■ Soccer
Cristiano Ronaldo on bail
Manchester United foot-baller Cristiano Ronaldo was released on police bail on Wednesday, several hours after he was arrested on suspicion of rape. The 20-year-old Portuguese international went voluntarily to a police station in London to speak to police investigating a woman's allegation that she was sexually assaulted in a central-London hotel suite on Sunday, Oct. 2. A Metropolitan Police spokesman said, without naming Ronaldo: "The man in his 20s has been bailed pending further inquiries to return at a future date." A spokesman for Manchester United said the club was not releasing a statement about Ronaldo's arrest.
■ Soccer
Uruguay asks for a favor
Australia are considering a request from Uruguay to switch the first-leg date of the World Cup qualifying playoff between the teams. The opening leg is scheduled to take place in Montevideo on Nov.12 and the return match in Sydney four days later, the winner of the tie advancing to next year's World Cup finals in Germany. However, the Football Federation of Australia (FFA) has received a request from Uruguay asking that the Montevideo match be brought forward a day to allow the teams an extra day off for the long trip from South America. "It is being considered. We cannot put a time frame on [a decision] but obviously it has got to be soon," FFA spokesman Stuart Hodge said. "It just depends on what we would like to do. There are a few factors that need to be taken into consideration."
■ Golf
Thai sets earnings record
Thailand's Thaworn Wiratchant has become the first player in Asian golf history to break the US$400,000 mark in earnings in a season, officials said on Tuesday. The 38-year-old Thaworn finished 13th at last week's Bangkok Airways Open to win a cheque of US$3,216, swelling his season's haul to a record US$400,975, the Asian Tour said. Thaworn, winner of the Standard Chartered Indonesia Open and Taiwan Open this year, remained atop the Asian Tour Order of Merit with six events remaining. Compatriot Thongchai Jaidee, the 2004 Asian Tour No. 1, stayed second on the money ranking after finishing fifth on home soil. He added US$7,300 to his tally which now stands at US$353,720. India's Jyoti Randhawa is third with US$214,120.
■ Tennis
Hewitt raises Aboriginal ire
Tennis bad boy Lleyton Hewitt's attempt to show fans his softer side in a documentary has ended up with the world's No. 4 player facing legal action in Australia brought by his former best friend. Hewitt has included footage of himself and Australian rules football player Andrew McLeod visiting Aboriginal sacred sites together last year in a DVD entitled Lleyton Hewitt: The Other Side, scheduled for release next month. In the DVD, McLeod showed Hewitt several aspects of his Aboriginal culture, including bush walking, dancing, fishing and story-telling. But lawyers for McLeod told the Federal Court in Melbourne yesterday that Hewitt had not sought his permission or that of traditional land-owners in the Kakadu region before including culturally sensitive footage. McLeod, who plays for Hewitt's hometown team the Adelaide Crows and once shared a house with the tennis star, sought an injunction preventing Hewitt from releasing the DVD.
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
Taiwan’s Lee Jhe-huei and Yang Po-hsuan on Saturday won the men’s doubles bronze medal at the Badminton Asia Championships in Ningbo, China, after they were bested by the hosts in their semi-final. The Taiwanese shuttlers lost to China’s Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang, who advanced to yesterday’s final against Malaysia’s Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzudin. The Chinese pair outplayed Lee and Yang in straight games. Although the Taiwanese got off to a slow start in the first game, they eventually tied it 14-14, before Liang and Wang went on to blow past them to win 21-17. In the second game, Lee and