Niersbach quits post

Frankfurt: German FA (DFB) president Wolfgang Niersbach resigned on Monday over a 2006 World Cup scandal, buckling under mounting pressure from an issue that has tarnished the reputation of the world’s biggest national soccer federation. Niersbach, under investigation for tax evasion in relation to the affair, said he was taking the responsibility for a controversial 6.7 million euro payment to Fifa allegedly used to bribe officials of world soccer’s governing body to vote for Germany’s World Cup hosting bid.

Moyes sacked

Madrid: David Moyes’s bid to resurrect his career in La Liga ended in failure when Real Sociedad sacked him on Monday following a defeat at Las Palmas which left them hovering just above the relegation places. Moyes, who took over at Sociedad almost exactly a year ago after a disappointing spell in charge of English Premier League club Manchester United, was unable to turn the Basque side’s fortunes around.

Vieira coach

New York: Former France international Patrick Vieira has been appointed head coach of New York City FC, the Major League Soccer club said on Monday. Vieira, who has been working with the development squad of Manchester City, will take up his new role in January ahead of the 2016 MLS season.

Chess tourney

Calcutta: India’s top women players will fight for supremacy at the 42nd National Premier Women’s Chess Championship, which will be held at the ICCR from November 12 to 24. The top six finishers will represent the country in different international meets with the winner getting an opportunity to take part in the next world championship. 

Lingard hope

London: Jesse Lingard’s first senior Manchester United goal in Saturday’s 2-0 Premier League win over West Bromwich Albion has given the winger the confidence and belief that he can become a regular fixture in the first team.   

Honda point

Valencia: Honda hit back at Yamaha’s Valentino Rossi after he accused their Spanish rider Marc Marquez of behaving like a ‘bodyguard’ to ensure compatriot Jorge Lorenzo won the MotoGP world championship in Valencia on Sunday. 

PSA criticism

New Delhi: Launching a scathing attack on WSF president N. Ramachandran, the professional squash body PSA has described the Indian administrator as an “embarrassment to the sport”, besides blaming the world governing body for repeatedly failing to put up a successful Olympic bid.

AB on top

Johannesburg: Proteas’ ODI captain AB de Villiers has taken the top spot on a list of South African celebrities with the greatest number of Twitter followers. Teammates JP Duminy, Albie Morkel and Faf du Plessis also featured on the list.