■ Athletics
Fans protest Israel
More than 1,000 protesters burned an Israeli flag outside the stadium where Israeli athletes competed on Monday at the European Athletics Championship in Gothenburg, Sweden. The protesters waved Lebanese flags and demanded an end to the fighting between Israeli forces and the Hezbollah militia in Lebanon. The group also called for a political, trade and sports boycott of Israel and said its athletes should not be allowed to compete in European competitions.
■ Baseball
Matsui up for examination
New York Yankees left fielder Hideki Matsui will have his injured left wrist re-examined on Friday, at which time he could be cleared to intensify his workouts. Matsui is currently hitting off a tee with a mini-bat, one-handed with his right arm. The Japanese star is also throwing in the outfield, but is having a second person catch the return throws for him. Matsui will be examined in Tampa, Florida, where he is recovering from the broken wrist he suffered while diving for a fly ball against Boston on May 11. "I'm really not frustrated or tired of the situation," Matsui said on Monday through a translator.
■ Soccer
Reggina to face fixing probe
Italian Serie A side Reggina have been ordered to appear before a sports tribunal to answer allegations of match-fixing in the latest twist to the scandal that has rocked Italian soccer, it was reported on Monday. Reggina's case has been referred to legal authorities after the club were placed under investigation at the request of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) last month, ANSA news agency reported. The club's 56-year-old president Lillo Foti, three referees, two assistant referees and another official have been targeted by prosecutors. According to magistrates, these people tried to predetermine the result of six matches involving first division club Reggina last season.
■ Athletics
Kenyan duo falsified age
A Kenyan police officer allegedly helped two runners lower their ages so they could take part in the World Junior Championships, the country's sports minister said on Monday. "We must stop this age cheating habit once and for all," Maina Kamanda said. Emmanuel Chamer had a passport that said he was born in 1988 but he was actually born in 1984, Kamanda said, making him too old to compete at the Aug. 15-20 championships in Beijing. Chamer admitted getting the passport with the help of police inspector Silas Ruto, the minister said. Thomas Loriongosiwa was also detained last week by authorities. Loriongosiwa was born in 1982 -- not 1988 -- which would have qualified him to run, Kamanda said last week. Loriongosiwa was arrested Friday and charged. He is out on bail and his case will be heard on Oct. 25.
■ NHL
Rangers hook Hossa
The New York Rangers and Slovakian forward Marcel Hossa agreed to terms on a one-year deal worth US$600,000 on Monday. The 24-year-old left winger posted career highs with 10 goals, 16 points and 64 games played in the last NHL season, his first with New York. Hossa, who represented Slovakia at this year's Turin Olympics, also had a goal,and three assists in seven games at the ice hockey world championships. During the 2004-2005 NHL lockout, Hossa skated in 48 games with Mora IK of the Swedish Elite League and had 18 goals and six assists. He tied his brother, Marian of the Atlanta Thrashers, for second on the team in goals. He was acquired by New York on Sept. 30 last year, for forward Garth Murray.
■ Rugby Union
'Boks bolster squad
Springbok selectors added two uncapped players to their squad and recalled center Jean de Villiers after an injury lay-off on Monday for their three remaining home Tri-Nations games. The Sharks duo of scrumhalf Ruan Pienaar, who can also play flyhalf, and prop Brendon Botha were named in the 28-man squad to take on New Zealand twice and Australia once. Cats flyhalf Andre Pretorius was recalled to the squad for the first time this season. De Villiers and lock Danie Rossouw, who were both injured while playing for South Africa against Scotland and Australia respectively, also returned to bolster the team, who have lost their last four tests.
■ Olympic games
Sponsorship prices soaring
Commercial partners for the 2012 Olympics may have to pay up to triple the original asking price for sponsorship, a London Organizing Committee report said on Monday. The organizing committee released a "business support initiative" report indicating it needs to raise £2 billion (US$3.82 billion) in sponsorship revenue for the London Games. With 10 "Top Tier" companies expected to raise 80 percent of this amount, exclusive partners could be paying out above the original £50 million price tag the organizing committee set during bidding for the games.
■ Motogp
Doohan pleads to assault
Former world motorcycle champion Mick Doohan pleaded guilty to assaulting a security officer at a strip club and was fined AU$2,500 (US$1,900. Doohan arrived late at Darwin's Magistrates Court in Australia's Northern Territory -- often referred to as the "Top End" -- yesterday, narrowly avoiding having an arrest warrant issued. When he arrived, he admitted to assaulting the bouncer and failing to leave a licensed premises early on Saturday morning.
OUT AGAINST INDONESIA: Taiwan reached the semi-finals at the tournament for the first time by defeating Denmark, with Chou Tien-chen beating Viktor Axelsen Taiwan yesterday crashed out of the Thomas Cup team competition in Chengdu, China, but achieved their best result at the top-tier badminton event by reaching the semi-finals. Indonesia were too good in the semis, winning 3-0 to advance to today’s final against China, who eliminated Malaysia 3-1. In the opening singles of the men’s team clash at the Hi-Tech Zone Sports Center Gymnasium 2, Anthony Ginting defeated Taiwan’s Chou Tien-chen 21-18, 21-19 in 51 minutes, which put a huge hole in Taiwan’s aspirations to perhaps even make the final. In the men’s doubles, Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Ardianto downed Lee Yang and Wang
NO DOUBT: Spurs star Wembanyama was unanimously selected as NBA Rookie of the Year, winning all 99 votes to become the first Frenchman to capture the honor The Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday night produced a dominant defensive display to seize a commanding 2-0 lead in their best-of-seven playoff series against the Denver Nuggets with a 106-80 road victory. The third-seeded Timberwolves harassed Denver relentlessly to claim a second straight win over the NBA champions as the series heads back to Minneapolis for Game 3 on Friday. Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards scored 27 points apiece, but the star of the show was Minnesota’s suffocating defensive effort, which knocked Denver out of their stride almost from the tip-off. The Timberwolves finished with 11 steals and 12 blocks, in sharp contrast to
Top-ranked Iga Swiatek on Saturday came through “the most intense and crazy final” she has ever contested to avenge her loss to Aryna Sabalenka in last year’s Madrid Open final with a grueling three hour, 11 minute victory in the Spanish capital. Coming back from 1-3 down in the decider and saving three match points in total, Swiatek claimed a 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (9/7) victory to secure the Madrid Open trophy for the first time. “Well, who is going to say now that women’s tennis is boring, right?” Swiatek said. Swiatek, who picked up the 20th title of her career, and ninth at
One of Malaysia’s top soccer clubs has pulled out of today’s season-opening Charity Shield after a spate of assaults, including an acid attack, on players in the country. It leaves the kickoff of Malaysia’s season this weekend under a cloud following the unprecedented acts of violence against players, which have left the country shocked and angry. Authorities said they have imposed tighter security, but Selangor said that they would not play in the showpiece curtain-raiser against Malaysian Super League champions Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) citing “a series of criminal incidents and recent threats.” Selangor and Malaysia winger Faisal Halim is in intensive care