■ Soccer
Managers blast official
Rival managers Rafa Benitez and Arsene Wenger criticized referee Martin Atkinson after the Yorkshire official called off Liverpool's League Cup quarter-final against Arsenal at Anfield on Tuesday night due to heavy fog. The two clubs now face a fixture logjam with the congested Christmas fixture list looming before the scheduled semi-final date on Jan. 9. Atkinson postponed the game an hour before kick-off due to concerns over the ability of his officials to perform their duties, but both Benitez and Wenger insisted he was wrong to call off the game.
■ Athletics
Gatlin to coach boys team
Banned Olympic champion sprinter Justin Gatlin has agreed to be a volunteer coach for the boys track team at his high school this spring. The athletic director for Woodham High School said on Tuesday that Gatlin has frequently donated his time and money to the team since graduating in 2000. Gatlin, the world record-holder in the 100m, faces a suspension of up to eight years following a positive drug test for testosterone and other steroids at the Kansas Relays in April. His appeal is pending.
■ Soccer
Real Madrid reject Gago
Boca Juniors president Mauricio Macri has offered his talented young midfielder Fernando Gago to Barcelona and AC Milan after failing to reach agreement with Real Madrid, the Spanish media reported on Tuesday. Macri was negotiating with Real officials in Madrid over the weekend for the transfer of his 20-year-old player but apparently his asking price of 23 million euros (US$30 million) was too high even for the wealthy Spanish giants.
■ Cycling
Landis to go off road
Embattled Tour de France cycling champ Floyd Landis will compete in a 160km mountain bike race in Colorado in August. The Leadville Trail 100 will mark Landis' return to off-road racing, which he left in 1998 to focus on road racing. After winning the Tour de France, Landis' urine samples were tested and found to contain elevated testosterone to epitestosterone levels. Currently recovering from hip surgery, Landis said he expects his body will be ready for the rigors of off-road racing. The race is scheduled for Aug. 11.
■ NFL
Tank suspended after arrest
The Chicago Bears suspended defensive tackle Tank Johnson for one game on Tuesday, almost a week after he was arrested on misdemeanor weapons charges. The day after Johnson was arrested, his third arrest since the Bears drafted him in 2004, he was at a night club when his friend was shot to death. "I don't believe the team has to tell me it's my last chance. I know the opportunity that I have in front of me and it's great," Johnson said at a news conference. Johnson was arrested after a Thursday raid on his home in which police found six unregistered firearms. A day later, Bears general manager Jerry Angelo had issued a warning to Johnson and the player publicly apologized. That night, he went to Ice Bar in Chicago's River North area with his friend and bodyguard Willie Posey, who was shot to death.
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