Germany plans to push for a follow-up mission in Lebanese waters after UN-led peacekeeping efforts expire in 2026, Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said during a visit to the country on Friday. "Stability in this region is a prerequisite for security and stability in Europe and in the Federal Republic of Germany," Wadephul said as he visited a German frigate that monitors the waters off Lebanon as part of the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL). One of the oldest UN observer missions, UNIFIL was established in 1978 to monitor the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Lebanon. Its mand...
German Football Federation (DFB) referee chief Knut Kircher said that he can imagine the video assistant referee (VAR) being used in the German Cup from the first round onwards in the future, but only in a reduced capacity. "One solution would be to introduce some type of light VAR in the first two rounds of the Cup. A VAR that only has access to normal TV footage and thus can prevent blatant misjudgements with a quick glance," Kircher told the Bild newspaper on Friday. Due to the high technical costs and because the logistical effort would pose insoluble challenges for the amateur clubs parti...
Novak Djokovic is preparing to rejoin the ATP Tour at the Hellenic Championship, a new event taking place in Athens, Greece. Djokovic’s most recent appearance came at the Six Kings Slam, where he suffered defeats to both Jannik Sinner and Taylor Fritz. Prior to that, he was knocked out of the Shanghai Masters in the semifinals by Valentin Vacherot. Although he arrives as the top seed, Djokovic enters Athens on a three-match losing streak. The Hellenic Open main draw starts on February 26th and runs through March 3rd. Djokovic won’t have to play until Thursday 29th February due to his bye into ...