FORMULA ONE
Alonso downplays comment
Fernando Alonso and Ferrari were once again forced to downplay rumors of a rift after the Spanish driver lost his temper with team officials during qualifying for yesterday’s Italian Grand Prix. Alonso was heard calling his team “idiots” over the radio during his final qualifying lap on Saturday, but he insisted afterward he simply sarcastically called them “geniuses,” using the Italian term genii and not — as it sounded — scemi. The 32-year-old Alonso was angry that he was unable to benefit from Brazlian Felipe Massa’s slipstream as his teammate was too far ahead, with Australian Daniel Ricciardo’s Toro Rosso between the two Ferraris. Ricciardo let Alonso through and Massa did allow his teammate to catch up so he could benefit from his slipstream on the final lap. “I said thank you to the team, thank you to Felipe, for slowing down,” Alonso said. “They didn’t put the last radio message when I said thank you to Felipe, to the team, they put the radio message in front.
BASEBALL
Balentien closes on record
Former major leaguer Wladimir Balentien hit his 53rd home run of the season yesterday to move within two of Japanese baseball’s season record. Balentien’s Yakult Swallows have 23 games remaining in the regular season for him to reach the record of 55 set by Sadaharu Oh in 1964 and matched by ex-major leaguers Tuffy Rhodes in 2001 and Alex Cabrera in 2002. Balentien’s solo homer in the top of the sixth inning at Nagoya Dome helped the Swallows beat the Chunichi Dragons 5-1. Balentien, who is from the Dutch Caribbean island of Curacao, played for the Seattle Mariners and Cincinnati Reds before signing with the Swallows in 2011. The 29-year-old hit 31 homers in each of his first two seasons in Japan.
SOCCER
Ref turns to riot police
A referee called riot police on to the pitch during a Brazilian championship match to protect him from angry players following a bizarre incident involving a penalty. Two players from Portuguesa were sent off amid the confusion, which started when Gremio were awarded a decisive penalty 10 minutes from the end of Saturday night’s game. Portuguesa, who had fought back from 2-0 behind to level the score at 2-2, were angry about the decision, but their protests quickly died down. However, just as Gremio forward Kleber was about to take the kick, Portuguesa midfielder Bruninho walked into the area to point out that the ball was not properly on the spot. He was shown his second yellow card of the game and sent off, infuriating Portuguesa who surrounded the referee and gesticulated angrily. The referee signalled for police to come on to the field and six officials with riot shields and truncheons formed a cordon around him as the protests continued. Portuguesa defender Valdomiro was also sent off and Kleber finally took the kick after a five-minute delay, converting it to give Gremio a 3-2 win.
FOOTBALL
Miami extend Misi contract
The Miami Dolphins finalized a four-year contract extension with linebacker Koa Misi, the team has announced. The deal is worth US$17 million, FOX Sports said. Misi was entering the final year of his rookie deal. He is now signed through 2017. Misi had 65 tackles, 3.5 sacks and two forced fumbles last year.
Twelve days after winning her second Grand Slam title at the French Open, Coco Gauff fell at the first hurdle on grass in Berlin on Thursday as beaten Paris finalist Aryna Sabalenka advanced to the quarter-finals. Recipient of a first round bye, American Gauff lost 6-3, 6-3 to Chinese qualifier Wang Xinyu as world number one Sabalenka beat Rebeka Masarova 6-2, 7-6 (8/6) in her second round tie. Winner of 10 main tour titles, including the US Open in 2023 and the WTA Finals last year, Gauff has yet to lift a trophy in a grass-court tournament. “After I won the first
Lionel Messi drew vast crowds and showed flashes of his brilliance when his Inter Miami side were held to a goalless draw by African giants Al-Ahly as the revamped FIFA Club World Cup got off to a festive start on Saturday. Fans showed up en masse for the Group A clash at the Hard Rock Stadium, home to the NFL’s Miami Dolphins, but Messi could not fully deliver, his best chance coming through a last-second attempt that was deflected onto the crossbar. Inter Miami next face FC Porto on Thursday in Atlanta, while Al-Ahly, who benefited from raucous, massive support, are to
Sergio Ramos on Tuesday outfoxed two Inter players and artfully headed home the first goal for Monterrey at the FIFA Club World Cup. The 39-year-old Ramos slipped through the penalty area for the score just as he did for so many years in the shirts of Real Madrid and Spain’s national team, with whom he combined smarts, timing and physicality. Ramos’ clever goal and his overall defensive play at the Rose Bowl were major factors in Monterrey’s impressive 1-1 draw against the UEFA Champions League finalists in the clubs’ first match of the tournament. “There is always a joy to contribute to the
Aaron Civale got a little wild in the right-hander’s first start for the Chicago White Sox two days after he was traded by the Milwaukee Brewers. Civale on Sunday walked four of the first seven hitters he faced in a 2-1 loss to the Texas Rangers. The 30-year-old finished with four walks, one off his career high, while allowing six hits and two runs in five innings. He threw 65 strikes and 39 balls. Chicago trailed 2-1 when he was replaced by Dan Altavilla to start the sixth. “Not the cleanest,” Civale said. “It’s been a whirlwind of a week. First couple
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