SOCCER
Portugal advance 3-1
On a night when Portugal unveiled its newest star, it was the same old Cristiano Ronaldo who came through for the national team again. Teenager Joao Felix, who has been called Ronaldo’s successor, made his international debut on Wednesday, but it was Ronaldo who scored the hat-trick that gave Portugal a 3-1 win over Switzerland and a spot in the final of the inaugural Nations League. “Clearly these were three very important goals, beautiful goals, but the most important is that we won and that the team have qualified for the final, which was our objective,” Ronaldo said.
SOCCER
FA criticizes unruly fans
The Football Association (FA) has labeled troublemaking fans at the Nations League in Portugal “an embarrassment” after they clashed with police on Wednesday night. Riot police charged England fans in the center of Porto after beer glasses were thrown in the special fanzone set up for the Nations League finals. “The FA strongly condemns the scenes witnessed in Porto overnight. Anyone responsible for these disturbances cannot be seen as true England supporters and are not welcome in football,” it said in a statement. “They are an embarrassment to the team and the thousands of well-behaved fans who follow England in the right way. We are liaising with the UK Football Policing Unit.” England supporters were staying in Porto ahead of yesterday’s match in nearby Guimaraes against the Netherlands and had gathered in the fanzone to watch Wednesday’s match between Portugal and Switzerland on outdoor big screens. The Guardian newspaper reported that hundreds of England fans were baton charged by riot police after they threw beer glasses. Deputy Chief Constable Mark Roberts, the National Police Chiefs’ Council soccer policing lead, said in a statement that the behavior was “incredibly disappointing” and “completely unacceptable.”
OLYMPICS
USOC seeks pregnancy rule
The US Olympic Committee (USOC) says it is working on reforms to prevent athletes from losing health insurance coverage when they become pregnant. Three US senators on Wednesday wrote to USOC chief executive officer Sarah Hirshland, asking her to provide details about the insurance program, saying the discontinuation of coverage when an athlete becomes pregnant is “unconscionable and may put at risk her health and that of her child.” The USOC provides funding for insurance to US governing bodies that run individual sports, and those bodies are responsible for determining which athletes receive coverage and under what conditions.
RUGBY UNION
Folau starts legal action
Sacked Wallabies star Israel Folau yesterday began legal action against Rugby Australia’s decision to dismiss him over social media posts, saying the move was to defend freedom of religion. “No Australian of any faith should be fired for practising their religion,” Folau said in a statement after filing his case with Australia’s employment watchdog, the Fair Workplace Commission. Folau had his contract terminated last month after a Rugby Australia tribunal found him guilty of a “high-level” breach of the governing body’s code of conduct for a post on Instagram that said “hell awaits” sinners.
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