■ Soccer
Barthez set to stay
FIFA on Thursday turned down a request for the out-of-favor Manchester United goalie to move quickly on loan to Marseille, where he aimed to clock up valuable between-the-posts time before Euro 2004. "FIFA won't comply with the request by Marseille," FIFA spokesman Andreas Herren said. FIFA's player status committee, meeting in Zurich, Switzerland, took the decision "on the basis of the international transfer regulations," Herren said in a telephone interview. FIFA rules do not allow players to move clubs outside certain times of the year. Marseille had hoped that FIFA would waive the rules for Barthez, a member of France's 1998 World Cup-winning team who has been stuck on the Red Devils' bench since May.
■ Soccer
UEFA fines Turkey, England
The Turkish Football Association was fined 30,000 Swiss francs (US$22,555) by UEFA on Thursday for the lack of order in the stadium during the Turkey vs England European championship qualifier earlier this month. Witnesses reported that about 50 players and officials from both teams scuffled after Turkish defender Alpay Ozalan jabbed a finger in England captain David Beckham's face at halftime of the Oct. 11 match. UEFA also fined the English FA 10,000 Swiss francs (US$7,520) for the improper conduct of some of its players in the tunnel. The Turkish FA was sanctioned for its part in the throwing of missiles as well as for the improper conduct of some of its players and one security staff member. No charges were brought against individual players.
■ Soccer
Arsenal players get fined
Arsenal defenders Lauren and Martin Keown were given multiple-match suspensions and handed heavy fines by the English Football Association on Thursday for their violent behavior at the end of a 0-0 draw with Manchester United. Captain Patrick Vieira and Ray Parlour were also fined and banned for one match each. Arsenal was also fined ?175,000 (US$297,500) for failing to ensure the proper behavior of its players at the end of the Sept. 21 game at Old Trafford. The club was reprimanded and warned to its future conduct. Arsenal said in a statement it was currently considering its position. "Arsenal requires its players to behave properly at all times, both on and off the field," the statement said. "The club accepts that what occurred during and immediately after the match ... fell well below the required standard. The club accepts responsibility for the behavior of its players."
■ Athletics
Hot weather sparks fears
With the temperature predicted to reach 22?C tomorrow for the New York City Marathon, the American Medical Athletic Association has warned runners against over hydrating. Overhydration, also known as hyponatremia, occurs when fluid intake exceeds fluid loss during exercise, throwing off the balance between the body's water and sodium levels. When the blood has too much water and too little sodium, the brain swells and pushes against the skill. "Runners often drink as much fluid as possible to avoid dehydration and to stay cool," said Dr. Arthur Siegel, a member of the AMAA. "But excessive intake of water and sports drinks can lead to nausea, vomiting and in the most severe instances, seizures, coma and even death."
■ Woodward gets generous
England coach Clive Woodward suggested yesterday that the team's 10,000 (US$16,000) fine for putting a 16th player on the field should go to help Samoan rugby. England was fined for ignoring orders from a match official and putting an extra player on the field during its 35-22 victory over Samoa on Sunday. The team sent winger Dan Luger on for the injured Mike Tindall even though the center was still on the field receiving treatment. Woodward said that the cash-strapped Samoans deserved the money because of the way they behaved after the blunder by not pushing for England to be punished and ruining what has so far been the best game of the World Cup. "They were outstanding before we played them, and my respect for them, especially their coaches John Boe and Michael Jones, is immense. Their line is that they didn't want anything to tarnish what was a great game of rugby. They were clearly being put under a fair amount of pressure to say something, and they wouldn't have anything to do with it.
■ Rugby
Wales renovates side
Effectively conceding defeat to New Zealand, Wales coach Steve Hansen has made 10 changes to the Wales lineup to meet the All Blacks in a final World Cup group game tomorrow. Iestyn Harris, the convert from rugby league who has performed well at this World Cup, is rested ahead of a quarterfinal against either defending champion Australia or Ireland, who meet today to decide who finishes top of Group A. The Welsh haven't beaten New Zealand since 1953. With the All Blacks so far averaging 70 points a game, there's little chance that sequence is going to change.
Fred Kerley is competing unaugmented against drug-fuelled athletes at this weekend’s Enhanced Games and still hopes to race in the 2028 Olympics, the suspended former 100m world champion said on Friday. Arguably the biggest name at the divisive event in Las Vegas, where doping is permitted, the US sprinter said he had chosen not to take any of the banned substances including testosterone and steroids that his competitors have been using. “I don’t need it. God gave me fast feet for a reason. And I’m here to showcase my talent,” Kerley said. Kerley last September became the first US competitor and first track
VICTORY ABROAD: The team took home a fistful of medals and secured spots for the autumn’s Asian Games, scheduled for September in Nagoya Taiwan’s women’s team captured the overall title at the Asian Taekwondo Championships in Mongolia on Sunday, finishing with two golds, one silver and one bronze medal. The strong showing, led by gold medalists Wang Chieh-ling and Chang Jui-en secured the full quota of available spots for Taiwan at the Asian Games in Nagoya, Japan, in September. Wang opened Taiwan’s medal run by winning gold in the women’s under-46kg class on Thursday, the first day of competition. Liu Yu-yun later earned a silver in the under-49kg class. On the final day on Sunday, Chang won Taiwan’s second gold medal in the under-62kg event, and
MLB is experiencing an epidemic of guys being dudes. At ballparks all across the US, groups consisting of mostly young men are joining in on the “Tarps Off” trend that is loud, goofy, infectious and new to the baseball world. Joining in on the fun is simple: Go to the section where the party is happening, take off your shirt and start twirling it above your head. Soccer-like chants or singing usually follow — injecting a jolt of energy for a sport that is occasionally chided for its lack of energy inside the stadium. After getting its start in St Louis, Missouri, on
Hull City AFC are to play Middlesbrough for a place in the Premier League after Southampton on Wednesday failed in their appeal against expulsion from the Championship playoff final for spying on opponents. Southampton were thrown out of the final on Tuesday and handed a four-point deduction for next season after they had beaten semi-final opponents Middlesbrough. “The original sanction of expulsion ... remains in place, as does the four-point deduction to be applied to the 2026/27 Championship table and the reprimand in respect of all charges,” the English Football League said in a statement. The final is to be played at Wembley
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