start put them in cruise control as Jordan Henderson scored with a composed finish after nine minutes before setting Mohamed Salah clear to beat Jordan Pickford 10 minutes later.

Everton, having been outclassed for the first half, gave themselves hope when Demarai Gray ran on to Richarlison's pass to beat Alisson seven minutes before the break.

Liverpool were still the team possessing all the quality and threat and they killed the game off when Salah cashed in on Seamus Coleman's error to race clear and expertly score after 64 minutes.

With the mood inside Goodison Park turning mutinous - there were loud protests at the final whistle - Diogo Jota piled on the pain for Benitez and Everton when he took Andrew Robertson's pass in his stride before escaping the attentions of Allan to fire high past Pickford with 11 minutes left.

 

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