Italian tennis players punished for graft
MILAN • Italian Marco Cecchinato has been banned for 18 months and fined €40,000 (S$59,800) for his role in match-fixing and sports corruption, according to the Italian tennis federation.
He was a fourth reserve for the Italian Davis Cup team last week. Riccardo Accardi was banned a year and fined €20,000, while Antonio Campo received a four-month ban and €10,000 fine.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Bekele heartbroken after missing Rio
ADDIS ABABA• Triple Olympic gold medallist Kenenisa Bekele said he was bitterly disappointed to be left out of Ethiopia's team for the Rio Olympics and blamed members of the country's athletics federation whom he said knew nothing about the sport.
The 34-year-old, a 5,000m and 10,000m world -record holder, was left out of the marathon team as he had not run enough big races over the past year.
REUTERS
Green focused on gold despite hearing
WASHINGTON • Despite his pending misdemeanour assault charge, Draymond Green has one thing on his mind now - winning gold with the United States basketball team at the upcoming Rio Olympics.
The Golden State Warriors star allegedly slapped a Michigan State football player outside a bar in East Lansing, Michigan, earlier this month and the case is scheduled to go to court today.
WASHINGTON POST
Euro hero Santos gets four more years
LISBON • Coach Fernando Santos has extended his contract with Portugal until 2020, after leading them to a shock Euro 2016 football title.
The 61-year-old, who has been in charge since September 2014 and masterminded a huge reversal in fortunes, will guide Portugal through the 2018 World Cup in Russia and to the next European Championship.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Behave with EPL refs, players instructed
LONDON • English Premier League (EPL) footballers have been warned that they must show more respect to referees, in a wide-ranging clampdown on petulant behaviour ahead of the new season.
The English game's governing bodies are concerned that scenes of players and managers surrounding match officials, making physical contact and yelling abuse are being copied by children in age-group football.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
