SOCCER
‘Peculiar’ results queried
Costas Piladakism, president of Larissa of the Greek Super League, alleged on Monday that his club was the victim of 11 “peculiar” results this season which led his team to relegation. Piladakis said the club has produced a DVD showing all the questionable decisions made by referees during those 11 matches. He also made serious allegations that people within the Greek federation “made certain calls to referees and linesmen before our matches. They should be removed from the federation immediately.” Piladakis’ claims came after a prominent lawyer last month accused a top-flight club chairman of attempting to influence referees, presenting taped phonecalls as evidence.
TENNIS
Nieminen to face Nadal
Finland’s Jarkko Nieminen will face Rafael Nadal at the Monte Carlo Masters after beating France’s Julien Benneteau 4-6, 6-3, 7-6 in Monday’s first round. Nadal, bidding to become the first player to win the same event seven times in a row, had a bye in the opening round alongside other big names. Nieminen will somehow try to derail Nadal, who won every clay match he played last year including at the French Open, when they take to the Monte Carlo Country Club courts in round two today. British world No. 4 Andy Murray, dumped out in the second round of Indian Wells and the Sony Ericsson Open in his last two outings, will hope the switch to clay helps his game when he comes up against Radek Stepanek today. Czech Stepanek got past Marcos Baghdatis 3-6, 6-1, 7-6 in their first-round clash. Benneteau’s defeat apart, the sparse crowds were treated to three-set comeback wins for Frenchmen Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and Richard Gasquet.
SOCCER
Zaragoza ease drop fears
Zaragoza moved three points clear of the relegation zone in the Spanish league after beating Getafe 2-1 on Monday. Midfielder Leonardo Ponzio hit Zaragoza’s 14th-minute opener at La Romareda stadium with a dipping blast from outside the area. Nicolas Bertolo made it 2-0 in the 35th when he finished off a counterattack led by Nigeria striker Ikechukwu Uche. Getafe captain Francisco Casquero scored from a rebound in first-half injury time to halve the deficit, but the hosts protected their advantage in the second half to earn their first win in three games. The victory lifted Zaragoza three points above Hercules and Malaga and to within one point of Getafe.
BASKETBALL
Ex-college players charged
Ten people, including two former basketball players and a former assistant coach at the University of San Diego, have been indicted in connection with a scheme to fix games since 2008, federal prosecutors said on Monday. The defendants were charged in the federal grand jury indictment with scheming to fix University of San Diego Toreros basketball games by bribing players and then betting on the games in Las Vegas. All 10 defendants were charged with conspiracy to commit sports bribery, conduct an illegal gambling business and distribute marijuana. The indictment charged that the profits from selling marijuana and betting on the games were used to fund further dealing and bribing. Among those charged were former Toreros players Brandon Johnson and Brandon Dowdy, and former assistant coach Thaddeus Brown. The alleged conspiracy began in 2008, according to the indictment, and a defendant sought to bribe players as late as last month. The University of San Diego is a private Catholic college with about 7,800 full-time students.
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