FRANCE
Bad boy Barton not so bad
Joey Barton is not the bad boy he is portrayed as by the media, his Olympique de Marseille coach and teammates said on Friday ahead of the Englishman’s Ligue 1 debut against Lille today. Barton joined the club on loan from Queens Park Rangers, but had to serve a 12-match suspension that was extended to the French league. “Really looking forward to making my league debut for Marseille on Sunday,” Barton wrote on his Twitter account. “Feel fitter and stronger than ever before. Cannot wait to pay back the fans and the club for showing me love during this turbulent period.” The 30-year-old was suspended by the English FA after being sent off for violent conduct in QPR’s final Premier League match of last season against Manchester City. He was dismissed for elbowing Carlos Tevez and then kicked Sergio Aguero. He also appeared to try to headbutt City captain Vincent Kompany. “It’s an image that crossed the Channel and that he carries with him,” Marseille boss Elie Baup told reporters on Friday. “He is a player with a character.” Teammate Nicolas Nkoulou heaped praise on Barton, who has only played five Europa League games this season. “He is a very different guy compared to the image that has been pinned to him,” the Cameroon defender said. “On and off the pitch, the image of the guy who throws punches and does absolute nonsense is completely false.”
SPAIN
Sociedad miss out
Real Sociedad squandered a chance to continue their climb up the Spanish league after being held to a 0-0 home draw by struggling CA Osasuna on Friday. After two consecutive wins, Sociedad failed to take their chances at the Anoeta stadium. Carlos Vela came closest for the hosts in the ninth minute when the Sociedad forward met an in-swinging cross from Carlos Martinez only for goalkeeper Andres Fernandez to turn the ball round the post. “We had our chances but also the bad luck that the ball didn’t go in today,” Sociedad forward Antoine Griezmann said. Sociedad stayed in ninth place while Osasuna remained in the relegation zone.
FRANCE
‘Les Verts’ go top
AS Saint-Etienne went top of Ligue 1 on Friday when substitute Romain Hamouma grabbed a second-half goal to secure a 1-0 win over Valenciennes. Les Verts have 25 points, the same as previous leaders Lyon, but have played two games more and lead on goal difference. Lyon, who play Toulouse today, will face Saint-Etienne in two weeks’ time. Hamouma came on as a 63rd-minute substitute for Ivory Coast star Max-Alain Gradel and found the target 10 minutes later with the only goal of the game which stretched his team’s undefeated run to nine games.
SPAIN
Espanyol star accuses refs
RCD Espanyol’s Ghanaian midfielder Mubarak Wakaso has accused Spanish referees of booking him because of the color of his skin. “Sometimes, I don’t think it should be a card. They just give the card, excuse me to say this, because of the color of the person,” the 22-year-old international told a news conference on Friday. “Referees don’t give you the chance to talk to them on the pitch. They respect some players, but not others.” Wakaso, a combative central midfielder, has picked up eight yellow cards and one red in 10 La Liga matches this season, and his team have the worst disciplinary record in the league.
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
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely