The first round of the Copa del Rey left no surprises on the pitch but threatens to do so in the offices. Granada, who suffered to beat Arosa, may be out due to improper alignment of goalkeeper Adri López. The Galician team is going to challenge the match because the regulations do not allow a goalkeeper over 23 years old with a reserve team record to be fielded in a non-professional competition, such as the Cup.. “I feel bad for Paco López, but the law is the same for everyone,” confirmed Arosa coach Luisito.. “They told me about it on the bench, 20 minutes from the end, and now the club will take action,” he added.

The Galician team's complaint will be dealt with by the disciplinary judge of the RFEF's non-professional competitions and could lead the modest Arosa, from Tercera RFEF, to the hype, which would guarantee him receiving a Primera again in A Lomba. The reason is that federation regulations only allow goalkeepers over 23 years of age and with a reserve team record to be fielded in professional competitions.. “In the case of footballers with the status of goalkeeper, and only in professional competitions, they may be fielded in the sponsor's first team as long as they are under twenty-five years of age, regardless of whether their license is professional or not. professional”.

Although Granada clings to the ambiguity of the professionalism or not of the Cup, the RFEF makes it very clear that both this tournament and the Spanish Super Cup and the Federation Cup are non-professional competitions, since teams that do not have status participate in them. professional, reserved only for those in the First and Second Division.

Neither the Nasrid club nor Paco López warned that Adri López could not be lined up, although last season they already evaded the complaint because their cup-bearing rival, Yeclano, did not detect the irregularity in time to file the complaint.

No scares for the rest

The rest of the First Division teams resolved their matches without any problems.. Valencia held on to goal from youth player Gozálbez to beat Unión Deportiva Logroñés until in the 88th minute Diego López extended the lead and killed the Second RFEF team's ability to surprise.

Villarreal thrashed Chiclana because Pacheta's team is not up for scares, who solved their match with a hat trick from Manu Triguero completed by Jorge Pascual and Alex Baena. Alavés did not suffer either, as they comfortably resolved their duel against the modest Deportivo Murcia.

This first round should have concluded yesterday, but the weather conditions caused by the Ciarán storm forced the postponement of Gimnástica-Sestao and Atzeneta-Zaragoza, which will be played next week.

Jannik Sinner said enough and left the Paris-Bercy Masters 1000. The tournament is thus left without one of its main attractions as a result of negligent programming. The Italian, fourth seed, had completed his victory against Makenzie McDonald (6-7, 7-5 and 6-1) at 2.37 in the morning on Thursday and saw how he was invited to play his round of 16 match against Alex de Minaur in the fourth shift of the day, around five in the afternoon.

“I regret to announce my withdrawal from the game in Bercy. I finished the meeting when it was almost three in the morning and I didn't go to bed until a few hours later.. I had less than 12 hours to rest and prepare for my next match. “I must make the right decision for my health and my body,” Sinner said after the tournament confirmed his resignation due to “fatigue.”

Champion this year in the Canadian Masters 1000, as well as recently in Beijing and Vienna, and in Montpellier at the beginning of the season, the Italian argued that he needs to reach the two great objectives at the end of the season in conditions: the ATP Finals, which They begin in Turin on the 12th, and the Davis Cup Finals, with which the course will close in Malaga starting on the 21st.

“They are zero concerned about the health of the players in Paris,” lamented their coach, Darren Cahill, on his Instagram account.. Sinner received the support of some colleagues, such as Casper Ruud. “Bravo. Great way to help one of the best in the world to recover as soon as possible. Ask to be there when it ended at 2:37. What a joke,” said the Norwegian. Veteran Stan Wawrinka spoke in the same direction, pointing to the passivity of the ATP.

“That experience marked me. Since then, I live making the most of every moment and giving thanks for what I have, because at any moment it can end.”. These were Jon Rahm's words when he remembered the punishment imposed on him in 2011.. Jon was an amateur and the Spanish Golf Federation wanted to sanction the anger and bad gestures of the 16-year-old Spanish player by sending him to rake bunkers in an adapted golf tournament. His vision of sport and life changed forever.

That same feeling of being lucky is the one that remains with any mortal who had spent last weekend at the Encín Golf, a spectacular course on the outskirts of Alcalá de Henares, which was built at the time considering the Ryder Cup.. Nearly 90 heroes without capes, but with golf clubs, competed for three days within the framework of the Daikin Madrid Adapted Golf Open, which is in its 16th edition, one of the most important initiatives developed each year by the Madrid Golf Federation.

Around the greens and fairways of El Encín, dozens of dramas have been intermingled, stories of overcoming, laughter, tears, helplessness, but above all, optimism.. An ode to life through golf divided into five categories, where players without legs or arms, blind, paralyzed or even fighting against the cruel tremors of Parkinson's, have enjoyed three days of golf.

The Madrid field should have been filled with stands, with people crowding each of these personal exploits, but the focus is somewhere else.. Only the volunteers and staff of the Madrid federation as well as the autumn cold accompanied each of these stories.

McCormack

The American Paul McCormack, finally sixth after leading the first 18 holes, worked as a police officer in the New York department until the 9/11 attacks against the Twin Towers left him blind due to being exposed to toxic elements during the rescue of the victims.

For his part, Alejandro de Miguel, blind due to congenital glaucoma, recognizes the importance of this sport in his life: “It has become my tool to stay alive and discover the world”. The winner of the British Open for the blind and other prestigious tournaments lost his sight before the age of 30. “I have learned a lot from people who are in the same circumstances as me,” he reveals.

The Dominican Manuel de los Santos was a professional baseball player and hours before signing a contract for the major leagues, specifically the Toronto Blue Jays, cruel fate left him without his left leg after a motorcycle accident.. In Encín he finished seventh.

The drama is much more recent for Fernando Vega de Seoane: a little over a year ago a skiing accident caused him a 'complete spinal cord injury'. “I managed to get on a paragolfer, it has been a driving force for mental and physical recovery,” he says about a type of motorcycle to which he anchors his body and modulates its height in order to gain verticality and thus hit the ball.

Carlos Cofrades has ended up lost in the mid-table positions, but he really doesn't care, at almost 50 years old he lives with Parkinson's and is clear about what is really important: “From being in bed with depression to playing golf with your friends”. This is your true victory.

There are many victories in this weekend tournament, although the numerical one corresponded to Juanele Postigo in tough competition with the Cameroonian Issa Nlareb Amang. The Cantabrian is a player on the adapted DP World Tour circuit. He was born with a congenital malformation of his right leg. A disability that has not prevented him from succeeding in the world of golf and accumulating a new title this weekend with rounds of 76 and 73 strokes.

Perhaps the most surprising story of the tournament is that of the Cameroonian, second placed, who made his debut in this tournament. The player confessed that “his first connection with golf was picking up balls from the course so he could sell them and eat”. After becoming a caddy, Amang became the most promising golfer in sub-Saharan Africa, winning the Senegal Open and becoming the first golfer in that area to qualify for the Alps Tour (third division of the European Tour).

His luck and career were cut short in a tournament in Egypt. A bacteria caused very serious meningitis. “I only remember my last swing in Egypt, on the 9th hole, which was very good,” the Cameroonian removes drama from his story, although he continues with the very harsh story: “I don't remember anything about the rest, I was in a coma for five days and I was dying “The only solution was to amputate.”. They had to take her to Belgium to cut off both of her legs and eight fingers on her hand; she only has the thumb and little finger on her right hand.. “I simply had to accept my circumstances, the world doesn't stop because you don't have legs or fingers, I learned not to give up and enjoy life, which is very beautiful,” he says.

A week later he returned to the golf course and, as best he could, hit a ball. “I knew then that I would play again,” he recalls.. The Cameroonian got help for prosthetics and devised a system by tying his hands to be able to hold the golf club. So much determination and sacrifice has paid off: Amang has a handicap of +2.8, the lowest of the entire competition this weekend. Furthermore, in 2021 he achieved one of the most impressive milestones in golf: he returned to the Alps tour to compete again with the professionals and, without legs or fingers, he made the cut at the Ein Bay Open with rounds of 70 and 71 strokes and finished in the rank 51. Since then, he has not overcome another cut, but his dreams remain intact. “My dream is to play the DP World Tour, I know it is complicated, but I fight for it every day,” he concludes.

Gregg Popovich is not only the most reputable active coach in the NBA, a true icon who has led the Spurs for 28 seasons and who, at almost 75 years old, faces the exciting challenge of molding the latest pearl of world basketball, Victor Wembanyama.. The former USA coach, trained militarily in the Air Force, is also one of the most respected voices in American society.. This Wednesday he appeared before a small group of international journalists -EL MUNDO among them- and, in addition to a review of the current events of the recently started season, the coach spoke forcefully about the terrible conflict between Israel and Gaza.

He did it after an excited question from an Arab journalist. “Of course I'm following what's happening there. It is much more important than basketball. “Everyone with a brain and a heart should understand this.”. Because Popovich, far from avoiding the answer, expanded and left a harsh message to the leaders who are trying to solve the conflict without any success.

“We all wish we had an answer. Many people have tried to solve this problem of Palestine for decades and have not succeeded,” he began his reflection, emphasizing the importance of continuing to talk about it, “the more the better.”. “All our hearts die when we see the horror that Hamas committed. And then we felt the same seeing the bombs falling and killing children and civilians in Palestine,” he denounced.

“The circle has to stop”

“As we speak we know there are people trying to solve this. Should there be a ceasefire or not? How do we move forward? Is it a military solution? The same thing over and over again. And we just hope that we can find leadership somehow, because I think that's what's always missing.. “Can't there be men or women who sit down and solve it?” asked the veteran coach, whose father is Serbian and whose mother is Croatian.

“At some point this circle has to stop. And someone has to have the integrity and the courage to say, 'Let's start from here.'. Somehow the past has to be forgotten. Because every time the past appears, decisions cannot be made. People close themselves in their own worlds and we kill more children,” denounced Popovich, who launched a fierce criticism of leaders incapable of empathizing with civilians who are suffering the consequences of war: “It is difficult for me to understand, all those People who are so inflexible about their positions have children, they have grandchildren…. Is not sufficient? I wish there were leaders who could grab certain people by the throat, put them in a room, and tell them they're not leaving until they figure out the solution.. It sounds simplistic, but someone has to have the courage and I don't see it.”

In Spain, all chess championships are mixed, unlike what happens in almost the entire world. Then, an absolute classification and another feminine classification are established.. The International Federation (FIDE) seems interested in following that path, as its president, Arkady Dvorkovich, has acknowledged to EL MUNDO, but it follows it with caution.. A good example is the Veterans World Championships being held these days in Italy, where men and women compete separately.. It may be a coincidence, but the Spanish route, imperfect and criticized, has led to the first surprises.

Last weekend the Spanish Championship ended in Marbella in which Sara Khadem, famous because she fled Iran by refusing to wear the veil, fought almost the entire tournament in the first tables. They finished in tenth place, tied on points with the sixth place, with only one defeat in nine games.. Marta García, champion in 2022, finished with the same score and eleventh. No less notable was the performance of Sabrina Vega, who only made half a point less and defeated the grandmaster Daniil Yuffa. She was twentieth of 96 participants.

The three (and some more, like Eihartze Buiza) played without complexes against many of the best chess players in Spain, who no longer see it as a bargain that they have to face a woman. It is not the first time that a player shines in the tournament either.. Olga Alexandrova was third a few years ago – she did not win due to excessive honesty – and the young María Eizaguerri has triumphed in several Spanish championships in lower categories, not only in the children's categories.. In 2021 he won the national mixed under 18 team.

There are more and more recent examples: a few weeks ago, Tatiana Grabuzova won the women's gold and finished fourth in the absolute classification, tied on points with José Candela (bronze). The Moscow-born player believes that one of the most determining differences between men and women is energy and physique, something that attenuates after the age of fifty, which is why in veteran tournaments she does not feel at a disadvantage.

Why is there a difference?

Not even that factor is universally accepted, like the sociological and cultural aspects. International teacher and coach David Martínez, who has been working with Sara Khadem since April, assures that he does not see any disadvantage in her physique.. He says this with knowledge, because he is now the coach of the Spanish men's team, but he has been the coach of the women's team for years.. “The women I have worked with have plenty of strength and are very prepared to endure a four-hour game,” she says.. “Aside from that, if that were a reason, they would play quick games much better and that doesn't happen.”

Divis, as he is known in the world, points out another factor, which is no longer taboo: «Cases of sexual harassment, especially on social networks, are by no means an exception.. All the players I trust have told me very unpleasant episodes. It's something disgusting, much more than what you might think from the outside.. I am sure that there are a million bullies in the world and that some of them are chess grandmasters.

Susan Polgar, former world champion, also defends that this causes numerous abandonments among girls. It is no coincidence that a few days ago the Women in Chess foundation was born, whose main objective is “to create a more inclusive and safe environment for women in chess competitions.”

Possible Spanish queen

David Martínez changes third and also highlights the ability to compete and the extraordinary future that Sara Khadem has. «Can fight for the female world number one. He has a lot of room to raise 100 Elo points and, taking away Hou Yifan, who barely plays, and Judit Polgar, who is retired, that would be enough. Sara doesn't have to feel inferior to anyone. “I'm not satisfied with him reaching the top 10 in the world.”

Divis is also very happy about the Spanish Championship that his girls have played, with whom he has been in the national team for many years: «I have been very happy. It was great to see them. “It has been a Spanish championship with a very high female level.”

Is the formula of not separating men and women the correct one then? «It has a defect: the women's classification is a little more…. murky, because it is decided in games against people who have nothing to do with it. The advantage is that this way they play the absolute and it is a pleasure to see that they face great masters and do it well.

«I couldn't say if this narrows the gap between men and women, but I do know that Sabrina, Marta and Sara are much better off playing this tournament than a women's championship.. The formula is not one hundred percent fair,” concludes Martínez, although just this year Sara played against Marta and won, so there has been less controversy.. «Maybe we should think of another formula, but I can't think of a perfect one. A separate feminine would be fairer for everyone… and also shit.

The coach ends up remembering a phrase from Sabrina Vega: «Chess is one and it has no last name. It is not women's chess. It's chess and, at most, there is a women's category. I am very clear that the championship has to be mixed. “It's a fantastic invention.”