ENGLAND
Spurs name new coach
Argentine Mauricio Pochettino was appointed Tottenham Hotspur head coach on a five-year contract on Tuesday after leaving Premier League rivals Southampton, where he has been in charge since January last year. The London club announced in a statement that Pochettino, 42, a former international defender, is taking over from Tim Sherwood who was sacked by Spurs at the end of last season only five months after replacing Andre Villas-Boas. “This is a club with tremendous history and prestige and I am honored to have been given this opportunity to be its head coach,” Pochettino said on the club’s Web site. “There is an abundance of top-class talent at the club, and I am looking forward to starting work with the squad.” He becomes Tottenham’s 10th manager under chairman Daniel Levy since 2001. Spurs finished sixth last season and qualified for the Europa League, while Southampton were eighth, an improvement of six places after Pochettino took them to 14th spot last year.
SPAIN
UEFA begins investigation
European soccer’s governing body, UEFA, opened disciplinary proceedings against Atletico Madrid boss Diego Simeone and Real Madrid midfielder Xabi Alonso on Tuesday following Saturday’s Champions League final. Simeone rushed onto the pitch to angrily confront Real defender Raphael Varane in the wake of Real’s fourth goal in Lisbon. Meanwhile Alonso, who was suspended for the final, was also charged for “breaching the general codes of conduct.” In addition, both clubs were also charged over the use of pyrotechnics and for the “inappropriate behavior” of their players. Five Real players were booked during the final, while seven Atletico players were cautioned. The cases are to go before UEFA’s control and disciplinary body on July 17.
ARGENTINA
Squad undergoes drug tests
Lionel Messi and his fellow Argentina World Cup squad members were subjected to an unexpected anti-doping test on Tuesday, a day after the squad convened for the start of a training camp in the Buenos Aires suburbs. According to Argentine sports channel TyC Sports, six FIFA-appointed doctors were sent to the team’s training base in Ezeiza, where players were forced to train inside due to the cold, foggy conditions. Angel Di Maria, who helped Real Madrid win the Champions League final on Saturday, touched down on Tuesday in Buenos Aires before taking a private jet to his home town, Rosario. He is scheduled to join the group at the end of the week.
ENGLAND
Agency probes match fixing
Nigeria’s World Cup warm-up friendly against Scotland in London yesterday is reported to be the subject of a match-fixing investigation by police. The National Crime Agency, which investigates serious and organized crime, is reported by the Daily Telegraph to have asked FIFA, world soccer’s governing body, to issue an alert over attempts to fix the game at Fulham’s Craven Cottage. The match was scheduled as a home fixture for Nigeria, who are finalizing their preparations ahead of the World Cup in Brazil. The agency is said to have told FIFA they have general information from Asian betting markets suggesting a fixing plan is in place for the Nigeria friendly and they hope to stop the illegal activities by issuing the alert. The issue of match-fixing is returning to the spotlight ahead of the World Cup, with pretournament warm-up matches said to be prime targets for match fixers acting on behalf of illegal betting syndicates in Asia.
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