■ Soccer
Player jailed for conspiracy
Ashley Sestanovich, who was a body double for French soccer star Thierry Henry, was jailed for eight years on Wednesday for helping to plan a robbery that ended in murder. The 25-year-old professional soccer player -- who had spells with Sheffield United and Manchester City -- was one of seven people sent to prison for the crime. He was convicted of conspiracy to rob a roofing firm in Streatham, south London, in June 2005, a plan that ended with one of the sons of the owner being murdered. Sestanovich got the chance to play Henry's body double in a Nike advertisement in Rome.
■ Soccer
Aurelio out for the season
Liverpool's joy at virtually ensuring they would reach the Champions League semi-finals after a 3-0 first leg away win over PSV Eindhoven was dampened on Wednesday by the news that defender Fabio Aurelio would miss the rest of the season. The 27-year-old Brazilian international defender -- the first from his country to sign for the club -- ruptured his Achilles tendon during the second-half of the match. "A scan has confirmed a complete rupture of the Achilles tendon in Fabio's right leg," said a Liverpool spokesman. "The player will undergo surgery and is expected to be out for approximately three to four months." Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez said it was a real shame for the player because he had just started to adapt really well to the Premiership.
■ Weightlifting
Chakhoyan fails dope test
Australian world champion weightlifter Sergo Chakhoyan has been banned from the sport for life after a second positive test for a banned substance, the Australian Sports Anti-Doping Authority (ASADA) said yesterday. Armenian-born Chakhoyan, 37, tested positive for the stimulant benzylpiperazine, or BZP, while competing at the 2005 Commonwealth, Oceania and South Pacific weightlifting championships in Melbourne, ASADA chairman Richard Ings said. He was previously banned for two years in 2001 after testing positive for the anabolic steroid stanozolol during the Goodwill Games in Brisbane. Under the world anti-doping code, a second offense brings an automatic life ban. Ings said ASADA had launched an investigation into Australian weightlifting after a series of positive tests, including Chakhoyan's.
■ Soccer
Zheng Zhi warns Charlton
Chinese international captain Zheng Zhi admitted on Wednesday that unless Charlton Athletic retain their Premiership status he could not carry on playing for them. The 26-year-old defender is presently on loan with the Premiership strugglers -- who have an option to buy him -- but will return to his Chinese club Shandong Luneng at the end of the season and then hold talks about a permanent move. However, Zheng, who scored on his debut for Charlton after arriving in December, admitted everything hinged on the club staying up. "I will do my utmost to help Charlton avoid relegation," said the 10-times capped Zheng. Charlton are presently in the last relegation spot third from bottom, one point adrift of Sheffield United. Zheng, the China captain, will feature for Shandong in the regional A3 Championship in June. "At that time Shandong and Charlton will have a new round of discussions about my future contract," Zheng 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
Forget Real Madrid, Manchester City or Paris Saint-Germain, the world’s best soccer team — statistically speaking — might be a little-known outfit from the closed central Asian nation of Turkmenistan. Founded last year, Arkadag, named in honor of former Turkmen president Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, have been unstoppable, notching up 36 consecutive domestic victories in a run still ongoing. The side have not lost a single competitive match and swept to a league and cup double in their inaugural season — success unthinkable almost anywhere else. However, in Turkmenistan, it could hardly have gone any other way. The energy-rich country is one of the most closed
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