SOCCER
Hertha lose their appeal
Hertha BSC Berlin have lost their appeal for a replay of their relegation playoff match at Fortuna Duesseldorf 1895 last week, which was twice interrupted by crowd trouble and ended with them being relegated from the top tier. The German football federation’s sporting tribunal said it could find no justification for ordering a replay of the relegation playoff second-leg that ended 2-2, giving Fortuna a 4-3 aggregate win. The club, who went straight down after only one season in the top flight, said the decision was “totally incomprehensible” and that they would appeal to the highest tribunal, the Bundesgericht. “The appeal was not successful because no reasons for objection could be found,” said Hans Lorenz, head of the tribunal. “The referee at all times acted according to the rules and Hertha’s claim that the team was weakened by the interruption could not be proved.”
BASEBALL
Feliz put on disabled list
The division-leading Texas Rangers face a nervous wait for Neftali Feliz to recover fitness after placing the starting pitcher on the disabled list on Monday. The 24-year-old Feliz has a sprained ligament in his right elbow that is likely to keep him out at least through the All-Star break and possibly longer. Feliz, who spent the past two years as the team’s closer before joining the starting rotation this season, is 3-1 with a 3.16 ERA. The Rangers entered Monday night with a five-game lead in the American League West, but they now have to look for ways to compensate for their loss. Texas general manager Jon Daniels indicated the team may even consider signing a free agent.
BASKETBALL
Magic fire Van Gundy
The Orlando Magic fired head coach Stan Van Gundy following a season where he clashed with All-Star center Dwight Howard, the NBA team said on Monday. Van Gundy, who said in March that Howard wanted him fired, was named head coach of the Magic in 2007 and led the team to the NBA Finals in 2009. The Magic, who were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs by the Indiana Pacers two weeks ago, also said general manager Otis Smith and the team had mutually agreed to part ways. “These are the days you dread in this business, but we feel it’s time for new leadership and new voices,” Orlando chief executive Alex Martins said in a statement. “The disappointment of getting eliminated in the first round of the playoffs these past two seasons played a primary role in our decision, as we feel our momentum towards winning a championship has paused.” Van Gundy had a 259-135 record with the Magic and led the team to the post-season in each of his five seasons in charge, including three Southeast Division titles.
GOLF
Woods’ niece eyes LPGA
Cheyenne Woods, the 21-year-old niece of 14-time major winner Tiger Woods, has signed with her uncle’s agent, Mark Steinberg, and is set to start playing in LPGA Tour events this year. In a statement posted on the Excel agency Web site on Monday, Cheyenne Woods said she plans to play in LPGA events this year on sponsor exemptions and seek a full-time spot on the women’s tour through the qualifying tournament. “I am really looking forward to pursuing my goals and dreams to compete on the highest level,” she said. “As I begin my professional career, I am confident and excited about working with Excel as they help shape my future.” She posted the lowest scoring average at Wake Forest University.
Shohei Ohtani and Clayton Kershaw on Friday joined their Los Angeles Dodgers teammates in sticking their fists out to show off their glittering World Series rings at a ceremony. “There’s just a lot of excitement, probably more than I can ever recall with the Dodger fan base and our players,” manager Dave Roberts said before Los Angeles rallied to beat the Detroit Tigers 8-5 in 10 innings. “What a way to cap off the first two days of celebrations,” Roberts said afterward. “By far the best opening week I’ve ever experienced. I just couldn’t have scripted it any better.” A choir in the
The famously raucous Hong Kong Sevens are to start today in a big test for a shiny new stadium at the heart of a major US$3.85 billion sports park in the territory. Officials are keeping their fingers crossed that the premier event in Hong Kong’s sporting and social calendar goes off without a hitch at the 50,000-seat Kai Tak Stadium. They hope to entice major European soccer teams to visit in the next few months, with reports in December last year saying that Liverpool were in talks about a pre-season tour. Coldplay are to perform there next month, all part of Hong Kong’s
Shohei Ohtani, Teoscar Hernandez and Tommy Edman on Thursday smashed home runs to give the reigning World Series champions the Los Angeles Dodgers a 5-4 victory over Detroit on the MLB’s opening day in the US. The Dodgers, who won two season-opening games in Tokyo last week, raised their championship banner on a day when 28 clubs launched the season in the US. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts shuffled his batting lineup with all four leadoff hitters finally healthy as Ohtani was followed by Mookie Betts, then Hernandez and Freddie Freeman in the cleanup spot, switching places with Hernandez. “There’s a Teoscar tax to
Marcus Rashford’s first goals for Aston Villa on Sunday inspired a 3-0 win against Preston North End that sent his side into the FA Cup semi-finals for the first time in 10 years. Rashford struck twice in the second half at Deepdale to end Preston’s stubborn resistance before Jacob Ramsey wrapped up Villa’s long-awaited return to the last four. Villa are to face Crystal Palace — 3-0 winners at Fulham on Saturday — in the semi-finals at Wembley Stadium in London. Revitalized since joining Villa on loan from Manchester United during the January transfer window, Rashford is beginning to show the form that
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