BRAZIL
Pele has hip operation
Legendary Brazilian soccer player Pele underwent a successful hip operation in Sao Paulo on Tuesday, a spokesperson for the three-time World Cup winner told the Globo Esporte Web site. “Everything went well, it was a very simple operation. He will probably leave tomorrow [Wednesday],” said Pele’s spokesman, Jose Fornos. He added that “The King,” born Edson Arantes do Nascimento, had been complaining of hip pain for a while. The 72-year-old, an honorary ambassador for the 2014 World Cup being hosted by Brazil, had been admitted to the Albert Einstein Hospital, which did not publish any more information, at the request of Pele’s family. “Pele is in hospital here, but we are not able to provide any more details, as per the request of the family,” a press officer for the medical center said, without revealing when the former player arrived at the hospital. Pele is regarded as one of the greatest players to have graced the Earth, having won the World Cup in 1958, 1962 and 1970, as well as scoring 1,281 goals during his career.
ENGLAND
Thousands could be probed
More than 2,400 police officers could be investigated over the 1989 Hillsborough Stadium disaster that killed 96 fans, Britain’s police watchdog said on Tuesday. The actions of 1,444 members of South Yorkshire Police are already being scrutinized, but the Independent Police Complaints Commission on Tuesday told a parliamentary committee that up to 1,000 other officers could be investigated. The list includes officers from about 20 other forces who were present at the disaster. An independent inquiry published in September exposed a police cover-up in the aftermath of the crush at the 1989 FA Cup semi-final in Sheffield, northern England, that killed 96 Liverpool fans.
ESTONIA
Player arrested for dealing
An Estonian international player who plays at one of the top clubs in his country has been arrested on suspicion of cocaine dealing. Prosecutors say they have initiated criminal proceedings against 27-year-old Oliver Konsa, who plays for Estonian league champion JK Nomme Kalju and has made 20 appearances for the national team. Kristel Praun, a spokeswoman for the state prosecutor’s office, says Konsa and several other individuals are suspected of distributing “large amounts” of cocaine. Konsa’s defense lawyer failed to immediately return calls seeking comment. The Tallinn club said on Tuesday that it has suspended Konsa pending an investigation. Konsa joined the club in 2010.
ITALY
Lazio players to be heard
SS Lazio captain Stefano Mauri and teammate Giuseppe Sculli will be questioned on Tuesday next week about their alleged role in an Italian match-fixing scandal. The pair, along with former player Omar Milanetto and Lazio physiotherapist Romano Massimo Papola, are to be asked about Lazio’s matches against Genoa and US Lecce in May last year. Mauri and Milanetto were arrested in May and have already been questioned by the Italian Football Federation. The latest hearings are part of the Cremona thread of the investigation. Punishments already doled out from the Bari and Naples probes include a 10-month ban for Juventus coach Antonio Conte, that was later reduced to four months.
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