■SOCCER
Santos player accuses cop
A row involving Brazil teenager Neymar at Santos’ match with Ceara on Sunday developed into a mass brawl in which teammate Marquinhos was struck in the ribs, allegedly by a policeman. After the final whistle in Santos’ 2-1 defeat at Ceara’s Castelao ground in the Brazilian championship, Neymar became embroiled in an argument with home defender Joao Marcos. Players from both sides began fighting and police came onto the pitch to break them up with television replays showing Marquinhos being pushed by a policeman. Marquinhos said the policeman hit him in the ribs with his truncheon although this was not visible in the replays. “I was pulling Neymar [away from the fighting] and the cop gave it to me with his truncheon in my ribs,” Marquinhos told reporters. Santos, who won the Paulista championship and Copa Brasil earlier in the season, have recently gone off the boil and are sixth in the standings with 31 points, 10 behind leaders Fluminense.
■BOXING
Hatton distraught after sting
British former world champion Ricky Hatton is “distraught and devastated” after newspaper allegations of cocaine use, his spokesman said on Sunday. Hatton, who last fought in May last year, was filmed by the News of the World appearing to snort white powder in a Manchester hotel toilet. “He’s very upset and very down as you’d imagine,” his spokesman Max Clifford told BBC radio. “He said he feels he’s let everyone down: himself, family, friends and the many fans who have been nothing but supportive. He does recognize that he’s in a bad way mentally and been in a bad place for some considerable time, a year or so,” Clifford said. “He needs to face it full on and show the courage he always did whenever he climbed into the ring. We all have to wait and watch and see what happens but what I’m hoping is that he tackles it with courage. I hope this will bring him to his senses and make him face up to a problem that has been concerning people for a while.”
■SOCCER
Kiwi coach renews deal
Ricki Herbert, who steered New Zealand’s unbeaten World Cup campaign, has signed on as national coach for a further two years. Herbert has been New Zealand coach since 2005 and guided their first successful World Cup qualifying campaign since 1982. New Zealand were unbeaten in South Africa — drawing with Slovakia, Paraguay and Italy —but failed to progress to the tournament’s second round. Herbert signed a new contract with Football New Zealand at a news conference in Wellington yesterday, ensuring he stays in charge of the New Zealand team through qualifying for the 2013 Confederations Cup. He said he hoped to coach New Zealand through to the next World Cup in Brazil in 2014.
■SOCCER
Wales appoint Flynn
Brian Flynn has been hired as Wales caretaker coach for the team’s two European Championship qualifiers next month following the resignation of John Toshack. Flynn, who had been Wales youth-team coach, will take charge of the senior side’s matches against Bulgaria in Cardiff on Oct. 8 and Switzerland in Basel four days later. Toshack quit on Thursday, less than a week after Wales opened their Euro 2012 qualifying campaign with a 1-0 loss in Montenegro. The former Liverpool striker had been in the post since 2004. Flynn, who is reported to be one of the favorites to replace Toshack on a permanent basis, says “I shall give it my all to try and achieve results and stake a claim for the job.”
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