■ PORTUGAL
Bento takes Portugal post
Paulo Bento was on Tuesday named coach of Portugal until the end of Euro 2012, the Portuguese Football Federation announced. “Paulo Bento and his technical team will sign a contract until July 2012,” the federation said. Bento, 41, a former defensive midfielder who won 35 caps for Portugal, will succeed Carlos Queiroz, who was sacked earlier this month after disciplinary run-ins with the federation and poor results. Bento’s appointment came after Real Madrid refused to release Jose Mourinho to take the role temporarily. Portugal have made a poor start to their Euro 2012 campaign, drawing 4-4 with Cyprus and losing 1-0 to Norway to leave them in fourth place in Group H. They face Denmark and Iceland next month.
■ SPAIN
Tackle lands Ujfalusi a ban
Atletico Madrid’s Czech defender Tomasz Ujfalusi was slapped with a two-match ban on Tuesday for a tackle on Barcelona star Lionel Messi that has left the Argentine sidelined with an ankle injury. Spain’s soccer authority, the RFEF, handed down the ban for “dangerous play,” the club said on its Web site. The Czech will now miss Atletico’s games against Valencia and Real Zaragoza. Messi was stretchered off in the final minute of Sunday’s match, which Barca won 2-1, following the robust tackle from the Czech, who was sent off for the challenge. Barcelona said on Monday that Messi, the reigning FIFA World Player of the Year, will miss at least the next two matches after suffering ligament damage to his ankle. Ujfalusi has apologized to Messi, saying he had “tried to go for the ball,” but was “unlucky as my foot stepped on his ankle.”
■GERMANY
Klinsmann turned down US
Former Germany star Jurgen Klinsmann revealed on Tuesday that he turned down the chance to coach the US after the World Cup having failed to agree terms with the US Soccer Federation. The 46-year-old led Germany to third at the 2006 World Cup and had been in discussions to take charge of the US team after July’s tournament. After negotiations broke down, US coach Bob Bradley, who led the team to the Round of 16 in South Africa, has had his contract extended. “We negotiated for three to four weeks, but we are were not able to transform the verbal agreement that we had found into a contractual one,” Klinsmann was reported to have told German media on Tuesday. Klinsmann revealed the negotiations broke down because of the position’s responsibilities. Having been fired by Bayern Munich in April last year after just nine months in charge, Klinsmann has returned to California.
■ UNITED KINGDOM
Fabregas out of action
Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas is set to be out of action for up to three weeks with a hamstring injury, the English Premier League club announced on Tuesday. The Spain midfielder is now doubtful for the clash with the Gunners’ London rivals and Premier League leaders Chelsea on Oct. 3. Fabregas, 23, suffered the injury as he netted a freak goal at Sunderland on Saturday, the ball kicked into him by Anton Ferdinand and it looped back into the goal. “Arsenal Football Club have confirmed Cesc Fabregas will be out for two to three weeks,” a statement read. “The Spanish midfielder gave the visitors an early lead at Sunderland on Saturday, but then picked up a hamstring injury ... The extent of the injury was discovered after a scan on Monday afternoon.” Fabregas joined Theo Walcott, Robin van Persie and Nicklas Bendtner on Arsenal’s injury list.
■ BASEBALL
K-Rod charged again
New York Mets closer Francisco Rodriguez was scheduled to face charges yesterday that he violated a judge’s order not to contact his girlfriend. Queens District Attorney Richard Brown says Rodriguez was to be arraigned on charges that he violated an order of protection by sending text messages to his girlfriend. The 28-year-old reliever is already facing third-degree assault and harassment charges for assaulting his girlfriend’s father outside a family lounge at Citi Field. He was told to keep away from the man and his daughter, the mother of his twins. However, Queens prosecutors say he sent her 56 text messages, mostly asking for forgiveness.
■ FOOTBALL
Bush out with broken leg
Embattled running back Reggie Bush, who gave back his Heisman Trophy last week, could be sidelined for several weeks with a broken leg, US media reported on Tuesday. The New Orleans star Bush was injured with just under seven minutes left in the Saints 25-22 win on Monday over San Francisco. He was trying to catch a punt when he missed the ball, went to recover it and landed at the bottom of a pile. Reports said he broke a bone in his lower right leg. Nothing is official, as the team has declined to comment on the injury.
■ BASEBALL
Colvin out with bat injury
Chicago Cubs fielder Tyler Colvin was still recovering in hospital on Tuesday after having his chest punctured by a broken bat in a Major League Baseball game on Sunday. Colvin, who left the field under his own power and even scored a run on the play, was listed in stable condition in a Miami hospital. The season-ending injury took place in the second inning of a 13-3 win over the Florida Marlins. Colvin was leaving third base when he was struck by a small piece of teammate Welington Castillo’s broken bat. Castillo doubled on the play and Colvin scored. The team didn’t say when Colvin would be released from hospital.
■ FOOTBALL
Brown suspended for PEDs
Houston Texans offensive lineman Duane Brown has been suspended four games without pay for violating the NFL’s policy on performance enhancing drugs (PED), the team said on Tuesday. Brown’s ban will start with Sunday’s game against the Dallas Cowboys. He will not appeal the suspension. “I unknowingly took a supplement tainted with a banned substance and now have to deal with the consequences,” Brown said in a statement on the team’s Web site. “I want to personally apologize to [the whole organization], my family, and to all the great and loyal Texans fans. I vow to learn from this mistake and be a better player and team mate because of it.”
■RUGBY
Maka arrested for ‘slave’
Tonga rugby player Finau Maka has appeared before a French court after being accused of employing an illegal worker in unacceptable conditions. The immigrant, a 44-year-old Tunisian, said he was the former Toulouse player’s “slave” during the four-year spell he worked at Maka’s house in the outskirts of Toulouse from 2006 to this year. A ruling is expected next month. Moncef Derbali said he was employed by Maka to do renovation and maintenance work at Maka’s house. Derbali says he first lived in a guest room before moving into a small shed, and claims he only got paid about 400 euros (US$532) over the four years. He said he didn’t quit because Maka threatened to warn the police about his illegal status. Maka denied any wrongdoing.
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