THURSDAY, AUGUST 24, 2017 SPORTS Former S Africa star Ex-All Black accused of Jackson denies Smith turns T20 coach assault in fight video rape allegation JOHANNESBURG: Former South Africa skipper and batsman Graeme LA ROCHELLE: Former New Zealand international Jason Eaton has LONDON: Ireland’s second choice fly-half Paddy Jackson denied a Smith will be among the coaches when the maiden Twenty20 Global been accused of assault following a night-club brawl in France that charge of rape through his lawyer at a court hearing in Belfast yesterday. League starts in the republic this November. His appointment as coach of was captured on video, a police source said yesterday. The 35-year- The 25-year-old-widely seen as the man to replace veteran Jonathan the Benoni Zalmi, one of eight teams in the nationwide tournament, was old La Rochelle lock and compatriot Romana Graham, a 31-year-old Sexton when he retires from international rugby-has been charged confirmed Tuesday by the owners of a franchise based in second row who left the French club at the end of last season, were along with Ulster and Ireland team-mate Stuart Olding, whilst eastern Johannesburg. It will be the first senior-level involved in a late-night fight outside a club in the town last week. “A two other men face lesser charges related to the alleged coaching post for the 36-year-old since he retired from video is being studied and will be used to discern the facts from the incidents. Neither the 25-times capped Jackson nor international cricket three years ago. Geoffrey Toyana, fiction, because it seems that everyone involved was drunk,” said the Olding, 24 and capped four times, appeared in court, their the successful coach of all-formats South African fran- police source. Eaton, who won 15 All Blacks caps between 2005 and lawyers transmitting their pleas. Neither player is to be chise the Highveld Lions, will assist Smith. Nicknamed 2009, is one of La Rochelle’s star players. He helped the unfashion- considered for selection by either club or country until the “Biff”, Johannesburg-born Smith played 117 Tests, 197 able outfit top the regular 2016/17 standings and reach the Top 14 legal process is over, according to the Irish Rugby Football one-day internationals and 33 T20 matches for South semi-finals last season. It is the second violent incident involving Union and Ulster Rugby. That is likely to see them miss Africa. Smith and Toyana will be in Cape Town this week- top-flight French rugby players during the off-season. Stade Francais’ the whole of the coming season. The short legal pro- end for a player draft, choosing from more than 400 Fiji pair Josaia Raisuqe and Waisea Nayacalevu face trial over an ceedings saw the charges lodged officially with a dis- local and foreign cricketers. — AFP alleged sexual assault and drunken violence last month. —AFP trict judge.—AFP Champ Jon Jones flagged for another failed doping test LAS VEGAS: Jon Jones could face a plan to retire after his second loss to Jones. lengthy suspension from mixed martial arts Jones’ camp and his manager, Malki after the UFC light heavyweight champion Kawa, released a statement: “We are all at a was notified Tuesday of his second poten- complete loss for words right now. Jon, his tial violation of the promotion’s anti-dop- trainers, his nutritionists and his entire ing policy. camp have worked tirelessly and meticu- Jones is widely considered the top lously the past 12 months to avoid this pound-for-pound fighter in the sport, but exact situation. We are having the samples his potential violation stems from a sample tested again to determine the validity or collected after his weigh-in July 28 for his source of contamination. Jon is crushed by title fight against Daniel Cormier at UFC this news and we are doing whatever we 214 in Anaheim, California. can as a team, to support him.” Jones won the fight and reclaimed his If the violation is confirmed, Jones 205-pound belt after sitting out the previ- seems likely to face a multiyear suspension ous year for a failed doping test. The victory from the sport, taking away even more of appeared to be a return to glory for a long- his fighting prime. The UFC also will be troubled fighter who has repeatedly hin- harmed by the lengthy absence of its best dered his stellar career with misbehavior fighter and a burgeoning pay-per-view outside the octagon. draw. The UFC also could lose its dream Jones was stripped of his belt in 2015 matchup between Jones and former after being involved in a hit-and-run acci- heavyweight champion Brock Lesnar. The dent. He was scheduled to fight Cormier for superstars both appeared eager to meet the title in July 2016, but was pulled from next year in a heavyweight fight that would the UFC 200 card for what he claimed was a be among the biggest events in the UFC’s failed test due to a sexual enhancement history. pill. Jones hasn’t yet been stripped of his The US Anti-Doping Agency administers title for a second time, UFC President Dana the UFC’s doping policy. The California LAS VEGAS: Conor McGregor walks on stage during the arrivals for a boxing match Tuesday, in Las Vegas. McGregor is scheduled to fight Floyd White said. Cormier held the belt for most State Athletic Commission has jurisdiction Mayweather Jr in a boxing match Saturday in Las Vegas. — AP of Jones’ absence, and he had said he didn’t over Jones’ test along with USADA. —AP BOXING TENNIS Pretenders line up in Mayweather, McGregor trade US Open power struggle verbal jabs, countdown begins NEW YORK: Serena Williams is about to New York. “I’m looking forward to be there LAS VEGAS: Floyd Mayweather and Conor could make as much as $200 million from gruelling training camp that had taken him to have a baby, Victoria Azarenka will stay and feel I can improve what happened the McGregor traded verbal jabs Tuesday as the cir- Saturday’s contest, with McGregor collecting “hell and back” and left him primed to face home with her baby and the US Open past years, because I feel like I never really cus-like countdown to their money-spinning around $100 million. either a long or short fight. women’s field is pregnant with suspense found my (rhythm),” Muguruza said. superfight cranked into overdrive on the Las Mayweather has fought at 154 pounds before “There is no way in hell that I’m not ready to over who might win. A wide-open array of “I want to change that. I want to find the Vegas Strip. Thousands of fans including a size- but is more used to fighting at welterweight fight in the deepest of trenches in this contest,” contenders for the world number one rank- recipe maybe this year, maybe that I have a able contingent of Irish supporters thronged the (150 pounds). McGregor however has fought at McGregor said. “We are ready for both scenarios. ing and the last Grand Slam title of the year little bit more confidence. “The most impor- heart of the Nevada boxing capital to greet 170 pounds in MMA. McGregor, 29, last week I’m ready to go to war for 12 rounds and I’m promise to make the Flushing Meadows tant part is to recover, to be fresh because Mayweather and McGregor at their separate insisted he was in peak condition following a ready to put him away early on.” — AFP fortnight that starts Monday a thriller even it takes a lot of energy, and then getting grand arrival ceremonies. Mayweather, the 40- without two of the game’s top stars. used to New York vibe again, because it’s year-old undefeated former welterweight box- Williams, who won her 23rd Grand Slam special.” Pliskova has taken titles at ing champion, has been lured out of retirement title at the Australian Open, announced in Brisbane, Doha and Eastbourne this year to face McGregor, a star of mixed martial arts’ Sharapova determined to April she was pregnant and would miss the but has never won a Grand Slam, although Ultimate Fighting Championship. rest of the year. Two-time Australian Open she reached her only Grand Slam final last The two men meet in a 12-round contest winner Azarenka revealed she is in a cus- year at New York. under boxing rules on Saturday that is tipped to prove point on return tody fight over her baby son, who cannot “The energy of the city is huge. become the richest fight in history. NEW YORK: Former world number one Maria Open will be her first Grand Slam event since leave California, and thus will stay with him. Obviously love to be coming back there, The cross-combat collision has appalled box- Sharapova makes her first Grand Slam appear- last year’s Australian Open. Former world number one Maria especially after the fantastic last year.” ing purists, with many decrying the event as a ance next week since serving a 15-month Shaking off criticism after the French Open Sharapova, a five-time Grand Slam champi- farcical publicity stunt more in keeping with the doping suspension, bringing renewed passion snub, Sharapova tweeted, “If this is what it on, will play as a wildcard in her first major ‘MY FIGHTING SPIRIT IS BACK’ choreographed traditions of WWE wrestling. and resolve to the US Open. The 30-year-old takes to rise up again, then I am in it all the tournament since a 15-month doping ban An early Cincinnati exit tumbled Kerber Mayweather and McGregor-who clashed Russian was given a wildcard into the tourna- way, everyday.