RUGBY UNION
Folau may walk over post
Israel Folau has offered to walk away from his Rugby Australia (RA) contract if his anti-gay comments were deemed to be damaging the sport, the Wallabies wrote in a column published on Monday. Folau, an evangelical Christian, earlier this month wrote on Instagram that gays would be condemned to “hell” if they failed to “repent.” Folau wrote that he gave RA CEO Raelene Castle and New South Wales Waratahs CEO Andrew Hore the option to sack him when they had a meeting last week. “During the meeting I told them it was never my intention to hurt anyone with the Instagram comment, but that I could never shy away from who I am or what I believe,” Folau wrote in a column for the PlayersVoice Web site. “This is not about money or bargaining power or contracts. It’s about what I believe in and never compromising that.”
SOCCER
Rooster thrown onto pitch
A rooster was thrown onto the field in Russia’s second-tier league as an apparent act of homophobic abuse against a coach. Footage from Sunday’s game between Fakel Voronezh and Luch-Energiya Vladivostok shows a fan picking up the apparently distressed bird, taking it to the front of the stand and throwing it. The rooster flutters over to the touchline as the man cheers and makes an obscene gesture. Other fans are heard chanting “Grigoryan is a rooster,” a reference to Vladivostok coach Alexander Grigoryan. “Rooster” is often used as a term of anti-gay abuse in Russia.
SOCCER
Sion banned over debt
UEFA has banned Swiss club Sion for one season over a transfer debt and fined three clubs for breaking licensing rules. The case involved 950,000 euros (US$1.18 million) in debt to French club Sochaux in the disputed transfer of Ishmael Yartey. UEFA said the debt was paid during the last off-season. UEFA also fined Sion the 235,000 euros in prize money earned by playing in one qualifying round of this season’s Europa League. UEFA also fined Irtysh of Kazakhstan 440,000 euros and put the club on three years’ probation. Vojvodina of Serbia and Tirana of Albania were each fined the 215,000 euros they earned from Europa League qualifying rounds.
RUGBY UNION
Bristol fans bristle at name
Bristol Rugby supporters have lashed out at the club’s decision to rebrand themselves as the “Bristol Bears” for their return to the Premiership next season. The club said in a statement they hoped the name change and the adoption of a bear in the club’s logo would “attract a whole new generation of supporters.” However, the move has upset some fans, who say it goes against more than 130 years of tradition and leaves them open to ridicule. “I’m not best pleased,” Bristol Rugby Supporters Club treasurer Mike West told BBC Sport. “I’m confused about why — this is a club that has been around since 1888 and is one the oldest rugby clubs that still exists at the highest levels. I don’t understand why they have suddenly contorted the name after 130 years without some reference.” West said rival fans would have a field day. “In the Premiership next season the opposition fans will surely be calling us Yogis or Boo Boos or the Fuzzies,” he added.
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