WORLD CUP
‘Oranje’ set to lose De Jong
Netherlands midfielder Nigel de Jong is expected to be out for two to four weeks after a scan confirmed he suffered a tear to his groin muscle, the Dutch Football Association on Tuesday. The injury would appear to rule De Jong out for the rest of the FIFA World Cup with the final less than two weeks away, but the association said he would stay with the squad in Brazil and work on his rehabilitation. The 29-year-old De Jong, who has won 75 caps, lasted just nine minutes of the last-16 match against Mexico in Fortaleza, with coach Louis van Gaal describing his withdrawal as a major blow to the team. De Jong won infamy four years ago for a kung-fu-style kick on Spain midfielder Xabi Alonso in the final of the 2010 World Cup. Dutch newspapers have in recent days linked the AC Milan hard man with a possible move to Manchester United, the club Van Gaal is to head next season.
UNITED STATES
Amateur ref dies after punch
A man who was punched in the head over the weekend while refereeing an adult league match in Detroit, Michigan, died on Tuesday, authorities and a longtime friend of the referee said. John Bieniewicz, who was attacked on Sunday at a park, died at Detroit Receiving Hospital, said hospital spokesman Alton Gunn, police and the man’s longtime friend, Jim Acho. Police said 36-year-old Baseel Abdul-Amir Saad punched Bieniewicz in the head after the latter indicated that he planned to eject him from the game. Saad was on Monday arraigned over a charge of assault with intent to do great bodily harm. The Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office said the charges would be reviewed and possibly amended. Bieniewicz, 44, was a dialysis technician who was married with two kids, Acho said. “I speak for all his friends when I say we are devastated. Crushed. Just a senseless way for a great guy to go out,” Acho said. “He deserved better.” Saad was not at Mies Park, the venue of the game, when police arrived, but surrendered on Monday, Goralski said. At Saad’s arraignment in Livonia District Court, bond was set at US$500,000 and a probable cause hearing set for next Thursday. Saad’s lawyer, Brian Berry, said his client was cooperating with police and was not guilty of the charge.
WORLD CUP
Mueller admits free-kick fail
Germany striker Thomas Mueller admitted that his bizarre stumble while running toward the ball for a free-kick late in his side’s FIFA World Cup last-16 match against Algeria was a ploy. “Is this interview going to be broadcast worldwide or only in Germany?” Mueller asked a German TV reporter who had asked the Bayern Munich player if he had tripped deliberately. When told that the interview would only be broadcast in Germany, Mueller smiled and said: “It almost worked.” Asked if he planned to try the trick again, Mueller said: “We’ll see what happens in the next match.” With the scores level at 0-0 in Monday’s clash at the Estadio Beira-Rio in Porto Alegre, Brazil, the Mannschaft were awarded a free-kick in the 88th minute in a promising position about 25m directly in front of Algeria’s goal. Mueller huddled with teammates Toni Kroos, Mesut Ozil and Bastian Schweinsteiger who ran toward the ball, but stepped over it. Mueller was next to fake a kick, but fell to his knees two steps before the ball. He quickly got up and ran at the wall as Kroos attempted to lob the ball to him, but the pass was blocked. “We’d practiced that,” Kroos told German media. “In training it always worked, but it looks like crap when it doesn’t work.”
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