Netherlands
PSV win to stay top
Balazs Dzsudzsak scored one goal and created three others as PSV Eindhoven beat Willem II 4-2 on Sunday to reclaim top spot in the Dutch league. Dzsudzsak scored from a free kick to give PSV the lead before setting up Jeremain Lens, Ibrahim Afellay and Jonathan Reis. Willem II replied with Andreas Landgren’s first-half effort and Wilfred Bouma’s own goal. Ajax temporarily moved top with a 3-0 win over NAC Breda on Saturday. PSV have 21 points, Ajax have 20 and FC Twente have 19.
Africa
Esperance reach final
Tunisia’s Esperance reached the African Champions League final on Sunday after overcoming Egyptian giants Al Ahli. Esperance, whose 1-0 home win ensured victory on away goals in the two-legged semi-final, will face defending champions TP Mazembe Englebert of the Democratic Republic of Congo in the final. Esperance’s goal came after just 50 seconds but was clearly punched into the net by Michael Eneramo, using his forearm to steer the ball goalward. However, referee Joseph Lamptey let it stand. Having held a 2-1 lead from the first leg the Cairo club went out on the away goals rule. TP Mazembe held JS Kabylie of Algeria to a goalless draw in the second leg of their semi-final on Saturday to go through.
FIFA
OFC pledges to co-operate
The Oceania Football Confederation (OFC) yesterday pledged to fully cooperate with a FIFA probe into allegations its president offered to sell his vote in the bidding race for the 2018 World Cup. World soccer’s governing body launched the investigation after a British newspaper alleged it covertly filmed OFC president Reynald Temarii and Nigerian FIFA official Amos Adamu soliciting money in return for their votes.
South America
Offside calls deny Ronaldo
Ronaldo returned to the field for Corinthians in the Brazilian league on Sunday, with two dubious offside calls denying him a goal in his comeback from injury. Despite a 0-0 draw with Guarani, Corinthians still edged to within four points of the top spot after leader Cruzeiro lost 2-1 at Gremio. In Argentina, Velez Sarsfield and Arsenal both claimed weekend wins to cut Estudiantes’ lead in the Apertura tournament to three points. Velez won 2-1 at Quilmes on Friday, while Arsenal had a 3-2 win at Gimnasia. Estudiantes could only draw 1-1 at Colon. In Mexico, leaders Cruz Azul won 3-0 at Santos to stay two points clear of Monterrey.
England
Mancini favors womanizing
For the average English soccer star this year, sexual liaisons have caused nothing but trouble. Wayne Rooney’s encounters with a prostitute have ruined his form and might still end his marriage. John Terry lost the England captaincy after allegations he had an affair with the ex of an England teammate. Peter Crouch was also publicly humiliated after betraying his pregnant fiancee in a one-night stand. However, according to the Manchester City manager, Roberto Mancini, womanizing is far preferable to drinking. The Italian revealed that he cannot believe the level of drinking by English players and tells them to concentrate on women instead. “I do not understand players drinking until they are drunk. We do not have that culture in Italy. We would prefer to go off with a woman,” he said. “That’s what I liked to do after a match, and I tell my players now it is better that they go with a woman than drink.”
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