Thursday Morning: Russian & Belarussian Athletes Banned From Competing At Winter Games

Wins for Chelsea, Liverpool & Southampton in FA Cup

PARALYMPICS

The International Paralympic Commitee has banned Russian and Belarussian athletes from competing in the Winter Games in Beijing, which starts on Saturday.

IPC President Andrew Parsons has said that the rapidly escalating situation in Ukraine has put them in an impossible position and in order to preserve the integrity of the Games, the decision has now been made to refuse entries from Russia and Belarus.

Athletes from both countries had in recent days been allowed to compete as neutrals.

The IPC Governing Board has decided to refuse the athlete entries from the RPC and NPC Belarus for the Beijing 2022 Paralympic Winter Games. https://t.co/8rE0szi8YE

— Paralympic Games (@Paralympics) March 3, 2022

SOCCER

A turbulent night for Chelsea was almost capped by a shock exit from the FA Cup last night.

Shortly after Roman Abramovich announced the club was up for sale, Chelsea found themselves behind twice in their fifth round tie at Luton Town.

However, goals from Romelu Lukaku and Timo Werner (pr: Ver-ner) secured a 3-2 win for Chelsea.

A happy boss as we progress in the #EmiratesFACup!

More from the gaffer. ⤵️

— Chelsea FC (@ChelseaFC) March 2, 2022

Abramovich has promised the sale of the club will not be fast-tracked, and LA Dodgers co-owner Todd Boehly is the reported frontrunner to meet the Russian's asking price.

Things were a little more straightforward for Liverpool, who beat Norwich 2-1 at Anfield to reach the quarter finals.

Takumi Minamino scored both goals for the Reds.

Jurgen Klopp says the Japanese player took his opportunity:

Jürgen Klopp hailed a ‘complete performance’ from Taki Minamino as his two goals against Norwich City put Liverpool into the #EmiratesFACup quarter-finals. 🙌

— Liverpool FC (@LFC) March 2, 2022

Southampton booked their sixth round place with a 3-1 win at home to West Ham.

A very happy manager 😁

The boss reacts to #SaintsFC's #EmiratesFACup progression:

— Southampton FC (@SouthamptonFC) March 2, 2022

The draw for the quarter-finals will take place before tonight's meeting of Everton and National League side Boreham Wood.

Kick off at Goodison Park is at 8.15pm.


Celtic remain three points clear at the top of the Scottish Premiership having beaten St Mirren 2-0 last night.

Second placed Rangers defeated St Johnstone 1-0 thanks to an early Glen Kamara goal.

Third place Hearts got the better of Aberdeen 2-0.

Livingston are up to fourth following a 2-1 win over Dundee United.

Ross County were 1-0 winners at Motherwell, while bottom of the table Dundee finished goalless with Hibernian.

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St Mary's College Naas were crowned Leinster U17 A Soccer Champions yesterday afternoon.

They defeated Sacred Heart Tullamore by 6-1.

The Naas school now advance to the All-Ireland Semi-Final.

GOLF

There is a strong Irish presence at the PGA Tour's Arnold Palmer Invitational, which gets underway at Bay Hill in Florida today.

Rory McIlroy goes out at lunchtime, alongside last week's Honda Classic winner Sepp Straka.

Graeme McDowell plays alongside newly appointed US Ryder Cup captain Zach Johnson.

While Seamus Power and Padraig Harrington are also in the field.

RACING

There’s a seven-race card at Clonmel this afternoon, with the first going to post at 2.20pm.