BASKETBALL
Deng comment sank Hawks
A racist comment about African-born British NBA standout Luol Deng made in a conference call reportedly triggered the chain of events that has forced the sale of the Atlanta Hawks. A day after Hawks owner Bruce Levenson said he was selling the NBA club after racist remarks in an e-mail he sent more than two years ago came to light, several US media outlets reported that a comment about Deng touched off the probe that uncovered the e-mail. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution reported the player was Deng, who was born in what is now South Sudan. After the meeting, which took place less than two months after NBA commissioner Adam Silver banned then-Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling for life for making racist remarks, a Hawks co-owner asked for an internal investigation and an Atlanta law firm undertook the task. In reviewing more than 24,000 documents, the e-mail sent by Levenson was discovered. In it, the Hawks owner makes remarks regarding racial issues about spectators. The NBA was notified and began its own probe and Levenson, the team’s majority owner since 2004, voluntarily decided to sell the Hawks.
CRICKET
Saeed Ajmal suspended
Pakistani off-spinner Saeed Ajmal has been suspended from international cricket after Tests found his bowling action was illegal, the International Cricket Council (ICC) said yesterday. Ajmal, the world’s No. 1 bowler in one-day internationals, was suspended “with immediate effect” following an assessment in Brisbane last month. The 36-year-old was reported for a suspect action after last month’s first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle. He can apply for a reassessment once he has modified his action. “The analysis revealed that all his deliveries exceeded the 15 degrees level of tolerance permitted under the regulations,” the ICC statement said.
RUGBY UNION
All Blacks to play in Samoa
The All Blacks are to play their first-ever Test in the Pacific Islands next year against Samoa as part of their build-up to the World Cup, the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) said yesterday. The long-awaited clash is to take place in Apia on July 8 next year. NZRU chairman Brent Impey said the match was a way of marking the close rugby links between Samoa and New Zealand, who have fielded numerous players of Samoan heritage, including greats such as Bryan Williams, Frank Bunce, Michael Jones and current All Black Keven Mealamu. “Importantly, we are not only honoring rugby’s Pacific heritage, we are also providing players with a meaningful Test as part of our plan to ensure the All Blacks are in the best possible shape to win in England in 2015,” he said.
SOCCER
Algerian fans in spotlight
Algeria risk playing their upcoming home games behind closed doors if their supporters misbehave at today’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Mali. Their behavior is very much under the spotlight after the throwing of a piece of slate at a club match hit and killed JS Kabylie’s Cameroon striker, Albert Ebosse, on Aug. 23. The threat of a home ban on fans came from Algerian Football Federation (FAF) president Mohamed Raouraoua. “The FAF has already taken the blame from FIFA over the anti-sporting behavior of our fans,” he said on Monday. “Another incident in the Mali game will penalize our national team, who will have to play their next few home matches without their supporters,” he said.
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
Forget Real Madrid, Manchester City or Paris Saint-Germain, the world’s best soccer team — statistically speaking — might be a little-known outfit from the closed central Asian nation of Turkmenistan. Founded last year, Arkadag, named in honor of former Turkmen president Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, have been unstoppable, notching up 36 consecutive domestic victories in a run still ongoing. The side have not lost a single competitive match and swept to a league and cup double in their inaugural season — success unthinkable almost anywhere else. However, in Turkmenistan, it could hardly have gone any other way. The energy-rich country is one of the most closed
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