■ Soccer
Striker cautions coach
Chile striker Mauricio Pinilla has told the national coach to stay out of his private life after Nelson Acosta suggested he cut down on his nightlife. "I don't want Acosta inter-fering with my private life," the Sporting Lisbon player told Chilean media. "I've got other people to look after me and give me advice. Let him just worry about what I do on the field," said Pinilla, who scored a hat-trick against Braga in the Portuguese league at the weekend. Acos-ta, who replaced Juvenal Olmos as Chile coach last week, said on Monday he was worried about the 21-year-old's lifestyle. Pinilla has been a regular in the Chile side although he was suspended for a game against Brazil last August after pulling his shorts off and putting them on his head as he celebrated scoring the winning goal to Venezuela.
■ Soccer
Man U fans plan boycott
Manchester United supporters' groups have called for fans to boycott tomorrow's English Premier-ship home game with West Brom. The "Not For Sale Coalition" made up of the Independent Manchester United Supporters Assoc-iation, Shareholders United plus the Red Devils' three major fanzines is behind the move as it cranks up its campaign against Malcolm Glazer's takeover bid. The group also wants to send out a message to the current United board, emphasizing the widespread disgust at recent ticket price rises. "We realise it's asking a lot for people who have bought tickets not to use them, but we feel we have to take a stand," spokesman Jules Spencer said. "This is the last Saturday matchday oppor-tunity for supporters to let any potential new owners and the current board know that supporters' loyalty cannot be taken for granted." Supporters who do not want to miss the game have been asked to join a protest march to the stadium 45 minutes before kick-off.
■ Soccer
Sydney United suspended
An Australian football team was suspended for the rest of the season on Wednesday following an inquiry into a spate of ethnic-related crowd violence which has prompted tough new laws to outlaw hooligans. New South Wales (NSW) state football chiefs said Sydney United would be banned for four matches after dozens of fans from its Croatian support base battled with followers of the Serbian-backed Bonnyrigg White Eagles at a ground in suburban Sydney last March. In the days after the clash, shots were fired at one Serbian community club and a car was firebombed at another. "The lunatic fringe whose conduct brought the club's suspension should hang their heads in shame," Soccer NSW president Tom Doumanis said.
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