■PORTUGAL
Benfica turn to Jesus
Top side Benfica have appointed Jorge Jesus as their new coach on a two-year deal following their third place finish in the recently completed league campaign. Benfica said on Tuesday they had “agreed terms with the coach Jorge Jesus on a two-year contract.” Jesus arrives from Sporting Braga, who on Monday agreed to accept 700,000 euros (US$971,000) in compensation from Benfica. Jesus replaces Spaniard Quique Flores, who coached Benfica to League Cup triumph but paid the price for a mediocre finish in the league by being sacked last week.
■ARGENTINA
Boca fire Ischia — again
Boca Juniors fired coach Carlos Ischia on Tuesday, ending a saga that began last month when Argentina’s most popular club was knocked out of the final 16 of the Copa Libertadores. After this humiliation, Ischia said he was leaving but would stay on until the end of the league season with only a handful of games remaining. His statement at the time conflicted with club management, which said he had agreed to resign. Ischia said he was fired. A 3-0 loss on Sunday against Racing Club was the last straw. “We have terminated his [Ischia’s] contract by agreement of both parties,” club president Jorge Amor Ameal told reporters on Tuesday. “He is a man who did much for the club and we wanted to arrive at good agreement.”
■ZIMBABWE
Bees halt match
A pitch invasion by a swarm of bees brought a premature end to a lower league match, state daily the Herald reported yesterday. “A swarm of bees invaded the pitch after 23 minutes and sent everyone scurrying for cover on the ground,” the Herald reported. “The bees would not go away and after a 45-minute wait the referee decided to call off the match.” Sunday’s match was between Division One sides Hippo Valley and Mutare Farm Supply.
■ISRAEL
Song lands star in hot water
An official says a Beitar Jerusalem player will face disciplinary action for singing a racist song after a recent match. Beitar striker Amit Ben-Shushan was caught on camera singing an anti-Arab song along with fans after his club beat Maccabi Haifa to win the state cup on May 26. Some of the Jerusalem club’s fans are notorious for anti-Arab sentiment. Israel Football Association (IFA) spokesman Gil Lebanony says the IFA will hold a hearing on the matter next week. Ben-Shushan has already been questioned by police over the incident. Beitar said Ben-Shushan had apologized and that the incident had been “blown out of proportion.”
■ENGLAND
Birmingham face tough start
Premier League champions Manchester United will start their bid for a record fourth successive English title at home to newly promoted Birmingham on Aug. 15, the fixture list, released yesterday, showed. Carlo Ancelotti begins his reign at Chelsea at home to Hull, while Liverpool travel to Spurs on the opening weekend. Arsenal face a trip to Everton. Championship winners Wolves play West Ham at Molineux and Burnley visit Stoke on their return to the top flight. Manchester City travel to Blackburn on the opening day while Wigan boss Roberto Martinez starts his reign at Aston Villa. Bolton are at home to Sunderland and Portsmouth meet Fulham at Fratton Park.
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