■BADMINTON
Taiwanese players crash out
It was a bad day for Taiwanese players at the Asia Championships in Suwon, South Korea, yesterday. The three remaining Taiwanese in the mens’ singles — Hsueh Hsuan-yi, Chou Tien-chen and Liao Sheng-shiun — all lost their second round matches. Hong Kong’s Chan Yan Kit, the No. 6 seed, also bowed out, losing to Lee Cheol-ho of South Korea. Meanwhile, Taiwan’s Chen Hsiao-huan and Chiang Pei-hsin fared no better than their male counterparts in the second round of the women’s singles. Chinese fifth seed Xie Xingfang beat Chiang 21-16, 19-21, 21-14, while China’s Jiang Yanjiao beat Chen Hsiao Huan 21-17, 21-10. Top-seed Zhou Mi of Hong Kong beat Zhu Jingjing of China 21-19, 21-16 and second-seeded Lu Lan of China breezed past Bae Seung-hee of South Korea 21-12, 21-12.
■CYCLING
Armstrong in trouble
France’s anti-doping agency says seven-time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong violated its rules and that it could punish him. French doctors say they tested Armstrong’s hair, urine and blood in a March 17 test. They say they found no traces of drugs. However, the agency, known as AFLD, said in a statement yesterday that a doctor charged with testing Armstrong last month claimed the US rider “did not respect the obligation to remain under the direct and permanent observation” of the tester. The AFLD says it can impose sanctions Armstrong, but did not indicate what they would be. Armstrong is set to ride in this year’s Tour.
■BOXING
Champ, uncle ‘trade blows’
Puerto Rican police say they are investigating an alleged fight between WBO welterweight champion Miguel Cotto and his trainer, who have had a sometimes combative relationship in the past. A statement issued by the police says the boxer and Evangelista Cotto, the fighter’s uncle, exchanged blows on Wednesday after a heated argument about training at a gym in the champ’s hometown of Caguas. After the bruising scrap, Evangelista Cotto allegedly threw a cement block at his nephew’s 2009 Jaguar, shattering a right-side window. Puerto Rican detectives are investigating the incident even though neither of the men has filed a complaint.
■AUSTRALIAN RULES
Pair in chicken sex shocker
Two leading players have been fined A$5,000 (US$3,550) each for their part in making an offensive video showing a rubber chicken simulating sex with a chicken carcass. North Melbourne’s Adam Simpson and Daniel Pratt were each fined by their club after admitting they were among eight players who made the video last year. The video, which was posted on the internet this week but subsequently removed, has been described as tasteless and offensive to women and drew strong criticism from the sport’s governing body the AFL. The North Melbourne club decided not to suspend the players but instead fined them for breaching the team’s code of conduct. “It was a foolish, misguided prank that is clearly offensive. We’re embarrassed and apologetic for that as a football club,” North Melbourne chief executive Eugene Arocca told reporters. “We’re going to take the opportunity to move forward, educate our players further about their responsibilities as players and as members of the community.”
Inter on Sunday were given a letoff when they snatched a late 1-1 derby draw with AC Milan, while league leaders SSC Napoli were held by a late goal at AS Roma. Reigning champions Inter remain three points behind Napoli, who looked to be heading five clear as they led in Rome until Angelino volleyed in a stunning leveler in the first minute of stoppage-time. Angelino’s strike gave even more significance to Stefan de Vrij’s last-gasp equalizer at the San Siro. The defender forced home Nicola Zalewski’s knockdown just as it looked like Tijjani Reijnders’ opener would be enough for Milan. “I can
The Washington Capitals and Winnipeg Jets on Saturday did not disappoint in a thrilling midseason matchup in front of a fired-up sellout crowd of more than 18,500 fans. The top two teams in the NHL delivered with a combined nine goals, including the 877th of Alex Ovechkin’s career to put him 18 back of breaking Wayne Gretzky’s record. That tied the score, the Jets pulled it out in overtime and just about everyone involved got their money’s worth out of the 5-4 game. “We knew how we were both sitting in the standings and both having real good years,” Winnipeg coach Scott
BACK-TO-BACK: The League One club, which is owned by stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, is sparing no expense to clinch promotion to the Championship Hollywood endings are pricey, even in England’s third division. In pursuit of their third straight promotion, Wrexham AFC splashed some cash at League One rival Reading to secure the services of striker Sam Smith. The Welsh club owned by actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney confirmed the signing of the 26-year-old Smith on Friday. He is one of the top scorers in the third division. The transfer fee was not disclosed, but British media widely reported it to be about £2 million (US$2.48 million) — not extravagant, but a hefty price at this level and it would be about the same figure that
Less than a week after splashing out a world-record fee for Naomi Girma, Chelsea has spent big again to bring England midfielder Keira Walsh back to the English Women’s Super League. Walsh left European champions Barcelona after more than two years to join Chelsea for a reported £400,000 (US$496,000) on Friday. Walsh was the world’s most expensive player for two years after moving to Barcelona from Manchester City for a reported £400,000 in 2022. That status now belongs to Girma, the US defender who cost Chelsea a reported £900,000 to sign from the San Diego Wave. Still, it means 27-year-old Walsh — a technically