■ SOCCER
Silvestre out with injury
Manchester United defender Mikael Silvestre will miss the rest of the season after injuring his knee, the club said on Sunday. Silvestre hurt a cruciate ligament in his knee in the 39th minute of United's 1-0 win over Everton in the Premier League on Saturday. He caught his studs in the turf and fell awkwardly, twisting his knee. He was carried off the field on a stretcher. Manchester United said on its Web site that Silvestre is unlikely to play again this season.
■ AUTO RACING
Raikkonen wins Belgian GP
Kimi Raikkonen dominated the race and Fernando Alonso dominated teammate Lewis Hamilton as Raikkonen won his third straight Belgian Grand Prix on Sunday ahead of Felipe Massa in a 1-2 finish for Ferrari. Two-time defending champion Alonso finished third and moved within two points of McLaren teammate Hamilton at the top of the standings, only days after the team was fined US$100 million for having secret data from its main rival, Ferrari. Alonso, starting third on the grid ahead of Hamilton, moved over to attack the Source hairpin, blocking Hamilton's way.
■ SOCCER
Heskey cracks bone in foot
Emile Heskey could miss England's next two European Championship qualifying matches after scans showed he had cracked a bone in his right foot. Heskey was hurt on Saturday in Wigan's 1-1 draw with Fulham in the Premier League. Wigan chairman Dave Whelan said on Sunday that Heskey would be sidelined for up to six weeks. Heskey was recalled to the England team for the first time in three years this month, starting in the Euro qualifiers against Israel on Sept. 8 and Russia on Wednesday. England won both matches 3-0. "It's been a fantastic week, but a disappointing end," Whelan said. "He has cracked a metatarsal in his foot. It's not a serious one, but it is still six weeks and I think he will definitely miss the first England game."
■ MOTORCYCLE RACING
Rossi wins Portuguese GP
Valentino Rossi beat Dani Pedrosa in a back-and-forth race on Sunday to win the MotoGP Portuguese Grand Prix in Estoril. The seven-time world champion overtook Pedrosa after the two had exchanged the lead several times over the final five turns. "Dani was really strong. That was a big battle with him in the corners," Rossi said. "It's a very important win for me. I'm still in the championship mathematically." Rossi has 211 points, second to Casey Stoner's 287. Stoner finished third. "We had a little bit of a problem with the bike from the start," said Stoner, who can clinch his first world championship in Japan next weekend.
■ GOLF
Thai seeks merit crown
Thaworn Wiratchant's record ninth career victory at the inaugural Midea China Classic in Guangzhou has given him the impetus to challenge for his second Asian Tour order of merit crown. The Thai star, Asia's No. 1 in 2005, secured a play-off win on Sunday against young compatriot Chinarat Phadungsil and Scotsman Simon Yates to move up to 10th in the pecking order. With China's Liang Wen-chong leading the merit race with eight tournaments remaining, the 40-year-old Thaworn is not writing off his chances despite trailing the leader by more than US$278,000. "It is going to be a challenge but I will strive for the UBS Order of Merit title," said Thaworn, who has accumulated earnings of US$176,323 this season. The Asian Tour heads to Taipei this week for the Mercuries Taiwan Masters.
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
Taiwan’s Lee Jhe-huei and Yang Po-hsuan on Saturday won the men’s doubles bronze medal at the Badminton Asia Championships in Ningbo, China, after they were bested by the hosts in their semi-final. The Taiwanese shuttlers lost to China’s Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang, who advanced to yesterday’s final against Malaysia’s Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzudin. The Chinese pair outplayed Lee and Yang in straight games. Although the Taiwanese got off to a slow start in the first game, they eventually tied it 14-14, before Liang and Wang went on to blow past them to win 21-17. In the second game, Lee and