Times wires
Saturday, May 21, 2011
SOCCER
FIFA PRESIDENT GOES ON OFFENSIVE
JOHANNESBURG — Sepp Blatter launched an impassioned defense of FIFA's integrity Saturday.
The FIFA president, 75, seeking re-election June 1, said he had not received any evidence against six members of FIFA's executive committee, who are accused of corruption in a vote to decide the World Cup hosts for 2018 and '22.
Last year, FIFA banned six other officials for improper conduct in the same bidding process for hosting rights.
"I do not accept it when somebody in this room says that FIFA is a corrupt organization. I do not accept that," Blatter said, raising his voice and hammering his fist on a table for emphasis.
SPAIN: Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice in Real Madrid's 8-1 rout of Almeria to set a Spanish league record of 40 goals in one season.
FRANCE: Lille won its first league title since 1954 with a 2-2 draw at Paris Saint-Germain, clinching the championship with a game to spare.
SCOTTISH CUP: Neil Lennon ended a troubled first full season as Celtic manager with his first trophy at the club after a 3-0 victory over Motherwell in Glasgow. Lennon has faced death threats, had parcel bombs sent to him and been attacked by a fan on the sidelines in recent months.
GERMAN CUP: Schalke routed second-division team Duisburg 5-0 in the final in Berlin.
TENNIS
Wozniacki a winner
Top-ranked Caroline Wozniacki overcame a thigh injury to top Peng Shuai 2-6, 6-3, 6-3 and win the inaugural Brussels Open.
STRASBOURG INTERNATIONAL: Andrea Petkovic won the title after Marion Bartoli retired while trailing 6-4, 1-0 in France. Bartoli is doubtful for the French Open, which begins today.
Boxing
Rehab for De La Hoya?
Oscar De La Hoya, who propelled from Olympic gold medalist and world champion to become the face of his own promotional company in the sport, has checked himself into a rehabilitation facility, TMZ reported. De La Hoya, 38, was in an undisclosed substance-abuse facility in California, according to the website. De La Hoya last fought in December 2008, surrendering in his corner before the ninth round in a loss to Manny Pacquiao.
More boxing: Denis Lebedev knocked out Roy Jones Jr. in the 10th round of their nontitle cruiserweight fight in Moscow, handing the 42-year-old American (54-8) his third consecutive defeat.
ET CETERA
Cycling: Levi Leipheimer won the seventh stage of the Tour of California in the final yards at Mount Baldy. Chris Horner finished second to solidify his overall lead. … Igor Anton held on to win the 14th stage of the Giro d'Italia in Monte Zoncolan, Italy. Alberto Contador was second to extend his overall lead.
TRACK AND FIELD: German Betty Heidler set a world record in the hammer with a throw of 260 feet, 63/4 inches in Halle, Germany.
Times wires