GHANA
Paintsil complaint withdrawn
Police say the wife and a neighbor of Ghana international John Paintsil have both withdrawn complaints against him in relation to a domestic incident last week. Deputy Superintendent Freeman Tetteh said that Paintsil had been accused of causing harm to his wife, Richlove, and assaulting the neighbor at Paintsil’s home in Accra on Friday. Tetteh would not comment on reports that Paintsil had allegedly stabbed his wife in the eye. Tetteh said both had dropped their cases against the former West Ham United and Fulham defender, although Tetteh said police have statements from Paintsil’s wife and the unnamed neighbor “so no one can deny” that something happened. Tetteh would not give any more details of the incident.
PERU
Alianza mulling Viagra use
Leading club Alianza Lima are considering giving their players Viagra during matches played at altitude in the local championships. In a country where some league matches take place in towns between 2,700m and 3,300m above sea level, Alianza players could be looking at reaping the benefits from the erectile dysfunction drug. “When we were in Spain during pre-season, we talked with the club doctor and he explained to us that Viagra could help improve the physical conditioning of players at altitude,” coach Wilmar Valencia said. If results showed that the male potency pill enhanced on-field performance, “the club would use it,” Valencia said. The Alianza club doctor said Viagra helped the heart pump more blood, thus allowing better oxygenization, without it falling foul of anti-doping measures. The doctor said clubs such as Brazil’s Gremio already use Viagra for matches played at altitude.
ENGLAND
Gunners to honor Bergkamp
Arsenal plan to unveil a statue of former striker Dennis Bergkamp at the Emirates Stadium before the start of next season, the Premier League club said on Wednesday. “I will do everything I can to be there when it will be unveiled. It will definitely be a special moment for me, which I don’t want to miss,” Bergkamp told the club’s Web site. “I am honored that this is going to happen. It makes me very proud. Everyone knows that I love Arsenal and that I had a fantastic time at the club.” The former Netherlands international joined Arsenal from Inter in 1995, playing 423 times for the north Londoners in his 11 years at the club and scoring 120 goals. Bergkamp won the league on three occasions and the FA Cup four times. He also made a key contribution to the club’s undefeated league season in 2003-2004.
INDONESIA
Top soccer official sacked
The nation’s soccer association, PSSI, sacked its secretary-general, local media reported yesterday, the latest controversial twist in a two-year struggle for power that shows no sign of abating. Six of the 11 PSSI executive committee members met on Wednesday and opted to remove Halim Mahfudz and replace him with Hadiyandra, the Jakarta Post reported. “The [PSSI] chairman [Djohar] said he could no longer cooperate with the former secretary-general,” executive committee member Tony Apriliani told the newspaper. Indonesian soccer has been ripped apart by the fighting between the PSSI and the Indonesian Soccer Rescue Committee (KPSI), which has resulted in the nation having two domestic leagues and two national teams. FIFA have long threatened Indonesia with punishments and bans if the row is not resolved, with the latest deadline being March 20.
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