■NIGERIA
NFF apologizes to nation
The Nigerian Football Federation (NFF) on Sunday overhauled its leadership and apologized for the poor state of the national team in a last-minute bid to reverse a directive suspending it from international matches. President Goodluck Jonathan imposed the suspension last week following the embarrassing performance by the Super Eagles in the World Cup. The team were knocked out in the group stage after failing to win a game. Soccer’s world governing body gave Nigeria until yesterday evening to change its decision and escape being barred from all FIFA-related activities. A communique from an emergency NFF executive committee meeting on Saturday said: “We wish to passionately appeal to the president to reconsider the earlier decision.” The committee fired its top two leaders and offered an “unreserved apology” to the West African nation’s 140 million citizens for the national team’s failures. If the government fails to heed FIFA’s ultimatum, it risks being cut off from all FIFA activities and also losing FIFA funding.
■BRAZIL
Dunga, coaches sacked
National team coach Dunga and his entire coaching staff have been sacked after the team’s quarter-final exit from the World Cup. The Brazilian Football Federation (CBF) released a statement on Sunday confirming the dismissals. “With the closing of the work cycle that started in August 2006 and ended with the elimination of Brazil from the World Cup in South Africa, the CBF announces the dismissal of the technical commission of the Brazilian team,” the statement read. Dunga, 46, had already indicated after his team’s surprise 2-1 quarter-final loss to the Netherlands that he would be stepping down after four years in the job. The CBF said in its statement that a new coach would be installed by the end of the month.
■PORTUGAL
Ronaldo becomes a father
National team captain Cristiano Ronaldo announced on Sunday he has fathered a baby boy with a woman who has chosen to remain anonymous and with whom he has agreed to keep exclusive guardianship of the child. “It is with great joy and emotion that I inform I have recently become father to a baby boy,” Ronaldo, the world’s most expensive player, said on his Facebook page. “As agreed with the baby’s mother, who prefers to have her identity kept confidential, my son will be under my exclusive guardianship.” The Real Madrid forward said no further information would be provided on the subject and asked “everyone to fully respect my right to privacy and that of the child, at least on issues as personal as these.”
■SPAIN
Casillas thanks Reina
Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas said teammate Pepe Reina should take the credit for his crucial penalty save in the World Cup quarter-final win over Paraguay. Casillas kept out Oscar Cardozo’s spot-kick before the European champions went on to secure a nervy 1-0 win and a place in the semi-finals against Germany tomorrow. “Reina told me where Cardozo liked to hit his penalties,” Casillas said. Liverpool goalkeeper Reina had been beaten twice from the spot by the striker in Benfica’s Europa League quarter-final win last season, but he knew Cardozo’s preference was to hit them to the left of the goalkeeper. “It was a nervous time,” Casillas said. “I had such a huge responsibility.”
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