■BOXING
Calzaghe admits cocaine use
Former undefeated super-middleweight world boxing champion Joe Calzaghe apologized for using cocaine on Sunday after being caught out by a British newspaper. Calzaghe, 38, who retired from boxing a year ago having won all 46 of his professional fights, released a statement on his Web site apologizing to fans for his “occasional use of cocaine” since retiring. “I’m not proud to say that I have joined a list of royals, sports and showbiz stars who have been scammed by the News of the World’s notorious Fake Sheikh,” Welshman Calzaghe said, explaining how he had been secretly filmed by the newspaper’s reporters speaking about his drug use. The News of the World, whose leading undercover reporter sometimes poses as a sheikh to befriend celebrities, carried the story on its front page on Sunday. “In talking directly to my fans, I would only add that I am deeply sorry if anyone feels let down and I will make sure that nothing like it happens again,” Calzaghe said.
■SOCCER
Gazza in trouble again
Former England midfielder Paul Gascoigne has been charged with driving under the influence of alcohol and without a license or insurance. Gascoigne, who has been plagued by alcohol and mental health problems since he quit the game in 2005, was charged on Sunday following the incident in Leeming Bar, north Yorkshire, last month. Gascoigne scored 10 goals in 57 matches for England before his career was cut short by injuries and off-field troubles. Gascoigne — nicknamed “Gazza” — was detained three times for mental health problems in 2008. Considered one of the most talented English players of his generation, he is best known for his exploits at the 1990 World Cup finals in Italy, where he helped England reach the semi-finals.
■SOCCER
Match lasts 60 seconds
A Bulgarian third-division match was abandoned after less than a minute on Sunday when injury and suspension-hit Gigant Belene were reduced to six men shortly after kickoff. Gigant made the 200km trip to the northwestern town of Belogradchik for the match but could only field seven players. Referee Boycho Boychev was forced to abandon the match after less than a minute when Gigant’s Momchil Vraikov informed him he had picked up an injury and could not continue. Teams have to field at least seven players according to the rules of the game. Balkan Belogradchik were awarded a 3-0 win.
■RUGBY UNION
Delve heading Down Under
Welsh forward Gareth Delve has become the Melbourne Rebels’ second international recruitment ahead of their debut Super 15 season next year. Officials announced late on Sunday that Delve, the Gloucester captain, will join England flyhalf Danny Cipriani at the Rebels. “The opportunity to test myself alongside the best players in world rugby in a competition I have grown up admiring was one I couldn’t refuse,” Delve said in a statement. “I am delighted to join the Melbourne Rebels for their entrance into Super Rugby in 2011.” Delve, 27, who has played 11 times for Wales, said one of the key factors in his decision to move to Melbourne was the opportunity to work with Australian World Cup-winning coach Rod Macqueen. “For Rod Macqueen to come out of retirement, this must be something special,” he said. “The chance to be involved with the building of a club from the ground up has great appeal. I’m looking forward to it immensely.”
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
Revelations of positive doping tests for nearly two dozen Chinese swimmers that went unpunished sparked an intense flurry of accusations and legal threats between the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and the head of the US drug-fighting organization, who has long been one of WADA’s fiercest critics. WADA on Saturday said it was turning to legal counsel to address a statement released by US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) CEO Travis Tygart, who said WADA and anti-doping authorities in China swept positive tests “under the carpet by failing to fairly and evenly follow the global rules that apply to everyone else in the world.” The
Taiwanese judoka Yang Yung-wei on Saturday won silver in the men’s under-60kg category at the Asian Judo Championships in Hong Kong. Nicknamed the “judo heartthrob” in Taiwan, the Olympic silver-medalist missed out on his first Asian Championships gold when he lost to Japanese judoka Taiki Nakamura in the finals. Yang defeated three opponents on Saturday to reach the final after receiving a bye through the round of 32. He first topped Laotian Soukphaxay Sithisane in the round of 16 with two seoi nage (over-the-shoulder throws), then ousted Indian Vijay Kumar Yadav in the quarter-finals with his signature ude hishigi sankaku gatame (triangular armlock). He
Rafael Nadal on Wednesday said the upcoming French Open would be the moment to “give everything and die” on the court after his comeback from injury in Barcelona was curtailed by Alex de Minaur. The 22-time Grand Slam title winner, back playing this week after three months on the sidelines, battled well, but eventually crumbled 7-5, 6-1 against the world No. 11 from Australia in the second round. Nadal, 37, who missed virtually all of last season, is hoping to compete at the French Open next month where he is the record 14-time champion. The Spaniard said the clash with De Minaur was