SOCCER
Dyche doubts sin bins
Everton manager Sean Dyche said he does not think sin bins are needed nor wanted in soccer and urged rulemakers to “leave the game alone.” The International Football Association Board (IFAB) approved trials of 10-minute sin bins at “higher levels” of the sport at a meeting this week, while measures to improve player behavior and increase respect for match officials were also supported. A proposed trial whereby only the team captain may approach the referee in certain game situations was backed, and it was also agreed that temporary dismissals for dissent and specific tactical offences should be trialed. Sin bins have already been tested at grassroots levels, but Dyche saw no need for them at the top level. “I don’t know why they don’t leave the game alone at times,” he told BBC Sport. “I don’t think it is needed. I don’t think it is wanted, personally, but fans might have a different view.” He also questioned how sin bins would be managed. “If a player goes off the pitch, how are you going to manage that? The health and safety? Is he warming up, or is he allowed to sit down? Does he have to stay sitting down? Does he get two minutes out of the 10 to warm up again?” The IFAB is also considering a measure that would see referees announce the final decision of video reviews. “Leave referees alone,” Dyche said. “I say take everything away, take the screen away, the noise away and let them get on with their job.”
CRICKET
Dominica withdraws
Dominica on Thursday withdrew as one of the cohosts of next year’s ICC T20 World Cup, citing the delay in completing upgrades of match and practice venues, Cricket West Indies said. Dominica was one of seven countries in the West Indies selected to stage matches in the showpiece tournament in June along with the US. Windsor Park in Roseau was scheduled to host one group match and two Super Eight games of the 20-team tournament, but the government has conveyed its inability to get the facilities ready on time, Cricket West Indies said in a statement. “While recognizing their commitment, we note the reasons stated for the decision that has been made and understand the position,” Cricket West Indies chief executive officer Johnny Grave said. “We look forward to continuing to work with the government of Dominica and the Dominica Cricket Association to host international matches in the future.” Tournament director Fawwaz Baksh said that contingency plans were ready.
RUGBY UNION
Tackle change to be trialed
Rugby Australia yesterday said that it would trial a lowering of the legal tackle height from the shoulder line to below the sternum in a bid to reduce concussions. The new measure would take effect from February for two years at all levels of the game below Super Rugby, following six years of research by World Rugby. Phil Waugh, the governing body’s chief executive, said that research by World Rugby showed a clear opportunity to make the game safer. “Obviously it is impossible to remove all risk from the game,” he said. “However, we firmly believe that promoting safer tackle techniques and reducing the risk of head contact and concussion will lead to an even safer game.”
Taiwan’s participation in the Olympic Games has been a story of politics as much as sports, with the name it has competed under since 1984 — Chinese Taipei — drawing as much attention as its athletes. However, with the Games of the XXXIII Olympiad set to begin in Paris on Friday, the exploits of Taiwan’s athletes past and present who have won 36 medals since the country’s debut in Melbourne in 1956 deserve a nod. Many of Taiwan’s medal winners have gained considerable name recognition, but only two have achieved legendary status — Maysang Kalimud and Chi Cheng, the only medal winners
Shohei Ohtani on Sunday hit a 473-foot (144m) home run as the Los Angeles Dodgers went deep six times in a 9-6 victory over the Boston Red Sox. Freddie Freeman, Teoscar Hernandez, Gavin Lux, Austin Barnes and Jason Heyward also connected as Los Angeles swept the three-game series. “Going into the break, we weren’t playing good baseball, and then to come out fresh against a really good ball club and to play the way we did — the offense came to life,” Los Angeles manager Dave Roberts said. It was the 25th time the Dodgers launched at least six homers in a game
Canada women’s soccer coach Bev Priestman on Wednesday said she would step away from the team’s opening game against New Zealand at the Paris Olympics in the wake of a drone scandal. New Zealand complained to the International Olympic Committee’s integrity unit after it said drones were flown over closed practice sessions earlier in the week. As of press time last night, Canada, the defending Olympic champions, were set to open the Paris Games against New Zealand in Saint-Etienne. In the fallout of the complaint, two staff members — assistant coach Jasmine Mander and analyst Joseph Lombardi — were sent home, the
Conventional wisdom dictates that the average retirement age for elite female players in the intense and physically demanding sport of badminton is well under 30 years old. Five female shuttlers are set to turn that on its head when they make their fourth Olympic appearances at the Paris Games, a feat never accomplished before. Taiwan’s Tai Tzu-ying, 30, Thailand’s Ratchanok Intanon, 29, Belgium’s Lianne Tan, 33, and Hong Kong’s Tse Ying Suet and Canada’s Michelle Li, both 32, are to compete for Olympic glory at Porte de La Chapelle Arena from Saturday to Aug. 5. “These achievements get missed because they’re women,” said