■ 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.
Tainan TSG Hawks slugger Steven Moya, who is leading the CPBL in home runs, has withdrawn from this weekend’s All-Star Game after the unexpected death of his wife. Moya’s wife began feeling severely unwell aboard a plane that landed at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport on Friday evening. She was rushed to a hospital, but passed away, the Hawks said in a statement yesterday. The franchise is assisting Moya with funeral arrangements and hopes fans who were looking forward to seeing him at the All-Star Game can understand his decision to withdraw. According to Landseed Medical Clinic, whose staff attempted to save Moya’s wife,
Shohei Ohtani on Wednesday homered for the fifth consecutive game, tying a Los Angeles Dodgers franchise record. Yankees star Aaron Judge was the last player to homer in five consecutive games, accomplishing that feat last year. Ohtani, who leads the National League with 37 home runs, homered in the first inning off Minnesota Twins starter Chris Paddack. He hit a slow curveball 134m to center. He carried the bat midway down the first-base line and then did a bat flip. He did not hit a home run later in the game with the Dodgers trailing, but his presence was felt. With two outs
Taiwan’s world No. 6 shuttler Chou Tien-chen yesterday defeated India’s H.S. Prannoy to advance to the quarter-finals of the China Open in Changzhou. It was former world No. 2 Chou’s eighth win in 14 matches against Prannoy, who had earlier this week lamented the age divide between him and up-and-comers, although he is only two years younger than 35-year-old Chou. The Taiwanese, who is seeded sixth at the tournament, rebounded from a close 21-18 loss in game 1 on Court 2 at the Olympic Sports Center Gymnasium. He bounced back to take the next games 21-15, 21-8 and set up a tough quarter-final
The Tampa Bay Rays on Tuesday acquired Taiwanese-American outfielder Stuart Fairchild from the Atlanta Braves for cash considerations to fill the roster after All-Star second baseman Brandon Lowe was placed back on the injured list. Fairchild was designated for assignment by the Braves on Monday after hitting .216/.273/.333 in 28 games for Atlanta, with most of his work coming as a pinch runner or defensive replacement. He joins Tampa Bay as a versatile fourth outfielder option. To make room for Fairchild on the 40-man roster, the Rays transferred relief pitcher Manuel Rodriguez (forearm strain) from the 15-day injured list to the 60-day
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