Federer wants names in match-fixing allegations
MELBOURNE — Roger Federer called for ‘concrete’ facts while Novak Djokovic spoke of his team once being offered $200,000 to fix a match as the multiple grand slam champions reacted to claims of widespread match-rigging in tennis on Monday.
The opening day of the Australian Open was overshadowed by reports in the BBC and online BuzzFeed News accusing tennis authorities of failing to deal with 16 players repeatedly flagged up to the Tennis Integrity Unit (TIU) over suspicions of matches being thrown.
Both Federer and defending champion Djokovic strolled through their opening matches in Melbourne, but were inevitably asked about the story rocking the sport.
“I would like to hear the names,” 34-year-old Federer told reporters when asked to comment on claims that grand slam champions were among the players involved and that eight of them were playing in the Australian Open.
Federer, the most successful male player of all time with 17 majors, said it was “super serious” for the sport, but said he would be surprised if top players were involved.
MLB looking at gambling case involving Darvish’s brother
Major League Baseball said on Tuesday it is aware of the arrest of Texas Rangers pitcher Yu Darvish’s brother over running an illegal gambling ring and have launched a probe to see if there is any connection with its league.
Darvish, who was considered the best pitcher in Japanese baseball when he signed with Texas in 2012, has denied any wrongdoing and said he has never been involved with gambling activities.
“While I understand that Major League Baseball must conduct an investigation, I am certain that they will find that I had no involvement in this matter whatsoever,” Darvish, who was the Rangers’ top pitcher until an injury forced him to miss the entire 2015 season, said through the Wasserman Media Group.
According to a report in The Japan Times, Darvish was being investigated in the wake of his brother Sho being charged last year for allegedly accepting bets on nearly 2,000 baseball games in North America and Japan.
The report also said Osaka police have not accused the Japanese ace of any wrongdoing and that it is unclear whether any of the bets were taken on games involving the Rangers.
Noah has shoulder surgery, out 4-6 months
Chicago Bulls center Joakim Noah had surgery on Tuesday to repair his dislocated left shoulder, the team announced.
Coach Fred Hoiberg called the procedure a success. Noah is expected to make a complete recovery in four to six months.
The Bulls also announced that forward Mike Dunleavy (back) and guard Kirk Hinrich (left quad contusion) will miss Wednesday night’s game against Golden State.
No surgery expected on Roethlisberger’s shoulder
Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger doesn’t anticipating having offseason surgery on his injured shoulder.
Roethlisberger said Tuesday during a weekly segment on 93.7 The Fan radio in Pittsburgh that rest is what he needs to let the sprained AC joint and torn ligaments heal.
“From what I’ve been told by (Dr. James) Bradley, no surgery,” Roethlisberger said. “The ligaments will scar up and heal on their own. The only thing he could foresee possibly down the road is cleaning out the arthritis and scars. I don’t foresee any surgeries any time soon.”
Roethlisberger took painkilling injections in his right shoulder leading up to Sunday’s AFC divisional playoff game against the Denver Broncos, won 23-16 by Denver despite his 339 passing yards. He injured the shoulder the previous week during the Steelers’ wild-card playoff win over the Cincinnati Bengals.