■ SOCCER
Reo-Coker set to move
West Ham United captain Nigel Reo-Coker is to sign for Aston Villa, his agent Tony Finnigan said on Wednesday. The news comes the same day that the Hammers paid out ?7 million (US$13.9 million) to capture Newcastle's combative midfielder Scott Parker, seen as a natural replacement for Reo-Coker. "He will sign for Villa once their offer has been accepted," Finnigan told Sky Sports. Villa, managed by former Celtic boss Martin O'Neill, are also interested in Scottish player of the year, Japan's Shunsuke Nakamura, of Celtic.
■ SOCCER
Kingston moves to Hearts
Controversial Ghanaian midfielder Laryea Kingston has made his loan move from Russia's Terek Grozny to Hearts permanent, his agent Alexander Fedoseev said on Wednesday. He originally joined the Edinburgh club in the January transfer window and was once suspended for three matches after accusing a referee who sent him off of being a racist. He has signed a deal until 2010.
■ SOCCER
Olympic draw spots booked
Australia, Vietnam, Qatar and Uzbekistan have booked their places in the final crucial qualifying round for the soccer competition at the Beijing Olympics, with 12 teams set for next week's draw. Joining them are Japan, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, North Korea, Iraq, South Korea, Syria and Bahrain. The teams will be split into three groups of four at the draw on Wednesday, with only the group toppers representing Asia in Beijing. China qualify automatically as hosts.
■ RUGBY UNION
Two Fijians denied visas
The assistant manager and a key player in Fiji's national rugby team have been barred from Australia ahead of tomorrow's test against the Wallabies because of links to the Fijian military, which took power in a coup last year. Manager Semi Rogoyawa and prop Alefoso Yalayalatabua, who serve in the Fijian navy, have been denied visas under travel sanctions imposed by Australia against members of the Fijian armed forces and their families. "That is in accordance with Australia's travel restrictions on the Fiji military and other supporters of the coup," a spokesman for Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said. "Military personnel who are members of Fiji teams are covered by our policy on visas."
■ SOCCER
Nations seek Pele's support
Andean countries appealed on Wednesday to Brazilian soccer legend Pele to support their efforts to overturn a FIFA ban on international matches played above 2,500m. Bolivian President Evo Morales -- whose presidential palace in La Paz is 3,600m above sea level -- called on Pele not to support those who he said were discriminating against high-altitude countries. "I am your admirer and I want to ask you to defend your brothers," Morales said. Pele has expressed support for the ban, recalling how he and his Brazilian teammates suffered when playing high altitude matches and questioning why soccer authorities did not issue the ban earlier. Bolivia, along with Peru, Ecuador and Colombia, agreed on Wednesday to work together against the ban, issuing a declaration saying the new FIFA policy "violates the sovereignty of our nations."
SSC Napoli will have to wait one more week to seal the Serie A title after on Sunday being held to a goalless draw at Parma, while closest rivals Inter drew 2-2 in a dramatic game with SS Lazio. Antonio Conte’s team stayed one point ahead of Inter and were unfortunate not to win after twice striking the woodwork through Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa and Matteo Politano, while Scott McTominay also had a free-kick tipped onto the crossbar. The away side thought they would be handed a chance to take the points from the penalty spot in the 96th minute when David Neres
Omar Marmoush’s stunning long-range strike on Tuesday upstaged Kevin de Bruyne on the Manchester City great’s Etihad farewell. Marmoush let fly from about 30m to put City ahead in their 3-1 win against AFC Bournemouth in the Premier League. The victory moved Pep Guardiola’s team up to third in the standings and left qualification for the UEFA Champions League in their own hands heading into the last round of the season. “It’s really important. To be in the Champions League after what happened [this season] will be really nice,” the City manager said. De Bruyne was making his final home appearance for City before
Brighton & Hove Albion’s Jack Hinshelwood on Monday sealed a dramatic 3-2 victory against Liverpool to leave the English Premier League champions without a win since clinching the title. Arne Slot’s side took the lead through Harvey Elliott’s early opener before Yasin Ayari equalized at the American Express Stadium. Dominik Szoboszlai restored Liverpool’s advantage just before halftime, but Brighton staged a late fightback as Kaoru Mitoma leveled before Hinshelwood came off the bench to net with his first touch. Liverpool have taken just one point from their three matches following the title-clinching rout of Tottenham Hotspur on April 27. The Reds have lost at
Logan O’Hoppe, Taylor Ward and Matthew Lugo homered, and the Los Angeles Angels spoiled Clayton Kershaw’s season debut, beating the Los Angeles Dodgers 11-9 on Saturday night to take the first two games of the three-game series. Kershaw allowed three runs and threw 38 pitches in the first inning. The three-time National League Cy Young Award winner lasted four innings, giving up five runs on five hits with three walks and two strikeouts. Shoulder, toe and knee injuries limited Kershaw to seven games last season, and his 2025 debut was delayed as he recovered from multiple offseason surgeries. O’Hoppe had two hits with
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