FIFA prosecutors allege intimidation
A judge tightened bail conditions on a South American soccer official charged in the FIFA bribery scandal after prosecutors surprised the courtroom by accusing the defendant of threatening their star witness by making a slashing motion on his neck as the witness testified at trial.
The dramatic twist in federal court in New York came after Alejandro Burzaco, a former marketing executive from Argentina, spent the day accusing Manuel Burga and two other soccer official co- defendants of taking bribes in exchange for their help securing broadcasting and hosting rights for tournaments.
Burzaco testified that his firm gave Burga, the former president of Peru’s soccer federation, $ 3.6 million in bribes during the course of their relationship.
He claimed that when he agreed in 2015 to cooperate against officials charged in the case he became the target of death threats.
Once Burzaco concluded his testimony and the jury had gone home for the day, prosecutors asked U. S. District Judge Pamela Chen to jail Burga, saying he had left Burzaco visibly shaken by twice staring at him and using the slashing motion. A lawyer for Burga claimed his client was merely scratching his throat.
The World Anti- Doping Agency hurt Russia’s hopes of competing at next year’s Winter Olympics by refusing to reinstate the country’s suspended antidoping operation.
At its meeting Thursday in South Korea, WADA said two key requirements for reinstatement had not been fulfilled: That Russia publicly accept results of an investigation that detailed statesponsored doping, and that the country allow access to urine samples collected during the time of the cheating.
Chris Paul is expected to return for the Houston Rockets on Thursday night against the Phoenix Suns after missing all but one game this season with a bruised left knee.
The point guard, who is in his first year with the Rockets after a trade from the Clippers, returned to practice Wednesday.
Two league sources conf irmed to the Philadelphia Inquirer that Robert Covington and the 76ers are working toward finalizing a contract extension and reworking his deal for this season.
Seattle Sounders forward Clint Dempsey has been named the MLS comeback player of the year after a heart condition put his career in jeopardy.
He has also agreed to a oneyear contract extension for 2018.
Former Angels shortstop Gary DiSarcina was hired as bench coach for the New York Mets for new manager Mickey Callaway. DiSarcina was Boston’s bench coach last season.
The Mets also hired Dave Eiland as pitching coach and Ruben Amaro Jr. to be first base coach and outfield instructor.
Arkansas f ired athletic director Jeff Long, ending a nearly decade- long tenure that included the scandalous ouster of football coach Bobby Petrino and the continued mediocrity of the program under Bret Bielema.
The College Football Playoff selection committee member was under contract through June 2022.
Arkansas Chancellor Joseph Steinmetz said the university would honor the provisions in Long’s contract, meaning the school could owe him more than $ 5 million by firing him.
Peru beat New Zealand 2- 0 in Lima, Peru, to win a two- leg playoff and earn the 32nd and last spot in the World Cup f ield in Russia.
Sixth- seeded Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov made his way into the semifinals at the ATP Finals in London by beating David Goffin 6- 0, 6- 2 despite receiving a violation for being coached during the second set.