SOCCER
Real make club final
Gareth Bale on Wednesday scored a hat-trick as Real Madrid beat Japan’s Kashima Antlers 3-1 to book a spot in the Club World Cup final. European champions Real are to play host side Al Ain in tomorrow’s final in Abu Dhabi, as they bid to win the title for the third year in a row. Kashima almost made a dream start inside two minutes with a close-range shot from Serginho that was saved by Real goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois. Bale opened the scoring in the 44th minute with a left-foot strike into the bottom corner of the net after playing a one-two with Marcelo. Bale struck his second in the 53rd minute, taking advantage of a defensive mix-up that left the Kashima goal wide open, and the Wales forward made it 3-0 two minutes later with a left-foot shot into the top corner.
TENNIS
Panel posits integrity fixes
Scrapping official live-scoring data at the lowest level of professional tennis and taking a harder line on “tanking” are among the recommendations made by an international review panel in a report published on Wednesday. The panel was formed in 2016 by the sport’s four main professional governing bodies to address betting-related and other integrity issues. “The nature of the game lends itself to manipulation for betting purposes,” the panel said. “Detection is difficult, not least because at many lower-level matches there are no spectators and inadequate facilities to protect players from potential corrupters. Moreover, under-performance is often attributed to ‘tanking,’ which too often has been tolerated.” The panel said there was no simple solution to the problem with a package of measures required, including banning tournaments from accepting sponsorship by the betting industry and reorganizing the Tennis Integrity Unit with independent oversight. Players in the lowest tiers are susceptible to being corrupted because of the difficulty of making a living, it said. The sport’s major bodies released a joint statement saying they would work to implement the recommendations.
BETTING
Bill seeks to set standards
Sports wagering in the US would be regulated by the federal government under a bill with bipartisan support introduced on Wednesday by US senators Orrin Hatch and Chuck Schumer. The 2018 Sports Wagering Market Integrity Act would set standards for states seeking to offer sports betting, but would not give leagues a share of gambling revenues. “This bill is the first step toward ensuring that sports betting is done right in the states that choose to legalize it. Just as importantly, it provides protections for states that choose not to go down that path,” Hatch said. The bill would authorize regulated online sports wagering to counter betting from outside the US, ban sports wagers on amateur sports events except college events, restrict certain wagers as needed to combat match integrity issues, set a minimum age of 21 to place a bet, and ban athletes, coaches and officials associated with sports organizations and people convicted of certain crimes from wagering. It would also require that wagering operators use data licensed by sports organizations to determine the outcome of sports wagers through 2024. That could allow leagues to make money by serving as providers of statistical information.
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