SPAIN
Suarez may play ‘Classico’
Disgraced Uruguay international striker Luis Suarez, who is serving a four-month ban for a biting incident at the FIFA World Cup, could make his Barcelona debut against Real Madrid in El Clasico in October. La Liga announced its fixtures for the season on Thursday and the first meeting of the two Spanish giants will be on the weekend of Oct. 25 and Oct. 26 at Real’s Santiago Bernabeu. However, Suarez would only be able to play if the match went ahead on Oct. 26, the day after his suspension ends. The 27-year-old was given a nine-match international ban and suspended for four months from any soccer-related activities by FIFA after biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini in a Group D match last month. Earlier this month, Suarez was transferred from Liverpool to Barca for a fee that media reports put at 81 million euros (US$109 million). After an initial appeal against the ban was rejected, Barca decided to go to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS). If CAS decides to cut the suspension, Suarez could appear for his new club earlier.
UNITED STATES
Lampard signs for New York
New York City introduced Frank Lampard in Brooklyn after signing the 36-year-old former Chelsea midfielder to a two-year contract on Thursday. “Why not New York? Talk about ticking all the boxes. I want to carry on challenging myself,” Lampard said at a press conference. “That’s a great challenge, isn’t it? City of hopes and dreams. That’s where you want to go to and play isn’t it?” The club owned by Manchester City and the New York Yankees previously signed David Villa of Atletico Madrid. Lampard was asked about a widely reported encounter with US travelers in 2001, shortly after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, when he and teammates were fined following reports they were behaving drunkenly and boorishly in front of distraught Americans. “I was naive and a young boy at the time and I have some regrets,” Lampard said. “I categorically didn’t insult anyone, set out to insult anyone, behave badly in front of Americans or in fact anyone.”
ENGLAND
Andy Carroll out injured
West Ham United striker Andy Carroll has revealed he will miss the start of the Premier League season after suffering a serious ankle injury. Carroll was sidelined for much of last season due to a recurring foot problem and the England international’s injury troubles have resurfaced. The 25-year-old, who cost West Ham a club record £15 million (US$25 million), had already been ruled out of his side’s two friendlies on their tour of New Zealand as a result of the ankle problem and reports suggest Carroll could now be out for up to another four months after the former Liverpool and Newcastle United star admitted he requires surgery to fix the issue. “Going under the knife tomorrow morning and absolutely devastated to be missing the start of the season,” Carroll tweeted.
COSTA RICA
Pinto quits national team
Costa Rica coach Jorge Luis Pinto announced on Thursday that he was parting company with the Central American side after a breakdown in talks with the national federation. Colombian Pinto, 61, had coached Los Ticos since 2011, leading them to an historic World Cup quarter-final. Costa Rica lost to the Netherlands on penalties, but they were not beaten in open play, despite facing three former World Cup winners as well as former European champions Greece. In a 30-year coaching career, Pinto has also led clubs in Colombia and Peru.
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