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Neymar: PSG fans 'like a girlfriend'

Published in Soccer

Sunday, 29 September 2019 08:52

Neymar has compared his relationship with Paris Saint-Germain supporters to a romantic one and said he would give his life on the pitch for the French champions.

The Brazil international was jeered upon his return this season after summer-long links with a transfer to Barcelona.

- Laurens: Neymar's failed move to Barca - the definitive story
- Court sets new date in Neymar, Barca dispute

After scoring his third goal in four games this season as PSG beat Bordeaux 1-0 on Saturday, Neymar said of the supporters: "Yes, much better.

"It is like being in a relationship with a girlfriend. When things are not going well with her, you go without speaking.

"However, through love, affection and cuddling, things go back to normal. I am here to help PSG -- to fulfil my role as a player for this club.

"I will give my life on the pitch to help PSG succeed and for us to be able to celebrate together."

Meanwhile, PSG coach Thomas Tuchel said he was unhappy with Neymar's attempt to leave the club in the summer.

"I knew of Neymar's desire to leave," Tuchel said. "He knew it displeased me. For me, it was not the right time, nor the right decision.

"As coach, he knew I did not want that. Ultimately, we both knew it was not my decision -- nor his.

"He needed a club that could pay the price and he also needed PSG to accept. We both accepted the decision was not in our hands and agreed it would not impact our relationship as there was still the possibility that we would remain working together."

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This tour a precursor to December Test series: SL coach Ratnayake

Published in Cricket

Sunday, 29 September 2019 07:44

In what could be seen as encouraging developments for the prospect of Sri Lanka playing a Test series in Pakistan before the end of the year, Sri Lanka coach Rumesh Ratnayake said he hoped this series would encourage more Sri Lankan players to tour Pakistan. The three-ODI, three-T20I series currently being played by Sri Lanka in Pakistan is in lieu of the originally scheduled two-match Test series which was postponed owing to several first-team Sri Lankan players' reluctance to tour Pakistan at this time.

"This will be a pre-cursor for that [Test] tour [in December]," Ratnayake said. "I'm sure this will certainly encourage the others to take decisions, but we can't enforce it on them. They have taken a decision and we have to respect that, but certainly if things go well, this will be a huge thing for the future, not only for them but for all other countries to be here."

The tour was affected by ten Sri Lankan players deciding against touring, resulting in Sri Lanka selecting a somewhat inexperienced team to tour Pakistan. Compounding their problems, head coach Ratnayake said the team's "preparation hadn't been that good". Regular afternoon rains during much of the last week inhibited the teams' ability to get full training and practice sessions in, and Ratnayake revealed wet weather in Sri Lanka had hampered their ability to turn up fully prepared.

"Even before we came here, the preparations were hampered by rain. It seems as if it's raining in the whole world. We had only had a day's training outside, and today was the second day. So as you can imagine, the prep hasn't been all that good, but that's not going to be an excuse because they are all professional players. "The people who have taken their place are challenged to do well, it's for their future also, so I hope there won't be any rain."

If anything, the elements may throw up the opposite challenge for the sides. Following a week with unseasonal, torrential downpours in a city completely ill-equipped to deal with them, a stiflingly hot, humid weekend meant spending much time outside practicing would push players' physical fitness to the limit. Ratnayake, however, was already busy working away at several strategies to motivate his players, which included playing up to the image of his side being comprehensive underdogs.

"There are various ways of motivating them. One is the challenge of facing this Pakistan team, and we talked about the Pakistan team being Goliaths and us not. That's the sort of the way we are motivating them, but they are professionals and I'm sure they'll do what's needed to be done.

"The challenge today was from the heat rather than the rain. It was sunny but the focus was for the batsmen to know the sort of conditions they will face during the match, and ensuring they train well enough to be prepared for whatever comes their way."

While much of Pakistan will be tuned in to the cricket over the next week, they will, like Ratnayake, be hoping the Sri Lankan players who opted to stay home will be watching closely, too.

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Sources: Dak, Cowboys not close on new deal

Published in Breaking News

Sunday, 29 September 2019 08:40

A deal between the Dallas Cowboys and star quarterback Dak Prescott is not close at this time, and no extension is expected in the near future, sources told ESPN.

No one doubts that a deal eventually will get done, given that Prescott wants to be in Dallas and the Cowboys want to keep him.

But a deal is not happening anytime soon, despite Cowboys owner Jerry Jones' recent claims that an extension was "imminent." This, according to sources, was never the case -- this deal has not yet gotten close to being done.

There has not been any type of setback in talks between Prescott and the Cowboys -- because a deal has never gotten close and isn't close now -- according to sources. Prescott's price isn't going down, not with the way he's playing and with quarterbacks signing deals that financially leapfrog the ones before them -- and Dallas knows it has its own protections.

Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes stands a strong chance of becoming the highest-paid player in NFL history this offseason, which will only give other top quarterbacks such as Prescott more leverage in negotiations.

But Dallas also could have the ability to protect its top free agents this offseason. If no collective bargaining agreement is reached this season, teams will have the ability to use a franchise and a transition tag this offseason, meaning Dallas could use one on Prescott and the other on free-agent-to-be wide receiver Amari Cooper.

However this situation works out, Prescott looks as if he's betting on himself this season, much in the same way Joe Flacco did in 2012 before he cashed in on a new contract after Baltimore's Super Bowl victory.

Prescott, 26, has spearheaded the Cowboys' 3-0 start to the season, completing a league-best 74.5 percent of his passes for 920 yards and nine touchdowns. He trails only Mahomes for the NFL lead in passing touchdowns and quarterback rating (128.0).

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Sources: AB set for record 9 grievances, appeals

Published in Breaking News

Sunday, 29 September 2019 08:39

Antonio Brown's battles will shift from social media to the legal variety.

Brown is the first player in NFL history poised to file nine grievances and appeals during the same time period, league sources told ESPN.

Brown's nine appeals and grievances will be a legal battle to try to recoup as much of the $61-plus million that he believes is owed to him.

The grievances and appeals involve the following issues and sums of money:

• Fine appeals with the Oakland Raiders: $215,000

• Salary guarantees with Oakland: $29 million

• Signing bonus with Raiders: $1 million

• Oakland's unpaid Week 1 salary: $860,000

• New England Patriots' salary guarantee: $1 million

• Patriots signing bonus: $9 million

• Patriots' unpaid Week 3 salary: $64,000

• Patriots' option year in 2020: $20 million

As if that wasn't enough, if the NFL disciplines Brown and suspends him -- which is well within the realm of possibility -- Brown could appeal that as well, which would make him the first player in NFL history to have nine different appeals generated from one season.

Brown again made headlines with his social media activity Saturday when he traded jabs with Cleveland Browns quarterback Baker Mayfield on Twitter. He also took shots at Patriots owner Robert Kraft and former Pittsburgh Steelers teammate Ben Roethlisberger as part of a Twitter tirade last Sunday morning.

Brown, who has been accused of sexual assault and sexual misconduct by two different women, was released by the Patriots last week, making him an unrestricted free agent, eligible to sign with any team. The NFL is conducting an investigation into the allegations.

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Kaho Akae repeats Swedish success, two titles in Chinese Taipei

Published in Table Tennis

Sunday, 29 September 2019 07:14

Notably, the win in Chinese Taipei, was her third such junior girls’ singles success of the year; the week prior to her success in Sweden, she had prevailed in the Czech Republic.

Impressive, in the junior girls’ singles later rounds she beat Singapore’s Ser Lian Qian (11-6, 11-5, 11-9, 11-7), before ending the hopes of Chinese Taipei. At the semi-final stage she ousted Hsu Yi-Chen (11-7, 11-7, 11-6, 10-12, 11-6), prior to clinching the title at the final expense of Yu Hsiu-Ting (11-8, 11-7, 11-6).

Hard earned wins

A series of noteworthy performances to capture junior girls’ singles gold, in the cadet girls’ singles competition at both the quarter and semi-final stages the success was hard earned. She needed five games to beat colleague Miwa Harimoto (11-5, 8-11, 9-11, 11-5, 11-7), prior emerging successful in the penultimate round in a similar manner when opposing Hong Kong’s Chelsea Chan Shiu Lam (11-8, 11-8, 6-11, 10-12, 11-3). A place in the final booked, life was less exacting; she beat Ser Lin Qian in straight games (11-8, 11-6, 11-9).

Notably in the opposite half of the draw, in the quarter-final round, Ser Lin Qian had beaten Chinese Tapei’s Chen Yu-Chih, the player who in the group staged had overcome Kaho Akae (12-10, 11-4, 11-6); Ser Lin Qian duly reserved her place in the final courtesy of success in opposition to Cheng Pu-Syuan (11-5, 13-11, 11-7).

Meanwhile, in the adjacent half of the draw in the junior girls’ singles event, at the quarter-final stage Yu Hsiu-Ting accounted for Chinese Taipei’s Kao Ming (6-11, 14-12, 6-11, 11-6, 11-9, 11-6), followed by success in opposition to Hong Kong’s Lee Ka Yee (11-8, 11-6, 11-8, 12-10).

Two titles on the final day of play; the cadet girls’ doubles success in partnership with Hina Higashikawa made the total three in number. In the title decider, the duo accounted for compatriots Yura Shinohara and Fuwa Yumoto (11-9, 11-8, 9-11, 15-13).

Further success for Tai Ming-Wei

Success after previous success for Kaho Akae, it was the same in the junior boys’ singles event for the host’s Tai Ming-Wei, the runner up earlier this year on the ITTF World Junior Circuit in Australia, the winner last year in El Salvador.

He ended Japanese hopes; following success in opposition to colleague Peng Chih (15-17, 15-13, 11-2, 10-12, 11-5, 13-11), he beat Yu Kayama (11-9, 11-7, 11-8, 14-16, 10-12, 8-11, 11-9) and Ryoichi Yoshiyama (11-4, 11-5, 6-11, 8-11, 11-5, 11-6) to arrest the title. In the opposite half of the draw, in the later rounds, Ryoichi Yoshiyama had accounted for Chinese Taipei’s Li Hsin-Yu (6-11, 9-11, 3-11, 11-7, 11-3, 11-3, 11-6) and colleague Kazuki Yamada (11-2, 11-7, 11-7, 6-11, 11-5).

Disappointment for Ryoichi Yoshiyama and Yu Kayama but there was success; together they won the junior boys’ doubles event beating Korea Republic’s Hwang Jinha and Woo Hyeonggyu in the final (13-11, 11-9, 12-10).

More gold for Chinese Taipei

Gold for Chinese Taipei in the junior boys’ singles, it was the same in the cadet boys’ singles event. Kao Cheng-Jui emerged the winner, accounting for Japan’s Hayate Suzuki in the final (5-11, 11-13, 13-11, 11-7, 11-9). Earlier in the round of the last eight, Kao Cheng-Jui had beaten colleague Chang Yu-An (11-2, 11-7, 11-7), before overcoming Korea Republic’s Park Changgeon (11-5, 7-11, 11-9, 11-13, 11-5) to reserve his place in the final.

At the same stages Hayate Suzuki had halted Chinese Taipei progress, he beat Chen Yen-Ting (13-11, 12-10, 11-6), followed by success in opposition to Liang Chen-Wei (12-10, 11-7, 8-11, 6-11, 11-7).

Similarly, in both the cadet boys’ doubles and junior girls’ doubles events there was success for Chinese Taipei; in fact it was gold and silver. In the former, at the final hurdle Wu Chiou-Shin and Zang Huan-Qi beat Chang Yu-An and Ka Cheng-Jui (13-11, 9-11, 11-6, 11-7); in the latter Chien Tung-Chuan and Yu Hsiu-Ting overcame Cai Fong-En and Hsu Yi-Chen (9-11, 11-7, 11-8, 11-6).

Play in Chinese Taipei concluded, attention on the ITTF World Junior Circuit now turns to Otocec; the Slovenia Junior and Cadet Open commences on Wednesday 2nd October.

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Bonus-point chase risky tactic, warns Scotland captain McInally

Published in Rugby

Sunday, 29 September 2019 03:09

Captain Stuart McInally warns Scotland could "get into a bit of trouble" if they go chasing a try bonus-point against Samoa.

Japan's shock win over Ireland has blown World Cup Pool A wide open, with the Scots potentially needing bonus-points wins in each of their three remaining matches to progress.

But McInally says it does not alter their approach to Monday's match.

"We obviously watched the Japan game and we've done the numbers," he said.

"We know the implications and what it could mean for us. But we just have to go out and win the game first and foremost.

"In my experience if you start chasing anything else before the game starts then you can get into a bit of trouble.

"So we'll go out, try to win the game and if we're in a position in the last 20 minutes to go for that bonus point then of course we're aware of what we have to do."

McInally says that while Japan's win may not have been helpful from a Scottish perspective, seeing the home side produce such a seismic result has energised the tournament and the host nation.

"I was very impressed by the Japanese side," said the Edinburgh hooker.

"I thought they played exceptionally well and deserved to win. They played very fast, they were very direct, and they looked after the ball well. I feel they defended very well as well, and when you play like they did I'm not surprised that they won.

"It was obviously a disappointing result for Scotland but it was great to see what it did for Japan, and to see how much it means to the country as a whole as obviously they've put a lot into the World Cup."

My Scotland XV

Who would you pick for Scotland's second Rugby World Cup match against Samoa? Select and share your XV.

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Rules are 'spooking' referees - Australia coach Cheika

Published in Rugby

Sunday, 29 September 2019 05:51

Australia coach Michael Cheika says authorities are "spooking" referees and that he was "embarrassed" by some decisions in the loss to Wales.

Wales moved top of World Cup Pool D with a 29-25 win in Tokyo on Sunday.

Cheika was angry at the decision to penalise Samu Kerevi when the centre was carrying the ball and noted booing from the crowd following the call.

"Administrators are spooking the refs and refs are afraid of making decisions," he said.

Referee Romain Poite referred the tackle to the television match official and Kerevi was judged to have led with his forearm into Rhys Patchell's chest then throat.

Former New Zealand fly-half Andrew Mehrtens said on BBC Radio 5 Live it was "opening a dangerous can of worms".

"If you slow it down, everything looks worse. It's dangerous ground and you're going to end up with a game with no contact at all," he added.

Wallabies captain Michael Hooper remonstrated with Poite and later said Wales fly-half Patchell had shown "poor tackle technique".

World Rugby introduced new rules in 2017 to "change culture in the sport to ensure that the head is a no-go area" and published a framework to help referees rule on high tackles in May.

The governing body criticised its own officials on Tuesday after Reece Hodge's collision with Peceli Yato during Australia's opening win over Fiji went unpunished.

Wallabies winger Hodge later received a three-match ban after being cited for the high tackle.

Cheika said: "When our player does it, we get suspended, and then this time we get penalised. As a former rugby player, I am embarrassed about it."

On the Kerevi incident, Cheika said: "He put his arm into his chest. I don't know if that is illegal or not. I don't know the rules any more, honestly.

"Everyone seems worried about stuff so much. I don't know why. The players aren't worried."

Asked if rugby was getting "softer", Cheika said: "You've got to take care, you've got to look after players, but not to an extreme where you're looking after players just for doctors and lawyers," he said.

"You've got to look after players for players."

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Ball boys sent off for time-wasting, ref fills in

Published in Soccer

Sunday, 29 September 2019 04:37

Yeovil Town's ball boys were all sent off in the closing minutes of Saturday's 3-1 non-league win over Bromley, leaving the referee to retrieve the ball himself, as the bemused club took to social media to discuss the bizarre end to the game.

"The referee has, no joke, just sent off one of our ball boys..." Yeovil said on Twitter, a post that was retweeted by more than 2,000 users, before adding: "Update: he's dismissed all of them."

- Balotelli's daughter accompanies dad as rivals' mascot

85 | Update: he's dismissed all of them...
(3-1) #YTFC
— Yeovil Town FC (@YTFC) September 28, 2019

Yeovil's match report called the game a "fiery affair" and said of the incident: "In a unique turn of events, the referee sent all the Yeovil ball boys to the stands due to claims of time-wasting."

Local media said referee Aaron Johnson had sent off one boy for not returning the ball to a Bromley player fast enough late in the National League (fifth-tier) match at Yeovil's Huish Park.

The other boys followed soon after, leaving no-one to return the ball for the final minutes of the game, with Yeovil saying on Twitter that Johnson himself had then been obliged to run to retrieve a ball.

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Inactives watch: Who's in and who's out?

Published in Breaking News

Sunday, 29 September 2019 06:10

To help you set your lineups and avoid starting a player who won't take the field, we will post fantasy-relevant updates and analysis here as NFL teams release their inactives lists, typically about 90 minutes before kickoff. Any rankings cited in this column come from our ESPN Fantasy staff ranks.

Refresh often for the latest information.

1 p.m. ET games

Offense

Mark Andrews TE BAL: Foot -- Questionable
Impact: Andrews says he's feeling good and is ready to play.

Devin Singletary RB BUF: Hamstring -- Questionable
Impact: Practiced on Friday, but current reports lean towards him sitting.

Tyler Kroft TE BUF: Ankle -- OUT
Impact: Dawson Knox could shine for the second straight week.

Cam Newton QB CAR: Foot -- OUT
Impact: Kyle Allen will start until the veteran is ready.

Rashard Higgins WR CLE: Knee -- Questionable
Impact: Damion Ratley would jump to No. 3 if Higgins sits.

Matthew Stafford QB DET: Hip -- Questionable
Impact: Expected to play, but you may want to steer clear of Lions WRs, just in case.

Danny Amendola WR DET: Chest -- Questionable
Impact: Tom Kennedy promoted from practice squad. Not a good sign.

T.Y. Hilton WR IND: Quad -- Doubtful
Impact: Looking unlikely to play. Deon Cain and Chester Rogers get bumps.

Damien Williams RB KC: Knee -- OUT
Impact: LeSean McCoy will start. Darrel Williams to spell.

Tyreek Hill WR KC: Shoulder -- OUT
Impact: Mecole Hardman again an interesting flex pick for fantasy.

Justin Jackson RB LAC: Calf -- OUT
Impact: Austin Ekeler will be No. 1 RB. Melvin Gordon may get a handful of touches.

Travis Benjamin WR LAC: Hip -- Doubtful
Impact: Geremy Davis would see increase in targets as clear No. 3.

Mike Williams WR LAC: Back -- OUT
Impact: Andre Patton signed to provide extra WR depth.

Virgil Green TE LAC: Groin -- OUT
Impact: Sean Culkin potentially in the mix for very limited targets.

Hunter Henry TE LAC: Knee -- OUT
Impact: Also avoid Lance Kendricks. Philip Rivers has largely ignored TEs since Henry got hurt.

Michael Badgley K LAC: Groin -- OUT
Impact: Ty Long continues to fill in for the Chargers.

Allen Hurns WR MIA: Concussion -- OUT
Impact: Jakeem Grant gets some extra value, for what that's worth.

Albert Wilson WR MIA: Calf -- Questionable
Impact: Expected to return for Week 4, but few Miami players are worth fantasy looks.

Rex Burkhead RB NE: Foot -- Questionable
Impact: Expected to play, but Sony Michel might still get more touches this week.

Julian Edelman WR NE: Chest -- Questionable
Impact: Making the trip to Buffalo, so he's expected to play.

Matt LaCosse TE NE: Ankle -- Questionable
Impact: Ryan Izzo starts if LaCosse can't go.

Saquon Barkley RB NYG: Ankle -- OUT
Impact: Wayne Gallman starts. Elijhaa Penny to back up.

Russell Shepard WR NYG: Foot -- OUT/IR
Impact: Cody Latimer and Bennie Fowler need to step up.

Dwayne Harris WR OAK: Ankle -- OUT
Impact: Trevor Davis could be a deep-league surprise.

Terry McLaurin WR WAS: Hamstring -- Questionable
Impact: Looking likely to play, but may see limited snaps. Trey Quinn could benefit.

Jordan Reed TE WAS: Concussion -- OUT
Impact: Vernon Davis starts. Jeremy Sprinkle to potentially step up as well.

Defense

Jimmy Smith CB BAL: Knee -- OUT

Marlon Humphrey CB BAL: Hip -- Questionable

Taron Johnson CB BUF: Hamstring -- Questionable

Bruce Irvin DE CAR: Hamstring -- Questionable

Kawann Short DT CAR: Shoulder -- Questionable

Donte Jackson CB CAR: Groin -- Questionable

Morgan Burnett S CLE: Quad -- Questionable

Denzel Ward CB CLE: Hamstring -- Questionable

Greedy Williams CB CLE: Hamstring -- Questionable

Darius Slay CB DET: Hamstring -- Questionable

Jabaal Sheard DE IND: Knee -- Questionable

Darius Leonard LB IND: Concussion -- OUT

Malik Hooker S IND: Knee -- OUT

Casey Hayward Jr. CB LAC: Back -- Questionable

Reshad Jones S MIA: Ankle -- Questionable

Bobby McCain S MIA: Hamstring -- Questionable

Michael Bennett DE NE: Shoulder -- Questionable

Dont'a Hightower LB NE: Shoulder -- Questionable

Alec Ogletree LB NYG: Hamstring -- OUT

4 p.m. ET games

Offense

Damiere Byrd WR ARI: Hamstring -- OUT
Impact: KeeSean Johnson and Andy Isabella could both see more targets.

Taylor Gabriel WR CHI: Concussion -- OUT
Impact: Still in concussion protocol. Cordarrelle Patterson might step up.

Trey Burton TE CHI: Groin -- Questionable
Impact: Wouldn't rule Burton out, but Adam Shaheen may play on a few extra snaps.

Eddy Pineiro K CHI: Knee -- Questionable
Impact: Expected to play, but you should definitely avoid.

Chris Godwin WR TB: Hip -- Questionable
Impact: Game-time call with no obvious fantasy options behind him.

Defense

Bilal Nichols DE CHI: Hand -- OUT

Akiem Hicks DE CHI: Knee -- Questionable

Derek Wolfe DE DEN: Ankle -- Questionable

Josey Jewell LB DEN: Hamstring -- Questionable

Bryce Callahan CB DEN: Foot -- OUT

Kareem Jackson S DEN: Hamstring -- Questionable

Jalen Ramsey CB JAX: Back -- Questionable

Devin White LB TB: Knee -- OUT

Official Sunday inactives should begin coming in at approximately 11:30 a.m. ET for the early games and at 2:30 p.m. ET for the late games.

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Yusuke Suzuki and Liang Rui win world 50km walk titles

Published in Athletics

Sunday, 29 September 2019 02:19

Road action returns to the challenging conditions of Doha’s Corniche promenade for the longest events at the IAAF World Championships

Japan’s Yusuke Suzuki and China’s Liang Rui won world 50km race walk titles overnight, racing in challenging hot and humid conditions at the IAAF World Championships in Doha.

Making his intention clear from the start, world 20km race walk record-holder Suzuki became the first Japanese race walker to win a world title, claiming victory in 4:04:20 ahead of Joao Vieira of Portugal, who clocked 4:04:59, and Evan Dunfee of Canada, who finished strongly for third in 4:05:02.

At the age of 43 and at his 11th world championships, Vieira becomes the oldest medallist in the history of the global event.

Defending champion Yohann Diniz had looked to challenge in the early stages but later was among a number of athletes to drop out.

Ireland’s Brendan Boyce was sixth in 4:07:46, while Spain’s 49-year-old Jesus Angel Garcia was eighth in 4:11:28 as he raced at a record 13th world championships.

Britain’s Dominic King and Cameron Corbishley were disqualified after each receiving four red cards.

In the women’s race, former world record-holder Liang won in 4:23:26 ahead of her compatriot Li Maocuo in 4:26:40 and Italy’s European record-holder Eleonora Giorgi in 4:29:13.

Portugal’s defending champion Ines Henriques was among those to drop out and Ukraine’s Olena Sobchuk claimed fourth place in 4:33:38.

Check out the dedicated Doha 2019 section on our website here.

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