UNITED KINGDOM
FIFA tries to block document
World governing body FIFA is attempting to block the release of a document that reveals the identity of two officials forced to repay bribes, the BBC reported on Sunday. The officials repaid the money in a settlement following a Swiss criminal investigation last year, according to allegations broadcast by the BBC’s current affairs program Panorama yesterday. The settlement relates to bribes paid to senior FIFA officials in the 1990s by sports marketing company International Sports and Leisure, Panorama reported. The program named the men concerned as former FIFA president Joao Havelange, 95, and Ricardo Teixeira, the leader of Brazilian soccer and a member of FIFA’s executive committee. The program also said it had found evidence that FIFA vice president Jack Warner sold on tickets to the World Cup in Germany 2006 through an intermediary, but lawyers acting for FIFA are contesting a decision by the Swiss prosecutor in Zug to release details of the agreement.
INDONESIA
Country braced for ban
FIFA is expected to ban Indonesia from international soccer, including World Cup qualifiers and the Southeast Asian Games, which the country is hosting in November, a report said yesterday. Sanctions are imminent after the Indonesian Football Association failed to resolve a bitter row at the weekend over how the game should be run in the country. “In my opinion, the chance of a FIFA sanction is 2,000 percent,” acting Indonesian Football Association secretary-general Joko Driyono was quoted as saying by the Jakarta Globe daily. Soccer in Indonesia is in turmoil after the association failed to elect a new leadership panel on Friday night ahead of a deadline set by FIFA.
TURKEY
Fenerbahce win 18th title
Fenerbahce won their 18th Turkish championship on Sunday with a 4-3 away victory over Sivasspor, grabbing the crown on goal-difference from Trabzonspor on the final day of the season. The Istanbul giants finished the season with 82 points, the same as Trabzonspor, whose 4-0 victory over Karabukspor fell short of propelling them to the top. Thousands of Fenerbahce fans took to the streets in the club’s home district of Kadikoy, on Istanbul’s Asian side, in an ecstatic celebration that will also go some way to burying memories of their last-minute loss of the title last year. Fenerbahce and Trabzonspor will represent Turkey in the Champions League next season.
RUSSIA
CSKA Moscow win Cup final
Three-time champions CSKA Moscow won their sixth Russian Cup, beating Alania Vladikavkaz 2-1 in the final at Yaroslavl Central Stadium on Sunday. Ivory Coast forward Seidou Doumbia put the Red Army side into the lead when the match was 13 minutes old, firing past Alania goalkeeper Dmitry Khomich from Vagner Love’s cross, but 10 minutes later Danila Neko pulled the scores level when he put the ball in the net with a help of a slight ricochet. After the interval, CSKA went on the offensive and Doumbia netted the winning goal in the 69th minute.
PORTUGAL
Porto bag another treble
Porto bagged a treble after adding the Portuguese Cup to the club’s triumphs in the Europa League and the Portuguese league on Sunday. Porto, coached by 33-year-old Andre Villas-Boas, hammered Vitoria Guimaraes 6-2 in the Cup final in Lisbon to repeat the treble last achieved in 2003 under Jose Mourinho.
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