ENGLAND
Rooney to skipper United
Wayne Rooney has been named Manchester United captain by new manager Louis van Gaal, the club announced on Tuesday. The 28-year-old England striker succeeds Nemanja Vidic after the Serbia defender left United at the end of last season to join Inter. “For me, it’s always very important the choice of captain,” Van Gaal said in a club statement. “Wayne has shown a great attitude towards everything he does. I have been very impressed by his professionalism, and his attitude to training and to my philosophy. He is a great inspiration to the younger members of the team, and I believe he will put his heart and soul into his captaincy role.” Rooney, who could also become captain of England following Steven Gerrard’s retirement from internationals, said: “It is a huge honor for me — and for my family — to be named captain of this great club. It is a role I will perform with great pride. Team spirit has always been very high in our dressing room and I am very grateful to the manager for the faith he has shown in me. I look forward to leading the team out on Saturday at our first match of the new season.”
ENGLAND
Liverpool sign Moreno
Liverpool announced late on Tuesday that they have reached an agreement to sign Spanish leftback Alberto Moreno from Europa League champions Sevilla. The Reds did not confirm how much they have agreed to pay for Moreno, but British press reports put the transfer fee at about £12 million (US$20.2 million). Sevilla coach Unai Emery said that Moreno would leave with the club’s blessing. “We didn’t have any clear expectation [about the transfer being completed], but it was in our minds,” Emery said. “We want to wish all the best to Alberto Moreno and we need to continue with our path. He’s a player we can no longer count on.” Seville-born Moreno graduated from Sevilla’s youth academy and made his first-team debut in April 2012. He has won three caps for Spain.
ITALY
Armero to join AC Milan
Colombia fullback Pablo Armero is set to join AC Milan as the Italians attempt to restore their credibility after a dismal campaign last season. The seven-time European champions said on Tuesday that the 27-year-old would have a medical yesterday, but they did not give any further details of the transfer. Armero is owned by Udinese, who previously co-owned him with SSC Napoli, but bought the remaining 50 percent in June. He spent the first half of last season at Napoli and the second on loan to West Ham United in the English Premier League. Armero scored Colombia’s first goal in their opening 3-0 win over Greece at the World Cup finals in Brazil. Milan finished eighth last season in Serie A, missing out on European competition. Real Madrid goalkeeper Diego Lopez was also at the club for a medical and was set to sign.
ARGENTINA
Martino to coach Argentina
Gerardo Martino was named coach of Argentina on Tuesday, replacing Alejandro Sabella who stood down after they lost 1-0 to Germany in last month’s World Cup final. Martino, 51, gets the job despite a trophyless season with Spanish giants Barcelona which resulted in him being sacked. Martino’s first target will be next year’s Copa America in Chile. Sabella, who took over after Argentina failed to win the Copa America on home soil in 2011, guided the side to their first World Cup final since 1990, but Sabella refused the soccer fedederation’s offer to sign a new contract taking him up to 2018.
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
Taiwan’s Lee Jhe-huei and Yang Po-hsuan on Saturday won the men’s doubles bronze medal at the Badminton Asia Championships in Ningbo, China, after they were bested by the hosts in their semi-final. The Taiwanese shuttlers lost to China’s Liang Wei Keng and Wang Chang, who advanced to yesterday’s final against Malaysia’s Goh Sze Fei and Nur Izzudin. The Chinese pair outplayed Lee and Yang in straight games. Although the Taiwanese got off to a slow start in the first game, they eventually tied it 14-14, before Liang and Wang went on to blow past them to win 21-17. In the second game, Lee and