SOCCER
Pele back in hospital
Brazilian legend Pele, 74, was back in hospital in Sao Paulo having undergone spinal surgery, TV Globo announced on Saturday. The Albert Einstein Hospital did not make any comment on the request of the family, but Globo said that Pele underwent the operation on Thursday and was recovering well. He is expected to be discharged today. According to the Globo Esporte Web site, Pele underwent arthrodesis, a procedure used to treat pain caused by the motion or instability of the spine. The site added that he has already recovered muscle strength and that the pain is under control. Pele was suffering from compression of two vertebrae which had made him lose the strength in his legs, especially in his right leg. Pele, the only player to win the World Cup three times, was reportedly due to undergo an operation on the problem last year, but other health problems forced him to put off the surgery.
SOCCER
Barca’s Bartomeu re-elected
Josep Maria Bartomeu was re-elected as president of European and Spanish champions Barcelona after seeing off rival Joan Laporta. Bartomeu, 52, polled 25,823 votes (54.63 percent) with Laporta, a former president, winning 15,615 votes (33.03 percent). Other contenders were businessman Agusti Benedito who garnered 3,386 votes (7.16 percent) and lawyer Toni Freixa with 1,750 votes (3.70 percent). With 47,720 votes counted, the election had the third-highest turnout in Barcelona’s history — only 2010 with 57,088 votes and 2003 with 51,618 had been greater. Bartomeu, who took over as president early last year after his predecessor Sandro Rosell stepped down, is to lead Barcelona for the next six years. Barcelona, just like their great rivals Real Madrid, but in contrast to other leading European clubs, are owned by their members.
RUGBY UNION
Genia, Horne to miss Test
Australia scrumhalf Will Genia and winger Rob Horne have been ruled out of next week’s Rugby Championship Test against Argentina after being injured in Saturday’s victory over South Africa. Genia started the match against the Springboks, but was forced off at halftime because of an injury to his right knee, while Horne aggravated a calf problem during the Wallabies’ last-gasp 24-20 win at Lang Park. Coach Michael Cheika said neither player would travel with the squad to Argentina today, but was confident they would be available to face the All Blacks in the first of back-to-back Tests against the world champions in Sydney on Aug. 8. Cheika has summoned winger Nick Cummins and scrumhalf Nic White back from the US, where they have been promoting Australia’s World Cup warm-up match in Chicago, to provide cover.
TENNIS
Errani to face Schmiedlova
Top seed Sara Errani of Italy ruined Romanian hopes when she beat Monica Niculescu 5-7, 6-1, 6-2 to reach the Bucharest Open final on Saturday. Errani was due to face seventh seed Anna Karolina Schmiedlova yesterday in their second final of the year. Errani beat the Slovakian in straight sets in the Rio de Janeiro final in February. That was Errani’s eighth career title. Schmiedlova finally broke through for her first in April in Katowice, Poland. Schmiedlova beat unseeded Polona Hercog of Slovenia 6-4, 6-3 in 35?C heat. Errani played an hour longer to overcome Niculescu. Errani had to save 11 of 15 break points to end Niculescu’s run to the semi-finals for a second straight year in her adopted hometown.
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