■SOCCER
Real ex-president detained
Spanish police on Wednesday detained for questioning former Real Madrid president Lorenzo Sanz, who is suspected of taking works of art from Spain to Italy without the proper authorization, Spanish media reported. Plainclothed detectives detained the 66-year-old real estate magnate at around noon in central Madrid and took him to a police station, where he was questioned for several hours in the company of his lawyer, news radio Cadena Ser reported. He was released without any bail conditions. Sanz told the Europa Press news agency that “third parties” he did not name wanted to auction off the paintings at an auction house in Venice and he was called in for questioning because they were taken abroad “without permission.” “I have nothing to do with this matter. They were the ones who took care of all procedures for the auction,” he said.
■RUGBY UNION
Melbourne into Super 15
Melbourne will field a team in an expanded Super 15 rugby union competition in 2011, governing body SANZAR said yesterday. It follows a decision handed down by an arbitration panel on the location of the 15th Super rugby team between Melbourne and the Southern Kings from South Africa. SANZAR (South Africa, New Zealand and Australia Rugby) set up the arbitration body last month after it failed to break a deadlock between Australian and South African officials over the choice of the team. The panel went for Melbourne because of its location and commercial value to SANZAR. The panel said the Southern Kings had presented a stronger case than Melbourne on their readiness to join the Super 15 by guaranteeing their financial viability and pointing to a strong rugby tradition. “[But] these strengths of the Southern Kings’ application did not, however, offset the benefits in geographical location and commercial value to SANZAR,” the panel said. By having the team resident in South Africa it would also introduce additional costs to SANZAR of around US$530,000 a year, the panel said.
■RUGBY
Wendell Sailor retires
Dual Australian international Wendell Sailor yesterday announced his retirement after a 16-year playing career in rugby league and rugby union. The 35-year-old played 11 seasons in top-flight rugby league and five in rugby union. Sailor, who played a total of 222 first-grade matches with the Brisbane Broncos and St George Illawarra, switched to rugby union in 2001, where he went on to play 37 internationals for the Wallabies. He also played 19 rugby league Tests for the Kangaroos, was named Player of the Tournament’ at the 2000 Rugby League World Cup and played 17 State of Origin games for Queensland. “Even though this is a major decision in anyone’s life, it is not one that I had to think too much about,” Sailor told a press conference. “I came back to rugby league and achieved what I wanted and needed to, with a fantastic club in the Dragons. I have had my time and now I am ready to step aside and let the great young players here have their turn.”
■ICE HOCKEY
Maple Leafs most valuable
For the fourth straight year, the Toronto Maple Leafs are the NHL’s most valuable team, according to Forbes magazine’s annual survey. The Leafs are worth US$470 million, an increase of 5 percent over last year. They are easily worth more than the next team, the New York Rangers at US$416 million, up just 1 percent.
OUT AGAINST INDONESIA: Taiwan reached the semi-finals at the tournament for the first time by defeating Denmark, with Chou Tien-chen beating Viktor Axelsen Taiwan yesterday crashed out of the Thomas Cup team competition in Chengdu, China, but achieved their best result at the top-tier badminton event by reaching the semi-finals. Indonesia were too good in the semis, winning 3-0 to advance to today’s final against China, who eliminated Malaysia 3-1. In the opening singles of the men’s team clash at the Hi-Tech Zone Sports Center Gymnasium 2, Anthony Ginting defeated Taiwan’s Chou Tien-chen 21-18, 21-19 in 51 minutes, which put a huge hole in Taiwan’s aspirations to perhaps even make the final. In the men’s doubles, Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Ardianto downed Lee Yang and Wang
Rafael Nadal on Tuesday lost in straight sets to 31st-ranked Jiri Lehecka in the fourth round at the Madrid Open, while Taiwan’s Hsieh Su-wei advanced to the semi-finals in the women’s doubles. Nadal said that he was feeling good about his progress following his latest injury layoff. Nadal called it a “positive week” in every way and said his body held up well. “I was able to play four matches, a couple of tough matches,” Nadal said. “So very positive, winning three matches, playing four matches at the high level of tennis. I enjoyed a lot playing at home. I leave here with
When 42-1 underdog James ‘Buster’ Douglas shocked ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson 34 years ago at the Tokyo Dome, the result reverberated worldwide. Spectators at the 45,000-plus seater venue witnessed one of boxing’s biggest upsets as unbeaten heavyweight champion Tyson was knocked out in the 10th round by the unheralded Douglas in February 1990. Boxing returns to the famous venue on Monday for the first time since that unforgettable encounter when Japan’s undisputed super-bantamweight world champion Naoya ‘Monster’ Inoue puts his belts on the line against Mexican Luis Nery. The 31-year-old Inoue (26-0, 23 KOs) is a huge star in Japan and is just
Top-ranked Iga Swiatek on Saturday came through “the most intense and crazy final” she has ever contested to avenge her loss to Aryna Sabalenka in last year’s Madrid Open final with a grueling three hour, 11 minute victory in the Spanish capital. Coming back from 1-3 down in the decider and saving three match points in total, Swiatek claimed a 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (9/7) victory to secure the Madrid Open trophy for the first time. “Well, who is going to say now that women’s tennis is boring, right?” Swiatek said. Swiatek, who picked up the 20th title of her career, and ninth at