SOCCER
Cyclist Hoy abused in error
Olympic champion cyclist Chris Hoy found himself yet again on the receiving end of Twitter abuse directed at referee Chris Foy as angry Chelsea fans vented their frustration on social media. The Premier League leaders 1-0 defeat away to Aston Villa on Saturday saw Foy send off Blues duo Willian and Ramires, as well as send Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho to the stands. It is not the first time Hoy has been on the receiving end of abuse from Chelsea fans intended for Foy. In 2011, it was Tottenham fans, angered by their loss to Stoke City when Foy was the referee, who misdirected their abuse to the cycling great. That promoted Hoy to respond at the time: “Just for the record 1) I don’t need glasses and 2) I do not lead a double life as an English premier league ref. That’s Chris Foy.”
CRICKET
Player banned for penis art
An Australian cricketer was suspended yesterday for a bizarre incident in which he scratched the image of a penis and testicles into the pitch. South Australia paceman Daniel Worrall was slapped with a penalty of four suspension points, which is equal to two four-day matches or four one-day or Twenty20 games. He was reported for unbecoming conduct and bringing the game into disrepute after the incident on Friday last week during a Futures League match between South Australia and Victoria. Worrall scratched the image into a wicket due to be used for another match. “We are extremely disappointed in Daniel’s actions — it is not in line with the behavior we expect,” South Australia high performance general manager Jamie Cox said.
CRICKET
Sri Lanka stalwarts to retire
Sri Lanka stalwarts Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene have announced they are to retire from international Twenty20 cricket after the World Twenty20 tournament in Bangladesh. Both players led their country to the finals of the World Twenty20, Sangakkara in 2009 in England when Sri Lanka lost to Pakistan and Jayawardene in 2012 in Sri Lanka when they were beaten by the West Indies. “Right time for me to retire. Gives the selectors more time to build for next T20 WC,” Sangakkara, 36, tweeted. “Hope to leave with a win.” The batsman has played 50 Twenty20 internationals for Sri Lanka, hitting 1,311 runs at an average of 32.77 and a strike rate of 120. Jayawardene, also 36, is Sri lanka’s leading run-scorer in the format having hit 1,335 runs at an average of 31.78 with a strike rate of 134.17 from 49 Twenty20 internationals.
SOCCER
Tigers plan suffers setback
Hull City owner Assem Allam’s pledge to change the club’s name to Hull Tigers next season suffered a setback on Monday when the Football Association (FA) was advised by its membership committee to reject the request. “The FA can confirm its Membership Committee met on Wednesday [last week] and has made a unanimous recommendation to The FA Council to reject Hull City’s request to change their playing name to Hull Tigers from next season,” a statement on the FA’s Web site said. The recommendation will now be discussed and voted upon at a full FA Council meeting on April 9. Allam, who bought his local club in 2010 having established successful businesses in the area, believes a change to Hull Tigers would help generate more revenue, but his plan provoked fierce opposition from fans. Allam has said he would walk away from the club if the FA turned down his request.
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