SOCCER
South Africa sack Mosimane
South Africa fired national coach Pitso Mosimane yesterday in reaction to their disappointing start to the World Cup qualifiers at the weekend. Mosimane is the first victim of the African qualifying campaign for the 2014 finals in Brazil after his side were held to a 1-1 draw at home by Ethiopia, 71 places below them in the FIFA rankings, in their opening Group A qualifier on Sunday. The announcement by the governing body in a statement came after a meeting with officials that went on late into Monday night. Mosimane had stated before the Ethiopia match that it was a “must win” affair for his team. The 47-year-old coach has been a beleaguered figure since his horror error last year when he botched the calculations for his side to qualify for the Africa Cup of Nations finals. South Africa were comfortably placed going into their final group game at home, but they played for a draw and what they presumed was top place by virtue of goal-difference. However, the rules stated that in the case of a tie in the standings, the tiebreaker would be head-to-head results and South Africa lost out to Niger.
SOCCER
QPR’s Barton arrested
Queens Park Rangers midfielder Joey Barton was arrested on Monday on suspicion of affray after a brawl outside a Liverpool nightclub. Barton, 29, was involved in trouble in the early hours while on a night out with his girlfriend in Liverpool city center. Two men, aged 21, were arrested on suspicion of a public order offense at about 5:30am on Sunday at the scene of the incident outside Garlands nightclub in the city, but after they were held in custody and questioned, Barton and a 20-year-old man were also arrested. All have been bailed pending further inquiries, apart from Barton, who remained in police custody.
BOXING
Mosley hangs up gloves
Boxer “Sugar” Shane Mosley is retiring, ending a career in which he won titles in three different weight classes, beat Oscar de la Hoya twice and was never knocked out. The 40-year-old announced on Twitter that he was hanging up his gloves, saying he “loved every moment of it. Win, lose or draw.” Mosley lost three of his last four fights, including a dreary bout against Manny Pacquiao in May last year in which he mostly seemed to be avoiding the Filipino star in the ring. His last fight was on May 5 on the undercard of the fight between Floyd Mayweather and Miguel Cotto. Mosley lost a lopsided decision to rising Mexican star Canelo Alvarez. The loss dropped his record to 46-8-1.
CRICKET
West Indies call up Gayle
Former captain Chris Gayle has been chosen by the West Indies for the first time in 14 months as part of the one-day squad to tour England later this month. The 32-year-old opener, whose public spat with the West Indies Cricket Board resulted in him being ineligible for nearly a year, was included in a 15-man squad announced on Monday for the three-match series that begins on June 16.
BASKETBALL
Wizards appoint Wittman
Randy Wittman is returning as head coach of the Washington Wizards next season to provide some stability for the once-proud franchise, the team said on Monday. Wittman was named interim coach in January when Flip Saunders was fired after the team’s 2-15 start. Under Wittman, the Wizards were 18-31, winning eight of their final 10 games.
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
Forget Real Madrid, Manchester City or Paris Saint-Germain, the world’s best soccer team — statistically speaking — might be a little-known outfit from the closed central Asian nation of Turkmenistan. Founded last year, Arkadag, named in honor of former Turkmen president Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, have been unstoppable, notching up 36 consecutive domestic victories in a run still ongoing. The side have not lost a single competitive match and swept to a league and cup double in their inaugural season — success unthinkable almost anywhere else. However, in Turkmenistan, it could hardly have gone any other way. The energy-rich country is one of the most closed
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