FIFA
Aussies praise FIFA bans
The Football Federation of Australia yesterday welcomed worldwide bans imposed on two English players over a match-fixing scam in state soccer that has been linked to an international betting syndicate. The federation hailed the move by world soccer’s governing body FIFA to extend the Australian bans on Southern Stars players Joe Woolley and Reiss Noel after they were convicted of manipulating games. Reports say the scam in the Victoria State League netted its participants about US$2 million in illicit winnings and that authorities suspect it has links to one of the most notorious alleged match-fixers, Singaporean Wilson Raj Perumal.
PREMIER LEAGUE
Reds ask for ‘96’ scarves
Liverpool are calling on fans worldwide to show their support for the 25th anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster by sending in club scarves. A memorial service at Anfield on April 15 will commemorate the 96 fans who died as a result of a crush at the FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest in 1989. The club said Kenny Dalglish, the Reds’ coach at the time of the disaster, wrote to all 92 English League sides asking them to donate a scarf that will be laid out alongside those from members of the public on the pitch to form a “96.” Former Liverpool greats, including Dalglish, Ian Rush, John Barnes, Jan Molby and Robbie Fowler, will also be involved in a charity match at Anfield to celebrate the lives of the victims on April 21.
WORLD CUP
World Cup ball challenged
Brazilian sportswear manufacturer Penalty has created a rival to the official FIFA 2014 World Cup ball named Gorduchinha, or Little Chubby, the moniker many Brazilians say they wanted in the first place. The ball is painted with a stylized Brazilian flag and bears the message: “Created by Brazilians” and is meant to compete with the official Brazuca ball made by Adidas and named in an online poll of 1 million fans last year. Brazuca is a playful slang word for native Brazilians. Penalty is capitalizing on the anger of those, including 1994 World Cup winner and Congressman Romario, who say Gorduchinha, which was coined in the 1970s by radio commentator Osmar Santos, never made the short list name, despite being more Brazilian than the three FIFA-imposed choices.
FRANCE
Zidane’s son called for U16
Luca Zidane, the second child of French soccer great Zinedine Zidane, has been called up for a France U16 training camp, the French Football Federation said on Monday. The 15-year-old Luca Zidane plays as a goalkeeper and like his brother, Enzo Zidane Fernandez, is being groomed at Real Madrid, where their father is assistant coach. The camp is to run from Monday to March 27. Luca Zidane took part in a training session with Real’s professional squad last weekend, while his brother was called up for medical tests with France’s U19 squad last month after he chose to represent the Blues despite having played for Spain’s U15 team.
ASIAN CUP
Socceroos named top seeds
Hosts Australia have been named top seeds for next year’s Asian Cup and will avoid being drawn in the same group as defending champs Japan. Australia, who were beaten by the Blue Samurai in the 2011 final, are in the first of four pots with Iran, Japan and Uzbekistan. Australia (ranked 63rd) get the top seed as hosts, while Iran are the top FIFA-ranked team at 42, followed by Japan (48th) and Uzbekistan (55th). The draw will be held on Wednesday next week.
OUT AGAINST INDONESIA: Taiwan reached the semi-finals at the tournament for the first time by defeating Denmark, with Chou Tien-chen beating Viktor Axelsen Taiwan yesterday crashed out of the Thomas Cup team competition in Chengdu, China, but achieved their best result at the top-tier badminton event by reaching the semi-finals. Indonesia were too good in the semis, winning 3-0 to advance to today’s final against China, who eliminated Malaysia 3-1. In the opening singles of the men’s team clash at the Hi-Tech Zone Sports Center Gymnasium 2, Anthony Ginting defeated Taiwan’s Chou Tien-chen 21-18, 21-19 in 51 minutes, which put a huge hole in Taiwan’s aspirations to perhaps even make the final. In the men’s doubles, Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Ardianto downed Lee Yang and Wang
Rafael Nadal on Tuesday lost in straight sets to 31st-ranked Jiri Lehecka in the fourth round at the Madrid Open, while Taiwan’s Hsieh Su-wei advanced to the semi-finals in the women’s doubles. Nadal said that he was feeling good about his progress following his latest injury layoff. Nadal called it a “positive week” in every way and said his body held up well. “I was able to play four matches, a couple of tough matches,” Nadal said. “So very positive, winning three matches, playing four matches at the high level of tennis. I enjoyed a lot playing at home. I leave here with
Top-ranked Iga Swiatek on Saturday came through “the most intense and crazy final” she has ever contested to avenge her loss to Aryna Sabalenka in last year’s Madrid Open final with a grueling three hour, 11 minute victory in the Spanish capital. Coming back from 1-3 down in the decider and saving three match points in total, Swiatek claimed a 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (9/7) victory to secure the Madrid Open trophy for the first time. “Well, who is going to say now that women’s tennis is boring, right?” Swiatek said. Swiatek, who picked up the 20th title of her career, and ninth at
When 42-1 underdog James ‘Buster’ Douglas shocked ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson 34 years ago at the Tokyo Dome, the result reverberated worldwide. Spectators at the 45,000-plus seater venue witnessed one of boxing’s biggest upsets as unbeaten heavyweight champion Tyson was knocked out in the 10th round by the unheralded Douglas in February 1990. Boxing returns to the famous venue on Monday for the first time since that unforgettable encounter when Japan’s undisputed super-bantamweight world champion Naoya ‘Monster’ Inoue puts his belts on the line against Mexican Luis Nery. The 31-year-old Inoue (26-0, 23 KOs) is a huge star in Japan and is just