CHILE
Barcelona sign ‘Kid Marvel’
Italy’s Udinese have agreed to transfer Chilean winger Alexis Sanchez to Barcelona for about US$54 million, Chilean media reported on Sunday. The gifted 22-year-old, who is in Chile’s squad preparing for next month’s Copa America in Argentina, will travel in the coming days to Spain to seal his move to the European champions. Sanchez, known as “Kid Marvel,” scored 12 goals this season, helping Udinese finish fourth in Serie A to claim a Champions League qualifying berth. The El Mercurio daily said Sanchez had been granted permission by Chile coach Claudio Borghi to miss Thursday’s friendly against Paraguay “to have the medical tests [at Barcelona].”
EUROPE
Czech Republic beat England
The Czech Republic scored two late goals to knock England out of the European under-21 championship and Spain beat 10-man Ukraine 3-0 to top Group B on Sunday. Striker Danny Welbeck looked to have headed England into the semi-finals when he powered home a cross from Daniel Sturridge 11 minutes from time, but substitute Jan Chramosta equalized for the Czech Republic in the 89th minute. A draw would have been enough, but as England poured forward in search of a winner Chramosta turned provider, setting up Tomas Pekhart for a simple finish into an empty net to seal a 2-1 win for his side. The reward for the Czech Republic is a semi-final meeting with Switzerland tomorrow, while Spain will face Belarus on the same day.
NIGERIA
Obinna sings for Locomotiv
Nigerian international forward Victor Obinna has joined Locomotiv Moscow on a four-year deal, his agent said on Sunday. “Obinna has signed a four-year contract with Locomotiv and he has passed his medical in Moscow,” his representative in Nigeria, Tony Adele, said. The 24-year-old striker has moved to Russia as a free player after Italy’s Inter did not activate a clause in his contract that would have kept him at the San Siro. Compatriot Osaze Odemwingie left Locomotiv last year under a cloud of controversy following a racist attack by fans of the Moscow club. Obinna played last season on loan from Inter to West Ham United, who were demoted from the English Premier League.
RUSSIA
Police allegedly zap striker
Zenit St Petersburg accused riot police on Sunday of zapping one of their players with an electric shock as he tried to throw his shirt into the stands during a Russian league match. Television footage showed shirtless Serbian striker Danko Lazovic being approached by police officers as he moved toward his team’s fans after Saturday’s game at Volga Nizhny Novgorod. Zenit said Lazovic was given an electric shock that left a burn mark under his right shoulder blade. Police deny the accusation. “I simply went to give my shirt to the fans after the game when a policeman appeared behind me and hit me in the back with an electric shock,” Lazovic told the Sport Express newspaper. “I don’t know why this happened. Maybe he thought I was one of the fans.”
ITALY
Genoa hire Alberto Malesani
Much-traveled coach Alberto Malesani has been named the new Genoa boss, the Serie A club said in a statement on Sunday. Malesani kept Bologna in the Italian top flight last term despite a three-point deduction and players not being paid for months. He has been rewarded with the hot seat at ambitious Genoa.
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