DENMARK
Bendtner fights UEFA ruling
Denmark forward Nicklas Bendtner has challenged his World Cup suspension for wearing sponsored underpants at the European Championship. European soccer’s governing body UEFA says its appeal panel will judge the case on Aug. 27. Bendtner hopes to overturn UEFA’s one-match ban before Sept. 8, when Denmark begin their 2014 World Cup qualifying program against the Czech Republic. UEFA found Bendtner guilty of “improper conduct” for breaking ambush marketing rules at this year’s Euro Cup. Bendtner scored his second headed goal in a 3-2 group-stage loss against Portugal, then raised his shirt and lowered the top of his shorts slightly to reveal the name of a betting firm which was not a tournament sponsor. UEFA says Bendtner has not challenged the 100,000 euro (then US$126,000) fine he was ordered to pay.
GERMANY
German Cup progresses
Bundesliga side Augsburg progressed to the second round of the German Cup with a 2-0 win over SV Wilhelmshaven on Friday. Offseason signings Aristide Bance and Knowledge Musona scored for the visitors. Burkina Faso striker Bance put away the game’s first chance in the 28th minute and Musona — a loan signing from TSG 1899 Hoffenheim — made it safe in the 78th. Second-division sides Eintracht Braunschweig and FSV Frankfurt also beat fourth-tier opposition to progress, the league leader overcoming Luebeck 3-0 and Frankfurt coming from behind to win 2-1 at Sonnenhof Grossaspach. Cup holder Borussia Dortmund opened their defense against fourth-tier Oberneuland yesterday, while beaten finalist Bayern Munich visit Jahn Regensburg tomorrow.
ENGLAND
Swansea sign Kyle Bartley
Premier League club Swansea City have bolstered their squad on the eve of the new season by signing young Arsenal defender Kyle Bartley for an undisclosed fee on Friday. Bartley agreed a three-year contract with the Swans after finally accepting he would have to leave the Emirates Stadium on a permanent basis to secure regular first-team action. The 21-year-old made only one appearance for the Gunners in five years at the club and spent last season on loan at Scottish club Rangers.
ENGLAND
United sign Chilean striker
Young Chilean striker Angelo Henriquez is to join Manchester United, his club, Universidad de Chile, announced in a statement on Friday. “Angelo Henriquez will join Manchester United this month,” said the Chilean club, last year’s winners of the Copa Sudamericana, South America’s equivalent of the Europa League. The talented 18-year-old will join United for a fee of US$5.5 million after undergoing a medical in England this week and will become the first Chilean ever to play for the Old Trafford club. Henriquez made his Chilean league debut this year, scoring 10 goals in 15 games and four in the Libertadores Cup.
ENGLAND
QPR close to Bosingwa deal
Queens Park Rangers manager Mark Hughes has revealed his club are close to signing former Chelsea defender Jose Bosingwa. Bosingwa was released by the Blues at the end of last season after helping the club win the Champions League and FA Cup, but the Portugal right-back could be in line for a quick return to west London with Hughes’ side. Hughes has confirmed advanced discussions have taken place as he looks to snap up Bosingwa, who is available on a free transfer.
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