Football | Ronaldo charged by UEFA for gesture mocking Simeone

UEFA has charged Cristiano Ronaldo for a provocative gesture mocking Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone after Juventus eliminated the Spanish club from the Champions League. UEFA says its disciplinary panel will judge the charge of “improper conduct” last week. Simeone was fined 20,000 euros (USD22,700) by UEFA for making an obscene gesture after Atletico took the lead in a 2-0 win over Juventus in the first leg. Ronaldo’s hat trick in the 3-0 win in the return leg in Turin last week sent Juventus to the quarterfinals. Ronaldo celebrated at the final whistle by mimicking Simeone’s gesture. When Ronaldo played for Real Madrid, he twice won Champions League finals against Atletico.

Ski | Shiffrin tops World Cup money list with record USD885,000

Mikaela Shiffrin (pictured, right) earned a record 886,000 Swiss francs (USD885,000) in prize money during the World Cup ski season. Shiffrin’s 17 victories — the most ever in a season — gave her at least double the amount of the next highest earner on the women’s circuit. Petra Vlhova was second with 428,000 Swiss francs ($427,000). Marcel Hirscher, who won a record-extending eighth straight overall World Cup title, topped the men’s list with 565,000 Swiss francs ($564,000). Shiffrin won the women’s overall title for the third straight year. World Cup organizers typically pay 45,000 Swiss francs ($44,950) for a win. Prize money is paid down to 30th place, which usually earns 500 Swiss francs ($499).

Canceled Crusaders match overshadows Super Rugby’s fifth round

One match that wasn’t played carried more significance than five that were in the fifth round of Super Rugby. The scheduled match between the Crusaders and Highlanders in Dunedin was canceled on Saturday by joint agreement in a mark of respect for victims of a mass shooting the previous day in Christchurch. On Friday afternoon a lone gunman opened fire at two mosques in the South Island city and in less than 30 minutes left 50 dead and dozens wounded. Crusaders chief executive Colin Mainsbridge said players were shocked by the events which had taken place in their own city and “all other issues and considerations pale in significance” against the loss of life.