Sports

CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — José Pekerman has left his role as Venezuela’s national team coach after being in charge for only 15 months and 10 matches. The South American country’s soccer federation says it has terminated the contracts of the 73-year-old Argentine coach and his agent Pascual Lezcano, who also worked as a director of

TAICHUNG, Taiwan (AP) — The 20-team World Baseball Classic got underway after a six-year absence with Panama defeating Taiwan 12-5 for its first win in tournament history and the Netherlands beating Cuba 4-2 in the opening Group A game as Didi Gregorius drove in the tying run and scored the go-ahead run. Play in Group

By SCOTT BAUER Associated Press MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A coalition of Wisconsin business, tourism and health care leaders, former office holders and others says it is working to find a bipartisan solution to keeping the Milwaukee Brewers in the state. The Home Crew Coalition, which announced its formation Wednesday, comes as Democratic Gov. Tony

By JAMES ROBSON AP Soccer Writer MANCHESTER, England (AP) — Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is hoping he and his team have learned something from the humiliating 7-0 loss to Liverpool. The Dutchman wants an instant reaction when his team hosts Real Betis in the Europa League and his starting lineup could offer an

By STEPHEN WADE AP Sports Writer TOKYO (AP) — Everyone in Japan seems to be a fan of Shohei Ohtani, and the buzz even extends to his teammates. That includes St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Lars Nootbaar — the first to play for Japan’s national team because of ancestry. His mother Kumi was born in Japan.

PARIS (AP) — France coach Corinne Diacre says she is the victim of a smear campaign amid reports she could be replaced before the Women’s World Cup. Diacre faces opposition from several players. She says in a statement from her lawyer to The Associated Press that she has been shocked by the “violence” and “dishonesty”

By GRAHAM DUNBAR AP Sports Writer GENEVA (AP) — French soccer club Marseille is facing a one-year transfer ban from FIFA. Marseille went to court Wednesday in its dispute with Watford over the 2020 signing of Senegal midfielder Pape Gueye. The Court of Arbitration for Sport says Gueye is attending the two-day hearing. He faces

By MIKE CORDER Associated Press THE HAGUE, Netherlands (AP) — A soccer hooligan who ran onto the field during PSV Eindhoven’s Europa League match against Sevilla and punched the Spanish club’s goalkeeper in the face has been sentenced to two months in prison. The 20-year-old was convicted of assaulting goalie Marko Dmitrovic and breaching a

By PAT GRAHAM AP Sports Writer On the court, it will be the Dallas Mavericks and New Orleans Pelicans. Taking center stage, an all-female ensemble that will produce the broadcast. It’s the second straight year ESPN has orchestrated an NBA game led by an all-female broadcast crew, with this version being held on International Women’s

By TALES AZZONI AP Sports Writer Few expected Benfica to make much of a run in the Champions League when it began its campaign in the third qualifying round in August. The Portuguese team was coming off a poor season by its standards and expectations were low. But now the traditional club is in great

LAS VEGAS (AP) — Cameron Gooden scored 22 points and Frank Staine scored 18 points and Utah Tech surprised Stephen F. Austin 80-76 in overtime in a Western Athletic Conference Tournament opener. Dancell Leter threw down a dunk to start the extra session and Utah Tech led for the remainder. Latrell Jossell scored 17 points