The mother of a teenage girl who launched a vicious attack on a basketball opponent could face up to one year in jail after being criminally charged in California over accusations that she provoked the violent scenes.
The teenage attacker, who was later revealed to be the daughter of former NBA player Corey Benjamin, was seen sucker-punching a 15-year-old rival during a November 7 game in Garden Grove.
Footage of the incident went viral and prompted former Chicago Bulls guard Benjamin to say he was “shocked and disappointed” at his daughter’s behavior.
The victim was identified as 15-year-old Lauryn Ham, who was left with a bruised neck and concussion.
In the wake of the attack, Ham’s mother said that the perpetrator had been encouraged from the sidelines by a parent to strike her daughter after a seemingly innocuous on-court collision.
A clip of the scene appeared to capture someone on the sidelines saying “you better hit her for that.”
The Orange County DA has announced it has charged Latira Shonty Hunt, 44, with one count each of contributing to the delinquency of a minor and battery – both misdemeanors – for allegedly provoking the attack from her daughter.
If found guilty, Hunt could face one year in jail.
“It is unconscionable that a parent would encourage her child to engage in violence during a sporting event,”said Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer.
“Youth sports are invaluable in teaching our children discipline, teamwork, and sportsmanship. But a win at all costs mentality that is completely devoid of fair play, respect, and civility is disgusting.”
Hunt and Benjamin’s daughter has not been named as she is a minor and is not facing any charges. However, she has been banned from competing permanently by the league.
After footage of the attack on Ham went viral, more clips emerged of separate incidents in which Hunt and Benjamin’s daughter – who played for Los Angeles-based team Dream Academy – was seen brawling with rivals on court.
The world of American football is in mourning after the sudden death of five-time Pro Bowl star and Super Bowl winner Demaryius Thomas at the age of 33 just months after his retirement.
Thomas was the 2010 NFL Draft’s 22nd overall pick fresh out of Georgia Tech.
Joining the Denver Broncos, he became one of the best wide receivers across the league and, in 2016, helped the franchise win a first Super Bowl title in 17 years alongside Peyton Manning.
Announcing his retirement in late June, however, the player known for his constant, infectious smile was found dead at his home in Roswell, Georgia on Thursday night.
The NFL family mourns the tragic loss of Demaryius Thomas and we extend our deepest condolences to his family and loved ones. pic.twitter.com/rAXYguAUy1
Thomas’ cause of death is still unclear, but police said preliminary reports suggested his passing is related to a medical issue with no indications of foul play.
In a statement, the Broncos said they were “devastated and completely heartbroken by the sudden, tragic passing” of a former charge who would have turned 34 on Christmas Day.
“DT was beloved by our entire organization, his teammates, coaches, and our fans,” the Broncos added.
“During nine seasons in Denver, Demaryius established himself as a dominant, record-setting wide receiver who was an instrumental part of two championship runs and our victory in Super Bowl 50.
“His legacy as a Bronco extended far beyond the playing field as a caring, generous member of our community.
We are devastated and completely heartbroken.
Demaryius' humility, warmth, kindness and infectious smile will always be remembered by those who knew him and loved him. pic.twitter.com/0GLZIr6UP3
The Broncos told of how Thomas “loved giving back”, especially to children, while “impacting countless lives” through its youth outreach clubs, hospital visits, his yearly football camp and “many other genuine interactions”.
“Demaryius’ humility, warmth, kindness and infectious smile will always be remembered by those who knew him and loved him,” it was concluded.
Manning, regarded as one of the greatest quarterbacks of all time, said that Thomas “was a better person than he was a player, and he was a Hall of Fame player”.
“That tells you how good of a person he was. He treated my kids like they were his own. He was there for every teammate’s charity event.
“I texted with DT on Tuesday. He was talking about a touchdown audible we called versus Arizona in 2014. Absolutely devasted,” Manning finished.
Posting a photo of the pair together at a restaurant, pass rusher and former colleague DeMarcus Ware wrote a simple “heartbroken” caption.
Catching 724 passes while notching 9,763 yards and 63 touchdowns, Thomas holds the Broncos’ records for most receiving yards in a game (226) and season (1619) in addition to the most touchdown receptions in a season (14).
Russian police are hunting an Uzbek amateur MMA fighter after he escaped custody in St. Petersburg following an attack on security officers from the Interior Ministry.
Bunyod Tukhtayev, 28, was detained by members of the Russian Center for Combatting Extremism – known colloquially as ‘Center E’ – earlier this week.
Footage showed Tukhtayev attempting to escape during his arrest as he fled an unmarked car before grappling with two officers on the street.
В Санкт-Петербурге боец ММА Бунёд Тухтаев совершил дерзкий побег из отдела МВД после того, как напал на силовиков и пытался отобрать у них оружие. Национальность не называю pic.twitter.com/0b5qKIuHG9
He was eventually restrained and taken into custody but did not remain there for long.
According to reports, the morning following his detention Tukhtayev asked to use the toilet and then staged his escape when he returned to a preliminary detention room.
Officials confirmed to Interfax that Tukhtaev was “wanted” after being detained on suspicion of involvement in trading QR codes – which are required in public places across St. Petersburg to verify Covid vaccination status – and fake migration documents.
Tukhtaev is also facing charges of violence towards an official after resisting his initial detention.
Records indicate that Tukhtaev has had at least one amateur MMA contest – losing to fellow Uzbek Dostonbek Dostmurodov at an R3 Fighting Championship event in St. Petersburg earlier this year when he was unable to come out for the second round.
The English Football League has issued advice to clubs to segregate their players depending on their Covid vaccination status or if they have previously been infected, reports have claimed.
The EFL consists of 72 clubs across England’s Championship, League One and League Two competitions.
According to The Telegraph, they have been advised to split up stars in groups such as unvaccinated, double-jabbed, boosted, and previously infected when traveling to and from fixtures to reduce possible coronavirus transmission.
The move comes amid the UK government’s rolling out of Plan B to battle the Omicron variant this week, which includes the reintroduction of the use of facemasks indoors and the need to carry a vaccine passport or provide a negative test result to enter football stadiums and other venues with large crowds.
Prime Minister Boris Johnson reintroduced working from home where possible but encouraged people to attend office Christmas parties, a controversial move as Downing Street battles accusations that it held bashes during lockdown last year.
Meanwhile, the English Premier League has contacted all 20 of its clubs to re-install emergency Covid protocol with both the top tier and EFL advising against end-of-year parties.
The Telegraph’s report further claims that the EFL has instructed teams to separate their goalkeepers in training to reduce the chances of “close contact”.
Above all, the guidance aims to ensure that there are no disruptions to the packed calendar over Christmas and New Year, with the new measures set to last until the end of the next month.
In addition to maintaining social distancing and not sitting down for meals together with their whole squad, EFL players have been ordered to bear in mind contact with others “outside of their bubble”.
A separate report from The Sun alleges there is fear among Premier League bosses that unvaccinated stars could be banned from playing altogether.
In October, it was announced that 81% of players in the league had received at least one jab of their vaccination and 68% had been double-jabbed.
While these figures are said to have risen in the past six weeks, clubs have apparently noted how the NBA previously sought a vaccine mandate with rebels like Kyrie Irving sidelined for his refusal to get vaccinated amid strict New York Covid laws.
Vaccine passports for fans Will players have to be vaccinated? Positive case and illness at Leicester @SkyKaveh has the latest on fresh Coronavirus rules in the Premier League pic.twitter.com/iD7dVv7WDC
In the Germaan Bundesliga, where unvaccinated players who test positive must head into isolation, big names such as Joshua Kimmich have also been out of action and docked pay.
For clubs already braced for fan anger from those who can’t attend matches without proof of their double-jabbed status, potentially not being able to field some of their stars would be added stress.
Football super-agent Mino Raiola has shared the clubs he believes are in line to sign Norwegian sensation Erling Haaland once the forward makes a widely expected move from Borussia Dortmund, which could happen in the summer.
The prolific Haaland has struck 17 goals in 13 appearances across all competitions for Dortmund this season as he continues his rise as one of the most coveted young stars in world football.
A host of big names across Europe are expected to come knocking at the Dortmund door again at the end of the season, when a release clause of a reported €75 million ($85 million / £64 million) is believed to kick in.
Asked if Dortmund will cash in on their prized asset, Raiola told Sport1: “Maybe this summer, maybe the summer after. But there is a big chance that Erling will leave this summer. We will see.”
Manchester United are believed to be among those keen on Haaland – but Raiola seemingly dealt a blow to the Old Trafford giants by not naming them or Chelsea as among his likely destinations.
“He can and will take the next step. Bayern, Real, Barcelona, City – these are the big clubs he can go to. City have won the championship five times in the last few years, much more than United.”
The remarks will likely sting at Old Trafford, where another of Raiola’s clients, Paul Pogba, appears set to leave as a free agent at the end of the season.
Chelsea were believed to be keen on Haaland last summer but ended up spending a record fee to bring Romelu Lukaku back to Stamford Bridge.
Haaland has scored 74 time in 72 games for Dortmund since joining the Germans from Red Bull Salzburg in January 2020.
His current deal runs until 2024, but Raiola says his future will be discussed this winter, even if no firm decision is made.
“We all knew when we moved to Dortmund that this step would come,” said the agent, who refused to give details of any release clause in the striker’s contract.
Abu Dhabi-backed Manchester City would certainly have the kind of financial firepower to lure Haaland to the Premier League and pay the wages demanded by Raiola.
However, doubts would be cast over debt-ridden Barcelona’s ability to do so, and possibly that of La Liga rivals Real Madrid, who are in any case intent on completing their protracted pursuit of PSG star Kylian Mbappe.
