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Rugby player Shane Christie d!es of suspected su!cide at 39

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Former Super Rugby and Māori All Blacks star, Shane Christie,  has d!ed at the age of 39 from suspected su!cide.

The respected flanker was found de@d in Nelson, New Zealand on Wednesday morning, with police confirming they attended a call-out for a sudden de@th, Stuff reported.

Christie played 29 Super Rugby matches for the Highlanders from 2014 to 2016, and also played 73 games for Tasman in addition to representing the Māori All Blacks on eight occasions.

‘It is with deep sadness that we acknowledge the passing of Shane Christie,’ NZ Rugby said in a statement. 

‘Shane represented Aotearoa New Zealand in both the All Blacks Sevens and the Māori All Blacks jerseys. 

‘He played in our domestic competitions and Super Rugby, forging deep connections with the Tasman Mako and the Highlanders. 

‘He was passionate about coaching, holding coaching roles with Tasman, for both their women’s and men’s teams, and the Highlanders.

‘Any time the rugby community loses a member it is felt deeply. Shane’s passion for the game will be remembered always. Our thoughts are with Shane’s whānau, friends, former team-mates, and community at this incredibly difficult time.’

Christie said he suffered three or four concussions in just six weeks when he was playing for the Highlanders.

He said the head knocks left him with debilitating symptoms.

‘It feels like a bruise in your head, and when you’re walking, it hurts,’ he said.

‘So when you’re thinking, it hurts, when you’re trying to exercise, the pressure hurts, and you’re not as fast and can’t think as quick.’

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Christie believed he was suffering from the deadly brain disease chronic traumatic encephalpathy (CTE), which results from repeated head knocks and has been a factor in the deaths of several high-profile football players across codes including rugby union, rugby league, and gridiron.

He became an advocate for players who suffered from the after effects of concussion and documented his struggles on social media.

‘Over the months of May to September 2023, I gradually exhausted my brain’s energy and cognitive capacity, pushing myself to a point where I became delusional and paranoid,’ he wrote after the death of another Kiwi rugby star, Billy Guyton, in May that year. 

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PSG’s Kvaratskhelia to undergo surgery after ACL rupture – Official

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Paris Saint-Germain winger Khvicha Kvaratskhelia will undergo surgery in the coming days after suffering a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in his right knee, the club confirmed on Wednesday.

PSG announced the injury update on their official X account following the Georgian international’s forced withdrawal from Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League match against FC Barcelona.

“Kvaratskhelia sustained the injury before the hour mark while tracking back to challenge a Barcelona player. He was unable to put weight on his right leg and had to be helped off the pitch by medical staff,” the post read.

The diagnosis confirmed initial concerns about the severity of the knee injury, dealing a setback to the winger, who had been in strong form for the French champions.

PSG also confirmed injuries to forward Ousmane Dembélé and Brazilian defender Marquinhos.

Dembélé suffered a muscle injury in his left thigh during the first half, while Marquinhos sustained an injury to his right thigh after the break.

According to the club’s medical update, both players will remain under medical care over the coming weeks as they continue their recovery.

The three injuries present a selection challenge for manager Luis Enrique ahead of PSG’s upcoming domestic and European fixtures.

Kvaratskhelia’s recovery timeline will depend on his surgery and subsequent rehabilitation, while Dembélé and Marquinhos will continue to be monitored by the club’s medical team.

Source: punchng.com

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La Liga: PSG defeat will not affect El Clásico – Raphinha

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Barcelona captain Raphinha has insisted that the 4-2 Champions League defeat to Paris Saint-Germain will have no impact on Sunday’s El Clásico against Real Madrid.

In a post obtained from football transfer expert, Fabrizio Romano on X on Wednesday, asked after the match at the Parc des Princes whether the loss could affect the high-profile La Liga clash, the Brazilian gave a clear response: “No.”

Raphinha downplayed the result, stressing that Barcelona had competed well against the back-to-back European champions on their home ground.

He noted that the team had only dropped three points and that the focus had already shifted to preparing for Real Madrid at Spotify Camp Nou.

The forward also suggested a possible future reunion with PSG in the Champions League.

He said, “There are big chances of meeting PSG on our way again in UCL this season.

“Why not? They are back to back champions and we want to win the UCL, two top teams fighting for the title… there are good possibilities.”

Manager Hansi Flick supported the squad’s readiness by confirming he had deliberately rested midfielder Rodri against PSG.

He said, “Yes. He played a lot of minutes with the national team, also,” Flick said. “At the end, Rodri is fresh for Sunday.”

Barcelona now turn their full attention to the Clásico, determined to put the Paris setback behind them.

Source: punchng.com

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EPL: FRC takes over inquiries into Man City accounting irregularities- Report

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The Financial Reporting Council has confirmed it is leading inquiries into accounting irregularities at Manchester City.

As reported by the BBC on Tuesday, in a letter to the House of Commons Business, Culture, Energy and Sport Committee, the FRC stated it took over “regulatory consideration” of the case from the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales on 30 September. No formal investigation has begun, but the regulator is making inquiries.

The move follows an independent commission’s finding that Manchester City were guilty of all charges relating to breaches of Premier League financial regulations between the 2009-10 and 2017-18 seasons.

The commission concluded the club artificially inflated its financial position by more than £900 million. City are appealing the verdict, describing it as containing “material errors of law, principle and fact and is unsafe.”

The FRC has greater resources and powers than the previous body and can examine whether BDO, Manchester City’s auditors, conducted the audits in line with the rules. It can also apply sanctions to individuals, such as directors or employees who are members of professional accountancy bodies.

The independent commission found that the club gave a “misleading impression” of a scheme used to disguise the origin of shareholder funds, leaving the auditors “unaware” of it.

BDO, the UK’s fifth-biggest accounting firm and a major player in football auditing, advised more Premier League and Championship clubs than any other firm.

Liam Byrne, chair of the business select committee, highlighted gaps in the FRC’s powers.

In a post on X, he wrote: “The regulator’s letter exposes gaps in its ability to compel evidence from the club and pursue directors who fall outside its disciplinary rules.

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“This raises serious questions about the powers available to hold companies and directors to account. The government has a responsibility to explain why reforms to close these gaps were abandoned, and what will now be done to strengthen accountability.”

Source: punchng.com

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