■ ENGLAND
Ashley denies Binladin link
Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley admits he is desperate for new investors to pump cash into his Premier League club, but even he draws the line at suggestions of a deal with the family of terrorist Osama bin Laden. Ashley wants to bring in a partner who can help share the burden of supplying the substantial funds needed to turn Newcastle into Premier League title contenders. But the billionaire businessman was shocked to hear reports that the Saudi Binladin Group had been approached to invest in Newcastle. Although the group, run by Osama’s half-brother Bakr bin Laden, distanced themselves from the al-Qaeda founder some years ago, Ashley was sufficiently outraged to issue a firm denial. “I would say that I am keen to have partners in Newcastle. That’s a very expensive seat I sit in,” he told the Evening Standard. “But I think I’ll start with people from Newcastle, not in some cave in Afghanistan.” Ashley spoke out as his Sports Direct empire, which was floated in March last year, reported that profits for the year to April had halved after a drop in sales, fueling talk he may cash in on Newcastle. But he is confident of getting the ship back on course in the coming months. “I think last year, we were on the Titanic and still dancing with the band. This year will be different,” he said.
■ GERMANY
Clubs told to release players
FIFA closed the door on Thursday on two German clubs’ hopes of stopping their Brazilian players going to the Olympics. After the Brazil squad for Beijing was announced on Tuesday, Werder Bremen said they would not release 23-year-old midfielder Diego, and Schalke 04 resisted giving up 22-year-old defender Rafinha. World soccer’s governing body responded by restating its rule obliging clubs to release players aged 23 or under. “The release of players younger than 23 has always been mandatory for all clubs,” FIFA said in a statement.
■ HONG KONG
Many arrests for gambling
Police in Hong Kong said yesterday that 87 people had been arrested as part of an Asian-wide crackdown on illegal soccer gambling on the Euro 2008 tournament led by Interpol. Betting slips worth nearly US$13 million were seized in a series of raids across the city of 6.9 million in May and last month during the Euro 2008 tournament, as well as during final games of major international leagues. The arrests were part of an Interpol-led operation that saw a total of 1,300 people arrested and 1,088 gambling dens busted in Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, Macau, Vietnam and China, police said.
■ BOSNIA
Blazevic appointed coach
Miroslav Blazevic, who took Croatia to third place at the 1998 World Cup, was on Thursday named as Bosnia’s new national coach. “Miroslav ‘Ciro’ Blazevic was elected new coach” for the next two-year period, Bosnia soccer association spokeswoman Slavica Pecikoza told journalists. The 73-year-old Blazevic is replacing Meho Kodro who was sacked in May after he had refused to lead the national team for a friendly with Iran.
■ ITALY
Mancini heading to Inter
Roma’s Brazilian midfielder Mancini is expected to switch to Italian champions Inter in a deal reported to be worth around 13 million euros (US$20.5 million). “The two parties are satisfied,” Inter official Gabriele Oriali told Sky television. Italian media claimed that the 27-year-old would be paid around 3.5 million euros a season.
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