■ Soccer
Red Devils' stars banned
Manchester United's Wayne Rooney and Paul Scholes were both banned on Tuesday for three matches by the Football Association (FA) after losing claims for wrongful dismissal during a pre-season friendly against Porto in Amsterdam on Aug. 4. The bans start on Aug. 23, 14 days on from the day the FA received the match officials' report from the Dutch FA. England internationals Rooney and Scholes were sent off for violent conduct and serious foul play respectively.
■ Basketball
Seattle tie up Wilcox deal
Seattle power forward Chris Wilcox signed a contract on Tuesday to remain with the SuperSonics, the NBA club announced. The Seattle Times reported the deal was for three years and worth US$24 million. Wilcox has averaged 7.4 points and 4.3 rebounds in 242 career games with the Sonics and Los Angeles Clippers. "We indicated that getting Chris signed was a top priority and he is on board," Sonics general manager Rick Sund said. "The Sonics had a winning record after acquiring Chris and we want to build on that success." Obtained from the Clippers just before last February's trade deadline, Wilcox averaged 14.1 points and 8.2 rebounds in 29 games with Seattle.
■ Soccer
Hong Kong star quits
One of Hong Kong's top soccer players has quit the national side in protest at the shambolic state of soccer in the territory, a media report said yesterday. Midfielder and team captain Cheung Sai-ho said Hong Kong's upcoming Asia Cup clash against Uzbekistan in Tashkent would be his last cap. "There's really no point in continuing to play for Hong Kong when we are faced with so many difficulties," Cheung was quoted as telling the South China Morning Post. "We simply don't have sufficient support -- we don't even have a fixed training ground. How can we achieve good results if we don't even have that?" Cheung told the Post that the last straw came when government park-keepers chastised the national squad for ruining turf at a local stadium when they held a practice session during heavy rain.
■ Soccer
Player appeals for stolen dog
Everton's Dutch midfielder Andy van der Meyde appealed for the return of his pet puppy on Tuesday after it was stolen during a burglary at his home in northwest England. Thieves broke into the Premier League player's home in Bebington, Wirral, on Saturday and stole the pedigree dog, Mac, along with a Ferrari and a Mini Cooper. Burglars broke in while Van der Meyde was playing a testimonial match against Spain's Athletic Bilbao, police said. "Obviously I want my stuff back, but I want Mac back more than anything. He is just a puppy," Van der Meyde, 26, told the Liverpool Echo newspaper. "I would be prepared to pay a reward to anybody who gets him back for me." A Merseyside Police spokesman said the two cars have been found, but the dog is still missing.
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