■ FORMULA ONE
Teams agree to cost cuts
The world governing body and teams have agreed to significant cost cuts from next year, the International Automobile Federation (FIA) said on Wednesday. “FIA and FOTA [Formula One Teams Association] have had the most successful meeting on Formula One matters which any of the participants can remember,” the FIA said in a statement after a meeting in Monaco. “Agreement was reached on measures to meet all the objectives originally put forward by the FIA for 2010 and thereafter. In addition to which, FOTA have now made proposals for very significant cost saving in 2009, while maintaining Formula One at the pinnacle of motor sport and reinforcing its appeal.” The proposals will be put to the FIA’s World Motor Sport Council today for final approval, after which details will be released.
■ BASEBALL
Sabathia close to deal
C.C. Sabathia, the 28-year-old left-handed pitcher who is Major League Baseball’s most prized free agent, has decided to accept a record-setting offer from the New York Yankees. ESPN reported on Wednesday that a deal was close to being finalized that would bring Sabathia to the Yankees for US$161 million over seven years, which would be second only to Yankee Alex Rodriguez as baseball’s richest contract. The New York Post reported Sabathia has accepted a deal for US$140 million over six years, making the decision on Tuesday night at his San Francisco home in a meeting with Yankees general manager Brian Cashman. In either case, the deal would smash the old mark for pitchers, the six-year deal for US$137.5 million that Johan Santana signed with the New York Mets last year.
■ SOCCER
Ronaldo set to ink contract
Striker Ronaldo is set to sign a one-year contract with Brazilian club Corinthians today, club president Andres Sanchez and the player’s agent Fabiano Farah said. The twice European player of the year (1997, 2002) injured his left knee last February and has only played since in a UN organized match in Morocco last month. The 32-year-old, who won the World Cup in 1994 and 2002, was out of contract with AC Milan in the summer and recently refused an offer from Italian club Siena to pay him 98,000 euros (US$129,000) for each goal he scored for them.
■ BASEBALL
Johnson to manage US
Former Major League manager Davey Johnson, who guided the US to a bronze medal at the Beijing Olympics, was named manager of Team USA for the World Baseball Classic on Wednesday. New York Yankees captain and shortstop Derek Jeter was also confirmed as Team USA’s first player during announcements made at the Major League Baseball Winter meetings in Las Vegas.
■ SOCCER
Malaysia keen on Withe
Malaysia are keen to appoint former England international Peter Withe as their new coach after the team crashed out of the AFF Suzuki Cup in the group stages, a report said yesterday. Withe has plenty of experience in Asia, having previously coached Thailand and Indonesia. The New Straits Times quoted a Football Association of Malaysia (FAM) official as saying that the former Aston Villa striker would fly to Kuala Lumpur next week for talks. “Peter is an excellent coach, but he is expensive and FAM will need to break its bank to have him in Malaysia, but it is possible,” the official said.
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