■ Soccer
Kaka may join Real Madrid
Champions League winner Kaka may be about to join Real Madrid. "He very much likes Real Madrid," his Brazil teammate Robinho told Radio Marca on Thursday. "He speaks highly of the team and he told me he'd like to play here. But it would be very difficult for AC Milan to let him leave." Kaka set up Filippo Inzaghi for AC Milan's second goal in Wednesday's 2-1 win over Liverpool in the Champions League final. The victory made Milan European champion for the seventh time, just two fewer than Madrid's record nine. "Real Madrid would win a lot with Kaka," Robinho said. "I'm sure he will win the Golden Ball this season and he is an excellent person on and off the field. Very religious and always quiet."
■ Soccer
Gaillard slams Scousers
William Gaillard, adviser to UEFA president Michel Platini, clearly laid the fault of incidents before the European Champions League final on Liverpool fans, describing the Milan spectators as "exemplary." Many Liverpool fans arrived in Athens for Wednesday night's match, won 2-1 by the Italians, with forged tickets or without any tickets at all. "Before the match certain Liverpool fans did not have tickets, or false tickets, and tried to get past the barriers and into the stadium," Gaillard said. "To avoid more serious incidents, Greek police decided, correctly, to let some of them in ... Now is a good time for Liverpool supporters to use some self-criticism. They must understand that seats are not unlimited. You have to compare the behavior of the two sets of supporters."
■ Hockey
Leetch hangs up skates
Ten-time all-star defenseman Brian Leetch, unable to sign a National Hockey League deal for this past season, announced his retirement from the sport, hanging up his skates at 39. Leetch helped the New York Rangers end a 54-year Stanley Cup drought in 1994 and was named the Most Valuable Player of the club's playoff run. He also won the Norris Trophy as the NHL's best defenseman in 1992 and 1997. Leetch played his last season with the Boston Bruins in 2005-06 on a one-year deal. He scored five goals in 61 games. Leetch scored 247 goals and added 781 assists in 1,205 games, spending 16 seasons with the Rangers before being traded to Toronto in 2004. He also played for the US squad in the 1988, 1998 and 2002 Winter Olympics.
■ Boxing
Michael Carbajal arrested
Hall of Fame boxer Michael Carbajal was arrested on Thursday for allegedly threatening a police officer, authorities said. The 39-year-old Carbajal was booked into jail on suspicion of threatening and intimidating a police officer and a liquor violation, police said. He was later released on bond. Sergeant Joel Tranter, a Phoenix police spokesman, said Carbajal was "agitated, argumentative and belligerent" with officers who found him walking in a vacant lot with an open bottle of rum early on Thursday. Carbajal ``threatened to kill one of the officers'' and was taken into custody, Tranter said. Carbajal, a US Olympian who won a silver medal in 1988, is a former IBF and WBO junior flyweight champion. He retired in 1999 with a record of 49-4 with 33 KOs and was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame last June.
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