SOCCER
Russia eyes rooms problem
Russian Minister of Sports Vitaly Mutko said a lack of hotel accommodation for teams and officials is a major problem facing 2018 FIFA World Cup organizers. Mutko says that “the most severe problem is related to accommodating guests of the World Cup, with the hotels,” in comments reported by Russian agency Tass. He added that four of the 11 host cities — Volgograd, Rostov-on-Don, Saransk and Nizhny Novgorod — are behind on plans to increase hotel accommodation in time for the tournament. The issue concerns hotels for players, sponsors and FIFA officials, Mutko said, but Russia’s readiness to house fans has also been called into question. In December last year, Russia’s Federal Tourism Agency said only five of the 11 cities so far had enough accommodation for supporters.
SOCCER
Juventus sanctions Caceres
Juventus defender Martin Caceres has been temporarily removed from Juventus’ squad and fined after an alleged drunk-driving accident. A club statement says Caceres’ behavior on Monday night “represents gross violation of his responsibilities as a Juventus player, as well as damaging the image of the club.” The ANSA news agency reported that the Uruguay international also had his Ferrari and driver’s license taken away and was fined 531 euros (US$600) by police after the accident. ANSA said Caceres was not injured after his Ferrari hit a bus shelter after veering to the wrong side of the road and colliding with some parked cars. The 28-year-old Caceres is in his fourth season with Juventus.
SOCCER
Carpi name new coach
Last-placed Carpi has named Giuseppe Sannino as their new coach a day after firing Fabrizio Castori six matches into their first Serie A season. Carpi says Sannino signed a contract through the end of the season. The 58-year-old Sannino has previously managed AC Siena, US Citta di Palermo, AC Chievo Verona, Watford and Catania. Castori’s removal came two days after a 5-1 loss to AS Roma left Carpi with just two points. Castori had taken over Carpi in June of last year and led the club to the Serie B title last season, earning promotion to the top division for the first time in their 106-year history. Having had to face Inter, surprise leader ACF Fiorentina, SSC Napoli and title challengers Roma already, Carpi have scored just six goals and conceded a league-worst 15.
FOOTBALL
Ruling helps Brady’s season
New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is all but certain to remain free to play for the rest of the season after a court ruled on Tuesday that the NFL’s appeal in the “deflategate” case would not be heard before February. The court granted a request by the league and players union for an expedited hearing, with the league ordered to file a brief by Oct. 26, with Brady’s attorneys to reply by Dec. 7 and the league having until Dec. 21 to respond. The appeal would be heard the week of Feb. 1, with the Super Bowl set for Feb. 7 at the new home stadium of the San Francisco 49ers. The timing virtually ensures Brady would not face a ban this season even if the ruling in the controversy about underinflated footballs that has haunted the Patriots since last year’s American Conference final. NFL commissioner Roger Goodell looked into the controversy of balls found to be below NFL air pressure minimums and banned Brady for the first four games of this season. Brady appealed the ban to Goodell and he upheld his punishment in July.
OUT AGAINST INDONESIA: Taiwan reached the semi-finals at the tournament for the first time by defeating Denmark, with Chou Tien-chen beating Viktor Axelsen Taiwan yesterday crashed out of the Thomas Cup team competition in Chengdu, China, but achieved their best result at the top-tier badminton event by reaching the semi-finals. Indonesia were too good in the semis, winning 3-0 to advance to today’s final against China, who eliminated Malaysia 3-1. In the opening singles of the men’s team clash at the Hi-Tech Zone Sports Center Gymnasium 2, Anthony Ginting defeated Taiwan’s Chou Tien-chen 21-18, 21-19 in 51 minutes, which put a huge hole in Taiwan’s aspirations to perhaps even make the final. In the men’s doubles, Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Ardianto downed Lee Yang and Wang
Rafael Nadal on Tuesday lost in straight sets to 31st-ranked Jiri Lehecka in the fourth round at the Madrid Open, while Taiwan’s Hsieh Su-wei advanced to the semi-finals in the women’s doubles. Nadal said that he was feeling good about his progress following his latest injury layoff. Nadal called it a “positive week” in every way and said his body held up well. “I was able to play four matches, a couple of tough matches,” Nadal said. “So very positive, winning three matches, playing four matches at the high level of tennis. I enjoyed a lot playing at home. I leave here with
Top-ranked Iga Swiatek on Saturday came through “the most intense and crazy final” she has ever contested to avenge her loss to Aryna Sabalenka in last year’s Madrid Open final with a grueling three hour, 11 minute victory in the Spanish capital. Coming back from 1-3 down in the decider and saving three match points in total, Swiatek claimed a 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (9/7) victory to secure the Madrid Open trophy for the first time. “Well, who is going to say now that women’s tennis is boring, right?” Swiatek said. Swiatek, who picked up the 20th title of her career, and ninth at
When 42-1 underdog James ‘Buster’ Douglas shocked ‘Iron’ Mike Tyson 34 years ago at the Tokyo Dome, the result reverberated worldwide. Spectators at the 45,000-plus seater venue witnessed one of boxing’s biggest upsets as unbeaten heavyweight champion Tyson was knocked out in the 10th round by the unheralded Douglas in February 1990. Boxing returns to the famous venue on Monday for the first time since that unforgettable encounter when Japan’s undisputed super-bantamweight world champion Naoya ‘Monster’ Inoue puts his belts on the line against Mexican Luis Nery. The 31-year-old Inoue (26-0, 23 KOs) is a huge star in Japan and is just