■ Soccer
Anelka seeks France talks
Nicolas Anelka says he wants to talk to France coach Jacques Santini about an eventual return to the squad aiming to defend its European title at Euro 2004 this summer. The stormy Anelka walked out on Les Bleus in November 2002, saying Santini did not believe in him as a player and that he could not play under his command. But the Manchester City striker told L'Equipe newspaper that he now wants his France shirt back -- if Santini will have him. "I want to come back, to be an international again," he said.
■ Soccer
Qaddafi's dope ban to end
Saadi Qaddafi's three-month doping ban from Italy's top soccer league was due to expire yesterday. The son of Libyan leader Muammar Qaddafi was suspended in November after testing positive for a performance-enhancing steroid in an Oct. 5 match. He signed with the Perugia club in June and was sitting on the bench in the match in which he was found to be doping. Qaddafi will be eligible to make his Serie A debut in Perugia's match against European champion AC Milan tomorrow at San Siro. On Thursday, Qaddafi played in the second half of Perugia's 16-0 win against semiprofessional squad Collepepe in a friendly match. The Libyan forward scored twice, once with a penalty shot. The Italian league ruled last week that Qaddafi could play in friendly matches while serving his ban so he could keep in form. Qaddafi denies intentionally doping and says medicine he took for back pain probably caused the positive result.
■ Soccer
Cameroon in kit trouble
Cameroon are hoping to continue using their one-piece kit at the African Nations Cup finals despite the threat of FIFA sanctions. Cameroon Football Federation president Iya Mohamed said on Thursday he had received a letter from FIFA, adding: "They have told us that if we continue we stand the risk of having to appear before FIFA's disciplinary structures." Cameroon have defied FIFA president Sepp Blatter by wearing the new design in their first three matches in Tunisia. Blatter said on the eve of the tournament that the design infringed the laws of the game. But Mohamed said Puma, the equipment supplier, was still arguing its case with FIFA. "As things stand at the moment, we are awaiting a decision. The equipment supplier has not given up." On Wednesday, French sports newspaper L'Equipe reported that Puma was considering legal action against FIFA, arguing there was no law against shirts and shorts being sewn together. Mohamed said Cameroon had an alternative kit if required.
OUT AGAINST INDONESIA: Taiwan reached the semi-finals at the tournament for the first time by defeating Denmark, with Chou Tien-chen beating Viktor Axelsen Taiwan yesterday crashed out of the Thomas Cup team competition in Chengdu, China, but achieved their best result at the top-tier badminton event by reaching the semi-finals. Indonesia were too good in the semis, winning 3-0 to advance to today’s final against China, who eliminated Malaysia 3-1. In the opening singles of the men’s team clash at the Hi-Tech Zone Sports Center Gymnasium 2, Anthony Ginting defeated Taiwan’s Chou Tien-chen 21-18, 21-19 in 51 minutes, which put a huge hole in Taiwan’s aspirations to perhaps even make the final. In the men’s doubles, Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Ardianto downed Lee Yang and Wang
NO DOUBT: Spurs star Wembanyama was unanimously selected as NBA Rookie of the Year, winning all 99 votes to become the first Frenchman to capture the honor The Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday night produced a dominant defensive display to seize a commanding 2-0 lead in their best-of-seven playoff series against the Denver Nuggets with a 106-80 road victory. The third-seeded Timberwolves harassed Denver relentlessly to claim a second straight win over the NBA champions as the series heads back to Minneapolis for Game 3 on Friday. Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards scored 27 points apiece, but the star of the show was Minnesota’s suffocating defensive effort, which knocked Denver out of their stride almost from the tip-off. The Timberwolves finished with 11 steals and 12 blocks, in sharp contrast to
Top-ranked Iga Swiatek on Saturday came through “the most intense and crazy final” she has ever contested to avenge her loss to Aryna Sabalenka in last year’s Madrid Open final with a grueling three hour, 11 minute victory in the Spanish capital. Coming back from 1-3 down in the decider and saving three match points in total, Swiatek claimed a 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (9/7) victory to secure the Madrid Open trophy for the first time. “Well, who is going to say now that women’s tennis is boring, right?” Swiatek said. Swiatek, who picked up the 20th title of her career, and ninth at
One of Malaysia’s top soccer clubs has pulled out of today’s season-opening Charity Shield after a spate of assaults, including an acid attack, on players in the country. It leaves the kickoff of Malaysia’s season this weekend under a cloud following the unprecedented acts of violence against players, which have left the country shocked and angry. Authorities said they have imposed tighter security, but Selangor said that they would not play in the showpiece curtain-raiser against Malaysian Super League champions Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) citing “a series of criminal incidents and recent threats.” Selangor and Malaysia winger Faisal Halim is in intensive care