FOOTBALL
Fox out in Carolina
John Fox will not return as coach of the Carolina Panthers next season, the NFL’s biggest losers announced on Friday, parting ways with Fox after nine years. Entering his final game today against the Atlanta Falcons, Fox had compiled a 78-73 overall record in nine campaigns, including a run to the 2004 Super Bowl where the Panthers lost 32-29 to New England. However, Fox was not given a contract extension beyond today’s season-ending game and the misery of the current 2-13 campaign, assured of being the NFL’s worst mark this season, was too much for Panthers owner Jerry Richardson. “I appreciate everything he has done for us over the last nine years, but as happens in this business, it is time for both sides to move in different directions,” Richardson said. Fox’s staff of assistant coaches also will not have their contracts renewed, the club announced. “I have many great memories,” Fox said. “I particularly want to thank the players for their efforts throughout the years.”
SOCCER
Player quits over taunts
The team director of Egyptian club Zamalek says the side’s top goalscorer, Mahmoud Abdel Razek, is quitting international soccer because of racist taunts from rival fans during a recent league match. Ibrahim Hassan says Abdel Razak, an attacking midfielder better known as Shikabala, informed the Egyptian Football Association of his resignation from the national team on Friday, according to Egypt’s official MENA news agency. Shikabala, an Egyptian of Nubian origin, was jeered by fans from rival club Ahly as he walked off the pitch during the second half of a goaless draw in the Cairo derby on Thursday. Zamalek has filed a complaint with the Egyptian Football Association about what it perceived as “racist” taunts. Hassan urged the association to intervene to end the dispute.
ICE HOCKEY
Russians win Spengler
Maxim Sushinsky scored twice on Friday to help SKA St Petersburg beat a Canadian team coached by former NHL great Mark Messier 4-3 in the final of the Spengler Cup. Alexei Yashin and Maxim Afinogenov scored in the second period to give the Russian club a 3-1 win, before a frantic finish with three goals in the last 90 seconds. Brett McLean made it 3-2 with a power-play goal at 18 minutes, 38 seconds, into the third, but Sushinskiy scored his second of the game into an empty net just 19 seconds later. Josh Holden then deflected in a shot with 2 seconds left on the clock. Messier’s team consisted mainly of Canadian players based in Europe. The Spengler Cup was first held in 1923, and is the world’s oldest pro hockey tournament.
BASEBALL
Orioles sign Derrek Lee
Derrek Lee, a 35-year-old first baseman for the Chicago Cubs and Atlanta Braves last season, has agreed to terms on a one-year MLB contract with the Baltimore Orioles. Orioles president of baseball operations Andy MacPhail confirmed the verbal free agent agreement on Friday, adding a power hitter to the Orioles lineup after Baltimore lost free agent slugger Ty Willingham to Colorado. Lee, who had 19 home runs and hit .260, while batting in 80 runs over 148 games last season, joins an Orioles team that has not had a winning season since 1997 and not reached a World Series since winning in 1983. The deal is incomplete pending Lee passing a physical exam. Lee, set for his American League debut after 14 seasons with National League clubs, has 312 career homers and a .282 lifetime batting average.
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