Sports — International

Police under fire after 125 killed in Indonesia stadium stampede

  Malang, Indonesia (AFP) by Marchio Gorbiano with Dessy Sagita in Jakarta Indonesian police came under mounting criticism Sunday after at least 125 people died in a stampede at a football stadium where officers fired teargas on angry fans invading the pitch. The tragedy on Saturday night in the city of Malang, which also left 323 injured according to police, was one of the world’s deadliest sporting stadium disasters. Arema FC supporters at the Kanjuruhan […]

Montpellier’s Mercer recommends French ‘way forward’ to fellow English players

PARIS, France (AFP) – Montpellier No. 8 Zach Mercer says more of his English compatriots should head to play in France with Premiership clubs facing mounting financial issues. Mercer, 25, joined the Mediterranean outfit last season from Bath. He helped Montpellier win a first French title in June before claiming the Top 14 player of the season award this week. “I do recommend coming to France,” Mercer said after picking up the individual prize in […]

Hamilton says failure to win this season ‘not end of the world’

KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AFP) – Seven-time Formula One world champion Lewis Hamilton said on Wednesday he does not see it as “a dry spell” or “end of the world” if he fails to win a race this season. The Briton has struggled all year in his Mercedes and ahead of Sunday night’s race in Singapore is well out of the running for another world title, with Red Bull’s Max Verstappen on the cusp of retaining […]

Chess champ Carlsen accuses Niemann of recent cheating

OSLO, Norway (AFP) – Chess superstar Magnus Carlsen for the first time openly accused American Hans Niemann of cheating Monday, saying the rising star had done so more recently and more often than he previously admitted. The chess world has been shaken for three weeks by the Carlsen-Niemann controversy, since the 31-year-old five-time world champion withdrew from the Sinquefield Cup in the US after losing to Niemann, 19. Last week, the Norwegian’s abrupt withdrawal from […]

Mayweather scores KO in front of watching Pacquiao

  Tokyo, Japan (AFP) Floyd Mayweather knocked out mixed martial arts fighter Mikuru Asakura in the second round on Sunday in Japan in the latest of the retired boxing great’s post-retirement exhibitions. The 45-year-old Mayweather floored his opponent with a right hand as his former welterweight foe Manny Pacquiao watched ringside in Saitama. The American Mayweather, who retired in 2017 with an unbeaten 50-0 record, afterwards dismissed any prospect of a fight with the similarly […]

USA thrash Puerto Rico 106-42 at women’s basketball World Cup

SYDNEY, Australia (AFP) — Holders the United States hit the century mark against Puerto Rico on Friday to signal they mean business at the women’s basketball World Cup while Serbia upset Olympic silver medalists Japan. The three-time defending champions romped 106-42 in Sydney to make it 2-0 in Group A as they target an 11th title, after easing past a strong Belgium on the opening day of the 10-day championships. The Americans shot 54 percent […]

Celtics suspend coach Ime Udoka for entire NBA season

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) – The Boston Celtics suspended head coach Ime Udoka for the entire 2022-23 NBA season on Thursday for “violations of team policies.” “A decision about his future with the Celtics beyond this season will be made at a later date,” the team said in a statement. “The suspension takes effect immediately.” ESPN and The Athletic reported earlier Thursday that the 45-year-old Nigerian American had a consensual relationship with a female […]

Nets’ Simmons says Sixers unsupportive amid mental health struggle

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — Australian NBA guard Ben Simmons said in a podcast posted Thursday that he didn’t feel supported by the Philadelphia 76ers as he dealt with mental health issues. Simmons hadn’t played a game for the Sixers in the 2021-22 season when he was traded to the Brooklyn Nets in the deal that sent James Harden to Philadelphia last February. Simmons was the 2018 NBA rookie of the year and an […]

Alvarez sees off Golovkin to retain undisputed super-middleweight crown

LAS VEGAS, United States (AFP) – Saul “Canelo” Alvarez retained his undisputed super-middleweight world title on Saturday, seeing off Gennady Golovkin to complete their epic fight trilogy in Las Vegas. Mexico’s Alvarez was in charge for most of an electric 12 rounds at the T-Mobile Arena, winning a unanimous decision to spark wild scenes of celebration among the Mexican fans who made up most of the sell-out crowd. One judge scored the bout 116-112 while […]

Federer hails ‘incredible adventure’ as he announces retirement

  GENEVA, Switzerland (AFP) — Roger Federer will retire following next week’s Laver Cup after admitting his battles with a knee problem had forced him to call time on his historic tennis career. Tributes poured in for the 41-year-old Swiss legend from rivals such as Rafael Nadal, while Serena Williams welcomed him to the “retirement club”. Federer, a winner of 20 Grand Slam titles and one of the best players of all time, has been […]

Legend Federer hails ‘incredible adventure’ as he announces retirement

  Geneva, Switzerland (AFP) Swiss tennis legend Roger Federer is to retire after next week’s Laver Cup after admitting on Thursday his battles with a knee problem had forced him to call time on his historic career. “The Laver Cup next week in London will be my final ATP event,” he said in a statement on social media. The 41-year-old winner of 20 Grand Slam titles has been out of action since a quarter-final loss […]

LeBron, Paul rip NBA for falling short in punishing Sarver

LOS ANGELES, United States (AFP) — NBA stars LeBron James and Chris Paul blasted the NBA for imposing what they consider a light punishment on Phoenix Suns owner Robert Sarver for racist and misogynist remarks. National Basketball Players Association (NBPA) executive director Tamika Tremaglio also weighed in, saying Sarver should “never hold a managerial position in our league again” after his “horrible” conduct. Sarver was fined $10 million and issued a one-year suspension from league […]