SOCCER
Qatar fire Uruguayan coach
The Qatar Football Association on Thursday sacked Uruguayan coach Jose Daniel Carreno, 17 months after naming him to prepare the 2022 World Cup hosts for the 2018 tournament in Russia. The decision followed back-to-back losses in the qualifiers to Iran and Uzbekistan. There was no immediate word on who would replace Carreno, but fellow Uruguayan Jorge Fossati is considered the front-runner. Fossati coached the national team in 2007 and 2008 and is currently manager of top flight Qatar Stars League champions Al-Rayyan. Another candidate is Algerian Djamel Belmadi, who coached the national team in 2014 and last year, when Qatar won the Gulf championship. The new coach will face the challenge of preparing for a tough qualifier against South Korea on Oct. 6.
GOLF
Johnson keeps on rolling
Dustin Johnson hit out of a bunker for birdie on his first hole and kept right on rolling to a four-under 66 for a three-way tie of the lead at the Tour Championship on Thursday. Hideki Matsuyama had six birdies and Kevin Chappell played bogey-free to join Johnson at 66 on a tough day for scoring at East Lake. Johnson only has to win the Tour Championship to capture the US$10 million FedEx Cup bonus. Jason Day, who withdrew from the final round of the BMW Championship two weeks ago with back pain, was among those at 67. Jordan Spieth was three-over after two holes and shot 68, courtesy of six birdie putts between 18 and 30 feet. Rory McIlroy and Paul Casey were also at 68.
FORMULA ONE
Ricciardo tips Rosberg
Australian Daniel Ricciardo has spoken of the awkward pre-podium silences between Mercedes teammates Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg, while tipping the latter for the season’s Formula One title. The smiling Red Bull driver finished second in Singapore last weekend, with Rosberg winning and triple champion Hamilton third. The result sent Rosberg back on top in the championship, the German now eight points clear of Hamilton with six rounds remaining. “When Lewis made up that deficit to Nico and came back it was like OK, nobody’s going to touch Lewis,” he told Sky Sports television during a trip to Australia ahead of next week’s Malaysian race. “Nico’s come back... I’m going to throw a spanner in the works and say Rosberg,” he added when asked to pick one of the pair for the title.
FOOTBALL
Hazing prompts football ban
Hazing inflicted by older players on younger ones at a conditioning camp has led to the cancelation of an Oregon high school’s football season, investigations by authorities, and calls for soul-searching and healing. Meanwhile, three varsity high-school football players in California have been charged in a separate incident. Studies show more than half of college students in sports teams, clubs and organizations have experienced hazing — the practice of rituals, challenges and other activities involving harassment, abuse or humiliation used as a way of initiating a person into a group. Many were hazed in high school. Breaking the cycle is difficult, but the town of Philomath is tackling the issue head on. School district officials say they are focusing on students’ mental health and looking for ways to prevent hazing incidents in the future.
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