LUXURY VILLA SEIZED IN FIFA BRIBERY CASE
A villa valued at $8.3 million on an Italian island was allegedly how a Qatari television executive bribed a top FIFA official.
Italian police said Friday they seized the luxury property in Sardinia they claim Nasser al-Khelaifi, who is also president of Paris Saint-Germain, made available to former FIFA secretary general Jerome Valcke.
Details of the alleged corruption were revealed one day after Swiss federal prosecutors oversaw evidence-gathering raids in four European countries for a widening investigation of FIFA and the 2018-2022 World Cup bidding contests won by Russia and Qatar.
Criminal proceedings have been opened against Al-Khelaifi and Valcke for suspected bribery and forgery linked to awarding broadcast rights for the next four World Cups.
Cavs deal Jefferson, Felder.
CLEVELAND» The Cavaliers are trading Richard Jefferson and Kay Felder to save money.
Cleveland agreed to send Jefferson, Felder, two second-round draft picks and $3 million to the Atlanta Hawks in a move that will allow the Eastern Conference champions to avoid paying $12 million in luxury tax penalties.
Johnson cleared to play.
FLA.» Will Johnson has been ORLANDO, cleared to play for Orlando City after prosecutors decided not to pursue domectic violence charges against the Canadian midfielder.
Major League Soccer said Johnson reached a verbal agreement with the state to enter a yearlong diversion program that includes a 26-week domestic violence program.
Johnson has already served a fivegame suspension. He returned to training Monday.
Johnson was arrested and charged with domestic battery Sept. 6.
Rivalry renewed for relief effort.
The Border War is back, only this time it’s for charity.
Rivals Kansas and Missouri agreed to play an exhibition men’s basketball game at the Sprint Center in Kansas City on Oct. 22 to raise money for hurricane relief efforts.
The NCAA granted a waiver for the Jayhawks and Tigers to meet. Each school will distribute about half of the 18,000 tickets with the goal to raise more than $1 million for charity.
For Winter Games, 2026 or 2030?
The prospect of a U.S. bid for the Winter Olympics is less a matter of “if” and more a matter of “when.”
The U.S. Olympic Committee board is moving forward with discussions about bringing the Winter Games to America for either 2026 or 2030.
Because Los Angeles was recently awarded the 2028 Summer Games, a bid for 2030 would make more sense, chairman Larry Probst said after the USOC board’s quarterly meeting.
Phillies make Bowa senior adviser.
The Phillies named Larry Bowa a senior adviser to general manager Matt Klentak.
Bowa was the team’s bench coach and infield instructor the previous four seasons. The 71-year-old Bowa has spent 33 of his 52 seasons in baseball with the Phillies. He was the starting shortstop for the 1980 World Series champions.
Pioneers tie with Fighting Irish.
The University of Denver hockey team tied 2-2 with Notre Dame at the Compton Family Ice Arena.
Henrik Borgstrom scored twice for the Pioneers, and Kohen Olischefski scored the shootout winner in a game that will be officially recorded as a tie.
Footnotes.
Colorado’s women’s socer team surrendered two early goals and lost on the road at No. 6 Southern California 2-0. The loss dropped CU to 7-5-3 overall and 1-4-1 in the Pac-12. … Bill Laimbeer will be the coach and general manager of the San Antonio Stars when the team is sold and relocated. The buyer is based in Las Vegas.