SOCCER
Maradona courts controversy
Diego Maradona is back in Argentina and, as usual, his return has been surrounded by controversy. The soccer legend arrived late on Tuesday from Dubai with his new girlfriend — Rocio Oliva — on his first visit to see his new son, Diego Fernando, who was born three months ago to his former partner Veronica Ojeda. Several media reports on Wednesday said that Maradona, on the road from Buenos Aires’ international airport, stopped his car in the road and threw stones at photographers who were pursuing him. He is also reported to have kicked at least one photographer. Maradona, 52, was fired as Argentina’s national coach after the 2010 World Cup and, although he remains a national hero, his stature has declined with his name often attached to erratic behavior.
SOCCER
Black Cats put hols on hold
Sunderland manager Paolo Di Canio has told his players to put their holiday plans on hold after Sunday’s final game of the season at Champions League-chasing Tottenham Hotspur. The Italian told reporters he had ordered his squad, who have already secured their Premier League survival, to return to the north-east for a couple of days after the match and only then would he decide whether to release them. “If anybody has booked a holiday for Monday, they are going to lose some money. Why would they book a holiday on Monday? They are not being serious, they have to ask me,” newspapers quoted him as saying yesterday. “I will see what happens on Sunday, then we will come back together, and I will tell them when their holidays start,” he said. “I told them we can win, draw or lose with dignity, respecting the club’s name and the fans who follow them, but if not, I will reduce their holiday.” Di Canio said he wanted to change the mentality of players at the club and had already fined a number of them for failing to sign shirts for charity auctions.
SOCCER
Remy accused of rape
QPR’s France striker Loic Remy has been bailed after he was arrested on suspicion of rape, police said yesterday. Remy was held by Scotland Yard’s sex crime squad along with two other men after a 34-year-old woman alleged three men raped her on May 6 in west London. Although police did not name Remy, it was widely reported in the British media that the 26-year-old was one of the three men that police said they had arrested and QPR said they were aware of the allegations against him. Scotland Yard said yesterday that the three men had been bailed until September.
CRICKET
Martin strikes at Lord’s
New Zealand’s Bruce Martin took one wicket and came close to another as England reached 56-1 at lunch on the first day of the first Test at Lord’s yesterday. Left-armer Martin, the only specialist spinner in the side after New Zealand left out Doug Bracewell from what would otherwise have been an all-seam attack, struck with his seventh ball to remove Nick Compton for 16. He should have had another when Jonathan Trott, then on 0, miscued a drive only for Martin to drop the caught and bowled chance as he went to his right. England captain Alastair Cook, who won the toss, was 30 not out and Trott, who got off the mark to the 18th ball he faced with a boundary off Martin, 4 not out at lunch.
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
Forget Real Madrid, Manchester City or Paris Saint-Germain, the world’s best soccer team — statistically speaking — might be a little-known outfit from the closed central Asian nation of Turkmenistan. Founded last year, Arkadag, named in honor of former Turkmen president Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, have been unstoppable, notching up 36 consecutive domestic victories in a run still ongoing. The side have not lost a single competitive match and swept to a league and cup double in their inaugural season — success unthinkable almost anywhere else. However, in Turkmenistan, it could hardly have gone any other way. The energy-rich country is one of the most closed
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