SOCCER
Real Madrid sign Kovacic
Real Madrid have added another player to their already swollen midfield ranks after agreeing to sign Croatian international Mateo Kovacic from Inter. Real on Tuesday said on their Web site that the 21-year-old had agreed a six-year contract and would be presented at the Santiago Bernabeu later yesterday. No financial details were disclosed, but Spanish media reported the transfer fee was about 30 million euros (US$33.1 million). Kovacic is viewed as ideal backup for Croatia teammate Luka Modric and Germany midfielder Toni Kroos. He is to compete for a place with the likes of James Rodriguez, Isco, Asier Illarramendi, Casemiro and Lucas Silva, although his arrival could prompt the exit of at least one of those players. Born in Austria, Kovacic came through the Dynamo Zagreb youth academy and helped the club win two Croatian league titles and two domestic cups before joining Inter in January 2013. He made his UEFA Champions League debut for Zagreb against Real in the 2011-2012 campaign and later that season became the second youngest goalscorer in the competition.
SOCCER
Olympic qualifiers scheduled
The US men’s national team has been drawn into a group with Canada, Cuba and Panama for CONCACAF Olympic qualifying. The US are to open with two games at Sporting Park in Kansas City, Missouri, against Canada on Oct. 1 and Cuba on Oct. 3. The team concludes group play against Panama in Commerce City, Colorado, on Oct. 6. Group B includes Mexico, Honduras, Haiti and the winner of the UNCAF playoff between Costa Rica and Guatemala. The top two finishers from Groups A and B are to advance to the semi-finals in Sandy, Utah, on Oct. 10. The semi-final winners advance to the Oct. 13 final in Sandy and qualify for next year’s Rio Olympics. The qualifying tournament is an Under-23 competition. Mexico won the event in 2012, while the US were eliminated in the group stage of qualifying.
RUGBY
All Blacks fined for scuffle
The All Blacks have been fined A$2,000 (US$1,468) after Liam Messam left the sideline to join an on-field scuffle during Saturday’s Test against Australia in Auckland, New Zealand. SANZAR, the governing body for the Test, on Tuesday fined New Zealand after reviewing television footage of the incident. Messam, who was not part of the match-day squad against Australia, was acting as a water carrier for the All Blacks when he stepped into the fray about 30 minutes into the game in an apparent attempt to break up the fight. “Under tournament rules, water carriers are not permitted within the playing enclosure while the match is in progress,” the SANZAR ruling said, describing Messam’s offense as a breach of protocol. New Zealand Rugby chief executive Steve Tew said the All Blacks acknowledged their fault and accepted the fine.
SOCCER
Juventus to sign Sandro
Porto defender Alex Sandro is poised to reject reported offers from Manchester City and Real Madrid to move to Juventus, reports in Italy said yesterday. Gazzetta dello Sport said Sandro would arrive in Turin, Italy, later this week after club chief executive officer Beppe Marotta negotiated a 25 million euro fee with the Portuguese giants. The report said Sandro, who has made six appearances for Brazil, would sign a five-year deal worth 3 million euros per season plus bonuses.
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