SOCCER
Judge pleads not guilty
A suspended Guatemalan judge who was arrested while aboard a Disney cruise ship has pleaded not guilty to charges that he took bribes in exchange for media and marketing rights to World Cup qualifier matches. Hector Trujillo, who was secretary general of the Guatemalan soccer federation and a judge on the country’s Constitutional Court until his Dec. 4 arrest, entered his plea on Wednesday in US federal court in Brooklyn, New York, a spokeswoman for Brooklyn prosecutors said on Thursday. He is one of dozens of soccer officials charged by US authorities investigating corruption in the sport’s world governing body, FIFA. A bail hearing has been set for Jan. 7, according to the spokeswoman. Soccer bosses from South and Central America, including Trujillo, were among 16 people charged on Dec. 3 for engaging in schemes involving more than US$200 million in bribes and kickbacks sought for marketing and broadcast rights to tournaments and matches.
SOCCER
Goalie donates to deaf team
Stoke City goalkeeper Jack Butland has donated £5,000 (US$7,370) to Great Britain’s women’s deaf team to ensure they can compete in this year’s World Cup. An online appeal aiming to raise £10,000, half the amount the British team need to attend the Deaf World Cup in Italy in June, has now reached its target thanks to Butland’s donation. Claire Stancliffe, who won bronze with Britain’s deaf team at the 2008 World Cup, praised Butland, 22, for helping the squad’s hopes of attending the tournament. “Physically shaking. Thank you so much Jack Butland for the £5,000 donation. We are in shock,” she tweeted. Explaining why he wanted to make the donation, Butland tweeted: “I’ve learnt a lot from major tournaments, experiences I’ll never forget, I’d love for you to experience the same!” Butland, who has three England caps, also works as an ambassador for the Kick It Out anti-discrimination campaign.
BASEBALL
Maeda linked with Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are set to sign Japanese pitcher Kenta Maeda, multiple US media outlets reported on Thursday. The 27-year-old right-hander was posted by his Japanese club the Hiroshima Carp, who would be due a posting fee of up to US$20 million by any Major League Club that signs him. Maeda has pitched for Hiroshima since 2008, going 97-67 with a 2.39 ERA. He went 15-8 last season with a 2.09 ERA and 175 strikeouts in 206-1/3 innings, earning his second Sawamura Award as top pitcher. The Arizona Diamondbacks, Seattle Mariners, New York Yankees, Chicago Cubs and Dodgers were all said to be interested him. The reported deal comes one day after the Dodgers signed free-agent starting pitcher Scott Kazmir.
SOCCER
Panathinaikos sign Mesto
Italy defender Giandomenico Mesto, who was a free agent, has signed a one-and-a-half-year contract with Panathinaikos, the Greek Super League club announced on Thursday. Mesto, 33, spent the past three seasons with SSC Napoli and has also played for Genoa and Udinese during a long career in his home country. The right-back, who has won three caps for Italy, will try to help Panathinaikos improve on their current position of fourth in the Greek top flight. They are a remarkable 20 points behind the leaders Olympiakos halfway through the season.
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