SOCCER
Blind set to join United
Manchester United are set to sign Dutch international Daley Blind after agreeing a fee with his current side, Ajax, the Press Association reported yesterday. The 24-year-old Blind was in Manchester United manager’s Louis van Gaal’s World Cup squad in Brazil and can play at leftback and as a defensive midfielder. Personal terms are still to be agreed with him and he needs to pass a medical, but if the deal is sealed before the transfer window shuts tomorrow night, he will be United’s fifth summer signing as Van Gaal seeks to restore the side’s fortunes. They have spent £130 million (US$215 million) this summer, including a British-record transfer fee of £59.7 million on Argentine midfielder Angel Di Maria from Real Madrid.
SOCCER
Torres to join Milan on loan
Chelsea striker Fernando Torres is set to end his miserable spell at Stamford Bridge by joining AC Milan on loan for the next two seasons. Torres has endured a difficult time with Chelsea since his then-British record £50 million move from Liverpool in January 2011. The 30-year-old Spain international was unable to repeat his prolific Liverpool form in west London and has scored just 45 goals in 172 appearances in all competitions for Chelsea. He was believed to be Blues boss Jose Mourinho’s third-choice striker behind new signings Diego Costa and Didier Drogba this season, and that drop down the pecking order has persuaded him to consider Milan’s offer.
SOCCER
Gremio to punish racist fans
Brazilian club Gremio has promised to help identify and punish the fans who taunted a player in the latest case of racism to taint the national game. The club on Friday said it will do all it can to find the fans responsible for monkey taunts directed at Santos goalkeeper Aranha in Thursday’s Brazilian Cup match in Porto Alegre. Aranha complained after the slurs were chanted behind his goal near the end of Santos’ 2-0 win at Arena Gremio. Gremio said it will analyze television images and security camera images to try to identify the fans. One young woman can be clearly seen yelling “monkey” from the stands. Local media said she was identified though social media networks and reportedly was suspended from her job because of the case’s repercussion. “Gremio will do everything possible to help the police find the truth and those responsible for those acts,” club president Fabio Koff told a news conference.
BOXING
Klitschko faked injury: Pulev
Kubrat Pulev has accused world heavyweight champion Vladimir Klitschko of feigning injury to avoid taking on the Bulgarian challenger in an IBF title bout in Hamburg next month. Klitschko postponed the fight, scheduled for Sept. 6, last week, saying he had torn bicep muscles during training in Austria. Earlier this week, the 38-year-old Ukrainian said the contest would now take place at the same venue on Nov. 15. “It’s complete nonsense,” Pulev told local media on Friday. “If it’s a slight injury, you know what medicine can do today and he has a good staff of specialists, he would have been able to recover in time. If it’s a serious injury he won’t recover before Nov. 15. It’s a fake injury. He knows it’s not in his interest to fight. He knows there’s a high risk as there’s a huge possibility of losing. I’m a big threat, but I’ll continue chasing my goal and I’ll be even better prepared.”
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