■ SOCCER
Thai gamblers arrested
More than 1,000 people have been arrested in Thailand for gambling on Euro 2008 soccer matches, with nearly 1 million baht (US$30,000) in cash seized, police said yesterday. Most gambling is outlawed in the kingdom, but it remains popular. “There were 1,098 people arrested, including 192 bookies, 831 punters and 75 others. We seized 931,496 baht and betting slips worth 524.2 million baht,” police spokesman Major-General Ruangsak Jaritake said. “We are satisfied with our arrests although we cannot arrest everybody. We focus on preventive measures,” he said.
■ OLYMPICS
Bush eases China gun ban
US President George W. Bush moved on Monday to ease restrictions on weapons exports to China so Americans competing in Olympic shooting events can take their equipment to the Beijing Games. In a letter to Congress, Bush said he was easing restrictions pertaining to firearms as well as to military gyroscopes used in high-definition television camera systems. “Licensing requirements remain in place for these exports and require review and approval on a case-by-case basis by the United States Government. The equipment will be returned to the United States following the end of the Games,” Bush said.
■ FOOTBALL
Martin faces dope charge
Baltimore Ravens cornerback Derrick Martin was charged with a misdemeanor for suspected possession of marijuana on Monday after an incident two days earlier at Cleveland International Airport. Martin, 23, was not arrested but must appear in court on July 15 after airport security found three small packets thought to be marijuana while the two-year NFL player was checking in for a flight. “We are aware of the situation with Derrick, and we have talked with him about this,” the Ravens said in a statement. “There is a due process taking place and we are following that.”
■ FOOTBALL
Patriots defender arrested
New England Patriots cornerback Willie Andrews was arrested early on Monday after allegedly holding a handgun to his girlfriend’s head, the Boston Herald reported on Monday. Police arrested Andrews at his Boston apartment on charges of assault with a dangerous weapon and unlawful possession of a firearm. He was being held without bail pending a hearing tomorrow. Authorities told the newspaper that Andrews had denied having a gun, but police later recovered the weapon from a dumpster near the apartment building.
■ SOCCER
Chelsea snap up Deco
Portugal midfielder Deco has signed for Chelsea, the English Premiership club said on Monday, for £8 million (US$15.9 million). Deco, the midfield maestro of Porto’s 2004 European Champions League-winning campaign, leaves Barcelona, with whom he also won the Champions League two years later, after the Catalan club said he did not feature in their plans. Stamford Bridge have now confirmed the 30-year-old Brazil-born player has agreed the move to become the club’s first signing since Luiz Felipe Scolari was appointed manager. The two-time Champions League-winner had been linked with Inter Milan, but the Italians appear to have been put off by the price. Chelsea, however, seem to have negotiated the fee down to sign Deco. Barcelona released a statement on Monday saying Deco had signed a three-year contract with Chelsea.
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
Revelations of positive doping tests for nearly two dozen Chinese swimmers that went unpunished sparked an intense flurry of accusations and legal threats between the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the head of the US drug-fighting organization, who has long been one of WADA’s fiercest critics. WADA on Saturday said it was turning to legal counsel to address a statement released by US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) CEO Travis Tygart, who said WADA and anti-doping authorities in China swept positive tests “under the carpet by failing to fairly and evenly follow the global rules that apply to everyone else in the world.” The
Taiwanese judoka Yang Yung-wei on Saturday won silver in the men’s under-60kg category at the Asian Judo Championships in Hong Kong. Nicknamed the “judo heartthrob” in Taiwan, the Olympic silver-medalist missed out on his first Asian Championships gold when he lost to Japanese judoka Taiki Nakamura in the finals. Yang defeated three opponents on Saturday to reach the final after receiving a bye through the round of 32. He first topped Laotian Soukphaxay Sithisane in the round of 16 with two seoi nage (over-the-shoulder throws), then ousted Indian Vijay Kumar Yadav in the quarter-finals with his signature ude hishigi sankaku gatame (triangular armlock). He
Rafael Nadal on Wednesday said the upcoming French Open would be the moment to “give everything and die” on the court after his comeback from injury in Barcelona was curtailed by Alex de Minaur. The 22-time Grand Slam title winner, back playing this week after three months on the sidelines, battled well, but eventually crumbled 7-5, 6-1 against the world No. 11 from Australia in the second round. Nadal, 37, who missed virtually all of last season, is hoping to compete at the French Open next month where he is the record 14-time champion. The Spaniard said the clash with De Minaur was