■SOCCER
Sparta demand apology
Sparta Prague have called on Slavia defender Marek Suchy to apologize for displaying a scarf that read “Death to Sparta” after a Europa League match. Suchy, who is moving to Spartak Moscow on a one-year loan deal held up the scarf following Slavia’s 0-0 draw with Genoa, his last home game. Sparta called his behavior “unacceptable” in a statement on Monday and demanded an apology. The Czech soccer federation’s disciplinary committee has declined to address the incident and instead recommended that Sparta take its protest to UEFA, European soccer’s governing body. Sparta has said it doesn’t plan to do that because it would damage the reputation of Czech soccer.
■CRICKET
Rain puts dampener on Test
Rain had the last say on the fifth day of the third and final Test between New Zealand and Pakistan in Napier yesterday after the Kiwis charge for a victory target of 208 in a minimum of 43 overs came to a soggy conclusion with the hosts on 90 without loss. Pakistan had battled their way to 455 all out in their second innings with the Akmal brothers, Umar and Kamran both completing half-centuries yesterday. BJ Watling and Tim McIntosh then put on an unbeaten 90 for the first wicket leaving the Kiwis still needing 118 from a minimum of 18 overs when the rain came to Pakistan’s rescue. The series ended 1-1.
■TENNIS
Court suspends ban
A Belgian court on Monday suspended the one-year doping bans given to Yanina Wickmayer and Xavier Malisse. Wickmayer’s lawyers hope the injunction will make 16th-ranked Wickmayer eligible to play as soon as possible. The US Open semi-finalist hopes to receive a wild card for the Australian Open. Shortly after the ruling, she was offered a wild card to the ASB Classic. The Jan. 4 to Jan. 9 tournament in New Zealand serves as a tuneup for the Australian Open, the year’s first Grand Slam event. Wickmayer and Malisse were suspended by a Belgian court on Nov. 5 for breaking World Anti-Doping Agency rules by failing to report their whereabouts for drug testing three times. De Saedeleer said that by suspending the original ruling, the Brussels court made it clear tennis authorities no longer had a legal basis to justify their penalty. Wickmayer claims she was not properly informed of the online reporting requirements for drug-testing that led to her ban.
■FOOTBALL
Patriots rally round Moss
New England Patriots coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady have rushed to the defense of wide-receiver Randy Moss after opponents accused him of easing off after physical challenges. Carolina Panthers cornerback Chris Gamble and safety Chris Harris both said on Sunday that Moss rarely performed well after coming in for some physical treatment. The Patriots beat the Panthers 20-10 but Moss made just one catch, a 16-yard reception that ended in a fumble, and the Panthers pair said that was because Moss was known as a player who “shut it down” after receiving some tough attention. “I have a lot of respect for Randy, I think he’s one of our best players,” Belichick said. “I think if you watch other teams defend him they think the same way. Brady said that any failings in the Patriots’ performance were collective. “Randy is one of the best players in the NFL. When it doesn’t go perfect out there, everyone wants to jump on Randy. It’s all of us and we all have to do better,” he said.
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
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
Taiwan’s Lee Jhe-huei and Yang Po-hsuan on Saturday won the men’s doubles bronze medal at the Badminton Asia Championships in Ningbo, China, after they were bested by the hosts in their semi-final. The Taiwanese shuttlers lost to China’s Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang, who advanced to yesterday’s final against Malaysia’s Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzudin. The Chinese pair outplayed Lee and Yang in straight games. Although the Taiwanese got off to a slow start in the first game, they eventually tied it 14-14, before Liang and Wang went on to blow past them to win 21-17. In the second game, Lee and