PREMIER LEAGUE
Firmio scores three
Roberto Firmio scored a hat-trick, while Sadio Mane and Mohamed Salah also netted as Liverpool crushed Watford 5-0 in the Premier League yesterday. The result sent Liverpool to the top of the table ahead of the rest of the weekend’s games.
BUNDESLIGA
Hoffenheim beat Cologne
TSG 1899 Hoffenheim on Friday brought Cologne back to Earth, winning 5-0 in the Bundesliga. Cologne were sixth before kick-off, but their strong form came with a little weakness considering that they had conceded at least one goal in every game. Togo striker Ihlas Bebou led the way with the opening two goals, before midfielders Christoph Baumgartner and Dennis Geiger added two more and defender Stefan Posch finished the scoring.
LIGUE 1
Mbappe gives PSG win
Kylian Mbappe on Friday converted a late penalty to give Paris Saint-Germain a 2-1 win over Angers in Ligue 1. PSG had to come from behind, with Danilo Pereira heading in the equalizer midway through the second half after Angelo Fulgini had given the away side the lead.
WORLD CUP
Poland seeks FIFA help
Poland’s soccer bosses are to ask FIFA to take action against people who made what they say are false accusations of racism against defender Kamil Glik after a heated mass scuffle during a game against England. Poland team officials had previously said that their players did not racially abuse England defender Kyle Walker during the fracas, which took place during a World Cup qualifying match in Warsaw in September.
WORLD CUP
Infantino backs Cup plan
FIFA president Gianni Infantino on Friday defended his plan to hold the World Cup every two years during a visit to Venezuela, saying that it would increase the chances for smaller nations to qualify. “Our job as FIFA is to constantly think about how we can improve football in the world, to make football truly global,” Infantino said during an event in Caracas. “The FIFA president is president of the 111 countries and all those countries have the right to dream, a dream like the Vinotinto [Venezuela’s national team] dream.”
FIFA
Afghanistan exits touted
World soccer’s governing body FIFA on Friday said that it had worked with the Qatari government to evacuate almost 100 players and their families from Afghanistan after the Taliban seized control of Afghanistan’s capital, Kabul, on Aug. 15.
? E-SPORTS
Gaming rights addressed
FIFA on Friday said that it would widen its gaming and e-sports portfolio to ensure that controlling rights do not lie in the hands of one party. The New York Times earlier this week that said video game publisher Electronic Arts is struggling to renew the contract that would let it use FIFA’s name for its top-selling soccer franchise. “The future of gaming and e-sports for football stakeholders must involve more than one party controlling and exploiting all rights,” FIFA said, adding that technology and mobile companies are now competing to be associated with FIFA, its platforms, and global tournaments.
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