Football | Early exit looming for Sanfrecce in Asian Champions League

Another first-round exit is looming for Japanese champion Sanfrecce Hiroshima after a 4-1 loss to FC Seoul yesterday in the Asian Champions League. In its past three appearances, the J.League team has never progressed past the group stage. Three goals from Seoul striker Adriano, the Brazilian who scored four in the 6-0 win over Buriram United last week, put the match out of reach after the Japanese team had taken a first-half lead. Seoul is at the top of Group F with six points, above Shandong Luneng on goal difference. The Chinese team beat Thai club Buriram 3-0 with goals from Zhao Mingjian and Brazilian duo Diego Tardelli and Jucilei.

UEFA is hiking the cost of Champions League final tickets by up to 14 percent

The first 6,000 tickets for the May 28 match at San Siro in Milan went on sale by lottery yesterday. A further 40,000 seats in the 71,500-capacity stadium will later be split between the finalists. UEFA said 30 percent of the seats are in the most expensive category and have climbed 13 percent, from 390 euros at the 2015 final in Berlin to 440 euros (USD478). Category 2 tickets, which account for 26 percent of sales, have risen by 14 percent — from 280 euros to 320 euros ($348). But UEFA has frozen the cost of the lowest ticket categories at 160 euros ($174; 33 percent of seats) and 70 euros ($76; 11 percent of seats).

Cricket | South Africa spinner Phangiso suspended for illegal action

South Africa’s Aaron Phangiso was suspended yesterday after tests revealed he has an illegal bowling action, putting the left-arm spinner in doubt for the World Twenty20 this month. Cricket South Africa withdrew Phangiso from contention for the first two games of a three-match warm-up series against Australia while he undergoes work on his action and is tested again Monday. The suspension continued a troubled time for Phangiso, who has been involved in alcohol and drug controversies in recent months.