■ Football
Coach's sons cause trouble
Two of Philadelphia Eagles coach Andy Reid's sons are under investigation -- one for suspicion of pointing a gun at a motorist, the other for a car accident just hours later, after which police said he admitted using heroin. Britt Reid was questioned by police after a man matching his description in an SUV registered to Andy Reid and his wife brandished a weapon at another driver in an argument on Tuesday, authorities said. Police said they seized a shotgun and a handgun, along with containers of white powder or residue from the vehicle. On the same day, Britt's older brother, Garrett, was found with drug paraphernalia after his SUV collided with another vehicle in nearby Plymouth Township, police said. Officers detained Garrett Reid and recovered two used hypodermic needles and a knife.
■ Ice hockey
Malkin claim dismissed
The Pittsburgh Penguins declared victory in its battle for Evgeni Malkin when a federal court dismissed two complaints by Metallurg Magnitogorsk against the player, the Penguins and the National Hockey League (NHL). The dismissal by the US District Court in New York had been expected since Nov. 15, when Judge Loretta Preska denied Metallurg's request for a temporary injunction blocking Malkin from continuing to play in the NHL. The Russian team declined to appeal that ruling.
■ Baseball
Hands off team, Chavez says
Hugo Chavez, Venezuela's baseball-loving president, ordered a local governor allied to his leftist government to back off of plans to nationalize an admired local team on Thursday. Chavez berated Carabobo State Governor Luis Felipe Acosta Carlez at a news conference, saying that his government's plans to take over companies in the telecommunications, electricity and other strategic sectors did not include the Magallanes baseball team, which is based in the state capital, Valencia. "Acosta Carlez, don't interfere with the Magallanes. Leave those people alone," said Chavez, who is a fervent Magallanes fan.
■ Football
Dolphins, Giants to visit UK
The Miami Dolphins will host the New York Giants in a regular-season National Football League game in London later this year. A person familiar with the pro gridiron league's decision told reporters on Thursday that the Dolphins will move a home game overseas. The source spoke on condition of anonymity because the announcement would not be made until after commissioner Roger Goodell's Super Bowl news conference yesterday. The Dolphins and Giants will play in September or October, and the game will be scheduled around a bye week for both teams. The schedule won't be released until early spring. The game will be held at either the new Wembley Stadium or Twickenham, home of English rugby.
■ Basketball
Anthony denied All-Star spot
Denver forward Carmelo Anthony, whose season has been marred by a ban for fighting, was snubbed in the selection of the NBA All-Star reserves. Anthony wasn't among the reserves -- selected by NBA coaches -- announced on Thursday for the Feb. 18 showcase in Las Vegas. He leads the league in scoring, but recently returned from a 15-game suspension meted out for his role in an ugly brawl in December. He could still be appointed as an injury replacement by NBA commissioner David Stern, who handed down the suspension.
■ Soccer
Betis hold Sevilla in cup
Sevilla drew 0-0 with Real Betis in an uneventful Copa del Rey quarter-final first leg on Thursday. The result at Sevilla's Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan stadium handed Betis a slight advantage when it hosts the second leg on Feb. 28. Although Sevilla are 14 places above Betis in the Spanish league, there was little to choose between the teams in a dull first half. Sevilla made greater progress after the interval but failed to threaten the Betis goal until the 78th minute when striker Frederic Kanoute deflected a free kick just over the bar. Marti caught Betis goalkeeper Pedro Contreras out of his goal with a long-range volley which bounced narrowly wide two minutes later in the game's final chance.
■ Rugby Union
Fan fracas costs Thomas
Gareth Thomas will miss Wales' Six Nations opener against Ireland tomorrow after receiving a four-week ban for misconduct. A European Rugby Cup disciplinary panel suspended Thomas on Thursday and also fined him 7,500 euros (US$9,800) for his confrontation with Ulster supporters while playing for Toulouse in a European Cup game on Jan. 21. The winger, who was found guilty of misconduct but cleared of aggressive behavior, also misses games against Scotland and France unless he lodges and wins an appeal.
■ Soccer
Banned for being too good
Cambodia has banned foreign players from taking part in its cup competition for being "too good," the country's soccer chief said yesterday. "They're taller, stronger and more experienced, so it's unfair if we let them play," said Sao Sokha, chairman of the Cambodian Football Federation. "They're too good compared with Cambodian players. We are not discriminating against foreigners, but the prime minister wants to give our Khmer players a chance to win and to gain some national pride," Sao Sokha said.
■ Soccer
Rangers owner eyes Reds
Tom Hicks, owner of the Texas Rangers baseball club and the Dallas Stars ice hockey team, is close to adding Liverpool FC to his list of sports holdings. Hicks has agreed to join George Gillett Jr, owner of the Montreal Canadiens ice hockey club, in a bid to purchase the five-time European champion, a person familiar with the negotiations said on Thursday, speaking on condition of anonymity. The decision by Hicks to join Gillette's bid was first reported by the Dallas Morning News on its Web site on Thursday. Hicks would have a 50 percent stake in the group.
■ Boxing
Champ stripped of belt
The World Boxing Council (WBC) declared the light flyweight champion vacant on Thursday, stripping Mexico's Omar Nino of the title for testing positive for methamphetamine following a bout on Nov. 18. Brian Viloria of the US, currently ranked first in the weight class, will fight second-ranked Edgar Sosa of Mexico for the title, the WBC said. The WBC said the winner will have to defend his title against Nino. "In light of the fact that the WBC believes that Nino did not voluntarily commit this infraction, and considering that his clean record has won him the trust of this organization ... we are declaring that Nino will be the challenger for whoever is the new champion," a WBC statement said.
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