HOT CORNER

1 2 3 4 INTERNATIONAL SOCCER:

Calls for action against Israel in international soccer because of the conflict with Hamas will be stepped up by Palestinian officials at the annual FIFA congress next month. The Palestine Football Association proposal to 211 member federations meeting in Thailand calls for“appropriate sanctions, with immediate effect, against Israeli teams.” FIFA has released documents ahead of the May 17 meeting. The Palestinian motion notes“international law violations committed by the Israeli occupation”and cites FIFA statutory commitments on human rights and against discrimination.

WOMEN’S COLLEGE BASKETBALL:

Iowa added one of the nation’s most productive scorers to fill the void left by superstar Caitlin Clark. Lucy Olsen said on social media she’s joining the Hawkeyes after the former Villanova star entered the transfer portal. The 5-foot-9 guard averaged 23.3 points this past season to rank third among women’s Division I scorers. Iowa will miss Clark, the NCAA Division I scorer among men and women, who became the No. 1 pick for the Indiana Fever in the WNBA draft Monday. Olsen, an upcoming senior, has one year of eligibility left.

PRO HOCKEY:

The NHL team moving from Arizona to Salt Lake City will be known as Utah at least initially. New owner Ryan Smith says he does not want to rush the process of rebranding the franchise upon relocation. The league’s board of governors unanimously approved the sale Thursday. Smith has contracted with an agency to oversee the process of determining a team name and logo. Former owner Alex Meruelo keeps the Coyotes name and has the chance to reactivate the franchise if he’s able to build an arena.

COLLEGE SPORTS:

Virginia’s governor has signed a law that allows the state’s colleges and universities to directly pay athletes through name, image and likeness deals. The law signed by Gov. Glenn Youngkin bypasses an NCAA rule that prevents schools from paying athletes under NIL guidelines. It takes effect July 1. NIL rules, enacted in 2021, allow college athletes to agree to deals with local and national businesses that compensate them for advertising or personal appearances.