■ Basketball
Andray Blatche recovers
Washington Wizards rookie Andray Blatche was released from the hospital on Tuesday, two days after being shot in an attempted carjacking. "He is doing very well, and we are very encouraged by his progress," Wizards president of basketball operations Ernie Grunfeld said. The 19-year-old forward was shot once in the chest early Sunday morning while riding in a car near his home in Alexandria, Virginia. Blatche was the 49th overall pick in this year's NBA draft. The Wizards open training camp next Tuesday in Richmond, Virginia. Regarding Blatche's status, Grunfeld said, "At this time it is too early to determine a timetable for his return to action."
■ Golf
Skins Game gets Funk
Fred Funk will join defending champion Fred Couples, Tiger Woods and Annika Sorenstam to complete the foursome in the Merrill Lynch Skins Game on Nov. 26-27 at Trilogy Golf Club in La Quinta, California. "They called and told me I was in the Skins Game and I said, `Which Skins Game? The one over Thanksgiving?'" Funk, 49, said. "I said, `How the hell did I qualify for that?'" He got in by winning The Players Championship in March, making him the oldest winner in its 32-year history. Funk, who ranked 192nd in driving distance last year, now faces some big pressure for the silly season. Along with trying to win skins, his big concern is not being the shortest hitter in the group. "Tiger came up to me the other day and said Annika is the fourth," Funk said. "He said, `If she outdrives you once, you will never, ever, ever hear the end of it.'"
■ Soccer
FIFA suspends referee
FIFA has suspended Brazilian referee Edilson Pereira de Carvalho, who is under investigation in Brazil for allegedly taking bribes to favor certain clubs. FIFA, soccer's world governing body, announced the suspension on Tuesday. "The Brazilian football association has informed FIFA that it has also opened an investigation into the case, and that it will take all the necessary measures to resolve the matter," FIFA said. FIFA said its suspension of Carvalho was "worldwide and until further notice ... in light of the Brazilian federal police decision to open a criminal investigation into his alleged involvement in a match-fixing scandal." Carvalho was arrested Saturday.
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
Forget Real Madrid, Manchester City or Paris Saint-Germain, the world’s best soccer team — statistically speaking — might be a little-known outfit from the closed central Asian nation of Turkmenistan. Founded last year, Arkadag, named in honor of former Turkmen president Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, have been unstoppable, notching up 36 consecutive domestic victories in a run still ongoing. The side have not lost a single competitive match and swept to a league and cup double in their inaugural season — success unthinkable almost anywhere else. However, in Turkmenistan, it could hardly have gone any other way. The energy-rich country is one of the most closed
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