SOCCER
Emery gets the sack
Former Valencia boss Unai Emery was sacked as Spartak Moscow coach following a 5-1 home defeat by bitter city rivals Dynamo Moscow in a Russian Premier League derby on Sunday. “The club’s shareholders made a decision that Unai Emery will no longer coach Spartak,” Spartak director-general Valery Karpin said, adding that a decision on a new coach will be made in the next few days. Emery was given a vote of confidence by Spartak owner Leonid Fedun just five days ago following a 3-0 loss to Barcelona in the Champions League, but after a second home beating in a week, the axe finally fell on the Spaniard. Emery was appointed Spartak coach in May, replacing former Russia international Karpin, despite the team finishing last season in second place and qualifying for the Champions League. The 41-year-old was given a two-year contract after he led Valencia to three consecutive third places in Spain behind Barcelona and Real Madrid.
SOCCER
Chelsea mourn Sexton
Dave Sexton, who led Chelsea to its first European and FA Cup successes as manager in the 1970s, has died. He was 82. Sexton died on Saturday night, former Chelsea goalkeeper Peter Bonetti said. Chelsea did not disclose the cause of death, but club historian Rick Glanvill said he had been suffering from dementia. During his period as Chelsea manager between 1967 and 1974, Sexton followed up the FA Cup triumph over Leeds in 1970 with a European Cup Winners’ Cup final victory over Real Madrid the following year. “He passed away peacefully last night,” said Bonetti, who played under Sexton. “Everybody loved him and everybody respected him here at Chelsea, and he will go down in the club’s history as being such a fantastic guy who brought us so much success.”
SOCCER
Argonauts take Grey Cup
Quarterback Ricky Ray tossed a pair of touchdown passes on Sunday as the Toronto Argonauts defeated the Calgary Stampeders 35-22 to capture the historic 100th Grey Cup. Ray completed 18-of-30 passes for 231 yards and an interception for the Argonauts, who won their first Grey Cup in eight years. Argos running back Chad Kackert carried the ball 20 times for 133 yards and caught eight passes for 62 yards for Toronto at the Rogers Centre stadium. The Grey Cup is one of Canada’s largest annual sporting events and was commissioned in 1909 by the Earl Grey, who was then Canada’s governor-general.
RUGBY UNION
Cooper turns to boxing
Controversial Australia flyhalf Quade Cooper is to put his rugby career on hold to make his professional boxing debut in February, the player said yesterday. Cooper said he had rejected a contract with the Australian Rugby Union after being offered an incentive-based deal usually awarded to fringe squad members. The 24-year-old will instead make his boxing debut on the undercard when close friend Sonny Bill Williams faces South African Francois Botha in Brisbane on Feb. 8. “It [boxing] is been a big interest for me after following Sonny and Choc [Anthony Mundine], and when I caught a live fight the first time and saw how they trained,” Cooper said in Brisbane. Cooper, recuperating from a knee injury, said he would continue to train with the Queensland Reds, with whom he is currently contracted till the end of the year.
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