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Sports Briefs

■ SOCCER

Japan, Aussies make semis

Japan and Australia both secured a place in the semi-finals of the Women’s Asian Cup on Monday, joining North Korea and China. The Australians sneaked into the last four despite suffering a 3-1 defeat to Japan in their final Group B game in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. However, the result proved inconsequential as both sides progressed due to South Korea only beating Taiwan 2-0. All three sides ended on six points but Japan and Australia had a better goal difference.



■ SOCCER

Troubled star sectioned

Troubled former England player Paul Gascoigne has been sectioned under the mental health laws in Britain for the second time in five months, police said on Monday. The 41-year-old was detained in Hemel Hempstead near London after “appearing unwell and in an agitated state,” police said. “Officers arrived and accompanied the man to hospital so he could be checked over. He was sectioned under the Mental Health Act,” Hertfordshire Police said. Gascoigne was previously sectioned — meaning he was placed in a secure unit for his own safety — in February after reports that he had been acting strangely at a hotel and bar in Newcastle in his native northeast England. His sister Anna made a plea in a Sunday newspaper that his fans should not buy him alcohol, saying: “You will have blood on your hands.” She said she feared her brother would die unless he was sectioned. “I am not saying these words lightly. I want Paul to be sectioned to save his life. That is the last hope,” she told the Sunday Mirror.



■ OLYMPICS

Offensive guide gets chop

China’s Olympic Games organizers on Monday apologized over a guide to volunteers for the Paralympics in September which was deemed offensive. The guide, which has been withdrawn, was to help 30,000 volunteers understand how to deal with disabled athletes and spectators at the event. It described disabled people as “a special group” with “unique personalities and ways of thinking.” Physically disabled people “are often mentally healthy” but “might have unusual personalities because of disfigurement and disability,” it said. It went on to describe some disabled people as “isolated, unsocial and introspective” who “can be stubborn and controlling,” may be “sensitive and struggle with trust issues,” and “sometimes they are overly protective of themselves.” Blind people were meanwhile often “introverted,” had “deep and implicit feelings and seldom show strong emotions.” Volunteers were instructed not to call Paralympians or disabled spectators “crippled” or “paralyzed,” even if they were “just joking.”



■ SOCCER

Eriksson leaves Man City

Blackburn manager Mark Hughes was approached on Monday to succeed Sven-Goran Eriksson at Manchester City after the Swede’s drawn-out departure was finally sealed following just one season in charge. City were immediately given permission by a reluctant Blackburn to begin discussions with Hughes. “I have enjoyed my time at Manchester City very much indeed,” Eriksson said on Monday in a statement. “In particular, I would like to thank the fans, players and staff for their amazing support over the season I wish the club, and everyone associated with it, much success in the coming years.” Manchester City said in a statement that Eriksson left by “mutual consent.” Speculation has linked the Swede with the vacant position of manager of the Mexican national team.
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