HOCKEY
Players suing over injuries
The NHL is being sued by former players Daniel Carcillo and Nick Boynton, who allege that the league withheld information about the long-term health dangers from concussion-related injuries. The lawsuit claims that the NHL did not adequately warn and inform players about brain damage risks caused by contact to the head. Carcillo and Boynton charge the league with allowing and encouraging players to rush back to action while recovering from concussions. Carcillo, who played for five teams over nine seasons, and Boynton, six teams in 11 seasons, suffer from long-term, degenerative brain damage. “The NHL is long overdue in acknowledging the significant risks inherent in their style of game,” Gibbs said in a press release, while Carcillo said: “I’m doing this on behalf of all former NHL players that are struggling with the difficulties of transitioning from a life in the NHL with brains that have been damaged.”
BASEBALL
Osuna barred for 75 games
Toronto Blue Jays closer Roberto Osuna has agreed to a suspension through Aug. 4 under the MLB’s domestic violence policy, discipline that would cause him to miss about half of the season. Osuna has not pitched since May 6, two days before he was put on administrative leave when he was charged with one count of assault in Toronto. The league on Friday said the suspension is retroactive to May 8 and covers 75 games. “I don’t have much of a reaction other than you take what MLB does and trust that and live with that and let it go through its course,” Blue Jays manager John Gibbons said. “We knew something was coming down. Actually, it took a while. Hopefully, it all gets worked out on both sides and everyone gets the help they need and everything works out fine.” Osuna is to participate in a confidential evaluation and treatment program supervised by the joint policy board of the MLB and the players’ association.
BETTING
Rhode Island passes budget
Rhode Island Governor Gina Raimondo on Friday signed a US$9.6 billion budget for next fiscal year that legalizes sports betting and gives the state 51 percent of the revenues from the wagers. The budget for the fiscal year starting on July 1 counts on US$23.5 million of new revenue, although the activity is not expected to go live until Oct. 1.
CRICKET
Tampering ban upheld
Sri Lanka captain Dinesh Chandimal is to miss the third and final Test against the West Indies after his appeal against a ball-tampering ban was dismissed by a judicial commissioner. The 28-year-old was charged with ball tampering during last week’s Saint Lucia Test after video evidence indicated he took sweets out of his pocket and put them in his mouth before applying saliva to the ball within the space of a few seconds. “The judicial commissioner ... has dismissed Dinesh Chandimal’s appeal after the Sri Lanka captain was found guilty of changing the condition of the ball,” the International Cricket Council said in a statement. Judicial Commissioner Michael Beloff is to hold another hearing on July 10 to determine sanctions against Chandimal, coach Chandika Hathurusinghe and manager Asanka Gurusinha for “conduct that is contrary to the spirit of the game.” The Kensington Oval in Bridgetown was yesterday to host the first day-night test in the Caribbean with the hosts 1-0 up in the series.
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