OLYMPICS
Arrests prompt concern
Athletics Kenya on Friday warned that the arrest and arraignment of leading agent Federico Rosa could have a negative effect on athletes’ performances at next month’s Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. Rosa is a director of Rosa and Associati, an Italian-based sports management company that has managed a large number of Kenyan athletes since 1990. It counts former Olympic and three-time 1,500m world champion Asbel Kiprop as one of its members. “Athletics Kenya has learnt through third parties and the media of the arrest, questioning and arraignment in court of Mr Federico Rosa and his father, Dr Gabriele Rosa, who are senior members of the athletes representative accredited from Rosa and Associati of Italy,” the federation said in a statement. “We would like to point out that since Friday the authorities have not informed us or shared any information regarding the charges against the Rosas.”
SOCCER
Sakho proceedings dropped
UEFA on Friday dropped proceedings against Liverpool and France international defender Mamadou Sakho over a doping infringement, European soccer’s governing body said. “Following a hearing with the lawyers of the player and experts of the WADA [World Anti-Doping Association]-accredited laboratories on this case, the CEDB has decided to dismiss the case,” UEFA said in a statement, referring to its Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body. Sakho, 26, who was left out of the France squad for the Euro 2016 tournament, tested positive after a Europa League tie against Manchester United on March 17 after taking a product to reduce body fat. He served an initial 30-day suspension that was not extended. The centerback is said not to have known the composition of the weight-loss supplement and informed UEFA that he had acted in good faith. The player was available for international duty at Euro 2016, but manager Didier Deschamps left him out of the finals squad.
BASEBALL
Kang silent over probe
South Korean third baseman Kang Jung-ho had no comment on Friday on a reported probe of a sex assault allegation against him in Chicago as he and his Pirates teammates returned to Pittsburgh. “I’m just thinking about baseball right now and unfortunately I can’t comment on any matters of the investigation at this point,” Kang told reporters via his translator, H.K. Kim, as the Pirates prepared for a Major League Baseball game against the Chicago Cubs. The Chicago Tribune on Tuesday reported that Chicago police are investigating Kang after a 23-year-old woman alleged he sexually assaulted her last month in a Chicago hotel room. The newspaper said the incident took place in Chicago when the Pirates were in town to play the Cubs. No charges have been laid and Kang remains with the team.
OLYMPICS
Johnson withdraws from Rio
World No. 2 Dustin Johnson, who won his first major title at the US Open Golf Championship last month, will not play in the Rio de Janeiro Olympics because of concerns over the Zika virus. In a statement released to the Golf Channel on Friday by his agent, David Winkle of Hambric Sports Management, Johnson said his hopes of expanding his family with fiancee Paulina Gretzky meant it would be “irresponsible” to risk contracting the mosquito-borne virus that has been linked to birth defects.
After letting another big lead slip with an error-strewn performance at the French Open on Wednesday, top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka felt like getting as far away from the courts as possible. “Just want to quit tennis right now,” Sabalenka said after wasting a lead of a set and two breaks in a 3-6, 7-5, 6-0 loss to Diana Shnaider in the women’s singles quarter-finals. “We’ll see in few days. Hopefully I’ll get back on track mentally.” Sabalenka’s wait for a first French Open title continues despite the four-time major winner leading 4-1 in the second set and being two points from victory while
BIG NAMES GONE: Zverev is the clear favorite for a maiden Grand Slam title, reaching semi-finals for the fifth time in six years and finishing second on three occasions Alexander Zverev on Tuesday breezed past Rafael Jodar to stay on course for an elusive Grand Slam title at the French Open, while Jakub Mensik halted Joao Fonseca’s scintillating run in the quarter-finals. Zverev, the highest-ranked player left in the men’s draw, put an end to Spanish teenager Jodar’s impressive Roland Garros debut, easing into the semi-finals with a 7-6, (7/3), 6-1, 6-3 win. The 29-year-old Zverev is the clear favorite for a maiden Grand Slam title. He has finished runner-up on three occasions, including at the 2024 French Open. “I want to win the matches that are ahead of
Liverpool are in advanced talks with former AFC Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola as they seek a replacement for Arne Slot, reports said on Tuesday. Iraola has emerged as Liverpool’s top target to replace Slot, who was sacked on Saturday last week after a turbulent second season in charge. Liverpool have reportedly agreed a deal in principle to bring the Spaniard, who left Bournemouth at the end of this season, to Anfield. Sporting director Richard Hughes was heavily involved in hiring Iraola during his time at Bournemouth and is again spearheading the recruitment of the highly rated coach. The Reds are
US President Donald Trump said he would attend Game 3 of the NBA Finals on Monday at Madison Square Garden, but said he does not have much sympathy for ordinary basketball fans who cannot afford sky-high ticket prices to do the same. “They can watch it on television,” Trump said aboard Air Force One on Friday as he flew to Wisconsin for an event with farmers, after he was asked about tickets that have climbed as high as US$8,000 each when the New York Knicks and San Antonio Spurs square off in Manhattan for the first time in the series. “It’s sorta
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