WEDNESDAY, JULY 9, 2014 SPORTS

Captain without an armband Caballero joins Man City Djokovic to tie the knot BELO HORIZONTE: Copa America, 2011: Argentina’s LONDON: Goalkeeper Willy Caballero has joined City from PODGORICA: After winning his second Wimbledon title, world number one Novak hands the captain’s armband to after being sent off late in Spanish outfit Malaga on a three-year deal, the champions Djokovic was expected in the tiny Adriatic republic of Montenegro yesterday where regulation time in the quarterfinal against Uruguay. Argentina loses the announced yesterday. he will tie the knot. Djokovic and longtime girlfriend Jelena Ristic are due to wed in The 32-year-old from Argentina will provide competition for England ensuing penalty shootout as the host nation is eliminated from the tour- the luxurious Adriatic resort of Sveti Stefan today in a closed ceremony, local media nament. stopper , following the departure of reserve Costel Pantilimon to Sunderland. “This is a new challenge and a new league for me. I have been reported. Asked by AFP, a Djokovic family spokesperson said only that a statement Since that bitter moment, Messi has held on to the captaincy of doing well in the previous years and my goal is to go on and hopefully per- would be sent to the media, without revealing any details. The couple, who are Argentina, but Mascherano remains the inspirational voice in the locker form at the same level for City,” Caballero told the club website expecting their first child later this year, reportedly wanted to have a private cere- room. Known as “jefecito,” or little boss, the 5-foot-6-inch (171-centimeter) (www.mcfc.co.uk). “I know I am coming to a big club with a very good goal- mony only with the closest friends and family present. defensive midfielder has fired up Argentina for what has become its best keeper. City already have a great goalkeeper in Joe Hart, but I will try and AFP reporters at the scene said Sveti Stefan, as well as the nearby upmarket World Cup run since 1990. compete for the no.1 spot. I will do my best in the training sessions.” Current Kraljicina beach-where the wedding banquet would be held-were “We’re in a place where Argentina hasn’t been for a long time,” City manager signed Caballero for Malaga from Elche closed off for public by discreet but efficient security, to prevent pos- Mascherano said ahead of the team’s semifinal against the when in charge of the side in 2011. sible intruders or paparazzi. Belgrade daily Blic reported that employ- Netherlands. “These opportunities come only so often and Before moving to Spain in 2004 Caballero won the Argentine champi- ees at the Sveti Stefan resort have signed a written pledge not to dis- you can’t let them go by.” Coach Alejandro Sabella decided onship, and Intercontinental Cup with . close any details relating to the wedding. to make Messi his permanent captain when he took charge “The most beautiful moments of my career were under Manuel They are also forbidden from bringing any cameras or mobile after Argentina’s Copa America exit. Mascherano, Messi’s Pellegrini in Malaga, where we achieved big things and we made Malaga’s phones to the islet, connected with the mainland by a stony strip Barcelona teammate who had worn the Argentina name known around Europe,” he added. No transfer fee was disclosed but which gives it the impression of being a peninsula. armband since 2008, took a step back without media reports estimate City paid around six million pounds ($10.21 million) Montenegrin media reported that Djokovic’s coaches Boris making a fuss - just as he does on the pitch. for Caballero, who has not played for his country at senior international lev- Becker and Marjan Vajda, as well as several tennis players- A hard-tackling ball winner, Mascherano stays el. He is the third player to arrive at the Etihad Stadium since the end of last behind when Messi and Argentina’s other season, with Bacary Sagna joining on a free transfer from Arsenal and among them Maria Sharapova and Andy Murray-would attacking players surge forward. —Reuters Fernando moving from Porto. —Reuters attend the wedding. —AFP Judge approves NFL concussion settlement

NEW YORK: A federal judge on Monday granted analysis of the issues as reflected in the compre- preliminary approval to a landmark deal that hensive opinion she issued today.” would compensate thousands of former NFL The original settlement included $675 mil- players for concussion-related claims. lion for compensatory claims for players with The ruling by U.S. District Judge Anita Brody neurological symptoms, $75 million for baseline in Philadelphia came about two weeks after the testing and $10 million for medical research and NFL agreed to remove a $675 million on education. The NFL would also pay an additional damages. Brody had previously questioned $112 million to the players’ lawyers, for a total whether that would be enough money to pay all payout of more than $870 million. The revised claims. settlement eliminates the cap on overall dam- “A class action settlement that offers prompt age claims but retains a payout formula for indi- relief is superior to the likely alternative - years vidual retirees that considers their age and ill- of expensive, difficult, and uncertain litigation, ness. A young retiree with amyotrophic lateral with no assurance of recovery, while retired sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig’s disease, would receive players’ physical and mental conditions continue $5 million, a 50-year-old with Alzheimer’s dis- to deteriorate,” Brody wrote. ease would get $1.6 million and an 80-year-old More than 4,500 former players have filed with early dementia would get $25,000. suit, some accusing the league of fraud for its Even with the cap removed, both sides said handling of concussions. They include former they believe the NFL will spend no more than Dallas Cowboys running back Tony Dorsett and about $675 million on damage claims by ex- Super Bowl-winning Chicago Bears quarterback players. Jim McMahon, who suffers from dementia. Critics of the deal have said the league, with The settlement is designed to last at least 65 annual revenues approaching $10 billion, was years and give $1 million or more to retirees getting off lightly. They could raise objections at who develop Lou Gehrig’s disease and other a fairness hearing scheduled for Nov. 19, and profound neurological problems. ultimately opt out of the settlement. “This is an extraordinary settlement for However, they would then face the risk of a retired NFL players and their families - from protracted legal fight, and would have to prove those who suffer with neuro-cognitive illnesses any injuries were caused by NFL concussions today, to those who are currently healthy but and not any suffered in youth or college sports. fear they may develop symptoms decades into The proposed NFL settlement had originally the future,” plaintiffs’ attorneys Sol Weiss and barred claimants from seeking a separate settle- Christopher Seeger said in a statement. NFL sen- ment against U.S. college sports governing body ior vice president Anastasia Danias said in a NCAA, but that clause has been removed. A sep- statement that the league was “grateful to Judge arate lawsuit is pending against the NCAA in Brody for her guidance and her thoughtful Illinois. —AP Defence team closes case in Pistorius murder trial

PRETORIA: Oscar Pistorius’ lawyers demeanour as he re-enacted the shooting wrapped up their defence of the Olympic in a leaked video aired on Australian televi- and Paralympic track star yesterday, bring- sion on Sunday. WASHINGTON: Craig Stammen No. 35 of the Washington Nationals pitches in the eleventh inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Nationals Park. — AFP ing the dramatic murder trial of one of the After the broadcast of the film, which world’s best-known athletes closer to con- Pistorius’ lawyers said was for trial prepara- clusion. Judge Thokozile Masipa adjourned tion only and had been “obtained illegally” Orioles get past Nationals the court until August 7 to allow the legal by Australia’s Channel 7, Masipa banned any teams to prepare closing arguments, due to airing or publication of the closing argu- take a day each. She will then begin her ments before they are read in court. WASHINGTON: Chris Davis ended a lengthy closer David Robertson a rest day. (3-5) walked two and struck out five while deliberations, extending a trial that has There is no jury, and so the verdict slump with a tiebreaking homer in the 11th shutting down the defending World Series already dragged on over four months. hinges on whether Masipa believes inning, part of a six-run uprising that carried the REDS 9, CUBS 3 champions. Adam Dunn hit a solo homer in The case has captivated global audi- Pistorius’ version of events. She was only the Jay Bruce played first base for the first the second inning and doubled and scored ences and had round-the-clock coverage in second black woman to be appointed a Baltimore Orioles past the Washington Nationals 8-2 in Major League Baseball on Monday night. time since high school and committed an on Viciedo’s home run in the fourth. Pistorius’ native South Africa, making it high court judge and has a reputation for error that let in a run, but later homered to Clay Buchholz (3-5) allowed four runs on arguably the most-watched celebrity mur- handing down stiff sentences in crimes Manny Machado had a career-high five hits, help Cincinnati rally for the win in the open- five hits and a walk, and struck out seven in der trial since U.S. athlete O.J. Simpson was against women. including a homer in the 11th, and Nelson Cruz cleared of murdering his wife and her friend At the bail hearing over a year ago, mag- hit his 28th home run to help the American er of a five-game series. seven innings. The Red Sox have lost six of in 1995. Pistorius, who had his lower legs istrate Desmond Nair pointed to what he League East-leading Orioles earn their seventh Billy Hamilton drove in a career-high four seven and 12 of 17 to fall into last place in amputated as a baby, could face life in said were a number of “improbabilities” in win in eight games. runs with a single and a bases-loaded triple. the American League East. prison if he is found guilty of murdering his Pistorius’ version. Anthony Rendon homered for the Nationals, The Reds have won 11 of their last 16 girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, whom he shot “I have difficulty in appreciating why the who lost for only the second time in nine games. games despite getting little production ROYALS 6, RAYS 0 and killed at his luxury Pretoria home on accused would not seek to ascertain who After Cruz led off the 11th with a broken-bat sin- from injured first baseman Joey Votto. Kansas City’s James Shields sparkled in Valentine’s Day last year. exactly was in the toilet,” Nair said at the gle off Craig Stammen (0-4), Davis worked the Mike Leake (7-7) gave up a two-run his return to Tropicana Field, limiting the The 27-year-old athlete, known as “Blade time. “I also have difficulty in appreciating count full before launching a drive into the cen- homer by Anthony Rizzo and an unearned Tampa Bay Rays to three hits and striking Runner” because of the carbon-fibre pros- why the deceased would not have ter-field seats to end a 2-for-38 funk. J.J. Hardy run off Bruce’s error during seven innings. out 10 over seven innings. thetic legs he uses, says he killed screamed back from the toilet.” followed with a solo shot, Nick Markakis chased Leake is 8-2 in his career against Chicago, Shields (9-4) spent the first seven sea- Steenkamp after mistaking her for an The prosecution has attempted to por- Stammen with an RBI double and Machado including 4-0 in his last four starts with a sons of his career with the Rays before intruder hiding in the toilet next to his bed- tray Pistorius as self-centred, hot-tempered added a two-run drive off Aaron Barrett. TJ 1.71 ERA. After Bruce’s error let in a run that being dealt to the Royals in December 2012 room. The state alleges he fired four rounds and obsessed with guns. Alongside the Macfarland (2-2) worked two scoreless innings tied it 1-all in the fifth, he singled and as part of a seven-player trade in which from a 9 mm pistol in a fit of rage after an murder charge, he is also accused of three for the win. scored on Devin Mesoraco’s double off Kansas City sent 2013 American League argument, killing the 29-year-old law gradu- gun-related offences, all of which he has Edwin Jackson (5-9). Bruce hit a two-run rookie of the year Wil Myers and another ate and model as she cowered behind the denied. At one point during the trial, METS 4, BRAVES 3 homer off left-hander James Russell in the top young prospect, Jake Odorizzi (4-8), to locked toilet door. The killing has shattered Prosecutor Gerrie Nel, whose reputation as seventh, and Hamilton had his three-run Tampa Bay. the image of Pistorius as an embodiment of one of South Africa’s toughest attorneys has Ruben Tejada singled home the winning run with two outs in the 11th inning after Curtis triple in the eighth. Shields allowed singles to Ben Zobrist triumph over adversity for both his earned him the nickname “The Pitbull”, told and James Loney in the first two innings, Paralympic victories and competition Pistorius: “You will blame anybody but your- Granderson hit a tying homer in the eighth as WHITE SOX 4, RED SOX 0 then worked through a jam in the third against able-bodied athletes at the 2012 self.” The defence has argued that Pistorius the Mets beat Atlanta. London Olympics. The track star broke had an elevated sense of vulnerability due David Wright went deep early, Travis d’Arnaud Scott Carroll pitched 6 2/3 innings of after giving up a one-out double to Kevin down frequently during the trial, often sob- to his disability, compounded by fear of had an RBI double and Daisuke Matsuzaka one-hit ball, and Dayan Viciedo hit a three- Kiermaier. He retired 10 straight, six by bing and vomiting into a bucket. attack in crime-ridden South Africa. It has pitched seven shutout innings for the Mets, who run homer to lead Chicago. Making the strikeout, before hitting Evan Longoria also portrayed the relationship between have won three of four. eighth - and best - start of his career, Carroll with a pitch leading off the seventh. — AP COMPOSED DEMEANOUR Pistorius and Steenkamp as a loving one, Freddie Freeman had three hits and a walk for The emotional displays were in marked arguing the athlete has been devastated by the Braves, who have lost two straight after a contrast to his composed and confident the loss of his girlfriend. — Reuters nine-game winning streak. Andrelton Simmons singled twice for his sixth straight multi-hit MLB results/standings game.Carlos Torres (4-4) pitched two scoreless innings for the win. Juan Lagares doubled off Baltimore 8, Washington 2 (11 Innings); Chicago White Sox 4, Boston 0; Cincinnati 9, Anthony Varvaro (3-2) with one out in the 11th, Chicago Cubs 3; NY Mets 4, Atlanta 3 (11 Innings); Kansas City 6, Tampa Bay 0; Ny Yankees 5, and Lucas Duda was intentionally walked before Cleveland 3; Houston 12, Texas 7; Philadelphia 3, Milwaukee 2; St. Louis 2, Pittsburgh 0; San Lagares went to third on d’Arnaud’s long fly to Diego 6, Colorado 1; Arizona 9, Miami 1; La Angels 5, Toronto 2; Oakland 5, San Francisco 0; center. Tejada lined the next pitch up the middle Seattle 2, Minnesota 0. and tossed his helmet aside after rounding first. American League National League Eastern Division Eastern Division YANKEES 5, INDIANS 3 W L PCT GB Atlanta 49 40 .551 - Shane Greene allowed two runs in six innings Baltimore 49 40 .551 - Washington 48 40 .545 0.5 for his first MLB win and All-Star Dellin Betances Toronto 47 44 .516 3 Miami 43 46 .483 6 earned his first career save to help New York beat NY Yankees 45 43 .511 3.5 NY Mets 40 49 .449 9 Cleveland. Tampa Bay 41 51 .446 9.5 Philadelphia 38 51 .427 11 Greene (1-0) didn’t allow a hit until former Boston 39 50 .438 10 Central Division Yankee Nick Swisher’s two out homer in the fifth. Central Division Milwaukee 52 38 .578 - Detroit 48 37 .565 - The 25-year-old right-hander was pressed into St. Louis 48 42 .533 4 Kansas City 46 42 .523 3.5 service after scheduled starter Vidal Nuno was Pittsburgh 47 42 .528 4.5 Cleveland 43 45 .489 6.5 traded to Arizona for right-hander Brandon Cincinnati 46 42 .523 5 McCarthy on Sunday. Brett Gardner, Brian Chicago White Sox 43 47 .478 7.5 Minnesota 39 49 .443 10.5 Chicago Cubs 38 49 .437 12.5 McCann and Ichiro Suzuki had three hits apiece Western Division for New York. Western Division Oakland 56 33 .629 - LA Dodgers 51 40 .560 - Justin Masterson (4-6) continued to pitch San Francisco 49 40 .551 1 poorly and was pulled without retiring a batter in LA Angels 52 36 .591 3.5 Seattle 49 40 .551 7 San Diego 40 49 .449 10 the third. Cleveland’s opening-day starter Texas 38 51 .427 18 Arizona 38 53 .418 13 allowed five runs and six hits in two-plus innings. PRETORIA: An unidentified woman adjusts the tie of South African Paralympic ath- Houston 37 54 .407 20 Colorado 37 53 .411 13.5 lete Oscar Pistorius during his ongoing murder trial in Pretoria. — AFP Betances pitched the final two innings, giving