SOCCER
Man U hit by hackers
Cybercriminals allegedly targeted Manchester United’s IT systems in a “sophisticated” hacking operation, the club said on Friday. “The club has taken swift action to contain the attack and is currently working with expert advisers to investigate the incident and minimize the ongoing IT disruption,” it said in a statement. All “critical systems” required for games to take place at Old Trafford were secure, the statement said, adding that yesterday’s game against West Bromwich Albion was to go ahead as planned. “We are not currently aware of any breach of personal data associated with our fans and customers,” it said. “These type of attacks are becoming more and more common and are something you have to rehearse for,” a spokesman for the club told the PA news agency.
SOCCER
Lyon women lose
Paris Saint Germain handed Olympique Lyonnais their first women’s first-division defeat in almost four years when Marie-Antoinette Katoto earned them a 1-0 home win on Friday. Katoto found the back of the net after 10 minutes to put PSG on top of the standings on 25 points from nine games, one ahead of Lyon, who had their 80-match unbeaten streak ended. It Lyon’s first loss in the first division since Dec. 12, 2016.
SOCCER
FIFA bans Yves Jean-Bart
FIFA has banned Haitian Football Federation president Yves Jean-Bart for life after finding him guilty of sexually harassing and abusing multiple female players, including minors, global soccer’s governing body said on Friday. FIFA provisionally suspended Jean-Bart in May while it investigated multiple allegations against him by victims, their friends and family members detailing how he coerced girls into sex by threatening that they would lose their places in national team programs. Jean-Bart has denied the allegations. “The adjudicatory chamber of the independent Ethics Committee has found Yves Jean-Bart ... guilty of having abused his position and sexually harassed and abused various female players, including minors, in violation of the FIFA Code of Ethics,” FIFA said in a statement on its Web site. “In its decision, the adjudicatory chamber ... sanctioned him with a life ban from all football-related activities (administrative, sports or any other) at both national and international level.” Jean-Bart, who on Thursday was cleared of any wrongdoing by the Haitian justice system, was also fined 1 million Swiss francs (US$1.1 million) by FIFA. A spokesman for Jean-Bart said that he would appeal FIFA’s decision.
FOOTBALL
Brees on injured list
The New Orleans Saints on Friday placed Drew Brees on injured reserve, ensuring that the star quarterback would miss at least three NFL games recovering from injuries that reportedly include broken ribs and a punctured lung. Brees exited last week’s win against the San Francisco 49ers at halftime with what the Saints called a rib injury, sustained on a second-quarter sack that was ruled roughing the passer by Kentavius Street. Brees finished out the first half, but reports trickled out this week that he was found to have multiple rib fractures and a collapsed lung. Brees, 40, is the NFL’s all-time leader in passing yards and touchdown passes. The Saints went 5-0 without their star signal-caller last season as he recovered from a torn ligament in his throwing hand. The Saints are to host the Atlanta Falcons today. ESPN reported that Taysom Hill would get the starting nod at quarterback ahead of Jameis Winston.
OUT AGAINST INDONESIA: Taiwan reached the semi-finals at the tournament for the first time by defeating Denmark, with Chou Tien-chen beating Viktor Axelsen Taiwan yesterday crashed out of the Thomas Cup team competition in Chengdu, China, but achieved their best result at the top-tier badminton event by reaching the semi-finals. Indonesia were too good in the semis, winning 3-0 to advance to today’s final against China, who eliminated Malaysia 3-1. In the opening singles of the men’s team clash at the Hi-Tech Zone Sports Center Gymnasium 2, Anthony Ginting defeated Taiwan’s Chou Tien-chen 21-18, 21-19 in 51 minutes, which put a huge hole in Taiwan’s aspirations to perhaps even make the final. In the men’s doubles, Fajar Alfian and Muhammad Ardianto downed Lee Yang and Wang
NO DOUBT: Spurs star Wembanyama was unanimously selected as NBA Rookie of the Year, winning all 99 votes to become the first Frenchman to capture the honor The Minnesota Timberwolves on Monday night produced a dominant defensive display to seize a commanding 2-0 lead in their best-of-seven playoff series against the Denver Nuggets with a 106-80 road victory. The third-seeded Timberwolves harassed Denver relentlessly to claim a second straight win over the NBA champions as the series heads back to Minneapolis for Game 3 on Friday. Karl-Anthony Towns and Anthony Edwards scored 27 points apiece, but the star of the show was Minnesota’s suffocating defensive effort, which knocked Denver out of their stride almost from the tip-off. The Timberwolves finished with 11 steals and 12 blocks, in sharp contrast to
Top-ranked Iga Swiatek on Saturday came through “the most intense and crazy final” she has ever contested to avenge her loss to Aryna Sabalenka in last year’s Madrid Open final with a grueling three hour, 11 minute victory in the Spanish capital. Coming back from 1-3 down in the decider and saving three match points in total, Swiatek claimed a 7-5, 4-6, 7-6 (9/7) victory to secure the Madrid Open trophy for the first time. “Well, who is going to say now that women’s tennis is boring, right?” Swiatek said. Swiatek, who picked up the 20th title of her career, and ninth at
One of Malaysia’s top soccer clubs has pulled out of today’s season-opening Charity Shield after a spate of assaults, including an acid attack, on players in the country. It leaves the kickoff of Malaysia’s season this weekend under a cloud following the unprecedented acts of violence against players, which have left the country shocked and angry. Authorities said they have imposed tighter security, but Selangor said that they would not play in the showpiece curtain-raiser against Malaysian Super League champions Johor Darul Ta’zim (JDT) citing “a series of criminal incidents and recent threats.” Selangor and Malaysia winger Faisal Halim is in intensive care