SOCCER
Mourinho signs new contract
Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho on Friday signed a new four-year contract ahead of the London club starting its Premier League title defense. The 52-year-old Portuguese had two seasons remaining on the contract he signed in 2013, when he returned to the club for a second stint in charge. If Mourinho, who ended Chelsea’s five-year Premier League title drought in May, stays until 2019, it will be his longest management job. “If the club is happy, I am happy,” Mourinho said. “It is important we have this continuity and I hope we can enjoy more success in the future — for the fans, the players and the club. I said when I returned here two years ago that I have a special feeling for this club and nothing changed. It is the club closest to my heart and I am very happy to know I will be staying here for a long time.” Their season began yesterday against Swansea City, with Mourinho looking to win back-to-back titles as he achieved in 2005 and 2006.
SOCCER
Deal sign of trust: Pellegrini
Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini believes his new contract is a sign of the trust that the club hierarchy have in him. Pellegrini signed a one-year contract extension, committing him to City until the summer of 2017. It has come after a summer of speculation about his future, with Pep Guardiola repeatedly linked with the club. “I think the contract is very important as a sign of the good trust in our work, but you know that after that, you need the results. It’s very important for me to have a good season and to have good results with the team,” Pellegrini said.
NETBALL
Neville to remain with team
England netball coach Tracey Neville is to remain with the team in Australia for the World Cup despite the death of her father, who passed away at a Sydney hospital after arriving to support the team, England Netball said. Neville Neville, who is also the father of former England and Manchester United players Gary and Phil, suffered a heart attack in Sydney on Tuesday. “Our immediate thoughts are with Tracey and the Neville family, and we please ask that the privacy of the family is respected at this time,” England Netball said in a statement. Neville was visibly upset ahead of her side’s opening match against Scotland on Friday, which they won 60-19. England yesterday were to face fellow medal contenders Jamaica in their second game.
MOTORSPORT
Ward family sues Stewart
The family of racing driver Kevin Ward, who was struck and killed by Tony Stewart during a race last year, filed a wrongful death lawsuit against the NASCAR driver on Friday. Ward had exited his disabled car and was walking down the track when Stewart’s car struck and killed him during a low-level dirt-track race at Canandaigua Motorsports Park in New York on Aug. 9 last year. The Lanier Law Firm, in a release posted on its Web site, said it had filed the lawsuit on behalf of Ward’s parents, Kevin and Pamela, in a the fifth district of the New York state supreme court in Lowville. Stewart is the only named defendant in the suit, which says he “wrongfully caused Mr Ward’s death by acting with wanton, reckless and malicious intent and negligence.” A grand jury last year opted not to indict Stewart on criminal charges. He missed three races in the wake of the accident, including a scheduled start in the US closed-cockpit series’ top-level race at Watkins Glen in New York, where Stewart is slated to race this weekend.
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