Sports

PSG pledge to stand by Moroccan international, Achraf Hakimi, following rape allegations

Published

2 years ago

March 1, 2023

Paris Saint Germain (PSG) of France has pledged to stand by its Moroccan international football player, Achraf Hakimi, after French police said it has opened investigations into an alleged involvement in a rape and sexual assault case.

French media, had, on Monday, reported that the Nanterre (Hauts-de-Seine) prosecutor’s office had initiated an investigation into a report by a 24-year-old woman who reported at a police station in Nogent sur Marne that she was raped on February 25 at the player’s home in Boulogne-Billancourt.

According to the police, the woman said she had met Hakimi at a party and went home with him where he forcefully assaulted her sexually.

However, the top French club said in a statement on Wednesday that it will stand by its player as well as render him their total support till the investigation comes to a conclusion.

“The club is in support of the player, who has firmly denied the accusations and tests justice,” a PSG statement said.

“PSG us a strong institution institution that promotes respect on and off the pitch,” it added.

Hakimi’s lawyer, Fanny Colin, who also spoke on the investigation, said allegations targeting her client were “false and malicious,” vowing to do everything to clear the name of the star player.

“The rape accusations against him are false. He is calm and confident of his innocence and is at the disposal of justice,” the lawyer added.

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Sports

Kenyan court jails killers of Ugandan Olympian Kiplagat for 35 years

Published

9 hours ago

November 5, 2024

Isaac Dachen

A Kenyan court sitting in Nairobi on Tuesday sentenced two men, Peter Ushuru Khalumi, 30, and David Ekai Lokere, 25, to 35 years in prison each for the murder of Ugandan Olympic athlete, Benjamin Kiplagat, who was stabbed to death last year.

Khalumi and Lokere were both found guilty by Justice Reuben Nyakundi of the Kenyan High Court in the northwestern city of Eldoret for stabbing the 34-year-old steeplechaser to death.

In his ruling, Nyakundi said overwhelming evidence from CCTV cameras showed the pair intentionally killed the athlete, adding that they had not shown any remorse for the pre-meditated crime and deserved a harsh sentence.

“Your actions were cruel to a defenceless person whose life you cut short contrary to God’s plan, where God intended man to live for a minimum of 70 years,” Nyakundi said while announcing the 35-year sentence for each defendant.

The judge however, rejected a plea from Kiplagat’s mother, Elizabeth Chemweno, and his two brothers who wanted Khalumi and Lokere to be given life sentences.

The two convicts were arrested a day after the athlete’s body was found in his car on the outskirts of Eldoret on New Year’s Eve with a deep wound to his neck in a murder that shocked the country and Africa in general.

Kiplagat who was born in the Eldoret region in Kenya, had an illustrious career spanning almost two decades, and had represented Uganda internationally in the 3,000m steeplechase, including at several Olympic Games and World Championships.

He won the silver medal in the 3,000m steeplechase at the 2008 World Junior Championships and bronze at the African Championships in 2012 and made the semi-finals of the event at the 2012 Olympics in London and also competed in Rio in 2016.

Sports

Chepkirui leads Kenya to podium sweep at New York City Marathon

Published

1 day ago

November 4, 2024

Isaac Dachen

Kenya had a clean sweep of the podium at the 2024 New York City Marathon on Sunday as Sheila Chepkirui clinched victory in the race, clocking 2:24:35, with the defending champion, Hellen Obiri, securing second place, while Vivian Cheruiyot finished third.

In just her fourth marathon, Chepkirui ran a ferocious last half mile to win the race ahead of Obiri, the 2024 Olympic bronze medalist.

Chepkirui, 33, came into the race with the fastest personal best in the field, 2:17:29, which she ran at the 2022 Valencia Marathon though this is her her first win at a world marathon major.

Speaking in the post-race press conference the race, she said:

“Winning means a lot to me. It means my training has been going well, and I’m really happy for the win.

“The last turn was really tough. I was still with Hellen. I told myself I had to push up at the finish line.

“In the last mile, it was really hard. I pushed myself. I’m so happy. I pushed myself to the limit.”

This Kenyan dominance underscores the nation’s strength in long-distance running, particularly in major marathon events.

The 2024 New York City Marathon featured a competitive field, but the Kenyan athletes’ performances stood out, reaffirming their status as leading figures in women’s marathon running.