SOCCER
Clubs face UEFA punishment
UEFA on Tuesday opened formal disciplinary proceedings against Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juventus, the three clubs that are still refusing to give up the aborted European Super League project. “Following an investigation conducted by UEFA Ethics and Disciplinary Inspectors in connection with the so-called ‘Super League’ project, disciplinary proceedings have been opened against Real Madrid CF, FC Barcelona and Juventus FC for a potential violation of UEFA’s legal framework,” the governing body of European soccer said in a brief statement. UEFA on May 12 appointed “ethics and disciplinary inspectors” to conduct a preliminary investigation.
BASKETBALL
Randle wins most improved
Julius Randle is in his seventh season, later than the usual Most Improved Player winner. He is aware of the notion that by then, players have already shown what they are in the NBA and they are not going to get any better. He also knows he is not that type of player. “For me, it’s always about continuing to improve,” Randle said. He did that across the board this season and was on Tuesday rewarded with a runaway in the voting for the award after leading the New York Knicks to the playoffs. Randle received 98 first-place votes from a panel of 100 sportswriters and broadcasters to become the first Knicks player to win the Most Improved Player award. The NBA says the award is “designed to honor an up-and-coming player,” which Randle is not. Last season was a disappointment for him and the team, but he worked relentlessly to make sure it would not happen again. He averaged 24.1 points, 10.2 rebounds and 6.0 assists, ranking in the NBA’s top 20 in all three categories, while playing an NBA-high 37.6 minutes as what coach Tom Thibodeau has called the Knicks’ engine.
CYCLING
Germany boycotts Minsk
Germany’s national track cycling team are not competing at next month’s Elite Track European Championships in Belarus in response to what the West has called a state-sponsored hijacking involving an opposition journalist. Roman Protasevich was on Sunday arrested after being pulled off a flight that was diverted to Minsk. The German Cycling Association on Tuesday said it had contacted the European Cycling Union (UEC) “and made it clear that the German national track cycling team’s participation in the European Championships is not possible after the events of the weekend, and [that it] pushed for an alternative solution.” The UEC said that it was “carefully monitoring the situation” and would decide on a course of action regarding the championships, scheduled in Minsk from June 23 to 27, at its management board meeting today.
OLYMPICS
Sponsor urges cancelation
Japan’s Asahi Shimbun newspaper, an official Tokyo Olympics sponsor, yesterday called for the Games to be canceled, in the latest sign of opposition less than two months before the opening ceremony. The Asahi daily’s editorial urged Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga to “make a calm, objective assessment of the situation and make the decision to cancel this summer’s Olympics.” The paper said it “cannot accept the gamble” of holding the event, despite organizers’ assurances it would be safe.
US track and field athletes have about four dozen pieces to choose from when assembling their uniforms at the Olympics. The one grabbing the most attention is a high-cut leotard that barely covers the bikini line and has triggered debate between those who think it is sexist and others who say they do not need the Internet to make sure they have good uniforms. Among those critical or laughing at the uniforms included Paralympian Femita Ayanbeku, sprinter Britton Wilson and even athletes from other countries such as Britain’s Abigail Irozuru, who wrote on social media: “Was ANY female athlete consulted in
Four-time NBA all-star DeMarcus Cousins arrived in Taiwan with his family early yesterday to finish his renewed contract with the Taiwan Beer Leopards in the T1 League. Cousins initially played a four-game contract with the Leopards in January. On March 18, the Taoyuan-based team announced that Cousins had renewed his contract. “Hi what’s up Leopard fans, I’m back. I’m excited to be back and can’t wait to join the team,” Cousins said in a video posted on the Leopard’s Facebook page. “Most of all, can’t wait to see you guys, the fans, next weekend. So make sure you come out and support the Beer
Former US Masters champion Zach Johnson was left embarrassed after a foul-mouthed response to ironic cheers from spectators after a triple bogey at Augusta National on Friday. Johnson, the 2007 Masters winner, missed the cut after his three-over-par round of 75 left him on seven-over 151 for 36 holes, his six on the par-three 12th playing a big role in his downfall. Television footage showed Johnson reacting to sarcastic cheers and applause when he tapped in for the triple bogey by yelling: “Oh fuck off.” Such a response would be considered bad form in any golf tournament, but is particularly out of keeping
The sacred flame for the Paris Olympics was lit yesterday in Olympia, Greece, the birthplace of the ancient Games, in a ceremony inspired by antiquity and marked by messages of hope amid multiple global crises. “In ancient times, the Olympic Games brought together the Greek city states, even — and in particular — during times of war and conflict,” International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach said. “Today, the Olympic Games are the only event that brings the entire world together in peaceful competition. Then as now, the Olympic athletes are sending this powerful message — yes, it is possible to compete fiercely