■ Rugby
Arise Gareth Edwards, CBE
Gareth Edwards, voted the greatest player of all time in a Rugby World magazine poll, has been awarded a CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire) in Queen Elizabeth's New Year's Honours list. The former Wales captain, 59, played scrumhalf for the 1971 British and Irish Lions team who remain the only Lions side to win a series in New Zealand. "Gareth Edwards has achieved iconic status as a rugby player and is universally respected as a sporting role model," the government said in a statement yesterday. Edwards was also a member of the unbeaten 1974 Lions in South Africa.
■ Soccer
Suspects cleared to play
Israeli second division outfit Hapoel Beer Sheva were set to field five players suspected of match fixing in their league clash yesterday, the club said. The five players were arrested and held briefly in police custody earlier this month on suspicion that they were paid to help fix the result of a league match two weeks ago so that punters could scoop a record pools prize of US$9.6 million. The players are free to play because the Israeli State Attorney's office has refused the Israeli Football Association (IFA) permission to take disciplinary action against the players because of fears it could compromise the police investigation.
■ Soccer
Pressley signs with Celtic
Steven Pressley turned down Charlton to sign an 18-month contract with Scottish Premier League leader Celtic on Friday. He had even undergone a routine medical test this week at the Premier League club before deciding to join the Scottish champions. The 33-year-old Scotland defender had been Hearts captain since 2001, but left earlier this month over interference in team selection by owner Vladimir Romanov and the high turnover in coaching staff. "Anybody who knows football, knows what we are getting in Steven," Celtic manager Gordon Strachan said. "Over the last few years, he's shown himself to be an exceptional leader and a presence on the field and in the dressing room. I'm sure this will be a fantastic experience for him."
■ Soccer
Birmingham steal a point
Neil Danns' injury-time equalizer secured a point for Championship leaders Birmingham City in a 2-2 draw at home to Luton Town in Birmingham on Friday. The result at St Andrews meant Steve Bruce's side, looking to return to the English Premiership at the first attempt after relegation last season, stretched their lead at the top of the table to nine points ahead of this weekend's matches. Danns netted from close range in stoppage time after Radhi Jaidi headed in a cross from Neil Kilkenny.
■ Soccer
More cash for Sheffield
Sheffield United manager Neil Warnock's transfer budget was boosted by ¥5 million (US$9.8 million) when shareholders approved a fundraising scheme on Friday. With his side two points above the Premier League relegation zone, Warnock will invest in home-grown talent in lower-league clubs in England. "We're looking at lads who aren't getting in Premiership teams and we're looking at top division one players. If there are any gems below that, we never say `no,'" he said. "I think we have to go with the English-type player. We've looked quite extensively abroad for foreigners who've got the English mentality."
■ Basketball
Jordans announce divorce
Michael Jordan, the retired basketball superstar, and his wife of 17 years announced their divorce in a statement issued by their lawyers on Friday. Jordan, 43, part-owner of the Charlotte Bobcats NBA team, and his wife, Juanita, 47, married in 1989. They have three teenage children and lived in the Chicago suburb of Highland Park, Illinois. Juanita Jordan withdrew a divorce petition in 2002 and the couple said at the time they would attempt to mend their marriage. Local media reported the divorce was amicable, based on divorce papers filed in Lake County, Illinois.
■ Football
Shockey to sit out
The New York Giants will be without leading receiver Jeremy Shockey for their crucial regular season finale against the Washington Redskins after the Pro Bowl tight end was ruled out with a sprained ankle on Friday. Shockey injured his left ankle during last week's loss to the New Orleans Saints and did not accompany the Giants to Washington for yesterday's clash, which New York must win to have any chance of securing a playoff spot. Named to the Pro Bowl last week, Shockey has a team-high 66 catches this season for 623 yards and seven touchdowns.
■ Basketball
Paul sidelined with injury
New Orleans Hornets guard Chris Paul is expected to be sidelined for at least a month because of an ankle injury, the NBA team said on Friday. Paul, the leading scorer for the Hornets this season with an average of 18.4 points, severely sprained his right ankle in Tuesday's 102-94 loss to Seattle. "The injury to Chris is unfortunate, especially in light of the fact that we've been without three of our top players in Peja Stojakovic, David West and Bobby Jackson for an extended period," Hornets general manager Jeff Bower said in a statement. "But despite our injury troubles, credit is due to coach [Byron] Scott and our players for the resiliency and toughness they've shown through this stretch."
■ Baseball
Suppan ready to ink deal
Right-hander Jeff Suppan was ready to sign a four-year, US$42 million contract with the Milwaukee Brewers after passing his physical on Friday. Suppan, 31, has a 106-101 record in 12 major league seasons with a 4.60 ERA. He was 12-7 with a 4.12 ERA for the World Series champion St. Louis Cardinals last season and was named MVP of the this year's National League Championship Series after allowing one earned run over two starts against the New York Mets. "Will there be any extra pressure? There could be," Suppan said. "But there could not be. I don't really know," he said.
■ Boxing
Tyson arrested in Arizona
Former heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson was arrested in Arizona on Friday and charged with driving under the influence of drugs and possession of cocaine, police said. Tyson was arrested in Scottsdale, 16km east of Phoenix, Arizona, after his black BMW nearly collided with a sheriff's vehicle, according to court documents. "During an interview with Mike he admitted to using today and stated he is an addict and has a problem," the arresting officer said in court documents. "Mike admitted to possessing bags of cocaine and said he uses any time he can get his hands on it."
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