■FRANCE
Players in prostitution probe
Investigators have questioned two French national team players as part of an inquiry into prostitution involving a minor, a judicial source said. One of the players has admitted having a relationship with a prostitute but denied knowing that she was a minor, the source said on condition of anonymity. The players, who were not identified, were questioned by investigators working for Paris examining magistrate Yves Dando, the source said confirming a report by the M6 television station. The investigation concerns a Paris night club, frequented by certain French internationals, which is suspected of employing prostitutes, the source said. L’Equipe newspaper reported yesterday that a third French international player could be questioned in coming weeks as part of the same investigation. “There is no reaction to give on a matter like this,” the president of the French Football Federation Jean-Pierre Escalettes said. “An investigation is underway and I have no information on that. At the moment it is not possible to make a comment.”
■ITALY
Livorno on brink of drop
Serie A bottom side Livorno are on the brink of relegation after losing 2-0 at Chievo Verona on Saturday. Sergio Pellissier drilled a diagonal strike inside the near post to put the hosts ahead in the 28th minute shortly after being denied a strong penalty claim for a push in the back as he was about to shoot. Elvis Abbruscato touched the ball home from close range to wrap up the victory two minutes from time. Livorno have 26 points with four games left to play, nine points less than Bologna in the safety zone before the fourth-bottom side’s visit to Udinese yesterday. Chievo, in contrast, look to have top-flight survival in the bag after a win that puts them 12th, 10 points above the drop zone.
■PORTUGAL
Braga cut Benfica lead
Braga beat Leixoes 3-1 on Saturday to cut Benfica’s lead at the top of the league to three points. Alan scored twice and Moises once for Braga, while Christian Pouga reduced the deficit for Leixoes. Braga are on 64 points and it was the team’s first win against relegation-threatened Leixoes since the 1988-1989 season. Benfica, on 67 points, could increase their lead to six points again yesterday, when they visited Academica. With three games left after this weekend, Benfica are seeking to clinch their first title in five years. Defending champions Porto are third with 56 points and played Guimaraes yesterday.
■UNITED STATES
Angel delights Red Bulls
Juan Pablo Angel scored his first two goals of the season, including a last-minute penalty, to lead the New York Red Bulls to a 2-1 comeback win over FC Dallas on Saturday night. The Red Bulls remained unbeaten in their new US$200 million home, including two MLS matches and a friendly against Santos of Brazil last month. Dallas scored in the 10th minute when Dax McCarty met a cross from Heath Pearce and sent a header past Red Bull goalkeeper Bouna Coundoul to take the lead. Angel equalized in the 56th and converted the penalty to secure the win. At Carson, California, Edson Buddle scored two goals as the Los Angeles Galaxy ended a six-game winless streak against Real Salt Lake and continued their best start to an MLS season since 1998. Buddle opened the scoring in the 12th minute with a header from Landon Donovan’s corner kick and then, after Kyle Beckerman had equalized for Real in the 41st, Buddle scored the winner in the 76th minute.
ADVANTAGE ATLETICO: Well off the pace in La Liga, the Copa del Rey represents Atletico Madrid’s best chance of silverware this season Atletico Madrid on Thursday hammered Copa del Rey holders Barcelona 4-0 in the first leg of their semi-final. After an Eric Garcia own-goal sent Diego Simeone’s side ahead early on, Antoine Griezmann, Ademola Lookman and Julian Alvarez struck to give Atletico a landslide lead by halftime. Barca defender Garcia was sent off in the final stages, with Atletico maintaining their significant advantage on the record 32-time winners, which they take into the second leg at the Camp Nou on March 3. Both sides missed good chances in the second half, with Barca’s Pau Cubarsi having a goal disallowed before Garcia was sent off
Dasun Shanaka hammered the fastest half-century by a Sri Lankan in T20Is as the cohosts thrashed Oman by 105 runs at the World Cup yesterday in Pallekele, Sri Lanka, for their second win in Group B. The 2014 champions piled up 225-5, the highest total of the tournament, before restricting an outclassed Oman to 120-9. The 43-year-old Mohammad Nadeem waged a lone battle for Oman, compiling an unbeaten 53 to become the oldest player to score a 50 in T20 World Cups. Having promoted himself up the order and under pressure to deliver, Sri Lanka skipper Shanaka smashed a 19-ball half-century. It has been
Kawhi Leonard on Sunday scored 41 points, grabbed eight rebounds and made four steals to lead the Los Angeles Clippers in a lopsided 115-96 victory at Minnesota. The 34-year-old forward, a two-time NBA champion, matched the second-best road scoring effort of his career as the Clippers improved to 25-27. “Just being aggressive. My teammates trust me,” Leonard said. “Every moment when I touch the ball — assist, shooting the basketball or getting a rebound — I’m just trying to help the team win.” Leonard made three steals in a row at the start of the contest. “Just wanted to come out early in the
FLOP TO CONQUEROR: It was sweet vindication for Sam Darnold, who played for four NFL teams before his debut season in Seattle ended in the ultimate win The Seattle Seahawks on Sunday coasted to Super Bowl glory, routing the New England Patriots 29-13 as Sam Darnold sealed his journey from flop quarterback to conqueror of the NFL’s biggest prize. Brushing off a reputation for wilting in big games, journeyman quarterback Darnold threw for a touchdown and 200 yards on the grandest stage of all to give the Seahawks their second-ever Lombardi Trophy. “It’s unbelievable. Everything that has happened in my career, but to do it with this team, I wouldn’t want it any other way,” Darnold said. The victory was buoyed by a dominant defensive display and kicker Jason Myers’
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