SOCCER
Ronaldo pleads guilty
Portugal forward Cristiano Ronaldo has agreed to plead guilty to tax fraud and pay a fine of 18.8 million euros (US$21.8 million) in exchange for a prison sentence that would most likely be suspended, El Mundo reported on Friday. Ronaldo is ready to admit to four counts of tax fraud that would carry a prison sentence of two years, the newspaper said. Prison sentences not more than two years in Spain are often suspended for first-time offenders. The deal has yet to be ratified by the Spanish Tax Office, according to different Spanish media, including Europa Press news agency. Neither the office, the Spanish Ministry of Justice nor people close to Ronaldo would confirm the existence of a deal when called by reporters. One year ago, a Spanish state prosecutor accused Ronaldo of four counts of tax fraud from 2011 to 2014 worth 14.7 million euros.
BASEBALL
Kang back after third DUI
Pirates infielder Kang Jung-ho was on Friday reinstated from the restricted list and optioned to Triple-A Indianapolis after missing last season and the first part of this year because of visa issues. The 31-year-old was unable to secure a work visa to travel from South Korea after he was arrested for driving under the influence for a third time in December 2016 in Seoul. He received an eight-month suspended prison sentence. Friday’s move is primarily procedural, since Kang has already played in 11 minor league games. He was cleared to travel to the US on April 27. Kang finished third in the 2015 National League Rookie of the Year voting after becoming the first native South Korean position player to make the jump from the South Korea Baseball Organization to the MLB.
BASKETBALL
NBA teases rule change
The NBA on Friday sent a memo to all 30 teams saying the draft’s “eligibility rules” could change as soon as 2021 based on a review of issues “related to player development and the corruption investigation in college basketball,” ESPN reported. The memo does not specifically mention the league’s one-and-done rule — which prevents players from entering the NBA until age 19 or a year removed from high school — but it indicates that rule could be eliminated “prior to the 2021 or 2022 draft,” ESPN said. The elimination of the rule would likely make the ensuing draft much more talent-rich than a typical draft by featuring much of the top talent from consecutive high-school classes in one draft.
TENNIS
Romania mad over cartoon
Romanians are expressing outrage at a cartoon in Charlie Hebdo likening their newly crowned tennis champion Simona Halep to a Roma scrap metal collector. The caricature in Thursday’s edition of the weekly showed Halep holding up her French Open trophy and shouting “Old iron! Old iron!” French ambassador to Romania Michele Ramis defended “freedom of expression and a free press,” adding on Friday that the cartoon “doesn’t at all represent French public opinion.” Halep, who received a hero’s welcome upon her return to Romania, said she was not “in a position to comment,” but Brussels-based Romanian journalist Dan Alexe said he believed the joke was directed at “ignorant French who think all Romanians are metal thieves.” The ethnic Roma minority, some of whom prefer to call themselves Gypsies, makes up about 3 percent of Romania’s population of nearly 20 million.
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