OLYMPICS
IOC head coy about staying
International Olympic Committee (IOC) president Thomas Bach yesterday refused to rule out standing again as several members called for a change of rules that would let him extend his time in office. The 69-year-old German was first elected for an eight-year term in 2013 and re-elected for a four-year spell in 2021. Several countries called for Bach to continue past 2025 during the opening day of the 141st IOC Session in Mumbai, in which he announced plans to look at creating an eSports Games. Bach responded by saying he was “loyal to the Olympic Charter,” but did not rule out agreeing to an amendment that would allow him to run again.
SOCCER
Sheikh withdraws United bid
Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim bin Hamad Al Thani has withdrawn a bid to buy Manchester United, a source close to the deal said on Saturday. United announced nearly a year ago that they were exploring “strategic alternatives to enhance the club’s growth,” with a full sale one of the options. Sheikh Jassim and British billionaire Jim Ratcliffe were the front-runners after several rounds of bidding earlier this year, but the process has stalled in the past few months despite the anger of supporters towards current owners, the Glazer family. The Daily Mail reported that Ratcliffe is set to secure a 25 percent stake in the club for about £1.5 billion (US$1.82 billion).
ICE HOCKEY
Pens win in late surge
Evgeni Malkin on Saturday had a goal and an assist during a five-goal third-period surge, with the Pittsburgh Penguins beating the Calgary Flames 5-2. Malkin tied Alexander Mogilny for third-most goals in NHL history among Russian-born players. Malkin, who scored his 473rd career goal, trails only Sergei Fedorov (483) and Alex Ovechkin (822). Malkin and the Penguins admittedly are not happy after their run of 16 consecutive playoff appearances ended last spring. “I want to win. I want to play hard,” Malkin said. “We don’t like to miss the playoffs. These points are the same two points in March or February.”
FOOTBALL
Kittle fined for T-shirt
San Francisco 49ers tight end George Kittle has been fined more than US$13,000 by the NFL for wearing a profane T-shirt about the Dallas Cowboys. Kittle wore a T-shirt under his uniform last Sunday night that presumably read “Fuck Dallas,” but most of the first word was hidden by white tape. He exposed it to the national television audience after a touchdown run in the fourth quarter by Jordan Mason. The league on Saturday announced that Kittle was fined US$13,659 for the infraction. Kittle said earlier in the week that he expected to be fined, but said it would be worth the penalty. “One-hundred percent,” he said. “I’d do it again.”
SOCCER
Fireworks halt PSG match
A French women’s league match between Paris Saint-Germain and Reims was abandoned on Saturday after a torrent of fireworks were launched onto the pitch. Players hurried toward the dressing rooms at the start of the second half as tens of fireworks rained down from outside the stadium. The referee called the game off with the score 0-0.
Inter on Sunday were given a letoff when they snatched a late 1-1 derby draw with AC Milan, while league leaders SSC Napoli were held by a late goal at AS Roma. Reigning champions Inter remain three points behind Napoli, who looked to be heading five clear as they led in Rome until Angelino volleyed in a stunning leveler in the first minute of stoppage-time. Angelino’s strike gave even more significance to Stefan de Vrij’s last-gasp equalizer at the San Siro. The defender forced home Nicola Zalewski’s knockdown just as it looked like Tijjani Reijnders’ opener would be enough for Milan. “I can
The Washington Capitals and Winnipeg Jets on Saturday did not disappoint in a thrilling midseason matchup in front of a fired-up sellout crowd of more than 18,500 fans. The top two teams in the NHL delivered with a combined nine goals, including the 877th of Alex Ovechkin’s career to put him 18 back of breaking Wayne Gretzky’s record. That tied the score, the Jets pulled it out in overtime and just about everyone involved got their money’s worth out of the 5-4 game. “We knew how we were both sitting in the standings and both having real good years,” Winnipeg coach Scott
BACK-TO-BACK: The League One club, which is owned by stars Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney, is sparing no expense to clinch promotion to the Championship Hollywood endings are pricey, even in England’s third division. In pursuit of their third straight promotion, Wrexham AFC splashed some cash at League One rival Reading to secure the services of striker Sam Smith. The Welsh club owned by actors Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney confirmed the signing of the 26-year-old Smith on Friday. He is one of the top scorers in the third division. The transfer fee was not disclosed, but British media widely reported it to be about £2 million (US$2.48 million) — not extravagant, but a hefty price at this level and it would be about the same figure that
Santiago Castro on Tuesday had an immediate impact off the bench as he scored the goal to send Bologna into the Coppa Italia semi-finals for the first time in 26 years. Bologna won 1-0 against last year’s runners-up, Atalanta BC, and are to play either holders Juventus or Empoli in the final four. Juventus are to host Empoli in their quarter-final on Feb. 26. The last time Bologna reached the semi-finals was in 1999, when they lost 4-2 to ACF Fiorentina. There were chances for both sides in a high-tempo match in Bergamo, but it was Bologna who broke the deadlock 10 minutes from