England
Vardy to miss United clash
Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy is to miss the Premier League leaders’ visit to Manchester United on Sunday after being banned for an additional game for improper conduct, the BBC reported. Vardy, the league’s second-highest scorer this season with 22 goals, angrily confronted referee Jon Moss after picking up a second yellow card for diving during Leicester’s 2-2 draw against West Ham United on Sunday last week. After missing Sunday’s 4-0 win over Swansea City, Vardy is also suspended for next Sunday’s match at Old Trafford, where Leicester could wrap up their first ever title with a victory. The 29-year-old, who was also fined £10,000 (US$14,479) will be available for the final two matches of the season against Everton and Chelsea.
SPAIN
Aspas sees off Granada
Striker Iago Aspas scored a goal in each half as RC Celta de Vigo defeated Granada 2-1 on Monday to move closer to fourth place in La Liga. Aspas converted a penalty in the 16th minute and added a second in the 76th to give Celta 57 points, four less than fourth-placed Villarreal, who drew 0-0 with Real Sociedad on Sunday. The fourth-placed team plays in the qualifying round of next season’s UEFA Champions League. Youssef El Arabi scored in the 69th minute for Granada, who stayed on 33 points, only one point above the relegation zone with three matches to go. The result snapped Celta’s two-game winless streak.
GERMANY
Schmelzer inks extension
Germany international Marcel Schmelzer has signed a five-year contract extension to keep him at Borussia Dortmund until 2021. The 28-year-old has made 195 appearances for Dortmund, including 23 Bundesliga matches this season. The leftback was part of the team which won the 2010-2011 Bundesliga title, the 2001-2012 league and cup double, then reached the 2012-2013 UEFA Champions League final. “This is a team full of character and this club is totally unique. I’m delighted to be able to be a part of things in the future here,” Schmelzer told the club’s Web site. “My family and I have felt at home here for years. Dortmund is my sporting home and always will be.” Schmelzer’s signature is a boost to Borussia Dortmund, who are hoping star players Mats Hummels, Ilkay Gundogan and Henrik Mkhitaryan will also sign contract extensions before the end of this season.
FRANCE
I could leave Lille: Boufal
Highly rated Lille OSC winger Sofiane Boufal has admitted that he could leave the side in the summer with clubs from around Europe ready to pounce on the Morocco international. “Yes it’s true, there is more of a chance that I will leave LOSC. I have no preference for a particular league, it’s the project that will interest me,” Boufal, 22, said at a news conference at Lille’s training ground on Monday. “Beyond that my personal objective is to keep progressing as a player and that means getting playing time. I am not ruling anything out. There is everything I need here to progress as a player. It wouldn’t bother me if I had to stay.” Boufal, who was born in France, but chose to play international soccer for Morocco, has scored 11 goals in Ligue 1 this season. However, the former Angers SCO player struggled for much of Saturday’s 2-1 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain in the Coupe de la Ligue final.
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