■ Soccer
Clashes leave 13 injured
At least 13 people were injured and 27 arrested in Serbia during clashes between fans and riot police after a soccer match between Belgrade rivals Red Star and Partizan, police said yesterday. Red Star fans, angered by their team's 4-2 loss on Saturday, built barricades in downtown Belgrade with trash bins as police on horseback charged at them, witnesses said. At least 27 fans were arrested at the Red Star stadium and in later clashes which left at least 12 fans and one policeman injured, police said. Criminal charges will be filed against five fans for triggering the riots. One fan received serious eye injuries when a flare hit his face, hospital officials said.
■ Athletics
Carl Lewis voices concern
Nine-time Olympic champion Carl Lewis said on Saturday the sport that made him an international celebrity has hit hard times. "It's in trouble," he told reporters at the USA Track & Field indoor championships in Boston. "When I see poker and I don't see track and field on TV -- that's a problem." Lewis, the most outstanding sprinter and long jumper since Jesse Owens, said the sport has partly been tainted by scandals that have stripped some champions of their titles after they tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs. "The vast, vast, vast majority of [the athletes] do the right thing, they don't take drugs," Lewis said. "They want to do it right. That's what really bothers me...there is a minority that create problems for the sport."
■ Football
Broncos running back dies
Denver Broncos running back Damien Nash died suddenly on Saturday, the NFL team said in a statement. Nash, 24, reportedly died after collapsing at a charity basketball game in St Louis. The team did not confirm any details or the cause of death. "The Denver Broncos organization is once again struck with profound sadness over the tragic loss of one of our players," team owner Pat Bowlen said. "This is a tremendous tragedy and our hearts go out to the entire Nash family." Nash's death came just two months after the killing of Darrent Williams, who was shot dead on New Year's Eve. Nash attended the University of Missouri and was drafted by Tennessee in 2005, playing three games with the Titans before being released. He signed as a free agent with the Broncos last season and played in three games, rushing for 98 yards on 24 carries.
■ Boxing
Lewis denies comeback plan
Britain's former world heavyweight champion Lennox Lewis yesterday ruled out coming out of retirement for a one-off showdown with old rival Vitali Klitschko. British newspaper reports on Saturday said Lewis, 41, was in training for a big-money rematch with Klitschko, the 35-year-old Ukrainian former world heavyweight champion. Klitschko retired due to injury in 2005 but announced his return last month. However, Lewis insisted he would not go back on his retirement, despite the continuing clamor for a fight with the Ukrainian. "Although I'm flattered that the boxing community is eager to have me back in the ring, I have no plans to return," Lewis said on his Web site. "I have no idea how these rumors get started, but I'm a man of my word -- I will remain retired." Speculation about a showpiece comeback fueled rumors that the boxer was out of cash. But he said: "I'm happy with my life and I don't need to chase a big pay day."
SWEEP THE LEG: Poirier, determined to best McGregor, after losing to him in 2014, used low calf kicks to throw ‘Notorious’ off his stand-up game, before dropping him American underdog Dustin Poirier yesterday shook up the world of mixed martial arts, beating up the legs of Irish superstar Conor McGregor before knocking him out at UFC 257 in Abu Dhabi. “I’m happy, but I’m not surprised. I put in the work,” Poirier said, after the referee stepped in after 2 minutes, 32 seconds of the second round to save McGregor from further damage, after he was dropped by a fierce combination of punches. The 32-year-old Poirier was ranked second in the flyweight division going into the fight, but still rated a heavy underdog by bookmakers to beat his fourth-ranked opponent,
World No. 1 Tai Tzu-ying yesterday eased past her Thai opponent to advance to the second round of the Toyota Thailand Open. The Taiwanese star toppled world No. 46 Supanida Katethong 21-16, 21-11 in 29 minutes at the Impact Arena in Bangkok. “I think I played OK today. I am feeling a little better than last week,” Tai said. Tomorrow, Tai faces Indonesia’s Gregoria Mariska Tunjung. The two have faced each other six times, with Tai beating the world No. 21 in all six matches. Tai on Sunday reached the final of the Yonex Thailand Open before losing decisively against Carolina Marin of Spain.
LOOKING TO REPEAT: World No. 7 Lee Yang and Wang Chi-lin advanced to the round-of-16 at the Toyota Thailand Open, after winning the Yonex Thailand Open on Sunday Taiwan’s world No. 7 duo yesterday eased past the US’ world No. 37 pairing at the Toyota Thailand Open to reach the round-of-16 in Bangkok. Lee Yang and Wang Chi-lin beat Phillip Chew and Ryan Chew 21-14, 21-11 in just 24 minutes. Lee and Wang, who won the men’s doubles title at the Yonex Thailand Open on Sunday, next face the world No. 34 pairing, Canada’s Jason Anthony Ho-Shue and Nyl Yakura. In men’s singles, Taiwan’s world No. 2 Chou Tien-chen again beat Thailand’s world No. 45 Suppanyu Avihingsanon, after edging past the Thai player in the opening round of the Yonex
Three new COVID-19 cases yesterday hit the Australian Open’s troubled buildup as a backlash grew against international tennis players flown in during a raging pandemic. Two of the new cases were players, state health officials said, taking the total infections to seven since more than 1,000 people arrived in largely COVID-19-free Australia on charter flights last week. The Victoria Department of Health and Human Services said that the two players and a third person associated with the tournament — a woman in her 20s, and two men in their 30s — had returned positive results. The year’s first Grand Slam, delayed three weeks,
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