SOCCER
Mallorca fire coach
RCD Mallorca have fired coach Joaquin Caparros after a poor run of form left the Balearic Islanders one place from bottom of La Liga with just over half the season played. Mallorca made a strong start to their campaign, winning three and drawing two of their opening five matches, but their form has since collapsed and Sunday’s 3-0 defeat at Real Sociedad was the final straw for the club’s board. Acting president Lorenzo Serra Ferrer confirmed Caparros had been dismissed at a news conference on Monday. “It’s very hard announcing this news, but we need a lift for the rest of the season and to try to secure our place in the top flight,” Serra Ferrer said. Gregorio Manzano, who was in charge at Mallorca when they won the Copa del Rey for the first and only time in June 2003, and former Real Madrid coach Bernd Schuster were being tipped by local media to take over.
SOCCER
Palermo fire coach
Serie A bottom side US Citta di Palermo have fired Gian Piero Gasperini, even though the coach was banned from the dugout in Sunday’s 2-1 home defeat by Atalanta BC following a row with officials in a previous match. The former Genoa coach, who lasted five games as Inter boss at the start of last season, has paid the price for the well-supported club’s poor run of results, despite having little influence over Sunday’s loss. Italian media reports have said Alberto Malesani, who guided Parma to a 1999 UEFA Cup triumph among his many coaching jobs, is lined up to become Palermo’s third coach of the season after Gasperini replaced Giuseppe Sannino in September last year.
SOCCER
Fan attacks Jordan Archer
Wycombe Wanderers goalkeeper Jordan Archer became the second goalkeeper this season to be attacked by a fan when he was assaulted in the closing stages of his side’s 1-0 victory against Gillingham in a League Two clash at the Priestfield Stadium on Monday. Archer, on loan at Wycombe from Tottenham Hotspur, had placed the ball down prior to taking a goal kick when the Gillingham supporter entered the field and leaped toward the 19-year-old goalkeeper, knocking him to the ground. The fan was quickly apprehended by a steward and the clearly stunned Archer was unhurt and able to continue playing as Wycombe secured a surprise win over Martin Allen’s promotion chasers. The first incident of such a nature came in October last year, when Sheffield Wednesday goalkeeper Chris Kirkland was attacked by Aaron Cawley during the 1-1 draw with bitter Yorkshire rivals Leeds United. Cawley, 21, was later jailed for 16 weeks.
BASEBALL
Brandon Webb retires
Former National League Cy Young Award Winner Brandon Webb announced his retirement on Monday after his promising baseball career was derailed by arm troubles. Webb, 33, played his entire Major League career with the Arizona Diamondbacks, where he captured the Cy Young in 2006 and finished second in the award the next two seasons before a shoulder ailment knocked him out of the game permanently. He last pitched on Opening Day in 2009, when he left due to discomfort and could never make his way back despite several efforts. From 2006 to 2008, Webb’s prime years, he went 56-25 and established himself as one of the top throwers in the game. The three-time All-Star bows out with a career record of 87-62 and a 3.27 ERA.
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