■ENGLAND
Benjani loaned to Black Cats
Struggling Premier League side Sunderland added some much needed firepower to their out-of-form strike force on Tuesday with the loan signing of Zimbabwean international Benjani Mwaruwari from rivals Manchester City. The Black Cats got the benefit of the doubt from the Premier League over signing the 31-year-old, even though they failed to process the required paperwork before Monday’s 5pm transfer deadline. Sunderland boss Steve Bruce — whose side have been in free-fall after a winless run of 11 games — blamed technical problems for the delay. Benjani — scorer of 29 goals in 43 international appearances — is a free agent in the summer, but Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini had said he could move on if he wanted to.
■PARAGUAY
Libertad make group stage
Pablo Velazquez’s two second-half goals helped put Paraguayan club Libertad into the group stage of the Copa Libertadores with a 3-1 home win against Deportivo Tachira of Venezuela on Tuesday. Libertad advanced 3-2 on aggregate to be the first through the preliminary first round. Pedro Boada opened the scoring for Tachira following a corner in the 30th minute to leave Libertad needing three goals to progress. Rodolfo Gamarra tipped the ball past Tachira goalkeeper Manuel Sanhouse, flicked the ball over Jong Viafara’s challenge and volleyed the equalizer from a narrow angle in the 41st minute. Velazquez side-footed in following a scramble in the Tachira box with just over 20 minutes to play, and sealed Libertad’s passage in the 81st minute.
■PORTUGAL
Porto put five past Sporting
Holders Porto thrashed Sporting 5-2 to reach the semi-finals of the Portuguese Cup on Tuesday. Porto took the lead on 18 minutes through a Rolando tap in, but Russian midfielder Marat Ismailov equalized four minutes later with a thunderous drive from outside the box. Colombian striker Radamel Falcao put Porto ahead again on 34 minutes from the edge of the area and added another in the 42nd minute with a flying header after a Ruben Micael cross. Varela scored the fourth just after halftime and Argentine Mariano Gonzalez made it five with a stunning long-distance strike in the 57th minute, before Liedson scored Sporting’s second in stoppage-time.
■ITALY
Berlusconi slams own club
AC Milan owner Silvio Berlusconi lambasted his own club and chief executive Adriano Galliani on Tuesday for signing Inter winger Mancini on loan. The Brazilian, who has barely played for bitter city rivals Inter in the last two seasons after a dip in form, joined Milan on Monday on the last day of the transfer window. “I really don’t understand it,” the Italian prime minister told Jerusalem’s Italian community, sources at the meeting said. “He is another creative player when we need someone who can finish off moves. He’s not played for two years. I don’t agree with getting him and I’ve told Galliani.”
■ENGLAND
Pompey cash held back
The Premier League will keep more than £2 million (US$3.2 million) Portsmouth raised from selling players during the transfer window and hand it to clubs owed money by Pompey. Portsmouth sold defender Younes Kaboul to Tottenham Hotspur and goalkeeper Asmir Begovic to Stoke City for a total of about £8 million. The southeast club is reported to be about £60 million in debt.
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