SOCCER
Australia fan banned for life
A fan who made a Hitler salute at a match in Australia was yesterday banned for life, with the sport’s governing body saying it had a zero-tolerance for “offensive behavior.” The man, who has not been named publicly, was among a group of supporters at the Australia Cup final in Sydney on Saturday caught on camera making fascist gestures and reportedly chanting far-right Croatian songs. Football Australia said one spectator has been identified and handed a lifetime ban from any future games it sanctions, including national team, A-League and Australia Cup fixtures. “The conduct in question relates to a fascist salute or similar gesture conducted during the match and captured on the host broadcast,” the governing body said.
TENNIS
Alcaraz stunned in Astana
Carlos Alcaraz’s first ATP Tour event as world No. 1 on Tuesday ended in a 7-5, 6-3 defeat to David Goffin at the Astana Open and the Spaniard said he would have to learn how to play against opponents who dial up the pressure and aggression. Alcaraz, the youngest player to top the men’s world rankings, was broken five times by lucky-loser Goffin. “He played better than me, really, really aggressive,” said 19-year-old Alcaraz, who won his first Grand Slam title at the US Open last month. Goffin said he had been confident of pulling off an upset despite not playing well in his last few tournaments. “When you play against the world No. 1 on a big stage, big crowd, the fire inside gives you so much power to play your best tennis because you don’t have any choice,” he said.
GOLF
Woods to help US team
Tiger Woods is to be involved with the US Ryder Cup team in “some capacity” next year in Rome, captain Zach Johnson said on Tuesday. Woods, 46, has played in three majors this year following a car crash last year that nearly cost him his right leg. The 15-time major champion finished 47th at the Masters in April, withdrew in pain after the third round of the PGA Championship in May and missed the cut at The Open Championship in July — his most recent start. Woods has played at eight Ryder Cups and was vice captain in 2016. Johnson told reporters that even if Woods does not go with them to the tournament, he would be part of the team in some capacity. “He already is, practically. I can’t put this mildly — he loves the Ryder Cup,” Johnson said.
HORSE RACING
King Charles gets first win
King Charles III on Tuesday celebrated his first winner since he inherited the late Queen Elizabeth II’s horses when Just Fine eased to victory at Leicester. The 10-3 shot was ridden by Ryan Moore and trained by Michael Stoute — the same combination behind the queen’s win with Estimate in the Gold Cup at Ascot in 2013. “A winner for the King,” Stoute said. “It is great to have done that for him — and he was very impressive.” The king’s racing manager John Warren said he was “delighted that the king and queen consort [Camilla] have had their first winner and they’ll be delighted.” Just Fine, the sixth runner in the king’s name, won Leicester’s Premier Event Hire Venue Handicap by four-and-a-half lengths.
Bayer 04 Leverkusen go into today’s match at TSG 1899 Hoffenheim stung from their first league defeat in 16 months. Leverkusen were beaten 3-2 at home by RB Leipzig before the international break, the first loss since May last year for the reigning league and cup champions. While any defeat, particularly against a likely title rival, would have disappointed coach Xabi Alonso, the way in which it happened would be most concerning. Just as they did in the Supercup against VfB Stuttgart and in the league opener to Borussia Moenchengladbach, Leverkusen scored first, but were pegged back. However, while Leverkusen rallied late to
The lights dimmed and the crowd hushed as Karoline Kristensen entered for her performance. However, this was no ordinary Dutch theater: The temperature was 80°C and the audience naked apart from a towel. Dressed in a swimsuit and to the tune of emotional music, the 21-year-old Kristensen started her routine, performed inside a large sauna, with a bed of hot rocks in the middle. For a week this month, a group of wellness practitioners, called “sauna masters,” are gathering at a picturesque health resort in the Netherlands to compete in this year’s Aufguss world sauna championships. The practice takes its name from a
Japanese players are moving to English soccer in record numbers and more look set to follow with clubs attracted by their quality, strong work ethic and value for money. Kaoru Mitoma is the standout talent of five Japanese players in the English Premier League, with eight more in the Championship and two in League One. Liverpool midfielder Wataru Endo, the captain of Japan, believes his compatriots are “being held in higher esteem” by English clubs compared with the past. “The staff at Liverpool ask me about lots of Japanese players, not necessarily with a view to a transfer, but just saying this or
Roger Federer on Wednesday said that staying involved with tennis in retirement helped him avoid feeling “like an alien” ahead of this week’s Laver Cup in Berlin. Federer, who helped create the tournament, retired at the Laver Cup in London two years ago and has since stayed involved with the competition as an ambassador. “I’m happy I went back right away to some tournaments,” the 43-year-old told reporters. “I feel I ripped the Band-Aid off quite quickly and when I walk around the tennis sites I still feel I belong there,” he said. “I don’t feel like an alien, which is a