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Arrests made in Turkey
Turkey’s match-fixing crisis deepened on Saturday when nine more people were arrested, bringing the total number of suspects detained to 24, the Anatolia press agency reported. Five people were questioned earlier in the day before another four, including one coach and three players, were arrested in the evening. The operation began on Wednesday as police rounded up 46 suspects across Turkey, including players from the country’s top league and lower divisions, managers and club administrators. The most high-profile figure charged so far is former international Fatih Akyel, who played for Istanbul giants Galatasaray in his heyday and is now a defender at third-division Tepecikspor. His manager was among those charged on Friday. The Turkish Football Federation said the investigation was not related to a Europe-wide match-fixing scandal involving Turkey that broke out last year.
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Dozens injured in clashes
Fan violence at two matches in the Mexican Clausura championship on Saturday left dozens of people injured and a coach without a job, media reported. Fans of Queretaro and Atlas clashed at the home side’s Corregidora ground where 30 people were injured, one badly, club president Ulises Zurita said. “I understand there are 30 injured among fans of Queretaro and Atlas, as well as security personnel. One is serious,” Zurita was quoted as saying by La Aficion on their Web site. Queretaro beat the visitors 2-1. Tigres UANL coach Daniel Guzman was sacked after his team’s 1-0 home loss to Toluca, the club confirmed to La Aficion. Fans invaded the pitch and fought with stewards and security officers after the match and demanded Guzman be dismissed.
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Arenas still a Wizard
A day after Gilbert Arenas was sentenced to 30 days in a halfway house for bringing guns into the locker room, Wizards team president Ernie Grunfeld reaffirmed that the All-Star guard will be back with Washington next season. Grunfeld told reporters before the team’s game against Utah on Saturday that the Wizards did not plan to void Arenas’ contract. Grunfeld said: “I think people forget that he’s still one of the best players in this league.”
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Delfino sore, but recovering
Milwaukee forward Carlos Delfino was listed as day-to-day on Saturday with a sore neck and jaw, a day after he was stretchered off the court in the wake of a frightening fall. Delfino was hurt late in the first half of the Bucks’ 87-74 NBA loss to the Miami Heat. He drove to the basket, stumbled and landed face first on the floor. Miami forward Udonis Haslem, going up for the rebound, accidentally landed on the back of Delfino’s head and neck as he came down. He was taken to hospital for X-rays, which the Bucks said on Saturday showed no signs of injuries. “When the stretcher comes out and they put on a neck brace, it’s definitely a disturbing sight,” said Bucks center Kurt Thomas, who said he saw a cut on Delfino’s chin. “It’s definitely a freak accident the way he went down and then Haslem going up for the rebound and he didn’t see him underneath. Haslem is not a dirty player or anything like that.” Haslem said he didn’t realize he had landed on Delfino. “There was nothing I could do,” Haslem said. “I didn’t even know he was under me. I hope he’s OK.”
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
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