■ Soccer
Australia thrash Taiwan
Australia all but secured their place in the next stage of qualifying for the Beijing Olympics with an 11-0 thrashing of Taiwan in the first leg of their play-off in Adelaide on Wednesday. It was just one goal short of the record win for an Australian Olympic team after the 12-0 result against Vanuatu in 1996. Melbourne Victory midfielder Kristian Sarkies scored four goals with Adelaide United striker Bruce Djite scoring once and setting up five others. The second leg of the play-off takes place in Taipei next Wednesday.
■ Soccer
Player knocked out in brawl
Chinese under-21 international Zheng Tao was knocked unconscious and taken to hospital following a brawl in a match against Queens Park Rangers at the English club's training ground on Wednesday, according to media reports. The violent fracas caused the referee to abandon the friendly in west London with QPR winning 2-1 in the second half. Xian Chanba defender Zheng was unconscious for five minutes after the fighting. "I've never seen anything like it in my life," a witness told the Web site of the Ealing Gazette. "There were punches, kung-fu kicks and all sorts. It was absolute mayhem."
■ Football
Kiel pleads guilty to felony
San Diego Chargers safety Terrence Kiel pleaded guilty on Wednesday to felony and misdemeanor drug charges for shipping codeine-based cough syrup to Texas, part of a plea bargain that could allow him to avoid jail time. Kiel was ordered to undergo counseling for gambling and do 100 hours of volunteer work. If he does that before his Aug. 7 sentencing and remains law-abiding, the felony conviction will be dismissed and he'll be placed on probation, San Diego County Superior Court Judge Stephanie Sontag said. Kiel still has a Feb. 20 court appearance after being cited for urinating in public last Dec. 18 in downtown San Diego.
■ Olympics
Mascots could be dangerous
Beijing police have issued a health warning over the cuddly Beijing 2008 Olympics mascots known as "Fuwa" after seizing nearly 30,000 counterfeit versions, including some made with toxic materials. The state-run Beijing News said yesterday that it was the largest haul of such fakes to date. However, the report did not specify how many of the 30,000 toys contained the toxic materials or what those ingredients were.
■ Cricket
ICC derides Hair lawsuit
The International Cricket Council (ICC) said yesterday there was no merit in Australian umpire Darrell Hair's claim of racial discrimination on the part of cricket's world governing body and the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB). The sacked umpire had filed a racial discrimination lawsuit against the ICC and the PCB on Wednesday. "The ICC does not believe there is merit in this claim and will vigorously defend the matter," the council said in a statement. Hair was sacked from the ICC's elite panel of umpires after Pakistan complained about his role in a ball-tampering row in the forfeited Oval test against England last August. "The ICC has noted reports that umpire Darrell Hair has instructed his lawyers to issue an application to the London Central Employment Tribunal alleging racial discrimination by the International Cricket Council and the Pakistan Cricket Board," the 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