WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 17, 2016 SPORTS

Brazil court freezes Australian back Turner Shenhua terminates Neymar’s assets joins Exeter from Toulon Cahill’s contract SAO PAULO: Brazilian authorities have blocked assets of Barcelona star LONDON: Exeter yesterday announced the signing of Australian SHANGHAI: Australia’s top goalscorer Tim Cahill has had his contract Neymar, including a yacht, a jet and several properties worth almost $50 mil- international utility back Lachie Turner with immediate effect. The terminated by Chinese club Shanghai Greenland Shenhua, he said yes- lion. A Sao Paulo federal court rejected an appeal from the Brazilian striker 28-year-old played for Toulon for the duration of the Rugby World terday, a year after he joined. The 36-year-old veteran and former last week and started issuing warrants to freeze the assets worth Cup and signed a two-and-a-half-year deal with the English Everton star agreed to extend his stay just months ago, but 192 million reals (almost $50 million), Brazilian media reported on Premiership side high-flyers Exeter. The signing comes at an oppor- said on Instagram: “I’m very sorry to announce that I have Monday. Last year, Neymar, his family and related businesses tune time for Exeter, who sit second in the Premiership table and reached an agreement with Shanghai Shenhua to termi- were found guilty of evading 63 million reals in taxes (almost will take on Wasps in the European Champions Cup quarter-finals nate my contract.” “I’m not part of the new coach $16 million) between 2011 and 2013 when he was playing for next month. “We’re really pleased to have Lachie on board,” Exeter Manzano’s plans for the 2016 season,” he said he had Brazilian club Santos. He has denied any wrongdoing.The 23- coach Rob Baxter said. “We’ve tracked him for some time now and, been told. A spokesman for Shenhua did not immedi- year-old Neymar used the jet to travel to Brazil for World Cup once we knew he had finished his time with Toulon, where he was ately respond to request for comment. Cahill, one of qualifying matches and holidays. Iagaro Jung Martins, on World Cup cover, we started the process of having a real good the biggest foreign names in the Chinese Super an auditor with Brazil’s federal tax agency, told The look at him. “Immediately you could see he was a very good rugby League (CSL), said in the posting he was “very sad”, Associated Press that Neymar isn’t likely to go to player and, having really looked at his game, we believe he can real- adding: “Regardless of whether my contract is being jail if he pays what regulators say he owes. “He ly add something to us in terms of our back-three options. “Now he’s honoured and paid out in full, I would much can still appeal that decision, but it is a step here, we will look to ease him gently following his flight over and rather have seen it out.” He did not reveal his forward,” Martins told the AP. “Nothing then as the week progresses, gradually introduce him into full train- future plans, but said he would share more changed to what was in place last year: if he ing with the squad.” Former Waratahs and Reds speedster Turner information once “final details” are com- pays what he owes, the case is closed.—AP needed little convincing to join Exeter. “It’s something when the pleted. —AFP opportunity arose that I jumped at,” Turner said.—AFP

Russia: Biathlon is clean CEO of Athletics Kenya steps despite Sochi doping probe aside over bribery allegations MOSCOW: Russia’s biathlon chief, to comment. Biathlon, a gruelling com- speaking after the International Biathlon bination of long-distance skiing and rifle Union (IBU) said it would investigate shooting, is one of Russia’s most popular NAIROBI: The chief executive of the track and possible cheating at the 2014 Winter winter sports and a symbol of the coun- field governing body in Kenya has taken tempo- Olympics, said yesterday that the winter try’s past sporting triumphs. rary leave after two athletes alleged in an inter- sport was free of doping in his country. Soviet biathletes repeatedly topped view with The Associated Press that he asked IBU Vice President James Carrabre Olympic and World Championship them for a bribe to reduce their doping bans. said on Monday he was concerned medals podiums in 1960s and 1970s. Athletics Kenya CEO Isaac Mwangi said in a about doping in general at the 2014 But the sport is also vulnerable to the letter to the federation’s acting president that Games in Sochi after a report by the forms of drugs cheating and blood dop- the allegations by 400-meter runner Joy Sakari World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) ing sometimes used in endurance com- and hurdler Francisca Koki Manunga were exposed widespread cheating and cor- petitions. “unsubstantiated” and “have caused me a lot of ruption in Russian athletics. Ekaterina Iourieva, who was world mental anguish.” “The conclusion from the WADA champion in 2008, is currently serving a He asked for 21 days’ leave while the allega- report is that all winter federations who 12-year doping ban and four-time world tions are investigated. In the AP interview, Sakari were at the Sochi Olympics should be youth champion Alexander Loginov was and Manunga alleged that Mwangi asked them concerned,” Carrabre told Norwegian suspended last year after testing posi- each for a $24,000 bribe in an Oct. 16 meeting, NRK television. “I am concerned, that is tive for the oxygen-boosting drug ery- but that they could not raise the money. The ath- why I will launch an investigation.” thropoietin. letes, both police officers in Kenya, tested posi- Evidence of doping in Sochi would According to Russian Anti-doping tive for a banned diuretic at the 2015 world further tarnish Russia’s image as a sport- Agency (RUSADA) records reviewed by championships in Beijing. They are serving four- ing superpower and successful Olympic Reuters in November, the Moscow labo- year bans. NAIROBI: In this file photo taken Monday, Feb. 8, 2016, Athletics Kenya CEO Isaac Mwangi holds host nation - a matter of acute national ratory at the centre of Russia’s athletics The athletes told AP they never filed a crimi- up a copy of the IAAF Competition Rules book, to illustrate his denial that Athletics Kenya pride. doping scandal was also used to process nal complaint alleging wrongdoing by Mwangi would have the power to shave time off athletes’ bans, during an interview with The Associated Russian Biathlon Union President tests for at least 20 other sports, includ- because they had no proof to back up their Press at his office in Nairobi, Kenya. The chief executive of the track and field governing body in Alexander Kravtsov said he had not ing biathlon. bribery accusation and also feared repercus- running powerhouse Kenya has temporarily stepped aside after two athletes alleged in an been informed about an investigation Sergei Kushchenko, former executive sions. In a separate AP interview, Mwangi dis- interview with AP that he asked them for a bribe to reduce their doping bans. — AP by WADA or the IBU. director at the RBU, said the latest cheat- missed the allegations as “just a joke,” denied “I can say that now, more than ever, ing allegations were groundless. “These ever meeting privately with the runners and said commission. It already was investigating allega- Sakari and Manunga told AP they would be Russian athletes are checked for doping accusations are unfounded,” R-Sport Athletics Kenya has no power to shave time off tions that AK officials sought to subvert anti- willing to testify to the commission. As many as and there are no problems. Our biathlon quoted him as saying. “Concerning the athletes’ bans. doping in Kenya, solicited bribes and offered a half-dozen banned athletes have privately is clean,” Kravtsov was quoted as saying Russian team, during the Olympic In his letter to AK’s president, Jackson Tuwei, athletes reduced bans. The probe has led to the indicated to the commission that AK officials by R-Sport news agency. Games we were sure that our sportsmen dated Monday, Mwangi asked for AK’s discipli- suspensions of AK’s president, Isaiah Kiplagat, a sought to extort them and that they feel their Russia’s Olympic Committee declined had no such problems. — Reuters nary panel to investigate. “I am anxious to have vice president, David Okeyo, and AK’s former sanctions might have been less if they had paid my name cleared,” he wrote in the letter, a copy treasurer, Joseph Kinyua. bribes, Rao said. of which was seen by AP. “It is my hope that the Sharad Rao, a former director of prosecutions AP’s interview with Sakari and Manunga was investigations will be expeditious, fair and in Kenya who also has adjudicated cases for the the first time Kenyan athletes have detailed such should include relevant authorities.” Court of Arbitration for Sport, is leading the allegations publicly.”That information would, of Cipriani to The world governing body of track and field, ethics investigation for the International course, be very, very significant, very important the IAAF, has referred the allegations to its ethics rejoin Wasps Association of Athletics Federations. for us,” Rao said. — AP

LONDON: Sale Sharks fly-half Danny equipped to handle and deal with the Cipriani revealed yesterday he has agreed expectation that comes when you put on to rejoin former club Wasps from next sea- the black and gold jersey. son. The 28-year-old had a season left to “I feel next season will be the right time run on his existing Sale deal, but has cho- for a new challenge, at a club which in my sen to exercise a break clause and return to heart will always feel like a second home, Wasps on a reported two-year deal. where I know I will settle quickly.” “I’m excited about returning to Wasps Wasps won two European Cups, Cipriani next season, for me, it really does feel like featuring in the 2007 triumph, before the coming home,” said Cipriani. club slipped to the brink of administration. “In the professional era, players naturally Owner Derek Richardson has since guided move clubs more frequently than they Wasps to financial security through the used to, but I still feel such a strong con- relocation to Coventry, however, leaving nection with Wasps.” Cipriani left Wasps for Cipriani impressed with that turnaround. Australian Super Rugby franchise “It’s brilliant to see how the club has Melbourne Rebels in 2011, but returned to rebuilt over the past couple of seasons,” he England to join Sale a year later. The 14- said. times capped England fly-half rejected “The potential of the squad that Dai triple European champions Toulon to sign a (Young) has developed is really exciting contract extension at Sale in February, but and I have been impressed by the ambition will now leave a year early this summer. Wasps has shown since Derek Richardson “It’s where I learned my trade, alongside took over and stabilised things. incredible players like , “I’m really looking forward to playing Joe Worsley, Alex King, Fraser Waters, Josh alongside guys I started my career with, like Lewsey and ,” he said. , Joe Simpson, Christian Wade “I have such good memories of that and Elliot Daly, in a squad that loves to play period in my life, I feel much more attacking, expansive rugby.” — AFP McIlroy, Fowler set for primetime match TOKYO: Ozeki-ranked, or champion, sumo wrestler Kotoshogiku (R) is escorted to his seat — two chairs stuck together with packing tape — as he arrives to attend a press conference in Tokyo yesterday. Kotoshogiku captured the Emperor’s Cup at the New Year Grand Sumo tournament NEW YORK: For the first time in more than a 2014 and has a personal endorsement deal in January, becoming the first Japanese-born wrestler to win a top-tier sumo tournament for a decade. — AFP decade, golf is getting another prime-time with Fowler. As part of its PGA Tour involve- exhibition. Except this one will be live - under ment, Quicken Loans has a sweepstakes in the lights. Quicken Loans is finalizing details which it pays someone’s mortgage for a year Sumo: ‘Greed’ the key to lost for a match involving Rory McIlroy and Rickie when a PGA Tour player makes a hole-in-one. Fowler a week before the US Open, a person McIlroy, who is No. 3 in the world going familiar with the negotiations told The into the Northern Trust Open this week at Associated Press on Monday. Riviera, and Fowler (No. 4 in the world) are mojo, says Japan champion The person spoke on condition of two of the most popular figures in golf. Both anonymity because the match has not been live in South Florida, and Fowler last year TOKYO: Japan’s giant sumo wrestlers lack the racked up a record 35 Emperor’s Cup victories beat all three in January and believes his victo- announced. The match would be at Detroit played in the Irish Open to help out McIlroy mean streak needed to repel the flood of for- since 2006, has tormented sumo traditionalists ry, though unexpected, was no flash in the pan. Golf Club on June 7, the Tuesday before US because of McIlroy’s involvement. eigners who have dominated the roly-poly in the absence of a serious Japanese challenge. “I’ve cried my eyes out in front of my mum Open week begins at Oakmont outside of Golf has a heritage of such exhibitions. A sport in recent years, according to the country’s “We can learn from them,” insisted and dad,” said the Fukuoka native, who currently Pittsburgh. century ago, the value of winning a major first homegrown champion in a decade. Kotoshogiku, wearing a grey kimono and holds the second-highest rank of ozeki. The first two hours would be televised live was to be selected to compete in such exhibi- Kotoshogiku, who last month ended an perched precariously on two chairs hastily “But I’ve never once thought of quitting by Golf Channel, followed by the 9-11 pm slot tions, where the prize money was greater excruciating wait for a Japanese-born winner, bound together with sticky tape. sumo,” he added. “I’m calm about the future, I shown live on CBS. It was not clear how many than anything won at a major. Woods resur- said Tuesday it was no accident that Mongolians “Hakuho has so many weapons, like his fleet- want to win more championships.” holes would be broadcast under the lights. rected that concept in 1999 with the had taken over Japan’s ancient sport over the ness of foot and how he puts you off balance. Many inside the cloistered world of sumo, Unlike the Monday night matches involving “Showdown at Sherwood” against David past decade and a half. For many Japanese wrestlers, sumo is a test of which historians agree dates back some 2,000 Tiger Woods in 1999 and 2000, there would Duval (they were No. 1 and No. 2 in the world “All the Japanese wrestlers want to win strength and we charge head first. years, will hope Kotoshogiku’s emergence ush- be a celebrity component with this exhibi- at the time), and a year later against Sergio championships,” the 32-year-old told a news “There are things we could definitely learn ers in a new era after years of damaging scan- tion. The person said it would be “Team Rory” Garcia. conference. from,” he added. “Like the angle of attack, com- dals, including allegations of gambling and against “Team Rickie.” Those Monday night exhibitions got away “We eat the same meat and vegetables as ing in from lower down. You can understand drug abuse, bout-fixing and underworld links. Still to be determined are the celebrities from head-to-head matches and switched to them,” he added. “But sumo is about winning. why (Mongolian wrestlers) are so strong.” One of the most immediate results of and the format. Quicken Loans, the Detroit- team events that included women and sen- Maybe we Japanese are too set in our ways, Kotoshogiku’s new-found fame is being con- based mortgage company, is no stranger to iors. They stopped in 2005. The rating peaked maybe we lack the greed to win at all costs.” DAMAGING SCANDALS stantly asked to squeeze toddlers for good luck, offbeat sporting challenges. It already has in 2000 at 7.6, and dropped to 3.0 in 2005 The foreign invasion began in earnest with Japan has been without a homegrown like a benevolent deity. staged the first college basketball game on when Woods and John Daly played Phil Hawaiian behemoth Konishiki, who was nick- yokozuna, or grand champion, since “I get a lot of mothers asking me to cuddle an active aircraft carrier, and two years ago Mickelson and Retief Goosen at the Bridges named the ‘Dump Truck’ and tipped the scales Takanohana retired in 2003 while three their children to protect them from colds or offered $1 billion to anyone who completed a on Rancho Santa Fe. Lights were only used at at a whopping 285 kilogrammes, and other Mongolians currently occupy sumo’s elite rank, whatever,” he said, smiling. “And pregnant perfect bracket in the NCAA college basket- those matches when it got too dark. hulking Pacific islanders in the 1990s. with Harumafuji having won seven titles and woman ask me to rub their bellies for a safe ball bracket. Woods and McIlroy played a stroke-play But the subsequent rise of the Mongolians, Kakuryu two. child birth. In golf, it became title sponsor of the exhibition in 2012 in China that was available led by the brilliant but temperamental But Kotoshogiku, who stands 5 feet 11 inches Their interest in me reminds me that I have Quicken Loans National, hosted by Woods, in through live streaming in America. —AP Asashoryu and latterly by Hakuho, who has (1.80 metres) and weighs a meaty 180 kilos, done something very special.” —AFP