ICE HOCKEY
NHL-union talks break off
Labor talks between the National Hockey League (NHL) and union representing its locked-out players broke off on Tuesday with no progress to report, raising the prospect that the first block of regular-season games will soon be canceled. The two sides met for about two hours in New York, where they discussed the definition of hockey-related revenue, but did not address the core economic issues standing in the way of a new collective bargaining agreement. “We don’t really have any progress to report. As a matter of fact, no progress was made,” NHL deputy commissioner Bill Daly told reporters. “Today wasn’t overly encouraging, that’s for sure.” No further talks between the two sides are scheduled. The 2012-2013 NHL season is scheduled to begin on Thursday next week.
BOXING
NZ cancels Tyson’s visa
In a reversal, Mike Tyson has been denied entry to the country whose indigenous Maori people he says inspired his facial tattoo. New Zealand authorities yesterday canceled an entry visa for the former heavyweight champion and convicted rapist, days after the prime minister spoke out against his planned visit. Tyson had earlier been granted an exemption to New Zealand immigration rules to speak at a charitable event next month, “Day of the Champions.” Tyson’s 1992 rape conviction would have normally made him ineligible to enter the country. Associate Immigration Minister Kate Wilkinson said in a statement yesterday that the original decision to let Tyson enter was “a finely balanced call” and that the charity that would have benefited from his visit had now withdrawn its support. Speaking to the APNZ news agency this week before his visa was canceled, Tyson said his tattoo was inspired by New Zealand’s indigenous Maori culture. “Other than that I’ve never heard of Maori people, so I’m looking forward to come down there and see them,” he told the agency.
SOCCER
Cagliari sack manager
Serie A strugglers Cagliari announced the sacking of manager Massimo Ficcadenti on Tuesday. Ivo Pulga will be the team’s new handler, according to a statement on the Sardinian club’s Web site www.cagliaricalcio.net. “Today we announce the termination of the contract between the club and Massimo Ficcadenti,” said a brief statement by Cagliari, the only top-flight team without a win in six games. Pulga, who will be assisted by Diego Lopez, led team training on Tuesday in preparation for the weekend fixture against Torino.
HANDBALL
Players face fraud charges
A court lodged preliminary fraud charges on Tuesday against five players, including Olympic champions Nikolas Karabatic and Samuel Honrubia, suspected of fixing a match involving the Montpellier team. Reports vary between 11 and 12 people in total who have been charged, but Sipa news agency said they include Karabatic’s brother, the siblings’ girlfriends and a cafe owner who is suspected as an organizer. The investigation into the alleged fixing centers on a May 12 match in which Montpellier lost 31-28 to Cesson-Rennes. The Montpellier team had already won the league title. The charged were freed after making bail, but were forbidden from making contact with Montpellier, forcing those who play for the team to be removed from the squad. Some of those accused conceded through their lawyers that they placed bets on the game, but deny the criminal offense of match-rigging.
OUT AGAINST INDONESIA: Taiwan reached the semi-finals at the tournament for the first time by defeating Denmark, with Chou Tien-chen beating Viktor Axelsen Taiwan yesterday crashed out of the Thomas Cup team competition in Chengdu, China, but achieved their best result at the top-tier badminton event by reaching the semi-finals. Indonesia were too good in the semis, winning 3-0 to advance to today’s final against China, who eliminated Malaysia 3-1. In the opening singles of the men’s team clash at the Hi-Tech Zone Sports Center Gymnasium 2, Anthony Ginting defeated Taiwan’s Chou Tien-chen 21-18, 21-19 in 51 minutes, which put a huge hole in Taiwan’s aspirations to perhaps even make the final. In the men’s doubles, Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Ardianto downed Lee Yang and Wang
Rafael Nadal on Tuesday lost in straight sets to 31st-ranked Jiri Lehecka in the fourth round at the Madrid Open, while Taiwan’s Hsieh Su-wei advanced to the semi-finals in the women’s doubles. Nadal said that he was feeling good about his progress following his latest injury layoff. Nadal called it a “positive week” in every way and said his body held up well. “I was able to play four matches, a couple of tough matches,” Nadal said. “So very positive, winning three matches, playing four matches at the high level of tennis. I enjoyed a lot playing at home. I leave here with
A soccer jersey carrying a national map including disputed Western Sahara has become a hot commodity in Morocco after a diplomatic dispute with Algeria. Retailers said RS Berkane jerseys have been flying off the shelves after a Confederation of African Football (CAF) Cup match against Algerian club USM Alger was canceled last month over the jerseys. “We are overwhelmed by the influx of messages and requests,” said Brahim Rabii, representative of the official RS Berkane jersey distributor. Algeria broke off diplomatic relations with Morocco in 2021, partly over the issue of Western Sahara. The former Spanish colony is largely controlled by Morocco, but claimed
When 42-1 underdog James ‘Buster’ Douglas shocked ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson 34 years ago at the Tokyo Dome, the result reverberated worldwide. Spectators at the 45,000-plus seater venue witnessed one of boxing’s biggest upsets as unbeaten heavyweight champion Tyson was knocked out in the 10th round by the unheralded Douglas in February 1990. Boxing returns to the famous venue on Monday for the first time since that unforgettable encounter when Japan’s undisputed super-bantamweight world champion Naoya ‘Monster’ Inoue puts his belts on the line against Mexican Luis Nery. The 31-year-old Inoue (26-0, 23 KOs) is a huge star in Japan and is just