BASKETBALL
Muslim quits over beliefs
US-born Ibrahim Jaaber has ditched Lithuanian champions Zalgiris Kaunas after complaining that racy cheerleader routines and alcohol advertising clashed with his Islamic beliefs. The 28-year-old guard was “outraged by a cheerleaders’ show during time-outs” during a national league game and players’ jerseys displaying logos of alcohol brands and betting companies, a team statement said. “I understand that maybe I will never earn money from basketball because of this decision, but I am ready to do such a sacrifice for my beliefs,” Jaaber said. Zalgiris spokesman Almantas Kiveris said Jaaber quit the team after he was benched in a recent game.
SOCCER
Player gets second chance
Expelled from the London Olympics for writing an offensive Twitter message, defender Michel Morganella was given a second chance by Switzerland on Thursday. The 23-year-old centerhalf was selected in coach Ottmar Hitzfeld’s squad of 22 to play Greece in a friendly in Athens on Wednesday. “I was very surprised and happy,” Morganella said, adding he hoped to justify his recall by “showing I have learned from my errors committed at the Olympic Games.” In July last year, the Swiss Olympic team said Morganella “insulted and violated the dignity” of South Korean people in a comment he made after a match between the two sides. After his team lost 2-1 against South Korea in Coventry, Morganella tweeted in French slang that insulted South Korean people and suggested they “can go burn.” He quickly apologized, deleted the account and was sent home by Swiss team leaders who also offered their apologies to South Korean Olympic officials.
SOCCER
Hazard escapes longer ban
Chelsea playmaker Eden Hazard’s three-match ban for kicking a ballboy will not be extended, the Football Association (FA) said on Thursday. Hazard was charged by the FA following his bizarre sending off for violent conduct in the second leg of Chelsea’s Capital One Cup semi-final defeat by Swansea City on Jan. 23. The Belgian international kicked the teenager while trying to get the ball as the ballboy laid on top of it. Hazard received an automatic three-match ban for his 78th-minute red card, but faced the possibility of a longer suspension. “Following a hearing earlier today, an independent regulatory commission was of the opinion the existing three-match sanction for this offence was sufficient,” the FA said in a statement.
TENNIS
Bratchikova wins in Pattaya
Nina Bratchikova, Sabine Lisicki and Sorana Cirstea all won their quarter-final matches at the Pattaya Open in Thailand yesterday. Russia’s Bratchikova beat Ayumi Morita of Japan 6-1 3-6, 6-1, while German fifth-seed Lisicki bounced back to defeat Marina Erakovic of New Zealand 5-7, 6-3, 6-2. Sorana Cirstea, the No. 4 seed from Romania, cruised past Anastasija Sevastova of Latvia 6-3 6-0.
JUDO
Former champ jailed
Two-time Olympic champion Masato Uchishiba was sentenced to five years in prison yesterday for raping a female member of a university judo club in 2011. In handing down his ruling, judge Tomonao Onizawa said the court “cannot trust at all” claims by Uchishiba that he had consensual sex with the student, Kyodo news agency reported. Uchishiba, 34, who won gold in the 66kg class at the Athens and Beijing Olympics, is expected to appeal.
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