分类： sports

PARIS (AFP)—In a stunning Ligue 1 upset, AS Monaco delivered a commanding 3-1 victory over Paris Saint-Germain at the Parc des Princes on Friday. The match, which served as a critical preparatory fixture for PSG ahead of their Champions League confrontation with Chelsea, instead revealed significant vulnerabilities within the French champions.

Monaco’s offensive prowess was on full display, with US national team striker Folarin Balogun contributing a decisive goal to seal the victory. The principality club established dominance early, with Maghnes Akliouche breaking the deadlock late in the first half. Russian international Aleksandr Golovin extended their advantage shortly after the restart with a clinically executed finish.

PSG managed a temporary resurgence when Bradley Barcola capitalized on an assist from Achraf Hakimi to net his tenth goal of the season. However, any momentum was swiftly extinguished by Balogun, who registered his fifth goal in as many games with a powerful strike from distance that deflected past the goalkeeper.

The result carries profound implications beyond domestic competition. PSG, still reeling from last month’s dramatic Champions League play-off encounter against Monaco where they narrowly advanced 5-4 on aggregate, now face Chelsea in the last-16 under a cloud of concern. Manager Luis Enrique acknowledged the troubling performance, stating, ‘When you play like that against a team in a very positive dynamic like Monaco, you pay for it.’

This defeat marks PSG’s fourth league loss this season—equaling their combined total from the previous two campaigns—and their seventh across all competitions in 2025/26. The timing is particularly inopportune as Lens, their closest Ligue 1 pursuers, could narrow the gap to a single point with a victory on Sunday.

A solitary positive emerged with the return from injury of Ousmane Dembele, last year’s Ballon d’Or winner, though his match fitness remains questionable for the crucial European tie. Meanwhile, Monaco’s remarkable form continues unabated, with five wins and two draws from their last seven matches propelling them to fifth position as they strengthen their European qualification ambitions.

A significant leadership vacuum in Jamaican professional football has prompted influential club figures to advocate for the return of former chairman Christopher Williams to helm Professional Football Jamaica Limited (PFJL). The call comes following the recent departure of Livingstone Morrison, whose resignation became effective on February 28, 2026.

Johann ‘Yoni’ Epstein, chairman of Montego Bay United, has emerged as the most vocal proponent for Williams’ reinstatement. Epstein, who has led his club for three years, characterized Williams as a ‘passionate, driven’ leader whose marketing expertise is desperately needed amid revenue declines in the Jamaica Premier League (JPL).

The PFJL, responsible for marketing and promoting Jamaica’s premier club competition, has appointed Donovan White, president of Waterhouse FC, as interim chairman. However, this arrangement remains temporary due to memorandum requirements with the Jamaica Football Federation mandating an independent full-time chairman.

Epstein emphasized the business imperative of football, stating, ‘We have to find ways to generate revenue. Chris has done it before and he can do it again.’ While acknowledging Morrison’s ‘phenomenal job’ in enhancing governance and financial structures during his brief tenure, Epstein stressed that the organization now requires the marketing passion that Williams previously demonstrated.

The Montego Bay United chairman elaborated on Williams’ proven track record: ‘Chris Williams was the head when I came in, and until mid-last year, he did a great job leading the team, driving sales and marketing performance. The primary objective is to secure sponsorship, fund the league, provide dividends to club shareholders, and generate broadcast revenue.’

This sentiment found resonance with Paul Christie, sporting director of Mount Pleasant FA, who endorsed Williams’ return as a ‘no-brainer.’ Christie praised Williams for elevating the league to new heights, noting his complete immersion and commitment to football development. ‘It was a sad day when Chris stepped away… where we are now is a testament to the work he did,’ Christie remarked.

Epstein further connected league strength to national team success, asserting that a robust JPL would enhance Jamaica’s World Cup qualification prospects. He emphasized the need for ‘strong independent leadership’ to position Jamaican football as the region’s premier sporting product over the next five years.

KINGSTON, Jamaica – The opening day of Jamaica’s Carifta Games Trials witnessed extraordinary athletic performances at the National Stadium on Friday, with emerging sprint sensations Shanoya Douglas and Riquelme Reid establishing themselves as dominant forces in their respective 100m events.

Shanoya Douglas, the 16-year-old World Under-20 200m bronze medalist, delivered a breathtaking performance that shattered expectations. The Holland High athlete demolished her previous personal best of 11.28 seconds with an astonishing 11.06-second finish (+1.5 m/s wind assistance), leaving competitors trailing significantly behind. Wolmer’s Natrece East secured second position with 11.53 seconds, while Edwin Allen’s Renecia Edwards claimed third in 11.58 seconds. Adora Campbell of St Jago finished fourth at 11.70 seconds.

The race witnessed disappointment for University of North Carolina’s Jada Lloyd, who was disqualified following a false start despite entering the final with the third-fastest qualifying time of 11.98 seconds.

Douglas’s spectacular time not only surpassed Sabrina Dockery’s previous record of 11.08 seconds set last year but also positioned the young athlete on the precipice of breaking the elusive 11-second barrier just weeks before the prestigious Boys’ and Girls’ Athletics Championships.

In the male division, Excelsior’s Riquelme Reid demonstrated equally impressive form during his breakout season, clocking a blistering 10.16 seconds to claim victory. Reid maintained his composure under pressure from William Knibb’s Sanjay Seymour and Kingston College’s Nyron Wade, who achieved personal bests of 10.20 and 10.22 seconds respectively. Calabar’s Khamani Gordon (10.40 seconds) and St George’s College’s Tyreece Foreman (10.41 seconds) completed the top five finishers.

Remarkably, the top three finishing times in the men’s event would have surpassed last year’s championship-winning time of 10.28 seconds recorded by Wolmer’s Boys’ Gary Card, who competed while experiencing significant cramping.

Jamaica College’s Kai Kelly continued his remarkable athletic progression by dominating the Under-17 category with a 10.44-second finish. The young sprinter, who broke the Class Three 100m record last season with 10.60 seconds, now appears virtually unbeatable in his first year of Class Two competition. Calabar athletes Joshua Ricketts (10.49 seconds) and Javane Clayton (10.51 seconds) secured second and third positions respectively.

In the Under-17 girls’ division, Ferncourt High’s Rihanna clocked 11.68 seconds for victory, narrowly defeating Convent of Mercy Alpha’s Azarie Harris (11.69 seconds). Edwin Allen’s Danelia Clarke finished third with 11.86 seconds.

The three-day qualification event for the Carifta Games continues through Saturday, showcasing Jamaica’s next generation of track and field excellence.

In a dramatic turn of events at the racetrack on Sunday, March 1, 2026, apprentice jockey Roshaune Lewis achieved a breakthrough moment in his professional career by securing his inaugural victory. The triumph marked the culmination of more than a year of determined perseverance in the competitive sport of horse racing.

The landmark victory carried additional significance as Lewis, aboard the Ryan Darby-trained Sudden Flight, outperformed his own brother Reyan Lewis—an established champion jockey with over 300 career wins. Reyan, riding Stein, finished three lengths behind the winning pair in a compelling familial showdown.

The decisive race was a five-year-old and upward Optional Claiming event with a $200,000 purse, featuring native-bred six-year-olds and upward (non-winners of two) alongside native-bred five-year-old maidens competing over 3½ furlongs (700 meters).

In post-race reflections, the 27-year-old jockey expressed profound satisfaction with his long-awaited achievement. “This creates a favorable impression. I’m genuinely delighted to have secured my first victory after nearly two years of holding my license,” Lewis stated. “The journey required patience, but I’m relieved to have finally achieved this crucial milestone in any jockey’s career. It’s an exceptionally rewarding sensation.”

Lewis specifically acknowledged his brother’s instrumental role in guiding him toward this success. “Reyan, my younger brother, provided substantial strategic advice before this race,” he revealed. “He emphasized the importance of maintaining composure, riding a tactically smart race, and focusing on effective execution.”

When evaluating his own performance with characteristic humility, Lewis assigned himself a seven out of ten rating. “True confidence only emerges after the race concludes,” he explained. “The paramount objective was successful execution, and I felt prepared to accomplish that today.”

Looking toward future prospects, Lewis expressed optimism about building upon this foundational achievement. “I have zero regrets about selecting this profession,” he affirmed. “My brother introduced me to the sport, and I’m tremendously grateful. With this initial victory achieved, I’m committed to continuous improvement and pursuing additional successes.”

The jockey concluded with expressions of gratitude: “I extend sincere appreciation to everyone who offered support, guidance, and belief in my capabilities. This first victory represents an essential accomplishment that wouldn’t have been possible without that collective support. I’m hopeful this win initiates a positive trajectory for my career, and I reiterate my thanks to all supporters.”

Photographic documentation by Karl Mclarty captured Lewis driving Sudden Flight to victory in the sixth race, followed by his triumphant approach to the scales after making racing history.

In a highly anticipated return to competition, reigning juvenile champion We Jammin (Bern Identity – Jammin) commenced his three-year-old campaign with a commendable performance in a Restricted Stakes event on Sunday, March 1, 2026. The colt secured a strong second-place finish, crossing the line 8 ½ lengths behind the victorious American Aviator in the 7-furlong (1,400m) contest at a Jamaican racetrack.

Under jockey Omar Walker, We Jammin adopted a persistent chasing tactic from the starting gates but was unable to close the gap on the dominant front-runner. Trainer Peter-John Parsard expressed overall satisfaction with his charge’s seasonal introduction, though he acknowledged the unexpected challenge posed by the winner.

Parsard revealed to The Supreme Racing Guide of the Jamaica Observer that American Aviator’s participation altered race dynamics significantly. ‘We were very surprised when we saw him in the entry list,’ Parsard admitted. ‘He possesses undeniable A Class ability, though he comes with known complications. This presented a different challenge than anticipated.’

The training veteran elaborated on tactical complications: ‘The race scenario unfolded contrary to our plans. With no other pace pressure, American Aviator established a lone front-running position – precisely when he becomes most dangerous. We Jammin was compelled to undertake the pursuit without assistance, which complicated our task considerably.’

Despite finishing second, Parsard remains bullish about his colt’s Classic prospects. ‘I’m thoroughly pleased with this effort following his layoff. He exited the race in good order – tired as expected, but sound. We have ample time to prepare for the Classics, and I’m confident he’ll show significant improvement from this foundation run.’

The connections have identified the Prince Consort Stakes this April as We Jammin’s next competitive target, where he’ll continue his preparation for Jamaica’s premier three-year-old events.

MADRID, Spain — European football’s governing body, UEFA, has imposed disciplinary measures on Real Madrid following an incident involving a fan’s conduct during a Champions League fixture. The sanctions include a financial penalty of 15,000 euros (approximately $17,000) and a suspended partial stadium closure.

The disciplinary action stems from an event preceding the second leg of Real Madrid’s play-off encounter against Benfica on February 25th. A spectator was captured on camera performing a Nazi salute within the stadium stands prior to kickoff. UEFA’s disciplinary committee formally charged the club “for the racist and/or discriminatory behaviour of its supporters.”

In response to the incident, Real Madrid officials promptly identified and ejected the individual responsible from the venue. The additional sanction of a 500-seat stadium closure has been suspended for a one-year probationary period, meaning it will only be enforced should similar incidents occur within the next twelve months.

This match was notably the second consecutive encounter between these clubs to be overshadowed by allegations of discriminatory behavior. The first leg featured an unrelated incident where Benfica’s Gianluca Prestianni was accused of directing racist remarks toward Real Madrid winger Vinicius Junior—an allegation the player has denied.

Despite these controversies, Real Madrid successfully advanced to the Champions League’s last 16, where they are scheduled to compete against English Premier League champions Manchester City in the next phase of the tournament.