INTERNATIONAL
Israel criticizes Palestine
The Israeli Football Association (FA) on Tuesday said that Palestinian soccer officials are “injecting politics into sports” by calling on FIFA to suspend the Jewish state from world soccer. Palestine’s proposal features in FIFA’s published agenda for its election congress on May 29. Israeli FA president Ofer Eini said his organization has done its best to assist Palestinian soccer, but that many issues were beyond its control and needed to be resolved at a political level. He said Palestine’s proposal “is completely contrary to FIFA’s vision” and could set a dangerous precedent for other nations involved in conflicts. Palestine said Israel restricts movement of players in the West Bank and Gaza. Israel has cited security concerns, especially regarding movement in and out of Gaza, ruled by the militant group Hamas. Palestine’s proposal is unlikely to succeed as FIFA president Sepp Blatter last month said he opposed the move, which needs three-quarters of votes to pass if a ballot is allowed. FIFA suspensions prevent a member’s national and club teams taking part in international matches and meetings, and block FIFA funding.
PREMIER LEAGUE
Sturridge undergoes surgery
Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge on Tuesday sent out a positive message after undergoing hip surgery in the US. The 25-year-old’s season has been blighted by injury, picking up the hip problem after a previous five-month lay off with a thigh injury. The current problem came up early last month and has been a blow to Liverpool’s late season surge. “Just want to let the world know I’ve had a successful operation on my hip today and I want to thank God for allowing that to be possible,” Sturridge wrote on Instagram. The England striker has made just 12 starts and six substitute appearances for Liverpool this season, scoring just five goals, and can now begin a program of recovery and rehabilitation. “Onwards and upwards from here. Thanks for the support,” Sturridge wrote.
SOUTH AFRICA
Gunmen rob McCarthy
South Africa’s record goalscorer and UEFA Champions League winner Benni McCarthy on Tuesday was robbed at gun point while having a hair cut in Johannesburg, his agent said. Three gunmen stormed a barber’s shop in Melrose suburb, robbing the 37-year-old of his wedding ring, watch and other valuables. He was not injured. McCarthy’s agent Percy Adams said the robbers targeted the striker in a packed salon, adding that they ignored nine other patrons in the hairdressers. “They didn’t even touch other people, they didn’t want money, nothing, they just went for him, took what they got from him and then left,” Adams told Talk Radio 702.
MLS
San Jose defeat Houston
San Jose Earthquakes’s Adam Jahn scored and David Bingham saved a penalty as the visitors won 1-0 away at Houston Dynamo in MLS action on Tuesday. It was a sweet return to Houston for San Jose coach Dominic Kinnear, who led the Dynamo for nine seasons, winning four conference titles. Jahn headed home Matias Perez Garcia’s free-kick in the 54th minute for his first goal in almost exactly two years, and gave San Jose their first win at Houston since 2010. Bingham brought down Oscar Garcia in the penalty area in the 57th minute, but saved Giles Barnes’ ensuing spot-kick, extending Houston winless streak to four games.
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
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