■ Rugby league
Club chief resigns
The chief executive of an Australian rugby league team facing multiple rape allegations by a number of its players resigned yesterday. Steve Mortimer, a former Canterbury and Australian international halfback, said the Bulldogs, a western Sydney team, would be best served with another person in charge. "The last few weeks have been traumatic and gut-wrenching for all concerned, but now is the time for healing, and for those who genuinely care about the club to turn their attention and energy to rebuilding it," said Mortimer. The Bulldogs are under police investigation over the alleged multiple sexual assault of a woman at Coffs Harbour, on the northern New South Wales coast, on Feb. 22. Mortimer is the second casualty of the scandal with football manager Garry Hughes fired last week for failing to enforce the club's code of conduct.
■ Soccer
Police investigate violence
Police yesterday were investigating "large scale" crowd violence before and after the Premier League game between south coast rivals Portsmouth and Southampton. Eight people were arrested, several injured and one man taken to a hospital after Portsmouth fans clashed with police following the 1-0 home win at Fratton Park on Sunday. Cars were damaged, local shop windows smashed and coins and other objects thrown. Around 400 police officers, police dogs and horses were involved in restoring order. "It is extremely disappointing that a very small vocal minority chose to attack police and visiting supporters and attempted to spoil this much anticipated event for everyone," Chief Superindendent Dan Clacher said.
■ Soccer
Rumor sparks abandonment
A "derby" match between Rome arch-rivals Lazio and AS Roma was abandoned on Sunday after false rumors circulated among fans that a child had been killed by a police car outside the stadium. No official reason was immediately available for the decision -- almost certainly unprecedented -- to stop the game early in the second half. The ANSA news agency said the abandonment was made "for public order reasons." Reporters at the ground said rumors circulated among the 70,000 crowd that a child had been knocked down and killed by a police car outside the Olympic Stadium. The match was four minutes into the second half when a fan walked on to the pitch behind the Roma goal to interrupt the match with the rumor. The police department of Rome quickly denied the rumor -- the denial was heard on the stadium loudspeakers -- but after a 15-minute delay the players agreed to abandon the match.
■ Soccer
Ferdinand halts appeal
Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand will not take the fight against his eight-month ban for missing a drugs test to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), he was quoted as saying in The Sun newspaper yesterday. A three-man independent board dismissed an appeal by Ferdinand on Thursday and upheld his conviction leaving him and his club with the option of an appeal to CAS in Switzerland. The 25-year-old England international, the world's most expensive defender, was quoted in The Sun as saying: "I still think the ban was harsh and that I have been made an example of. But I've decided it is time this came to an end. When my appeal was rejected last Thursday my first reaction was to keep going. But I've had a chance to think about it and don't feel it would serve my purpose by dragging it out."
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely