■SOCCER
Two killed after match
Two people were shot dead and four others were injured in a clash between soccer hooligans following Sunday’s 3-0 victory by Buenos Aires club Huracan over Arsenal. Angela Toscano, head of the Penna hospital in Buenos Aires, said on Monday the two dead men were aged about 30 and died of gunshot wounds. Two other victims of the violence remained in the hospital but were expected to survive. Two others fled after receiving treatment. Anibal Fernandez, minister of Justice and Security, said it was unclear what caused the violence. “They are delinquents. We do not see this as a sports security problem,” Fernandez said.
■SOCCER
Espanyol sign ‘the Kid’
Spanish Championship side Espanyol has signed Israeli international striker Ben Sahar from Chelsea, the Barcelona-based club said on Monday. It said the 19-year-old, nicknamed “the Kid,” was signed to a four-year deal, but did not reveal the transfer fee. Sahar was just 16 when Chelsea bought him from Hapoel Tel-Aviv in 2006. He made his first club appearance in 2007, but was subsequently loaned to Queens Park Rangers, Sheffield Wednesday, Portsmouth and Dutch side De Graafschap, where he scored 16 goals last season. Aged 17, he became the youngest ever Israeli international player when he represented his country in a friendly against Ukraine.
■SOCCER
Obama may attend Cup
The White House would not confirm on Monday whether US President Barack Obama would attend the 2010 World Cup, but top aides already seemed to be sizing up tickets for the first match. Earlier, FIFA president Sepp Blatter said the president had accepted an invitation to attend the opening. “You know that heads of state are extremely busy and hopefully his schedule will allow him to attend,” Blatter told reporters in Johannesburg, South Africa. White House spokesman Robert Gibbs said he could not yet say whether Obama would go to the event, but as a former college goalie, Gibbs sounded like he couldn’t wait for the possible trip. “I asked specifically ... in order to get my seat early,” Gibbs said at his daily briefing.
■CRICKET
Bangladesh sacks Ashraful
Bangladesh sacked Mohammad Ashraful as national cricket captain yesterday and replaced him with Mashrafe Mortaza for tours of the West Indies and Zimbabwe. Bangladesh failed to progress to the Super Eight phase of the Twenty20 World Cup in England after losing both their first round matches to India and Ireland, though the Bangladesh Cricket Board said it was not a reason for Ashraful’s relegation. “The decision to replace him was taken with the intention of relieving the load on Ashraful so he can play his natural game,” BCB spokesman Jalal Yunus said in a statement. “We all know his quality and what he is capable of as a batsman. We are confident that without the burden of captaincy his batting would flourish and he would contribute more to the team.”
■CYCLING
Armstrong wins small race
Lance Armstrong won the Nevada City Classic on Sunday, holding off teammate Levi Leipheimer in the challenging one-day race in the Sierra Nevada foothills in California. Armstrong finished in 1 hour, 28 minutes and 20 seconds, sprinting away from the peloton with about six laps to go on the hilly course. Ben Jacques-Maynes finished 21 seconds behind in second place. Leipheimer was third, 1 second behind Jacques-Maynes.
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