ITALY
Rossi’s Cup hopes alive
Italy striker Giuseppe Rossi has suffered ligament damage to his troublesome right knee, but not a rupture of the cruciate as feared, his Serie A club ACF Fiorentina announced on Monday. Rossi’s World Cup hopes had been thrown into turmoil on Sunday when he limped off the pitch in the 71st minute following a foul by Liandro Rinaudo in a 1-0 win over AS Livorno. The 26-year-old suffered a “second degree injury of the right anterior ligament,” his team confirmed after he underwent tests on Monday. However, Rossi’s agent, Federico Pastorello, posted a message on Twitter which suggested the striker could return to action within two months. “It looks like a sprain with damage to the collateral ligament,” Pastorello said. “In six or seven weeks he could be back on the pitch.” Rossi only returned to action this season following a lengthy layoff because of injuries to the same knee, but has hit 14 goals to become Serie A’s top scorer and is firmly in the World Cup plans of Italy coach Cesare Prandelli.
ITALY
Di Natale planning to retire
Udinese striker Antonio di Natale says he will retire at the end of the season. Di Natale announced the decision after Monday’s 3-1 home loss to Hellas Verona. “I’ve already made the decision, I’ve talked about it with my family and my agent. The club will know soon, but I’ll stop playing in June,” he said. Di Natale, who turned 36 in October, has been at Udinese for nearly nine years. He has scored 182 goals in 359 appearances in all competition for Udinese, twice finishing as Serie A’s top scorer. Di Natale also scored 11 goals in 42 matches for Italy, before retiring from internationals following Euro 2012. “I don’t know what to say. I didn’t know,” Udinese coach Francesco Guidolin said.
ENGLAND
Clattenburg cleared by FA
Referee Mark Clattenburg was on Monday cleared of misconduct by the Football Association (FA) following a complaint from Southampton about his alleged comments to England midfielder Adam Lallana. Saints had complained about critical comments allegedly made by Clattenburg to Lallana in Southampton’s defeat at Everton last month. The Premier League club had claimed in a letter to the referees’ governing body, Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL), that Clattenburg, frustrated by Lallana’s constant appeals for decisions to go his side’s way, had told the player: “You are very different now, since you’ve played for England — you never used to be like this.” Saints complained to the FA after PGMOL ruled out action against Clattenburg and said they did not want him refereeing any of their matches until the issue was resolved, but the FA has considered the complaint and will take no action against Clattenburg. “The FA has given its full consideration to this matter and it is our view that the comments, as disclosed in Southampton’s letter of complaint, do not constitute misconduct under the FA’s rules,” the FA said in a statement.
ENGLAND
Millwall hire Holloway
Ian Holloway returned to management on Monday at Millwall. Holloway finds himself back at another south London club after leaving Premier League strugglers Crystal Palace in October. The 50-year-old replaced Steve Lomas, who was sacked last month after winning just five of 22 games. Millwall are currently only one point above the second-tier relegation zone and they bowed out of the FA Cup in a 4-1 defeat by fourth-tier Southend United on Saturday.
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