■SOCCER
One handed player debuts
Zaragoza striker Alejandro Sanchez Lopez over the weekend became the first one handed player to take part in a Spanish top flight match. “I am missing my fingers, I am not missing part of my arm, and for this reason I don’t have balance problems,” the 20-year-old, who was born with his disability, said. Lopez, a law student who has up until now played for Zaragoza’s B team, came on as a substitute for Angel Lafita during the 75th minute of his club’s 1-3 loss to Valencia on Sunday.
■BOXING
Pavlik to defend title
Kelly Pavlik, who has twice called off title fights due to an injured left hand, will climb back into the ring to defend his middlewight crown on Dec. 19 in his hometown of Youngstown, Ohio, where he will face fellow American Miguel Espino. Espino, 20-2, has won 11 fights in a row. Pavlik, 35-1 with 31 knockouts, has twice postponed World Boxing Council middleweight title defenses against Paul Williams, a US southpaw who is 37-1. But Pavlik will find his way back into the ring just two weeks after he had been scheduled to face Williams away from his home supporters. Williams replaced Pavlik for a Dec. 5 bout in Atlantic City with Argentina’s Sergio Martinez to end a one-year layoff but hopes to finally meet Pavlik for the title next year should both win next month. Pavlik has not fought since stopping Mexico’s Marco Antonio Rubio in February due to infection from the hand injury. That victory came after Pavlik suffered his only loss in October of last year, dropping a 12-round unanimous decision to Bernard Hopkins after moving up to 170 pounds (77kg) for a non-title bout.
■SOCCER
Fergie junior gets sack
Darren Ferguson, the son of Manchester United boss Sir Alex, was dismissed on Tuesday as manager of English Championship side Peterborough. The 37-year-old Ferguson junior guided the club to successive promotions since taking over at London Road in January 2007. But Saturday’s 3-1 defeat away to Newcastle, leaders of the second-tier Championship, the division below the lucrative English Premier League, left Peterborough bottom of the table with just two wins from 16 games.
■HORSE RACING
Star horse Azeri sold
Former US Horse of the Year Azeri brought US$2.25 million from Japanese businessman Shunsuke Yoshia in the opening session of the Keeneland November Breeding Stock Sale on Tuesday. Yoshia purchased the 11-year-old mare in foal to Distorted Humor on behalf of his family’s Japan-based Northern Farm. John Sikura’s Hill ‘n’ Dale Farm consigned Azeri on behalf of the Allen E. Paulson Living Trust, who campaigned her to a 17-win record from 24 lifetime starts and earnings of more than US$4 million. Azeri earned US Horse of the Year honors in 2002.
■SOCCER
Injury rules out Johnson
Liverpool full-back Glen Johnson has withdrawn from the England squad to play Brazil in Qatar on Saturday, the Football Association announced on Tuesday. Johnson did not train with the rest of the England squad on Tuesday after playing in Monday’s 2-2 Premier League draw against Birmingham City. During a standard recovery session on Tuesday it was discovered that Johnson, who played for the full 90 minutes at Anfield, had suffered a slight injury. Johnson’s exit leaves Wes Brown as the only right-back still in the squad.
■GOLF
Faldo receives knighthood
Six-time major winner Nick Faldo received a knighthood from Britain’s Queen Elizabeth on Tuesday, describing the honor as beyond his boyhood dreams. “I was so delighted my family were there to see that,” the 52-year-old said after the Windsor Castle ceremony. “It was quite an incredible experience.” Faldo, England’s most successful golfer, won the British Open three times and the US Masters three times between 1987 and 1996 and played in 11 Ryder Cups. Faldo, who captained Europe’s defeated Ryder Cup team last year, is the second golfer to be knighted after Henry Cotton was awarded the honor posthumously in 1987.
■CYCLING
Sagasti found dead at 39
Agustin Sagasti, a former Spanish rider who successfully sued the organizers of a race following an accident that ended his career, has been found dead in his home, Mungia, Spain, the Basque cycling federation said. He was 39. Sagasti’s career was cut short in June 1994 after colliding with a car during the Tour of Valles Mineros, leaving him in a coma with severe injuries. He never raced again but won a payout worth more than US$500,000 after organizers were judged to have failed to control traffic. Sagasti was coach from 1996 to 2000 of the Basque federation, which confirmed his death on Monday.
■BASKETBALL
Shaq, wife splitting up
Shaquille O’Neal’s wife is splitting from the Cleveland Cavaliers center. Va’Shaundya O’Neal filed for legal separation with intent to divorce on Monday in Los Angeles. She cited irreconcilable differences. She is seeking spousal and child support and full legal custody of the couple’s four children. No monetary amounts were listed in the court filing. “Obviously, this is a difficult time for our family, and we request that the media respect our privacy,” Shaquille O’Neal said in a statement released by the team late on Tuesday. “I will continue to focus on being there for our children and I am confident that Shaunie will do the same.” The O’Neals were married for six years, 11 months.
■BASKETBALL
Police cleared in fan death
An independent investigation of the death of a Boston Celtics fan who stopped breathing while in police custody found that officers acted “reasonably” and did not contribute to the man’s death, but also concluded that police made “any number of missteps” during the arrest. A report released by former US Attorney Donald Stern on Tuesday accepted the findings of the Massachusetts state medical examiner — which concluded that David Woodman’s death was brought on by a heart arrhythmia that was the result of a pre-existing heart condition — and cleared police of any wrongdoing. But Woodman’s parents, Cathy and Jeff Woodman, said they did not accept the report’s findings and believe that police lied about what happened during their son’s arrest. During a news conference in their lawyer’s office, the Woodmans said Stern’s report does not mention their son’s injuries, as documented by the medical examiner, including seven abrasions or bruises on his face, a laceration of his lip, a bruise on his right arm and a cut under his chin.
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