No soccer players had been implicated in the Spanish police investigation Operation Puerto, despite allusions from an International Cycling Union official that soccer and tennis players were being targeted along with cyclists, FIFA said.
FIFA president Sepp Blatter said Spanish authorities had confirmed in writing that no soccer players were part of the doping investigation.
"We're adamant that no footballers were involved," he said.
Leading cyclists Ivan Basso and Jan Ullrich were excluded from the Tour de France last week after their names turned up on a dozens-strong list compiled by Spanish investigators who led arrests and raids last month, seizing drugs and frozen blood thought to have been prepared for banned performance-enhancing transfusions.
Basso and Ullrich say they're innocent.
Jiri Dvorak, who heads FIFA's medical committee, said that he doubted blood doping was useful for soccer players at the World Cup because of the short turnaround between matches and because the risks far outweighed any minimal benefit.
Dvorak said there had been no positive doping cases from more than 200 tests so far at the World Cup.
Alexandre Guimaraes has resigned as Costa Rica's coach, saying he faced insults and physical threats since the "Ticos" lost all three of their games in the World Cup.
Guimaraes had signed a four-year contract extension before the World Cup, where his team was eliminated in the first round with three losses.
"I'm giving up that contract without any monetary benefit in return," Guimaraes said.
The Brazilian-born coach took responsibility for the bad World Cup campaign but said he will not tolerate personal attacks by some in the media who insist on "tarnishing my professional career."
"The criticism has become violent to the point that I've felt physically threatened, and if that violence is fueled by some in the media, it's even worse. This should not happen in Costa Rica," he added.
Irritate an Italian -- order a pizza. That was one German newspaper's recipe to upset Germany's World Cup semi-final rivals at kickoff time on Tuesday. The Taz daily printed a list of pizza emporiums spread across the country under the headline: "This is how we will annoy the Italians tonight: order pizza at 9pm."
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