Pacquiao calls tax complaint ‘harassment’
Pacquiao calls tax complaint ‘harassment’
MANILA, Philippines — Boxing champion Manny Pacquiao says a criminal complaint against him by the Philippine tax bureau is “plain and simple harassment” and he has never shortchanged the government.
The Philippine congressman dismissed media speculation Monday that he may follow fellow boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. to prison, saying “I would rather see him inside the ring, not in a jail.”
Mayweather is due to serve a 90-day jail sentence in a domestic violence case in Nevada. He and Pacquiao have been unable to agree on terms for a fight.
Pacquiao was slapped with a criminal complaint for allegedly failing to submit tax documents.
Prosecutors haven’t decided if there is enough evidence for a court case. Pacquiao could face up to two years in prison if convicted.
Alabama
extends Saban’s
deal, boosts pay
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Alabama coach Nick Saban said he received overtures for other jobs after claiming the second national title in three years. Instead of bolting, he has received a raise and contract extension worth $5.62 million a year that he said represents his intention to finish his career in Tuscaloosa.
The university’s board of trustees approved a two-year extension for Saban on Monday that will run through Jan. 31, 2020. He’ll receive $5.32 million in 2012 with a $50,000 raise next year and $100,000 annually after that.
Under the deal, he’ll make $5.97 million in 2019.
Saban will make nearly $45 million over eight years in base salary ($245,000) and what Alabama calls “talent fees.” The contract represents a $500,000 raise in talent fees plus longevity pay and the built-in raises.
The Tide is 48-6 over the past four seasons. Saban has restored the program to the point that a 10-3 title follow-up in 2010 was viewed as a big disappointment. He has had Alabama at its best in the biggest games, particularly the powerhouse defense.
Rugby players swept to sea off South Africa
JOHANNESBURG — A team of rugby players with championship hopes relished practicing on the beach, away from their impoverished township in southeastern South Africa.
But after going for a post-practice swim on Sunday, team members were swept away by rough seas and a strong current. One player drowned and five others remained missing on Monday. John Fletcher, coordinator for the Coastal Water Rescue Squad, said his volunteers rescued 15 of the players, but were unable to resuscitate one of the men, and five remained missing. He said strong winds created the rough conditions on the water.
Capt. Andre Beegte, a police spokesman, said helicopters were being used as the search continued Monday. Searchers patrolled the coastline on horses and all-terrain vehicles, and police divers also were called in, Beegte said.
Mncedisi Mazomba, a player-manager for the Motherwell Rugby Football Club, said city officials have arranged for counseling for relatives of the dead man and for those missing and presumed dead.
Death sparks
fears of more fan violence in Brazil
SAO PAULO — Escalating soccer violence in Brazil is sparking fears of a new wave of confrontations in South America’s biggest city.
A 21-year-old Palmeiras supporter was fatally shot in the head in Sao Paulo in a fight involving nearly 500 fans Sunday.
This was the second soccer-related death in just more than a week in the country that will host the 2014 World Cup. There hadn’t been a death linked to fan fighting in Brazil since early last year, when a Corinthians fan was killed in Sao Paulo.
There have been clashes between rival fan groups nearly every week this year, and authorities said Monday they will meet in the coming days to try to establish the causes of the renewed violence.
The Sao Paulo state football federation said it is banning the two fan groups involved in Sunday’s fight from entering stadiums.
Roddick upsets Federer at Key Biscayne
KEY BISCAYNE, Fla. —Andy Roddick defeated Roger Federer 7-6 (4), 1-6, 6-4 Monday in the third round at the Sony Ericsson Open.
Roddick’s serve kept him in the match, and then won it. He broke only once but held every service game in the first and last sets.
Also dominating with the serve was Serena Williams, who matched a career high with 20 aces to beat Samantha Stosur 7-5, 6-3 to reach the quarterfinals.
By wire sources