SOCCER
Nicollin banned after tirade
Outspoken Montpellier president Louis Nicollin was on Monday given a two-month suspended ban by France’s National Ethics Council (CNE) for a foul-mouthed outburst in the aftermath of a recent game. After Montpellier briefly went top of the French first division last month, Nicollin responded in belligerent fashion to a suggestion that some people would see his side’s rise to the summit as proof of the league’s weakness. “I’ll piss on their arse-crack,” he said. “Not a nice response, eh? It’s scandalous. But when Brest were the leaders, people took the piss. Does it always have to be Marseille or Lyon that are on top? When Saint-Etienne were top, their heads became huge.” Nicollin is no stranger to controversy and was banned by the CNE last season for labeling Auxerre captain Benoit Pedretti “a little poof.”
GOLF
Liang tops OneAsia Tour
China’s Liang Wenchong has topped the OneAsia Tour order of merit after two wins and a second-place finish this year, the Tour announced yesterday. Liang finished at the top of the money list with winnings of US$560,737 after wins at the Luxehills Chengdu Open and Thailand Open and a runner-up finish in the Indonesian Open. “I am very happy and honored. This is something that China supports and that gives me even more pride to take this trophy home,” he said. “This win will be encouraging for the development of golf back at home.” South Korea’s Kim Dae-Hyun finished second with earnings of US$272,154.
BASEBALL
Jenkins going postal
Ferguson Jenkins, the only Canadian in the Baseball Hall of Fame, celebrated his 68th birthday on Monday by watching Canada Post begin printing stamps bearing his image. The stamps, to be issued as part of Black History month in February, portray Jenkins while a youthful pitcher on the mound for the Chicago Cubs with a background of Jenkins being honored with his inclusion on the Canadian Walk of Fame in 2001. Jenkins, who was born in Chatham, Ontario, made his first appearance on a collectible trading card as a Major League Baseball player back in 1965. He went 284-226 over 19 seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies, Texas Rangers, Boston Red Sox and the Cubs, compiling a 3.34 earned-run average.
FOOTBALL
Trip gets Alosi suspended
The New York Jets assistant coach who tripped a Miami Dolphins player during a game has been suspended without pay for the rest of the season, including the playoffs, and fined an additional US$25,000. Sal Alosi, the Jets’ strength and conditioning coach, will begin serving his suspension immediately and have no access to the team’s practice facility. Alosi said earlier in the day that his “actions were inexcusable and irresponsible.”
FOOTBALL
Peacemaker Hayes tasered
Tampa Bay Buccaneers linebacker Geno Hayes was arrested on charges of trespassing and disorderly conduct early on Monday after an incident at a nightclub. The third-year National Football League defender was jailed only hours after the team arrived home from Washington following a 17-16 victory over the Redskins. According to police reports, Hayes became upset while trying to calm a dispute with two men he knew at the entrance to the Blue Martini Lounge in Tampa, Florida. At one point, a police officer used a taser on the NFL player.
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