AUSTRALIA
Postecoglou offered job
Melbourne Victory coach Ange Postecoglou has accepted an offer to coach the Socceroos, but his club needs to thrash out a compensation deal before releasing him, reports said yesterday. Football Federation Australia (FFA) has made clear they favor a local replacement for German Holger Osieck, who was dumped earlier this month after two successive 6-0 thrashings. Postecoglou is widely seen as the favorite ahead of fellow A-League coaches Graham Arnold and Tony Popovic, and the Sydney Morning Herald reported on its Web site that he has accepted the job. “Postecoglou, a former national youth team coach, has always coveted the senior job and accepted the offer that was put to him by the FFA over the weekend,” the newspaper said. However, Postecoglou is signed with the Victory until the middle of 2015 and the club is reportedly demanding A$1 million (US$964,000) in compensation before releasing him.
ENGLAND
FA charges Jose Mourinho
Jose Mourinho was charged with improper conduct by the Football Association on Monday after being sent to the stands during Chelsea’s 4-1 win over Cardiff City. There were a number of controversial incidents in the Premier League clash at Stamford Bridge on Saturday and Chelsea manager Mourinho was sent to the stands by referee Anthony Taylor for the final 20 minutes after losing his cool when a series of decisions went against his team. Mourinho went to sit with the fans, making the day of those he sat next to, but his own frustration was clear. The former Real Madrid boss was given until 5pm tomorrow to respond to the charge. The nature of the offense means Mourinho is most likely to face a fine, rather than a ban.
ARGENTINA
Vivas quits after attack
Nelson Vivas resigned as coach of Quilmes on Monday after attacking one of his own fans in the stands. At the end of Quilmes’ 1-1 draw at home to Atletico Rafaela on Friday, Vival went into the stands and landed three punches on a fan, a club member he said had been insulting him. “I’m not a violent person, but I realize that’s not the image a trainer should give,” Vivas told reporters. Quilmes president Anibal Fernandez told Radio La Red that Vivas had gone too far. “He came to my office and handed in his resignation. He knows he put his foot in it, and realizes the situation is uncomfortable for the team and regrets his actions,” Fernandez said. “We’re trying all means to curb violence [in soccer in Argentina] and he can’t commit such an error.”
COLOMBIA
Independiente in kit fiasco
Independiente Santa Fe were forced to play in knock-off versions of their own shirts bought from street vendors outside the stadium after forgetting to take their away kit to an away game at the weekend. Opponents Boyaca Chico, from the neighboring province of Boyaca, refused to switch to their own reserve kit to resolve the bind caused by clashing colors of the two top-flight teams’ regular kits. Bogota-based Santa Fe began the game in their gray training kits, adding numbers with surgical tape, while an assistant bought counterfeit shirts on the street for 12,000 pesos (US$6.37) apiece, and scrawled names and numbers on with a red marker pen. Spokesman Pablo Garcia admitted to a certain added satisfaction at the 2-0 victory Sante Fe went on to inflict on their intransigent rivals in Sunday’s clash. “We’re happy because Chico wouldn’t help resolve the problem and tried to gain an advantage in the situation,” he said.
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