SOCCER
Nigeria face CAF sanctions
Nigeria could face African Football Confederation (CAF) sanctions for allowing too many spectators into the Ahmadu Bello Stadium in Kaduna, Nigeria, on Friday for an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Egypt. An estimated 40,000 crowd was inside the 25,000-capacity venue when the match kicked off after the Kaduna State government allowed fans free entry. “Nigeria will most likely be penalized by CAF for poor crowd control even though there was no major incident before, during or after the match,” said a leading soccer official, who requested anonymity. “Sanctions for such a shortcoming would be a fine and a warning,” he added. Another official said the police failed to stop the crowd gaining access to the stadium even when it was clear that the capacity was overstretched.
CYCLING
Kwiatkowski wins E3 race
Former world champion Michal Kwiatkowski won the E3 Harelbeke one-day race on Friday ahead of Peter Sagan. Kwiatkowski and Sagan rode the final 20km ahead of the pack before Kwiatkowski launched the two-man sprint with less than 300m to go and took victory with a comfortable margin. Sagan, the reigning world champion, was overpowered in the final stretch and settled for second place ahead of Ian Stannard. “I knew I had really good legs today and I had to go for the win, there was no other option,” Kwiatkowski said after sealing a second consecutive victory for Team Sky at the E3, following Geraint Thomas’ win last year.
ALPINE SKIING
Street seeks case dismissal
Assault and domestic violence charges against US Olympic gold medalist skier Picabo Street are expected to be dismissed, her attorney said on Friday, a day after prosecutors moved to drop the case stemming from an incident with her father. Street, one of the sport’s most popular figures in the 1990s, was charged in Summit County, Utah, over an incident in December last year involving her diabetic father, her lawyer, Joe Wrona, said. Wrona said the former Olympic star had called police for help when her 76-year-old father became unruly due to hypoglycemia. “When I called the police for help with my dad last December, I expected the police to be my knights in shining armor,” Street said in a statement. “Instead, they came into my house, arrested me and put me in handcuffs when I did nothing wrong.” Wrona said prosecutors filed a motion to dismiss on Thursday and the judge’s approval is expected.”
ATHLETICS
Jeska remanded into custody
An English champion fell runner has been remanded into custody after being charged with the attempted murder of former rugby union player-turned athletics administrator Ralph Knibbs. Lauren Jeska, 41, was charged with the attempted murder of Knibbs at the offices of UK Athletics at the Alexander Stadium in Birmingham, England, on Tuesday. She was also charged with two counts of unlawful and malicious wounding with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm on two other men. Jeska was further charged with possession of a 12cm kitchen knife, a 13cm kitchen knife and a bread knife in a public place. She was remanded into custody by District Judge Shamim Qureshi to appear at Birmingham Crown Court on April 25. Fell running, also known as hill or mountain running, is an established sport in rural areas of the UK. West Midlands Police said Knibbs, 51, “remains in a stable condition in hospital.”
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
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
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