Ukraine urges FIFA to remove Iran from World Cup - NASCAR: Wallace and Chastain making news - XFL unveils teams for 2023, Andrews makes history as US figure skater - Duncanville boys basketball team stripped of state title
Ukraine urges FIFA to remove Iran from World Cup
The Ukrainian football federation urged FIFA on Monday to remove Iran from the World Cup next month over allegations of human rights violations and supplying the Russian military with weapons, ESPN reported. Iran is due to face England in the first Group B game in Qatar in three weeks. The B Group also includes Wales and the United States. In a separate appeal to FIFA by the country's top club, Shakhtar Donetsk, it was suggested that Ukraine take Iran's place.
NASCAR: Wallace and Chastain making news
Bubba Wallace returned to racing on Sunday at Martinsville Speedway after his one-race suspension for purposely wrecking Kyle Larson in Las Vegas two weeks ago. Wallace received a massive booing from the crowd during his introduction, Fox reported.
During an interview, Wallace spoke about his suspension: "Yeah, I mean I totally accept the penalty and the repercussions that come from my actions," Motorsport reported. "I put myself in a bad light, I put our team in a bad light, our sponsors – it’s just something that I’m not proud of, but moving on, moving forward and not allowed to make that mistake again."
Ross Chastain's video game-like move of driving against the wall has people talking, with mixed opinions. While NASCAR said there is currently no rule against such a move, some drivers think there should be and feel it's dangerous and could potentially harm other drivers if the car was to get caught in the wall, Motorsport reported.
Joey Logano said: "There needs to be a rule against this one ... I don't know if it's the safest thing for the driver or the fans when you have a car right up at the wall, hauling the mail like that. What if that fence, gate, wasn't closed all the way? What if it was bent and caught his car?"
Kyle Larson said: "I’m a bit embarrassed that I did it because that was pretty embarrassing. That’s not a good look for our sport at all. I don’t know what you guys think. Probably think it’s cool, but I think it’s pretty embarrassing."
XFL unveils 8 cities, teams and head coaches for 2023 season
The XFL will begin its season on February 18, 2023, with games televised on ESPN, ESPN2, ABC, and FX. The league officially announced the cities, team names, and logos for the 2023 season on Monday, Sports Illustrated reported.
The cities/teams/head coaches are:
Arlington (Texas) Renegades - Bob Stoops
D.C. Defenders - Reggie Barlow
Houston Roughnecks - Wade Phillips
Orlando Guardians - Terrell Buckley
San Antonio Brahmas - Hines Ward
Seattle Sea Dragons - Jim Haslett
St. Louis Battlehawks - Anthony Becht
Vegas Vipers - Rod Woodson
Starr Andrews makes history as first Black US figure skater to win Grand Prix medal
Starr Andrews made history at Skate Canada, becoming the first Black US figure skater to win an ISU Grand Prix medal since the series began in 1995, Pop Sugar reported.
"I think it's a huge deal to be a woman of color in figure skating," the 21-year-old Andrews said. "I'm so proud I could represent."
Duncanville boys' basketball team stripped of state title, girls' team banned from playoffs, coaches suspended
The Duncanville boys basketball team has been stripped of its Texas state title, and the girls' team banned from playoffs this season. Boys coach David Peavy and girls coach LeJeanna Howard also received a one-year suspension and a three-year probation in a ruling by the University Interscholastic League on Monday, WFAA reported. The decision on the boys' team stems from the games in which then-senior Anthony Black played, a 6-foot-7 point guard who had been ruled ineligible to compete, and the violation of a rule that prohibits players from changing schools for athletic purposes. The girls' coach was suspended over recruiting violations, as well as school practice and game restrictions violations. Her predecessor was also suspended over allegations of recruiting violations