Inspiration 92.3 FM

March 16, 2022

March 16, 2022 IFMSPORTS

WTA Boss Steve Simon Says Players Should Not Be Banned From Sports Due To Politics

The head of the Women's Tennis Association, Steve Simon said Players should not be penalised because of the "decisions of an authoritarian leadership" after the recent happenings in Ukraine have seen Russian and Belarusian athletes been banned.

The American CEO and Chairman says he "feels very very strongly" that players from Russia and Belarus should be able to continue to compete on tour.

Players from these countries are not currently allowed to play under their country's name or flag, or play in any team competitions.

"You never know what the future may bring," Simon told BBC Sport.

"But I can tell you that we have never banned athletes from participating on our tour as the result of political positions their leadership may take.

"So it would take something very, very significant for that to change, but again we don't know where this is going."

The WTA and ATP Boards suspended the combined event scheduled for Moscow in October following Russia's invasion of Ukraine. The suspension also means all International Tennis Federation tournaments in Russia and Belarus have been cancelled indefinitely.

But none of the international governing bodies are currently minded to follow sports such as athletics, football, badminton, canoeing and rowing in banning individual Russian and Belarusian athletes from competing.

The UK Sports Minister Nigel Huddleston stated on Tuesday that Russian players might need to make clear they are not supporters of Vladimir Putin to be allowed to compete at Wimbledon this year.

March 15, 2022

March 15, 2022March 15, 2022 IFMNEWS

Ukraine: UK Embassy Suspends Student, Work Visa Applications

The United Kingdom Embassy in Nigeria has announced a temporary suspension of study, work, and family visa applications, as priority was now being placed on applications made under the Ukraine Family Scheme.

In a statement on Tuesday, the embassy announced that Ukraine Family Scheme was launched in response to the humanitarian crisis arising from the invasion of Ukraine.

The statement titled, ‘Temporary Suspension of Priority Visas for Student, Work and Family Applications’, further noted that Nigerians, whose passports were ready for collection, would be contacted by the Visa Application Centre.

It read, “UK Visas and Immigration is currently prioritising applications made under the Ukraine Family Scheme, following its launch and in response to the humanitarian crisis arising from the invasion of Ukraine.

“As a result, UKVI has temporarily suspended priority and super-priority services for new study, work, and family applications. Customers with standard applications in study, work, and family routes may experience some delays in the processing of their application.

“We are still currently unable to offer PV for visitor applications in Nigeria. Standard visitor visa applications are currently taking an average of six weeks to process.

Roman Abramovich Banned From Selling Chelsea FC

Roman Abramovich banned from selling Chelsea FC as the Russian billionaire is sanctioned by Britain and all his assets frozen

The UK government has sanctioned Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich, thereby barring the club's sale due to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Allof the assets of the billionaire Russian oligarch will be frozen, and he will be barred from entering the United Kingdom and doing business there.

According to UK Sun, Chelsea will be granted a special licence to continue playing but Abramovich will not profit from the club. The club is also not allowed to sell tickets - with only season ticket holders being able to attend fixtures.

In a statement on Thursday March 10, UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson said: "There can be no safe havens for those who have supported Putin’s vicious assault on Ukraine.

"Today’s sanctions are the latest step in the UK’s unwavering support for the Ukrainian people.

"We will be ruthless in pursuing those who enable the killing of civilians, destruction of hospitals, and illegal occupation of sovereign allies."

Abramovich is among seven Putin cronies sanctioned today to keep twisting the thumbscrews on Russia for invading Ukraine.

News first emerged last week that Abramovich had listed the club for sale following the outbreak of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. However, the billionaire cannot sell the five-time Premier League champions, and the UK Government would need to give special dispensation for the sale of the club - with Abramovich receiving no money for it either directly or indirectly.

Russia Invasion Of Ukraine Escalates As Children Hospital In Mariupol Destroyed By Airstrike

A maternity and children’s hospital in the city of Mariupol has been hit by a Russian air strike.

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky said people were trapped under the wreckage, and called on Western leaders to impose a no-fly zone.

He also posted footage apparently from inside the hospital, which appeared badly damaged.

A regional official told Ukrainian media that at least 17 people were injured, including staff and patients.

Pavlo Kyrylenko, the head of the Donetsk regional administration which includes the port city of Mariupol, said no deaths had been confirmed, and there were no confirmed injuries amongst children.

On Air Now:

Tag: russia

WTA Boss Steve Simon Says Players Should Not Be Banned From Sports Due To Politics

MORE STORIES

Roman Abramovich Banned From Selling Chelsea FC

MORE STORIES

Russia Invasion Of Ukraine Escalates As Children Hospital In Mariupol Destroyed By Airstrike

MORE STORIES

USEFUL LINKS

DOWNLOAD OUR APP

FOLLOW US

queue

Watch Live