SOCCER
‘Anfield Iron’ dies at 74
Former Liverpool captain Tommy Smith, who led the Merseysiders to success and gained a reputation as one of the game’s toughest tacklers, has died aged 74, the club said on Friday. Smith, known by supporters as the “Anfield Iron,” played 638 games for Liverpool, winning four league titles, a European Cup, two FA Cups and two UEFA Cups. He captained the Reds for three years and scored 48 goals from 1962 to 1978, including one in the 1977 European Cup final, when Liverpool beat Borussia Moenchengladbach 3-1 to lift the trophy for the first time. Having joined the club as a schoolboy, he was fast-tracked into the first team by former manager Bill Shankly, who once famously said of Smith — a true hard man in an era when tough tackling was encouraged and admired — that he “was not born, he was quarried.” Smith was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease in 2014 after caring for his wife, Susanne, who died after suffering from the same condition.
BASKETBALL
Lakers dump coach Walton
The Los Angeles Lakers on Friday continued their clear-out after a disastrous first season following the arrival of LeBron James by terminating the contract of head coach Luke Walton. The club said that they had mutually agreed to part ways. Walton had been coach since 2016, building a 98-148 record. The Lakers have failed to reach the playoffs for the past three seasons. On Tuesday, Magic Johnson surprisingly quit his post as Lakers president. Johnson was reportedly unhappy at the prospect of firing Walton. “They are losing one of the best human beings in the NBA,” Warriors coach Steve Kerr said. “They are losing somebody who the players believe in and the players want to play for.” Among the candidates for the Lakers job is Tyronn Lue, who coached James in Cleveland, and Philadelphia 76ers assistant Monty Williams.
FOOTBALL
Lawyers spar over video
William Burck, lawyer for New England Patriots owner Robert Kraft, on Friday asked a Florida judge not to make public a video that led to the billionaire being charged in a prostitution sting at a massage parlor. Media companies including ABC and ESPN clashed with Kraft’s defenders, saying that the judge would violate Florida’s public records laws by suppressing the video of Kraft receiving sexual services. Burck argued in Palm Beach County Court that surveillance footage should not be released to the media because it would violate Kraft’s privacy rights, compromise his right to a fair trial and interfere in an active criminal investigation. “It’s basically pornography,” Burck told Judge Leonard Hanser. “There’s no interest in actually seeing the video unless you have a prurient interest in seeing the video.”
CRICKET
Player found guilty of rape
An Australian player has been found guilty in England of raping a sleeping woman. Alex Hepburn sobbed after the verdict was returned by jurors at Worcester Crown Court in central England. The 23-year-old, who was born in Western Australia and moved to England in 2013 to pursue a cricket career, also faces another count of rape. Prosecutors said that Hepburn began to rape the woman while she was asleep after getting into a bed in his apartment. Hepburn and his teammates at English county team Worcestershire had set up what was described in court as a “sexual conquest game” on WhatsApp. Hepburn had been “fired up” by his desire to win the competition, prosecutors said.
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