SPORTS BRIEFS

BOSTON — Tom Brady’s stolen Super Bowl jerseys are back with the New England Patriots.

The FBI in Boston announced that jerseys worn by Brady during this year’s Super Bowl and the 2015 Super Bowl were returned to Gillette Stadium Thursday.

Brady’s 2017 jersey went missing from the Patriots’ locker room after the team’s Super Bowl win over the Atlanta Falcons Feb. 5. That sparked an investigation stretching from Boston to the Mexican border.

Mexican authorities searched the property of tabloid journalist Martin Mauricio Ortega, where they found the jersey, along with a Brady jersey that disappeared after the 2015 Super Bowl. A Denver Broncos helmet also was found.

Ortega has not been charged in the case and has not commented.

In a statement Thursday, Kraft said he looks forward to returning the jerseys to Brady.

Brady’s Super Bowl jerseys returned

The New York Islanders have recalled veteran goalie Jaroslav Halak for their push for a playoff spot. Halak was called up by the NHL club on Thursday. In his last game with the Islanders, Halak gave up four goals in less than two periods of a 6-4 loss at Minnesota on Dec. 29. He was waived the next day. Halak was 6-8-5 with a 3.23 goals-against average in 21 games this season before being sent down to Bridgeport of the AHL. The 31-year-old was 17-7-3 with a 2.15 GAA in 27 games with the Sound Tigers.

The English Football Association has condemned “insulting” chants by fans at Wednesday’s game against Germany referencing past wars between the countries. Before the 1-0 loss on Wednesday, England fans booed the Germany anthem and sang distasteful songs referencing the First and Second World Wars. FA chairman Greg Clarke said on Thursday “the behaviour of a section of the England support in Dortmund last night was inappropriate, disrespectful and disappointing.” Clarke expressed frustration that supporters chanted “songs that could be regarded as insulting to others” and said the FA is trying to address the problem with fan groups.

Islanders recall Halak from minors English FA condemns ‘insulting’ fan chants Sabres’ d-man Ristolainen suspended 3 games

BUFFALO, N.Y. — The NHL has suspended Buffalo Sabres defenceman Rasmus Ristolainen for three games following his blindside hit that led to Pittsburgh Penguins forward Jake Guentzel sustaining a concussion.

The fine costs Buffalo’s top defenceman $90,000 in a ruling announced Thursday, shortly after Ristolainen had a hearing with the league’s department of player safety.

The hit occurred about nine minutes into Pittsburgh’s 3-1 win at Buffalo on Tuesday.

Guentzel was exiting Pittsburgh’s zone when a pass intended for him was broken up along the left boards. As Guentzel turned to look back, he was bowled over by Ristolainen.

Guentzel got up briefly before stumbling to the ice and didn’t return after being escorted to the locker room. Ristolainen was issued a five-minute major for interference and ejected from the game. — Postmedia wire services