SOCCER
Beer to flow at World Cup
Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff on Wednesday signed into law a measure approving beer sales during 2014 World Cup matches, bowing to pressure from world governing body FIFA. The bill was passed last month by the senate after international soccer authorities balked over an alcohol prohibition in Brazil’s sports arenas that has been in force since 2003. Lawmakers last month passed a package of measures demanded by FIFA that include selling beer in plastic cups, despite concerns from some lawmakers that allowing alcohol consumption could lead to rowdiness at the event. The announcement that the measure is now law was published in Brazil’s official journal. Its passage ends a long and strident battle between world soccer authorities and the Brazilian government, which is eager to prevent hooliganism and violence as it hosts the sport’s most celebrated event.
SOCCER
Bluebirds switch to red
Cardiff City, known as the Bluebirds, will switch to red shirts, the club have announced, weeks after their Malaysian owners assured upset fans they were abandoning plans to change. Cardiff chief executive Alan Whiteley said in a statement that the “revolutionary move” to switch color was decided in discussions with the owners, who have pledged to pump in more money. Vincent Tan, a Malaysian tycoon of Chinese origin, had been considering the change because red is “luckier,” as well as being the Wales national side’s color, until fans’ “vociferous opposition” saw the plans temporarily halted. However, on their Web site, the club said their primary home color had been changed to red, while the team would retain blue as an away option. A third kit is to be revealed later. The statement did not specify how much Cardiff’s backers Tan and chairman Chan Tien Ghee would invest, but it said the money stood to resolve the club’s long-standing debt problems.
SOCCER
Steve Clarke leaves Anfield
Former Liverpool assistant manager Steve Clarke has left the club, the League Managers’ Association said on Wednesday. Clarke’s departure was widely anticipated after the club sacked Kenny Dalglish — the man who took him to Anfield in January last year — as their manager last month. Liverpool appointed former Swansea City manager Brendan Rodgers as their new boss last week and the two clubs have agreed a compensation package which has seen three of his backroom staff move to Anfield, including his assistant, Colin Pascoe.
GOLF
Carlsson grabs Nordea lead
Magnus Carlsson of Sweden shot a seven-under 65 on Wednesday to open up a two-stroke lead after the opening round of the Nordea Masters. Carlsson’s round was soured by making a bogey on the last at Bro Hof, Sweden. Countryman Peter Hanson and Richard Bland of England were two shots back. World No. 3 Lee Westwood was in a group of eight at four-under. Playing partner and defending champion Alex Noren shot a 74.
ICE HOCKEY
Canadiens fire two coaches
The Montreal Canadiens fired assistant coaches Randy Cunneyworth and Randy Ladouceur on Wednesday, a day after hiring Michel Therrien as head coach. Cunneyworth finished the season as Montreal’s interim head coach after the team fired Jacques Martin in December last year. The Canadiens went on to finish last in the Eastern Conference.
A seven-year-old horse had to be euthanized on Friday after breaking its back on the final fence of a Grand National steeplechase race that it won despite sustaining the serious injury. It follows the death of four horses at the Cheltenham Festival last month — including one after the prestigious Gold Cup. Gold Dancer was competing in the Mildmay Novices’ Chase during Ladies Day at Aintree’s Grand National Festival. The horse managed to cross the finish line approximately four lengths ahead of runner-up Regent’s Stroll. “The winner of our second race of the day, Gold Dancer, was pulled up after
Taiwanese gymnast Tang Chia-hung on Sunday topped the men’s horizontal bar event at the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) World Cup in Osijek, Croatia, scoring 15.233 to take his third title this season. Tang delivered an outstanding performance in the final, earning a difficulty score of 6.500 and an execution score of 8.633 with a 0.1 stick bonus. His closest competitor was Milad Karimi of Kazakhstan, who finished second with 14.933 points. It was Tang’s third gold medal in the FIG World Cup series this year, following his horizontal bar wins in Azerbaijan on March 8, and in Turkey on March
The Daredevils yesterday took eight catches in the final as they eked out a victory in the Taiwan Cricket Triangular Tournament against PCCT at Yingfeng Cricket Ground in Taipei’s Songshan District. PCCT’s batting lineup collapsed after they asked the Daredevils to bowl in the T20 decider of the weekend tournament that also involved the Formosa Cricket Club. PCCT were bundled out for 76 in 16.2 overs against a disciplined Daredevils attack. Ninad Malwade was the top scorer in the innings with 21, but he was among those who offered chances to the fielders. Shane Ferreira and Jason Cameron took three wickets each, with
This year’s Taiwan Athletics Open, which offers Taiwanese athletes an opportunity to compete against their international peers, would be held under a new name after its organizers had earlier announced the event’s cancelation. In a statement issued yesterday, the Chinese Taipei Athletics Association said the competition would still take place on June 6-7 at Banciao Stadium, but under the name “New Taipei City Athletics Open 2026.” The event was given a new name to emphasize its local identity and conform with the international practice of naming World Athletics Tour events after cities, the association said. It said it would soon
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