FRANCE
LFP to probe alleged racism
The president of France’s Professional Football League (LFP), Frederic Thiriez, on Sunday called for an investigation into claims AJ Auxerre’s Kamel Chafni was racially abused by a linesman. Chafni, a Morocco international, was sent off following an altercation with assistant referee Johann Perruaux in the 55th minute of Auxerre’s 1-0 loss at Stade Brestois 29 on Saturday. The midfielder had to be restrained by his teammates, as well as players from Brest, and as he left the pitch, following a delay of five minutes. He said he had been the victim of racist abuse. “The LFP president has spoken with the Auxerre president, Gerard Bourgoin, the Director of National Refereeing, Marc Batta, and the referee from the match, Tony Chapron,” a statement released by the LFP said. “Frederic Thiriez has demanded the opening of an inquiry in order to shed light on this affair as quickly as possible.” Interviewed on TV station Canal+ on Sunday evening, Chafni stood by his version of events. “I went over to the linesman to ask him why he hadn’t given us a free-kick,” he said. “I might have been a bit aggressive, but he replied: ‘Get lost, Arab.’ I went to see Mr Chapron, as it was a serious incident, and he gives me a yellow card without trying to understand, and then he gives me a red card, even though there was a racist insult. I’m angry with Mr Chapron. It was a serious situation and he gives a card without even thinking about it.”
NETHERLANDS
PSV close in on leaders
PSV Eindhoven thrashed Heerenveen 5-1 away on Sunday to close to within one point of Dutch league leaders AZ Alkmaar, who suffered a 2-1 defeat at NAC Breda. PSV settled the issue in their most convincing performance this season in six minutes in the first half, when Ola Toivonen struck twice and Tim Matavz added a third. Early in the second half, Georginio Wijnaldum headed home the fourth followed by a goal from Brazilian Marcelo, before Rajiv van la Parra gave the hosts their consolation goal. Anthony Lurling put Breda ahead against Alkmaar with a sophisticated chip over goalkeeper Esteban after 31 minutes, but on the stroke of halftime Brett Holman equalized. In the final minute, Milano Koenders, on loan from Alkmaar, handed the leaders their third defeat of the season. Alkmaar remain top with 38 points after 17 matches, followed by PSV on 37. Twente, 3-2 losers at Feyenoord, are third with 33 points, ahead of Ajax on on goal-difference. Ajax cruised to a 4-0 win over 10-man ADO Den Haag. Christian Eriksen opened the scoring on 19 minutes after Ramon Leeuwin was sent off and second-half goals by Theo Janssen, Dmitry Bulykin and Miralem Sulejmani sealed the win.
PORTUGAL
Sporting lose ground
Sporting lost ground to Benfica and Porto at the top of the league after needing a late equalizer from Elias to rescue a 1-1 draw at Academica on Sunday. The result left Sporting in third with 27 points from 13 matches, six behind Benfica and Porto. Ederzito opened the scoring for Academica in the 28th minute, but Elias leveled the scores in the 80th minute to snatch a point. Elias was sent off in the 89th minute to damage Sporting’s hopes of a late winner. Benfica beat Rio Ave 5-1 on Friday, while Porto had a 2-0 home win against Maritimo on Saturday. The leaders have been joint top for nine rounds. Also on Sunday, Feirense had a 2-1 win over Leiria, Nacional drew 1-1 with Vitoria Setubal and Beira-Mar won 3-0 at Pacos Ferreira.
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
Taiwan’s Lee Jhe-huei and Yang Po-hsuan on Saturday won the men’s doubles bronze medal at the Badminton Asia Championships in Ningbo, China, after they were bested by the hosts in their semi-final. The Taiwanese shuttlers lost to China’s Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang, who advanced to yesterday’s final against Malaysia’s Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzudin. The Chinese pair outplayed Lee and Yang in straight games. Although the Taiwanese got off to a slow start in the first game, they eventually tied it 14-14, before Liang and Wang went on to blow past them to win 21-17. In the second game, Lee and