Football

Rajasthan Royals CEO's Great-Great Grandfather Invented the Penalty Kick in FootballA fascinating connection between cricket and football has emerged on social media, revealing that the great-great grandfather of Rajasthan Royals (RR) CEO Jake Lush McCrum invented the penalty kick in football.William McCrum, an Irish businessman and goalkeeper, is widely credited with introducing the concept of the penalty kick in 1890. In response to a query on Twitter, Jake Lush McCrum confirmed the veracity of this claim, stating that he had recently visited the spot where the penalty kick was first conceived.In 1890, William McCrum suggested the idea of a penalty kick to the Irish Football Association, and the first-ever penalty kick was taken under his direction. Fast forward to today, his great-great grandson Jake has become a prominent figure in another sporting phenomenon: the Indian Premier League (IPL).Jake Lush McCrum has been associated with the Rajasthan Royals since 2017 and has served as their CEO since 2021. The Royals have been making headlines ahead of the IPL 2025 mega auction, having appointed former India coach Rahul Dravid as their head coach.Despite having the lowest auction purse of Rs 41 crore, RR has retained five capped players and one uncapped player. Captain Sanju Samson and opener Yashasvi Jaiswal were retained for Rs 18 crore each, while all-rounder Riyan Parag and wicket-keeper batter Dhruv Jurel were retained for Rs 14 crore each. West Indian powerhitter Shimron Hetmyer was retained for Rs 11 crore.However, RR surprisingly released franchise stalwarts Jos Buttler and Yuzvendra Chahal, as well as Ravichandran Ashwin. The Royals will enter the auction with a depleted squad but will hope to bolster their ranks with strategic acquisitions.

Andreas Brehme, the German football legend who scored the winning penalty in the 1990 World Cup final, passed away unexpectedly at the age of 63 due to a cardiac arrest. Brehme's death has sent shockwaves through the football world, with tributes pouring in from former teammates, coaches, and fans.Brehme's rise to fame began in the 1980s, when he established himself as a star left-back for Bayern Munich and Kaiserslautern. His exceptional skills and attacking prowess earned him a spot on the West German national team, where he played a crucial role in their 1986 World Cup campaign in Mexico.However, it was in the 1990 World Cup that Brehme etched his name into football history. In the semifinal against England, he scored a vital goal that helped West Germany win on penalties. But it was his penalty kick in the final against Argentina that sealed the victory for his team, securing their third World Cup title.Brehme's penalty was particularly significant as it came in the 85th minute, breaking the deadlock and giving West Germany a 1-0 lead. The goal sparked wild celebrations across Germany, which was still in the process of reunification following the fall of the Berlin Wall.Brehme's success extended beyond the international stage. He won two Bundesliga titles, one with Bayern Munich and the other with Kaiserslautern, as well as the German Cup with Kaiserslautern in 1996. He also enjoyed success at club level in Italy, winning the Serie A title with Inter Milan in 1989 and the UEFA Cup two years later.After retiring from playing, Brehme ventured into coaching, managing Kaiserslautern, Unterhaching, and Stuttgart. He also served as an assistant coach to Giovanni Trapattoni at Stuttgart during the 2005-06 season.Brehme's passing has left a void in the football world. He will be remembered as a true legend of the game, a player who brought joy to millions of fans with his skill, determination, and unwavering spirit.