SOCCER
Brazil to scrap drinks ban
Brazil has moved closer to overturning a ban on alcoholic drinks at sports venues, drafting a bill that would allow for their sale at 2014 World Cup matches out of deference to world soccer’s governing body FIFA. The “2014 World Cup Law,” detailing the proposed change, was presented by a commission of lawmakers on Tuesday, Agencia Camara reported. The legislation, which still needs approval at three separate stages, is a pointed concession to FIFA, which wants to protect the commercial interests of its sponsors. However, it also allows for 300,000 tickets to be sold at half-price to pensioners, students and the handicapped, among others, in a return concession by FIFA to Brazil. If the law were to be passed, selling drinks would become legal at grounds throughout the country, not just those staging World Cup matches, though only in the stadiums’ licensed bars and restaurants.
FOOTBALL
Redskins players get bans
The National Football League has slapped Washington Redskins players Fred Davis and Trent Williams with four-game bans each for violating the league’s substance abuse policy. The league’s disciplinary committee announced on Tuesday that both were suspended without pay and not eligible to rejoin the Redskins until Jan. 2, the day after the final regular season game against the Philadelphia Eagles. Tight end Davis snagged 59 passes for 796 yards and three touchdowns in a dozen contests this season, while offensive tackle Williams started 10 games for the Redskins.
ATHLETICS
Radcliffe gets fifth Olympics
Paula Radcliffe became only the third British track and field athlete to be selected for five Olympics, after her place in Team GB for London 2012 was confirmed on Tuesday. Radcliffe, 37, has been selected for the marathon, along with Scott Overall and Mara Yamauchi. The trio are the first individuals to be selected from the sport of athletics — 11 sailors and five boxers have also been named. Radcliffe said: “To represent your country at a home Olympics is something special and I’m over the moon to be selected for Team GB. I was pleased to get the qualifying time in Berlin earlier this year and my sole focus is getting in the right shape for London.” Last month, Radcliffe received a boost when she was reinstated as the holder of the women’s world marathon record at 2 hours, 15 minutes, 25 seconds, overturning a controversial decision by the IAAF not to recognize the time as such. She had originally set the time in winning the 2003 London Marathon.
ICE HOCKEY
Tootoo suspended
Nashville Predators forward Jordin Tootoo has been suspended for two games for charging into Buffalo Sabres goalie Ryan Miller, the National Hockey League (NHL) said on Tuesday. Tootoo carried the puck into the Sabres zone last Saturday and drove hard to the net where he collided with Miller. The hit sparked a pileup of players during which Miller, who was playing in his first game since suffering a concussion after being hit by Boston Bruins forward Milan Lucic on Nov. 12, threw several punches at Tootoo. While a Sabres defenseman made contact with Tootoo prior to the hit, the NHL did not feel it was significant enough to alter the Nashville player’s path into Miller. The NHL also said it took into account that Tootoo had not been fined or banned by the league in the past four seasons.
SWIMMING
Broke D’Arcy risks 2012
Australia’s leading butterfly swimmer Nick D’Arcy risks missing next year’s London Olympics by declaring himself bankrupt, reports said yesterday. D’Arcy has reportedly filed for bankruptcy which would allow him to avoid paying a A$180,000 (US$184,000) damages bill for assaulting fellow swimmer Simon Cowley. Reports said that in doing so D’Arcy might have ruled himself out of selection for next year’s London Games. According to federal government agency Insolvency Trustee Services Australia, during a period of bankruptcy a person has to obtain written permission from the trustee to travel overseas and could have to surrender their passport, Australian Associated Press said. D’Arcy, 24, was kicked out of the Australian team for the Beijing Olympics in 2008 after he assaulted Cowley in a Sydney bar on the night he was selected for the Games.
SOCCER
Lee voted K-League’s MVP
Striker Lee Dong-gook, whose goals helped fire Jeonbuk Hyundai Motors to the league title, has won the K-League Most Valuable Player award for the second time in three years. The 32-year-old, whose side were also runners--up in the Asian Champions League, scooped 86 of 115 media votes on Tuesday, with FC Seoul forward Dejan Damjanovic a distant second on 14 votes. Lee was also the MVP in 2009. He and Shin Tae-yong are the only players to have won the award more than once. Lee netted 16 goals to finish second in the scoring charts. His coach, Choi Kang-hee, won the coach of the year award.
NETBALL
Coach dies in Christchurch
The captain of New Zealand’s men’s netball team choked to death in a freak accident while eating his dinner, reports said yesterday. Mike Siave collapsed in front of his wife, Amanda, on Friday as he was eating a meal at his Christchurch home, the New Zealand Herald reported. It said paramedics failed to revive the 35-year-old and a coroner’s report found he died of asphyxiation caused by a food blockage in his throat. Amanda Siave said she and her two sons were still coming to terms with the bizarre death. “He was fit and young. We just can’t understand it,” she told the Herald. “I can’t believe it’s real. It’s such a tragic accident.” New Zealand men’s netball association president David Pala’amo said Siave’s teammates were “beside themselves” with grief.
GOLF
EPGA returning to Australia
The European Tour will return to Australia next year after a three-year break, with the inaugural US$2 million Perth International Championship to be staged in the Western Australian capital in October, organizers said yesterday. The state government will sponsor the Oct. 18 to Oct. 21 event at Karrinyup Country Club, which is co-sanctioned by the Australasia PGA Tour and will boast the country’s largest golf purse. Australia last hosted a European Tour stop at the co-sanctioned 2009 Australian Masters in Melbourne.
TENNIS
Davis Cup venue announced
Australia will host China on grass in their Davis Cup Asia Oceania zonal tie in the provincial city of Geelong in February, Tennis Australia said yesterday. The 28-time champions have fallen on hard times and missed out returning to the elite World Group when they lost 3-2 to Switzerland in Sydney in September. The tie with China will be played at the Geelong Lawn Tennis Club in Victoria from Feb. 10 to Feb. 12.
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