SOCCER
Hull City face charge
Hull City have until Tuesday to answer a charge by the Football Association for failing to control their players in a stormy Premier League goalless draw with bottom side Leicester City on Saturday last week. The club is being held to account for several Hull players objecting angrily to referee Jon Ross booking Alex Bruce for a physical tackle on Riyad Mahrez. “Hull City have been charged by The FA for failing to ensure their players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion,” the FA statement read. The incident came at an especially tense moment in the game which had seen Hull defender Michael Dawson booked and his teammate Tom Huddlestone sent off. The match had a lot riding on it with both teams battling for survival — the point did neither side many favors as Hull are just three points above the relegation zone and Leicester bottom, seven points adrift of safety.
SOCCER
Johnson to resume training
Premier League strugglers Sunderland announced on Wednesday that winger Adam Johnson is to return to training following his arrest on suspicion of sexual activity with an under-age girl. The 27-year-old England international, arrested two weeks ago, had his bail extended by five weeks on Tuesday and does not need to report back to police until April 23. Sunderland suspended Johnson pending the outcome of the police investigation, but following consultation with players’ union, the Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA), he has been allowed to resume training. “The club has discussed the current position in detail with both the PFA and Adam’s representatives,” Sunderland said in a statement. “In line with those discussions, we recognize that the player is entitled to recommence his duties with the club while the legal process continues.”
RUGBY UNION
Lopez out for England game
Flyhalf Camille Lopez has not recovered from a right knee injury and has been replaced in France’s squad by Maxime Machenaud ahead of tomorrow’s final match against England in the Six Nations. Lopez, who picked up the injury during the 29-0 victory in Italy last weekend, will be sidelined for up to six weeks. Machenaud, who has 18 caps, is not guaranteed a place in Philippe Saint-Andre’s team at Twickenham, with Jules Plisson likely to be given a starting role after coming on as a substitute in Rome to replace Lopez. After back-to-back defeats to Wales and Ireland, France bounced back by beating Italy and has a mathematical chance of winning the tournament if it beats England tomorrow by a big margin while Wales and Ireland both lose.
SOCCER
New Japan coach drops Endo
New manager Vahid Halilhodzic yesterday put a firm stamp on his first Japan squad — for this month’s home friendlies against Tunisia and Uzbekistan — by ending the distinguished international career of Yasuhito Endo. The firebrand Franco-Bosnian coach paid tribute to the 35-year-old Gamba Osaka midfielder, who won his 152nd cap for Japan at the Asian Cup earlier this year, but insisted it was time to look to the future before the games in Oita on Friday next week and Tokyo on March 31. “You will notice one name missing from the list,” Halilhodzic told reporters. “Yasuhito Endo has made a huge contribution to Japanese football. I have come here for the project of building for the 2018 World Cup in Russia. But we must not forget Endo’s contribution and he deserves respect for what he has done for Japan.”
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