■SOUTH AFRICA
Whistleblower shot dead
A South African official who blew the whistle on alleged corruption in the building of a stadium for the 2010 World Cup has been shot dead by unknown gunmen, an official statement said on Monday. Jimmy Mohlala, a member of the ruling African National Congress (ANC), was shot dead late on Sunday at his home in the city of Nelspruit, the Mbombela Local Council Municipality said in the statement. “He was shot by two unknown men who were wearing balaclavas ... the gunmen had been lying in wait outside the Mohlala home in an unmarked vehicle,” it said. Mohlala made headlines a year ago with reports that some members of the ANC wanted him sacked for allegedly turning in a colleague over graft claims in the construction of the Mbombela stadium. His claims sparked an investigation into a range of allegations, including the manipulation of tenders in 2010 construction contracts, SAPA news agency said.
■SPAIN
Keeper regrets fan clash
Espanyol’s Cameroon international Carlos Kameni said on Tuesday he regrets tussling with a fan who told him not to bother renewing his contract with the club after recent blunders by the goalkeeper. “I regret what happened. I neither wanted, nor tried to, attack anyone or create any kind of problem with my behavior but it was very hard for me to hear certain comments while I was training,” he said. “I always give my all in training and matches.” Kameni, whose contract expires at the end of the season, approached the fan on Tuesday at a training session and grabbed him by the scruff of the neck before teammates pulled him away, images on Spanish television showed. “I’m a professional. You should respect my work, respect me,” he shouted at the fan according to the online edition of newspaper El Pais.
■England
Campaigners slam sentence
Road safety campaigners vented their anger on Tuesday after Newcastle United’s Nigerian international striker Obafemi Martins was not banned from driving despite being caught speeding well over the limit. The 24-year-old was driving at 106mph (171kph) in his Porsche on a 70mph road. Newcastle Magistrates’ Court heard on Monday that Martins broke the speed limit last May for fear of missing a flight to see his sick son in Italy. He was fined £550 (US$810) and ordered to pay £400 costs. He also had six points put on his driving licence. District judge Stephen Earl gave Martins credit for his guilty plea and unblemished driving record. But Cathy Keeler of road safety charity Brake, said drivers going faster than 100mph should automatically lose their licence. “Going so much over the speed limit is taking a blatant risk with lives on the road,” she said. “There is absolutely no excuse. For someone who is a role model in the community, this sends out a terrible message that road safety does not matter.”
■England
Brazil star trains with Bolton
Brazilian World Cup winner Denilson could soon be playing in the English Premier League. The 31-year-old, once the most expensive player in the world, is out of contract with Palmeiras and having a trial with Bolton. Denilson was in the Brazil lineup that won the World Cup final against Germany in 2002 although he only went on as an 89th-minute substitute for Ronaldo. He also played in the 1998 final when Brazil lost to France. He then spent seven seasons playing in Spain for Real Betis, who bought him from Sao Paolo in 1998 for a record fee of US$32 million.
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
Forget Real Madrid, Manchester City or Paris Saint-Germain, the world’s best soccer team — statistically speaking — might be a little-known outfit from the closed central Asian nation of Turkmenistan. Founded last year, Arkadag, named in honor of former Turkmen president Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, have been unstoppable, notching up 36 consecutive domestic victories in a run still ongoing. The side have not lost a single competitive match and swept to a league and cup double in their inaugural season — success unthinkable almost anywhere else. However, in Turkmenistan, it could hardly have gone any other way. The energy-rich country is one of the most closed
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