Manchester United want one more signing, says Ferguson

Published>Wed, May 19 10 05:48 AM

Manchester United want to bring in one more player for next season but are not planning major changes to their squad despite losing the Premier League title, manager Alex Ferguson said on Tuesday.

"There may be one signing," he told a news conference promoting their North American summer tour. "We'd maybe like to get one good player to the club, but it's not easy in the present day climate. We're still assessing."

United's quest for an unprecedented fourth straight title was blocked by Chelsea, who finished one point ahead.

"It was always difficult to go for four trophies in a row, but we felt we could have done it," said Ferguson. "The challenge is to bring that trophy back. That's an important trophy because the competition is so fierce in England."

Ferguson added that he liked the make-up of his squad.

"Sometimes you have to have trust and faith in what we've developed in the last few years and I'm going to stick with that, or most of it," he said.

"The structure of our squad is good -- the ages, the balance of the squad, the numbers. They are all good young players."

He also pointed out that United had already signed 21-year-old World Cup-bound Mexico striker Javier Hernandez from Guadalajara and defender Chris Smalling, 20, from Fulham.

Regarding their North American tour, Ferguson said setting up a training camp this summer in Chicago followed by three games against Major League Soccer teams and a final match versus the MLS All Stars would be good preparation for next season.

"We've got to get our show on the road," he said. "That means concentration and a rhythm of the game has got to be found quickly after the disappointment of last season.

"We want to start the season very quickly, start on the front foot."

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Exhaustion will hit England's chances - Ferguson

Published>Wed, May 19 10 05:08 AM

England's bid for glory at the World Cup will be hurt by the exhaustion of their players after a long season of fast-paced Premier League football, Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson said on Tuesday.

"The intensity of the English game is so great that it makes it more difficult for those players to perform well in the World Cup," Ferguson told reporters at a news conference promoting Manchester United's four-game North American summer tour.

"You have to say the number of games, particularly at our level, is exhausting.

"Every game Manchester United play is a Cup final. We have to win, and teams playing against us are motivated to play against Manchester United."

Ferguson said his players competing in the World Cup will be in urgent need of the 28 days of rest they are given before returning to training with United for next season.

"They must have that or they won't feature next year, they'll just collapse. Exhaustion will get them, which makes it difficult for English players to perform well in the World Cup," he added.

England face the United States, Slovenia and Algeria in their World Cup group.

United's leading striker Wayne Rooney, who carries the weight of the nation's expectations every time he pulls on an England shirt, struggled with injury towards the end of the season but Ferguson said he would be fit for the finals.

"... if he wasn't (fit), there would probably be headlines all over the papers. I'm sure he'll be all right. I'm sure he's OK."

Asked who would win the tournament in South Africa which starts on June 11 Ferguson went with the form books.

"My general view is that Brazil are very strong favourites with Spain following them," Ferguson told Reuters after embracing the head of United's U.S. supporters club following the news conference.

"...I think that France will do better than people think. They are underdogs, which is not normal for them, and Italy will probably get to the semi-finals."

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Paraguay squad suffer robbery at French base

Published Wed, May 19 10 05:06 AM

Paraguay's World Cup squad suffered a robbery at their training base in France, a team spokeswoman said on Tuesday.

The theft of a reported $110,000 occurred in the room of a team director, Rogelio Cattebeke, at the Hilton in Evian les Bains close to the Swiss border, team press officer Gilda Arrua said.

"The French police have already intervened and are on the trail of the possible author of the crime," Arrua told the Asuncion radio station Cardinal.

"I can't give details because everything's in the hands of the investigators."

The theft occurred while the team were training and the press officer was at the airport meeting two players who flew in to join up with the squad.

The Paraguayan online newspaper ABC Digital said a person with a Latin accent passed himself off as a team director to get into the room.

Paraguay will play three warm-ups against Ireland, Ivory Coast and Greece in Europe before travelling to South Africa for the June 11-July 11 finals in which they face holders Italy, Slovakia and New Zealand in Group F.

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Suns aim to emerge from Lakers' shadow in Game Two

Published>Wed, May 19 10 04:36 AM

Outsized and outplayed by the Los Angeles Lakers in the series opener, the Phoenix Suns face an uphill task if they are to upset the NBA champions in Game Two of the Western Conference final on Wednesday.

The Suns, blown away 128-107 at Staples Centre on Monday, struggled to cope with their opponents' powerful inside game and failed to impose their own three-point prowess on a swarming Lakers defence.

"They're a lot bigger than we are and they had a lot of points in the paint, Phoenix guard and twice MVP Steve Nash told reporters after the team's first loss in seven games.

"They're probably going to continue to be taller than us as the series goes on," he added with a broad grin. "So we've got to try to cut down on some of those transition buckets, offensive rebounds, defensive lapses, whatever it is."

The Suns relied heavily on their three-point strength to win their previous two playoff rounds against the Portland Trail Blazers and San Antonio Spurs.

On Monday, however, they were held to five for 22 from three-point range, a woeful 22.7 percent after they averaged more than 40 percent against the Trail Blazers and Spurs.

Asked whether the drop-off was due to poor shooting or rugged Lakers defence, Suns coach Alvin Gentry replied: "It was a combination of both. (The Lakers) do a really good job of running you off three-point shots.

"We have struggled some against them from the three-point line. We had a lot of shots available to us that we didn't make, They're number one in three-point percentage defence in the league, so they do a good job of closing out on that."

THREE-POINT BATTLE

The speedy Suns led the league in three-point shooting during the regular season but the Lakers, spearheaded by the seven-foot presence of Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum, proved to be the best in three-point defence.

While the Lakers comfortably won the opening skirmish in that department, their head coach Phil Jackson expects a much tougher three-point battle in Wednesday's Game Two.

"They had a good look and there were a couple of times we kept them off balance with some of their three-point shooters," said Jackson. "But, for the most part, I think they'll be back on beam come Wednesday night."

The Suns will also have to contend with the brilliance of All-Star guard Kobe Bryant, who delivered 40 points on Monday as he masterminded a stunning display by the Lakers.

"I still think we can withstand the 40 that Kobe got," Gentry said. "The way he got those points, when he's in that zone, there's really not a whole lot you can do about it.

"So we have to do a better job on the other guys. Kobe has had 40 before against us, and we won the game. We've just got to do a better job on our perimeter defence."

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Holders Russia set up revenge clash with Canada

Published Wed, May 19 10 04:26 AM

Holders Russia set up a world championship quarter-final clash against Olympic champions Canada after storming past Finland 5-0 on Tuesday.

The Russians, bidding for a third consecutive world title, will be eager to exact revenge for their Vancouver Games quarter-final 7-3 rout by Canada in February.

Both teams will be without most of their big names, still competing in the NHL playoffs.

Russia, who have now won 25 consecutive world championship matches, left it until late in the first period to take the lead through Sergei Fedorov.

They twice added a brace in a span of seconds midway through the second and early in the third period to book their spot in the last eight.

Canada went through despite a 3-2 defeat to the Czech Republic, with the Czechs, led by veteran Jagomir Jagr who scored their second goal, scraping through to the quarter-finals to avoid their worst world championship showing in 90 years.

"We're going to have to go through the tough teams eventually," said Canadian forward John Tavares.

Hosts Germany also edged through with a 2-1 win over Slovakia to set up a clash with Switzerland.

Sweden and Denmark will battle it out in an all-Scandinavian encounter. Finland take on the Czech Republic.

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Suns aim to emerge from Lakers' shadow in Game Two

Published>Wed, May 19 10 03:48 AM

Outsized and outplayed by the Los Angeles Lakers in the series opener, the Phoenix Suns face an uphill task if they are to upset the NBA champions in Game Two of the Western Conference final on Wednesday.

The Suns, blown away 128-107 at Staples Centre on Monday, struggled to cope with their opponents' powerful inside game and failed to impose their own three-point prowess on a swarming Lakers defence.

"They're a lot bigger than we are and they had a lot of points in the paint, Phoenix guard and twice MVP Steve Nash told reporters after the team's first loss in seven games.

"They're probably going to continue to be taller than us as the series goes on," he added with a broad grin. "So we've got to try to cut down on some of those transition buckets, offensive rebounds, defensive lapses, whatever it is."

The Suns relied heavily on their three-point strength to win their previous two playoff rounds against the Portland Trail Blazers and San Antonio Spurs.

On Monday, however, they were held to five for 22 from three-point range, a woeful 22.7 percent after they averaged more than 40 percent against the Trail Blazers and Spurs.

Asked whether the drop-off was due to poor shooting or rugged Lakers defence, Suns coach Alvin Gentry replied: "It was a combination of both. (The Lakers) do a really good job of running you off three-point shots.

"We have struggled some against them from the three-point line. We had a lot of shots available to us that we didn't make, They're number one in three-point percentage defence in the league, so they do a good job of closing out on that."

THREE-POINT BATTLE

The speedy Suns led the league in three-point shooting during the regular season but the Lakers, spearheaded by the seven-foot presence of Pau Gasol and Andrew Bynum, proved to be the best in three-point defence.

While the Lakers comfortably won the opening skirmish in that department, their head coach Phil Jackson expects a much tougher three-point battle in Wednesday's Game Two.

"They had a good look and there were a couple of times we kept them off balance with some of their three-point shooters," said Jackson. "But, for the most part, I think they'll be back on beam come Wednesday night."

The Suns will also have to contend with the brilliance of All-Star guard Kobe Bryant, who delivered 40 points on Monday as he masterminded a stunning display by the Lakers.

"I still think we can withstand the 40 that Kobe got," Gentry said. "The way he got those points, when he's in that zone, there's really not a whole lot you can do about it.

"So we have to do a better job on the other guys. Kobe has had 40 before against us, and we won the game. We've just got to do a better job on our perimeter defence."

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Spanish clubs' debt woes continue to mount

Published>Wed, May 19 10 01:48 AM

As Spain's government grapples with its own yawning budget deficit, the finances of the country's top soccer clubs are continuing to spiral out of control, a study showed on Tuesday.

The 20 La Liga clubs had combined debt of 3.526 billion euros ($4.4 billion) in 2008/09, up from 3.49 billion the previous season, according to the new study by University of Barcelona professor Jose Maria Gay.

Revenue growth more than halved to a tepid 4 percent, from 10 percent in the 2007/08 campaign, and operating costs rose to 1.704 billion euros, outstripping income of 1.455 billion euros by 249 million, the study showed.

Only La Liga giants Real Madrid and Barcelona, the world's two richest clubs, and lowly Numancia, who were relegated, made an operating profit.

Labour costs accounted for a whopping 85 percent of operating income.

"Let's not kid ourselves, Spanish football is in a very difficult situation, like our economy," Gay wrote.

"You can't spend more than you earn. This is the fundamental rule for economic survival."

Wealthy Real and Barca dominate La Liga because they negotiate their own television deals and raked in half of their 560 million euros income from audiovisual rights last season.

Gay suggested this would have to change if the league wanted to prevent financial meltdown and avoid turning into a "Scottish-style" competition where two teams -- Celtic and Rangers -- dominated the sporting and economic arenas.

RECORD TALLY

Champions Barca compiled a record points tally of 99 this season, while Real, who spent 1/4 of a billion euros on players before the start of their campaign, were second on 96 with Valencia a distant 25 points further back in third.

"Who can win the league? The answer is obvious: Barca or Madrid. Madrid or Barca. Nobody else," Gay said.

"Maybe now is the right time to renegotiate the rules of the economic game between all the protagonists," he added.

Real and Barca have come under pressure from poorer clubs to relinquish their stranglehold over TV cash and adopt the system in most rival European leagues where money is shared around.

The two clubs argue that losing TV money would make them less competitive in Europe as they would be unable to buy the best players and pay top wages.

"Barca and Madrid will have to make an effort, sacrificing today so that the league can flourish," Gay said.

"One step back, several forward. If this does not happen, the league will be in its death throes."

Gay said one of the main reasons for the dire finances of Spanish clubs was the sky-high cost of labour, noting that in many, including Sevilla, Atletico Madrid and Valencia, it was significantly greater than operating income.

"This means the economic model is unsustainable and they are often forced to fall back on extraordinary revenue to wipe out their deficits," Gay wrote.

"Like the Spanish state, soccer needs to make drastic spending cuts, especially in wages," he added. "And this means that everyone has to tighten their belts."

Gay said Atletico Madrid, Villarreal, Almeria, Racing Santander, Sporting Gijon and Recreativo Huelva had not filed their accounts for the year ending June 30, 2009 with the official registry in time to be included in the latest study.

For those clubs, the previous year's accounts were used.

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T20 World Cup win means nothing for Ashes: Warne

Published>Wed, May 19 10 12:20 AM

Legendary spinner Shane Warne feels that England's win over Australia in Twenty20 World Cup final will mean nothing in the Ashes series later this year except for gaining a "small psychological advantage".

"Well played, big tick in the box, round one to England -- but when it comes to the first day of the Ashes in Brisbane, winning the World Twenty20 will count for nothing, unless MBEs are being handed out," Warne said while congratulating England for the Twenty20 World Cup triumph.

"Every time Australia play England there is talk about the Ashes. We ask, has anyone gained an advantage? What we can say is that England's mindset has changed. In the past they thought that if they played at their best they might nick a win. Now they think 'We can beat this lot'. That feeling of being scared of playing Australia has disappeared," he wrote in his column for 'Daily Telegraph'.

"England will have taken a small psychological advantage from Sunday's final. Australia were just starting to build a bit of momentum and find some consistency in the aftermath of losing last year's Ashes. But the first time they came up against England in a final they lost. That will send a message to Australia that they have to play very well to beat England now in any form of the game," he said.

Warne said Ashes in Australia would be an altogether a different ball game than the Twenty20 but said England now have a balanced side to challenge Ricky Ponting's men, particularly with star batsman Kevin Pietersen and spinner Graeme Swann in prime form.

"It (Ashes) is the hardest series to win. They have now got the right tools to do that. England have a very balanced side and in Graeme Swann they have a spinner who, when you examine every format of the game, is the best in the world right now," Warne said.

"In Kevin Pietersen England also have, not the best, but the most destructive batsman. The Indian Premier League and World Twenty20 came at a good time for him. He was struggling in the Test arena. When he gets into trouble he gets technical and reads too much into things. He is best when he plays on instinct and in Twenty20 there is not much time to think. You just have to go out there and hit the ball.

"For the last couple of months he has not had to worry about technique and building innings. He has just had to smack the ball and impose himself. To be the Player of the Tournament will be great for his ego. It is also great for England because all the other players seem to walk a bit taller when KP is playing well. They feed off him. Also the opposition concentrate on getting KP out so much that it allows others to play with freedom," said Warne.

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Argentina shirt is not a burden, says Messi

Published Wed, May 19 10 12:12 AM

The Argentina World Cup shirt is not a burden, striker Lionel Messi said on Tuesday.

"I don't feel pressure playing in the Argentina shirt," he told reporters on arrival from Spain.

"In Spain I'm also in a team that has to win everything," added Messi, who helped Barcelona win their second consecutive title in La Liga at the weekend.

The world's top player flew into Buenos Aires to join coach Diego Maradona's Argentina squad who will begin their preparations for the World Cup finals on Thursday.

He was criticised by fans and some media last year for indifferent performances for Argentina as they struggled to qualify for the finals.

Having left his country as a young teenager to join Barcelona, they questioned his feelings of allegiance and commitment to the Argentine colours.

Messi, surrounded by a mass of tape recorders and microphones thrust close to his face, said he would do his best to transfer his trophy-winning form for Barcelona to the Argentina team.

"I will give my answers on the pitch and the World Cup is a nice opportunity to show Argentines I can do the same things in the national team as for Barcelona," he said.

Asked if Maradona should build the team around him, Messi looked bothered by the question and said: "Diego did not build the team for me, it's a team and we have to play for everyone (in it).

"I think (Argentina) are candidates (to win the World Cup). We are no-one's favorites because of the way that we got there. It could be good for us not to be favorites and we will have to prove ourselves on the field."

It will be Messi's second World Cup after Germany in 2006 when he saw little action and watched as an unused substitute when the hosts eliminated Argentina on penalties in the quarter-final in Berlin.

Argentina face Nigeria, South Korea and Greece in group B at the finals starting on June 11.

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FIFA to investigate Triesman's allegations

Published>Wed, May 19 10 12:06 AM

FIFA will investigate the substance of reported allegations by the former head of England's Football Association (FA) over a Russian-Spanish bribery conspiracy, general secretary Jerome Valcke said on Tuesday.

Asked whether FIFA's ethics committee would simply investigate David Triesman or the comments themselves, Valcke told a news conference: "Both."

Triesman quit as England's 2018 World Cup bid chief and FA chairman on Sunday after British newspaper the Mail on Sunday reported secretly recorded comments.

Triesman was quoted as saying that rival bidders Spain and Russia were conspiring to bribe referees at next month's World Cup in South Africa. The alleged comments badly damaged England's bid to host the 2018 or 2022 World Cup.

FIFA said on Monday that its ethics committee would investigate the comments.

"We are waiting for various statements...the ethics committee will decide which person they want to hear and which people they want to invite for a hearing," Valcke added.

"The ethics committee will make a report over the next days, we will do it as soon as we can and not waste any time," he added.

Valcke later told reporters: "I definitely want to have something before the World Cup because some of the comments were about the World Cup. It has to be quick.

"We are looking at the content of the allegations because it was about the World Cup and the bids and also on Lord Triesman and the way that he made those statements."

Triesman, 66, resigned from the bid team and the FA after little more than two years in the job.

PRIVATE CONVERSATION

In a statement, Triesman said that during a private conversation he had commentated on speculation circulating about conspiracies and never intended his remarks to be taken seriously.

Ex-FA chief Geoff Thompson is the new bid team chairman, with David Sheepshanks and Roger Burden appointed joint acting chairmen of the FA.

In an effort to limit the damage, the England 2018 team have sent letters of apology to their Spanish and Russian counterparts as well as FIFA.

"It would be strange if I said life wasn't a bit harder because of what's happened but hopefully we've dealt with what's happened quickly," Jonathan Hall, the FA's director of services, told reporters.

"We will carry on with our football business and that just simply has to go on."

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Egypt get Cairo World Cup ban over Algeria trouble

Published Tue, May 18 10 11:28 PM

Egypt have been ordered to play their first two home 2014 World Cup qualifiers at least 100 km outside the capital Cairo as punishment for an attack on Algeria's team bus at a match there last year.

The FIFA disciplinary committee also fined the Egyptian Football Association 100,000 Swiss francs ($88,570) for the breach of security which led to four of the Algerian delegation on the bus being injured in the Nov. 12 attack.

FIFA also criticised security arrangements two days later at Cairo International Stadium for the World Cup qualifier. Algeria later progressed to this year's World Cup finals in South Africa by winning a playoff 1-0 against Egypt in Khartoum.

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FIFA to investigate Triesman's allegations

Published>Tue, May 18 10 11:08 PM

FIFA will investigate the substance of reported allegations by the former head of England's Football Association (FA) over a Russian-Spanish bribery conspiracy, general secretary Jerome Valcke said on Tuesday.

Asked whether FIFA's ethics committee would simply investigate David Triesman or the comments themselves, Valcke told a news conference: "Both."

Triesman quit as England's 2018 World Cup bid chief and FA chairman on Sunday after British newspaper the Mail on Sunday reported secretly recorded comments.

Triesman was quoted as saying that rival bidders Spain and Russia were conspiring to bribe referees at next month's World Cup in South Africa. The alleged comments badly damaged England's bid to host the 2018 or 2022 World Cup.

FIFA said on Monday that its ethics committee would investigate the comments.

"We are waiting for various statements...the ethics committee will decide which person they want to hear and which people they want to invite for a hearing," Valcke added.

"The ethics committee will make a report over the next days, we will do it as soon as we can and not waste any time," he added.

Valcke later told reporters: "I definitely want to have something before the World Cup because some of the comments were about the World Cup. It has to be quick.

"We are looking at the content of the allegations because it was about the World Cup and the bids and also on Lord Triesman and the way that he made those statements."

Triesman, 66, resigned from the bid team and the FA after little more than two years in the job.

PRIVATE CONVERSATION

In a statement, Triesman said that during a private conversation he had commentated on speculation circulating about conspiracies and never intended his remarks to be taken seriously.

Ex-FA chief Geoff Thompson is the new bid team chairman, with David Sheepshanks and Roger Burden appointed joint acting chairmen of the FA.

In an effort to limit the damage, the England 2018 team have sent letters of apology to their Spanish and Russian counterparts as well as FIFA.

"It would be strange if I said life wasn't a bit harder because of what's happened but hopefully we've dealt with what's happened quickly," Jonathan Hall, the FA's director of services, told reporters.

"We will carry on with our football business and that just simply has to go on."

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Ajmal still has nightmares about final over to Hussey

Published Tue, May 18 10 10:38 PM

Karachi, May 18 (PTI) Pakistani off-spinnner Saeed Ajmal still has nightmares about the final over that he had bowled to Australian Mike Hussey in the semifinal of the just concluded Twenty20 World Cup in the West Indies. Saeed, a veteran of 14 years in Pakistan''s domestic circuit said, the final over, which saw Hussey taking his team to a stunning win, was the most painful of his life. "When Hussey hit the last six I was absolutely heartbroken, I am still heartbroken. It was a very emotional and difficult time for me. My teammates all came up to me and consoled me and told me not to worry, but I was very upset. The pain is there, when you lose a game of this magnitude it hurts really badly," Saeed said in an interview to a news channel here from London. Chasing a challenging 192 for victory, Australia needed 48 runs from the last 18 deliveries. Skipper Shahid Afridi threw the ball to the trusted Ajmal to bowl the final over of the match with the Australians still requiring 18 more runs. Defending champions Pakistan looked all set to reserve a berth in the final for the third consecutive time, but Hussey had some different plans in his mind. He smashed Ajmal for three sixes and a four in the final over to take his side into final. Saeed said he was totally wrecked by the final over and the support of his teammates has kept him going. "All of the squad, from the players to the coaches to the backroom staff have said to me that I wasn''t to blame for the defeat and they have all said that we played as a unit, we won matches as a unit and we all take responsibility as a unit for the defeat. There is no question of anyone pointing the finger at any individuals," he said. Saeed said he was not nervous about bowling the final over as he had been bowling the final overs earlier in the tournament against other top teams like England and South Africa. "I had bowled at the death against South Africa a few days earlier and it had worked for the team. Our pre-match plan was for me to bowl the 18th and last over once again. I had no problems at all with Shahid (Afridi) giving me the same responsibility against Australia. I wanted the responsibility on my shoulders and I wanted to win the match for my country," he said. The off-spinner said despite the let down in St Lucia, he would not hesitate if asked to bowl the final over again in a crunch situation. "After all cricket is all about learning and keeping your nerves." PTI Corr SHN

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PCB blames players, legal counsels for video leak

Published Tue, May 18 10 10:22 PM

Karachi, May 18 (PTI) Pakistan Cricket Board has blamed the players and their legal counsels for the leakage of the video recordings of the inquiry committee proceedings that were held in March to look into the team''s poor performances and into reports of disunity among the team members. The video recordings were shown on the Geo television network yesterday and caused a stir as the officials and players appearing before the inquiry committee made some startling statements which were previously not publicised by the board nor the officials or players. "The board had the video recordings of the proceedings since February and nothing was leaked out to the media," PCB legal advisor, Tafazzul Rizvi told PTI. "But we had given the video and audio recordings to some of the players and their legal representatives. So it was very obvious who leaked these video recordings," Rizvi said. He said the board had kept all the proceedings of the inquiry committee confidential for the sake of Pakistan cricket, the reputation of the players and the sport itself. "But if the players want these things to come out in the open then fine they will also have to bear the consequences, the board is certainly not responsible for leaking out these confidential things," Rizvi, who was a member of the committee, said. The committee in march recommended bans on Younis Khan, Muhammad Yousuf, Shoaib Malik and Rana Naved and fines on Shahid Afridi, Kamran Akmal and Umar Akmal which the board enforced in letter and spirit. Except for Yousuf who preferred to announce his retirement from international cricket after the ban was announced, the rest of the players have all filed appeals with a single man appellate tribunal headed by Justice (retd) Irfan Qadir. Asked about the suspicions raised in the video recordings by former Pakistan team coaches, Aaqib Javed and Intikhab Alam that some players might be involved in fixing, Rizvi said suspicions could be raised easily but it was very difficult to find evidence to prove that any fixing had taken place. Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Senate standing committee on sports, Ghaffar Qureshi has said that the committee members had told the media that they had seen evidence of some players being involved in match fixing after being shown the same recordings by the board sometimes back. "That is why we came out of the meeting and said we had our suspicions and action would be taken against such players but the board later denied any player was involved in the match-fixing," he said. Qureshi said after the airing of the video recordings, the Senate committee would now hold a proper inquiry into the whole cricket set up and finalise recommendations for the betterment of the sport in the country.

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Extra linesman experiment to continue

Published>Tue, May 18 10 10:18 PM

Soccer's experiment with two extra linesman behind the goals is to continue for another two years and will be extended beyond Europe, the sport's rule-making body said on Tuesday.

The new system, backed by UEFA president Michel Platini, was used in this year's Europa League and the International Football Association Board (IFAB) said on Tuesday that, although there were positive aspects, it needed further testing.

It is the only significant proposal on the table at present to help referees after the IFAB ruled out the use of goal line technology at a meeting in February.

"There's a general consensus that the experiment to date has been extremely interesting and I think most will agree that the results have proved more favourable than negative," said IFAB member and Welsh FA chairman Jonathan Ford.

"That's why we've supported the idea that this can be extended and opened up."

Jonathan Hall, another IFAB member, added: "We've had the test in the Europa League and 205 games in total, a number of incidents were noted in those games, but 205 games in the context of all the football played is not enough.

"We haven't seen enough evidence to say it's the most fabulous idea in the world but there are positives in terms of the deterrent effect for behaviour in the penalty area.

He added: "We're conscious that there are five confederations and 150 national federations outside Europe and we wanted to give them the opportunity as well.

"I think we will learn more from the pilots over the next two seasons."

FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke said that all six continental confederations and 208 national associations would be invited to use the experiment in any competition.

The only condition was that the five officials would have to be used throughout the whole of any given competition.

"You can't just say you will carry out this test in the final," Valcke told reporters.

"It has to be throughout a competition, not just a single game. It has to be from the first game to the final game."

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Woman forced resignation of FA chairman Lord Triesman

Published Tue, May 18 10 09:52 PM

London, May 18 (PTI) A 37-year-old woman, Melissa Jacobs, forced the resignation of Lord Triesman as chairman of the Football Association after she revealed intimate details of their relationship as well as a series of remarks he made that now threaten England''s hopes of hosting the 2018 World Cup. The 66-year-old peer -- who delivered England''s bid for the 2018 World cup with soccer star David Beckham this weekend -- was caught on tape accusing Spain and Russia of planning to bribe referees at this summer''s World Cup finals in South Africa and resigned as soon as his remarks were made public. According to Evening Standard, a tabloid, Jacobs, a Civil servant, who stands to make about 100,000 from the revelations, had been receiving treatment for Obsessive Compulsive Disorder at a clinic in America for several months. Jacobs claimed that she and the Labour peer had a six-month affair, which she ended after becoming uncomfortable about having a relationship with a married man. Quoting sources, the report said Jacobs claimed she resigned from her job as a civil servant last week after months of sick leave while receiving treatment in America - and said she now wants to use the money she makes by selling her story to found a specialist disorders clinic in London. Jacobs, a biology graduate, allegedly met Lord Triesman in a central London restaurant where he made a series of claims about the football industry. He suggested that Spain may withdraw its bid to host the 2018 World Cup if Russia, another bidder, helped it to bribe referees in this summer tournament. Although Lord Triesman said he and Jacobs were friends who did no more than "kiss on the cheek", she has written a raunchy internet blog in which she praised him as "an extremely good kisser" who loved "caressing her body". She has also kept almost 70 text messages from the peer. Six years ago, Lord Triesman married former BBC executive Lucy Hooberman, now 51.

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Penalty-takers banned for feinting

Published>Tue, May 18 10 09:48 PM

Penalty-takers at the World Cup will not be able to feint as they are about to kick the ball after a change in rules was announced on Tuesday, just three weeks before the start of the sport's biggest event.

The International Football Association Board (IFAB), soccer's rule-making body, said the decision followed a growing trend in Brazil.

In the move known as the Paradinha (Little Stop), players stop as they are about to take the penalty, send the goalkeeper the wrong way with a dummy and cheekily chip the ball into the empty part of the goal.

"We saw some video examples, which make it clear it's very unsporting when the player gets to the end of a run up, feints to kick completely over the ball, the goalkeeper goes in one direction, the player pulls his foot back, and kicks the ball in the other direction," IFAB member Patrick Nelson told reporters.

"It's clearly unsporting."

One IFAB member added that some of the dummies on the video had the room in fits of laughter.

FIFA general secretary Jerome Valcke admitted it would be a race to introduce the new rule in time for the World Cup.

"It's something we have to implement in 23 games," he said.

"We have to make sure the referees, players and coaches understand what it is about and will use videos as an example for the players to see where we are coming from."

Players who feint as they are about to take the kick will be shown a yellow card. However, feinting during the run-up will be allowed.

The new wording of Law 14 now reads: "Feinting in the run-up to take a penalty kick to confuse opponents is permitted, however, feinting to kick the ball once the player has completed his run-up is now considered an infringement of Law 14 and an act of unsporting behaviour for which the player must be cautioned."

The practice also came to prominence with an ugly incident during the African Nations Cup.

Algeria goalkeeper Faouzi Chaouchi, enraged when Egypt's Hosni Abd Rabou feinted before stroking his spot kick into the net to during their semi-final, chased the referee, grabbed him from behind and head-butted him before being dragged away by team mates.

Referee Bonaventure Coffi Codjia was suspended for failing to dismiss Chaochi in the incident, although the Algeria goalkeeper was later sent off for a second bookable offence in their 4-0 defeat.

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Gill inaugurates highest hockey astroturf at Shilaroo

Published Tue, May 18 10 09:28 PM

Shilaroo (HP), May 18 (PTI) Sports Minister M S Gill today inaugurated country''s highest astroturf hockey field at the high altitude training centre of Sports Authority of India here. The Rs 3.5 crore astroturf located at an altitude of 8,500 feet would be equipped to provide training facilities to hockey players who also can have camps during summer months. Speaking on the occasion, Gill said that he has been apprised of the importance of the high altitude training centre located at about 55 km from Shimla and assured that more facilities would be provided for training of players. SAI had spent over Rs five core during the last two years to develop the infrastructure at this centre and there was also a proposal to construct 200m six-lane synthetic althetics track and a gymnasium. Lauding the effort of Vidya Stokes, president of Hockey India, in setting up this centre in 1986 and recalling his days as Deputy Commissioner of Lahaul and Spiti in early 1950s, Gill said, "Himachal had made great progress and emerged a model state after Kerala and surpassed even Punjab and Haryana in the field of literacy." PTI CORR PCL AK PDS

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Relaxed Domenech not out to prove a point

Published>Tue, May 18 10 09:08 PM

Departing France coach Raymond Domenech will not be seeking to make a point when he leads his team to the World Cup in South Africa.

Domenech, unpopular with France fans, will leave the job after the tournament following a turbulent spell in charge.

"I don't think that way," Domenech told reporters on Tuesday as the France squad gathered for their pre-tournament training camp.

"I live every day as if it were the last. Tomorrow is another day.

"I don't see it as my last experience but rather as my third (at a major tournament)," said the coach, who guided France to the 2006 World Cup final before they made an embarrassing early exit from Euro 2008.

"One went well, the other one didn't, and I learned from both."

Helicopters landed one after the other in this Alpine ski village surrounded by snow-capped mountains, which is like a ghost town in the springtime with most hotels and restaurants shut.

The fitness of key central defender William Gallas was still a major talking-point.

The former Arsenal captain arrived in the in the resort at the weekend and has been training daily with fitness coach Robert Duverne.

Gallas, who suffered a recurrence of a calf muscle injury in March and has not played since, was the main reason Domenech trimmed his 30-strong squad to 24 players, giving himself until June 1 to reduce it to the official 23.

"For the moment, he's okay," said Domenech, looking relaxed in a navy blue team track suit. "Every training session is a test. It (the calf muscle) will either hold together or break. I'm impatiently waiting to find out."

HOLDING MIDFIELDER

If Gallas were ruled fit to play, one centre back, either Sebastien Squillaci or Marc Planus, would probably leave the squad. Otherwise, both will stay and Domenech could play holding midfielder Jeremy Toulalan at the centre of his defence.

"It's an option we have considered," Domenech said. "Jeremy has showed (with his Olympique Lyon club) that he had potential in that position."

Domenech, criticised since his side's Euro 2008 flop and booed by France fans at every game, is likely to be replaced after the World Cup by former France defender Laurent Blanc.

France, who needed Thierry Henry's infamous handball to qualify for the World Cup through a playoff at the expense of Ireland, have been frustrating their supporters for years and are not among the tournament favourites.

The 1998 world champions should survive a group also featuring hosts South Africa, Mexico and Uruguay but might struggle against more confident sides, as they did when they were outclassed 2-0 by European champions Spain in a March friendly.

Domenech, aware that France came to Tignes to prepare for their 1998 World Cup and 2000 European Championship triumphs, was not making any predictions.

"The most important thing right now is for the players to get together and prepare in the best conditions," he said.

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Palha, Shroff in ITF girls' quarters

Published>Tue, May 18 10 08:48 PM

New Delhi, May 18 (IANS) India's Natasha Palha fought back from a set down to beat fifth seed Chinese Lin Zhu 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 and entered the quarterfinals of the International Tennis Federation (ITF) girls' tournament at the DLTA complex here Tuesday.

Wildcard Kyra Shroff and Ratnika Batra were the other two Indians to make it to the quarterfinals.

Shroff breezed past qualifier Adnya Naik 6-1, 6-1 and now faces Palha for a place in the semifinals. Batra overcame compatriot Sharon Sanchana Paul 6-4, 6-4 and awaits the winner of the match between fourth-seeded Chinese Zi Yang and Japan's Ayaka Okuno.

Okuno in the first round overcame a cramping Sowjanya Bavisetti who rallied to make a set all before surrendering in the decider, and lost 7-5, 3-6, 6-2.

Indian qualifier Shweta Rana did well to make it a set all against sixth seeded Thai Napatsakorn Sankaew but made a stream of errors in the decider to lose 6-2, 3-6, 6-2 in the first round. Sankaew, later in the day, lost to Japan's Miho Kowase 1-6, 6-4, 5-7.

In the boys' section, India's Mansingh Athare overcame a first set resistance from Japan's Yuki Muramatsu before winning 7-6(4), 6-2 and then took out the Indian fifth seed Sai Nakireddy 6-4, 6-4 to storm into the quarterfinals.

Athare now faces top seed Liang-Chi Huang of Chinese Taipei, who steamrolled Indian wildcard Vilasier Khate 6-1, 6-1.

Eight seeded Vaidik Munshaw edged past Uzbek Artem Tarasov 6-4, 6-3 and now meets third seed Bowan Ouyang of China. India's Vinod Gowda took out sixth-seeded Russian Vladimir Polyakov 7-6(1), 6-2 and now plays second seed Chuhan Wang of China.

Seventh seed Ronit Bisht beat Wen-Yao Liang of Chinese Taipei 6-1, 6-3 and faces Hong Kong's Justin To in the quarterfinals.

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T20 World Cup win means nothing for Ashes: Warne

Published Tue, May 18 10 08:38 PM

London, May 18 (PTI) Legendary spinner Shane Warne feels that England''s win over Australia in Twenty20 World Cup final will mean nothing in the Ashes series later this year except for gaining a "small psychological advantage". "Well played, big tick in the box, round one to England -- but when it comes to the first day of the Ashes in Brisbane, winning the World Twenty20 will count for nothing, unless MBEs are being handed out," Warne said while congratulating England for the Twenty20 World Cup triumph. "Every time Australia play England there is talk about the Ashes. We ask, has anyone gained an advantage? What we can say is that England''s mindset has changed. In the past they thought that if they played at their best they might nick a win. Now they think ''We can beat this lot''. That feeling of being scared of playing Australia has disappeared," he wrote in his column for ''Daily Telegraph''. "England will have taken a small psychological advantage from Sunday''s final. Australia were just starting to build a bit of momentum and find some consistency in the aftermath of losing last year''s Ashes. But the first time they came up against England in a final they lost. That will send a message to Australia that they have to play very well to beat England now in any form of the game," he said. Warne said Ashes in Australia would be an altogether a different ball game than the Twenty20 but said England now have a balanced side to challenge Ricky Ponting''s men, particularly with star batsman Kevin Pietersen and spinner Graeme Swann in prime form. "It (Ashes) is the hardest series to win. They have now got the right tools to do that. England have a very balanced side and in Graeme Swann they have a spinner who, when you examine every format of the game, is the best in the world right now," Warne said. "In Kevin Pietersen England also have, not the best, but the most destructive batsman. The Indian Premier League and World Twenty20 came at a good time for him. He was struggling in the Test arena. When he gets into trouble he gets technical and reads too much into things. He is best when he plays on instinct and in Twenty20 there is not much time to think. You just have to go out there and hit the ball. "For the last couple of months he has not had to worry about technique and building innings. He has just had to smack the ball and impose himself. To be the Player of the Tournament will be great for his ego. It is also great for England because all the other players seem to walk a bit taller when KP is playing well. They feed off him. Also the opposition concentrate on getting KP out so much that it allows others to play with freedom," said Warne. (More) PTI PDS SHN

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IOA rejects ministry guidelines on tenure, age-limit

Published>Tue, May 18 10 08:22 PM

New Delhi, May 18 (IANS) The Indian Olympic Association (IOA) Tuesday put up a brave front against the union sports ministry, rejecting its guidelines on tenure of office and age-limit for office-bearers of the national sports federations.

At its special general body meeting, thrown open to the media, the IOA unanimously resolved that neither the IOA nor any of its naional sports federations would amend their constitutions to incorporate the guidelines.

'no steps will be initiated', the IOA resolution said, to amend the constitutions of the IOA or its sports federations 'to incorporate any provisions/part of these guidelines' of teh sports ministry. This would be a serious breach of the Olympic Charter, it added.

While IOA president Suresh Kalmadi laid stress on the autonomy of sports federations, at least one of his senior colleagues, vice-president Sukhdev Singh Dhindsa, made bold to tell him to mend his own 'arbitrary and dictatorial' ways as head of the October 3-14 Commonwealth Games Organising Committee.

Dhindsa also warned the Congress leaders and bureaucrats heading the federations that they should not succumb to party and government pressures and accept the guidelines.

'It is not clear whether the government is receptive to our request. So we have to be on our guard,' Dhindsa said.

Dhindsa, a former Union Sports Minister and president of the Cycling Federation, sounded unhappy when he illustrated his own experience as the chairman of the Games Village Committee. He said without his knowledge the mayor and deputy mayor were appointed to the committee and that he did not even know who all are the member as he was seldom called for any meeting.

Kalmadi said it is time to correct some impressions that the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports has created.

'The Olympic Charter states clearly that only the National Olympic Committee has the right to decide the terms of office for the office-bearers and executive members,' he noted.

'The ministry's expense on training of India's elite athletes for international competitions has been shown in grants to national sports federations, causing the impression that the IOA and national sports federations are doing nothing but wasting public money,' Kalmadi said.

'We get a pittance from the ministry,' Kalmadi said.

IOA secretary-general Randhir Singh, who is IOC member in India and Olympic Council of Asia secretary-general, said if the ministry continued to insist on imposing the guidelines on the IOA and NSFs, India could face the embarrassment of being left out in the cold as far as the Olympic movement is concerned.

Tarlochan Singh, MP, pointed out that the ministry has been wrongly stating that parliament had backed the decision to impose the guidelines.

'During a discussion in the Rajya Sabha on the working of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports on April 22, just two of the 21 members made any mention of tenures of office-bearers of NSFs. To say that parliament was seized of the issue is to paint a false picture,' he said.

IOA senior vice-president Vijay Kumar Malhotra termed the ministry's decision 'draconian' and pointed out the guidelines issued in 1975 were drafted during the days of the Emergency.

At Tuesday's special general body meeting, the IOA and NSFs unanimously passed the resolution that 'they decline to accept the government guidelines issued vide letter of August 2001, including the amendment issued vide letter of May 1, 2010, to protect their autonomy in accordance with IOC Charter and International Federations' Statutes.'

It also said that 'no steps will be initiated by IOA/any NSF to amend their constitutions to incorporate any provisions/part of these guidelines as this will be seriously in breach of the Olympic Charter and render the IOA/NSFs vulnerable to suspension and deprive their teams from international participation.'

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England footballers get specialised masks for World Cup preparation

Published>Tue, May 18 10 08:08 PM

London, May 18 (IANS) England footballers will get oxygen masks as a part of their altitude training programme, in Austria, that have been carefully prepared to ensure that they are ready for the rarefied conditions they may face in South Africa during next month's World Cup.

The masks are made of silicon gel with head-straps which the players can fix on. It means they are able to walk around or watch television while wearing the masks.

The masks - like the so-called altitude tents - use generators to pump diluted air, with lower concentrations of oxygen which simulate the effects of altitude, and players are expected to wear them intermittently, usually at rest, for up to an hour a day. They can also be used while running on a treadmill.

The Daily Telegraph said that discussions are going on about whether the players should instead sleep in so-called altitude tents flown over to be installed at the five-star Hotel Schloss Pichlarn.

England manager Fabio Capello, however, has decided against this. The daily said that Capello decided against the move because he does not think it necessary but also because he does not want to unduly worry his players, or distract them, with too much talk of being at altitude and the effect it will have on them.

Capello wants a 'low-key approach' and a gentle build-up to preparations, especially as England have two group games at sea level in Cape Town and Port Elizabeth.

So the masks have been deemed more suitable. England also fly to South Africa June 2 so they have 10 days to adjust to the conditions there before their first game.

World Cup matches at seven of the 10 stadiums will take place at heights ranging from 2,165 feet in Nelspruit to higher than a mile above sea level in Johannesburg. England's base in South Africa, in Rustenburg, is at 4,920 feet.

England are not the only nation training in Austria. Spain, Holland, Serbia, Slovakia, South Korea, Cameroon, New Zealand and Honduras are also there while nine other countries, including Greece and North Korea, will play there.

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England should not be complacent: Warne

Published>Tue, May 18 10 07:38 PM

London, May 18 (IANS) Former Australian spin king Shane Warne congratulated England for their World Twenty20 triumph but cautioned the triumph should not make them complacent about the Ashes.

England Sunday beat Australia to win their first International Cricket Council (ICC) trophy and that has generated a lot of excitement about the Ashes, which is six months away.

The coveted series between the two teams this time round will be in Australia and Warne said it won't be easy for England.

'Congrats England. Well played, big tick in the box, round one to England - but when it comes to the first day of the Ashes in Brisbane, winning the World Twenty20 will count for nothing, unless MBEs are being handed out,' Warne wrote in his column in The Telegraph.

'What we can say is that England's mindset has changed. In the past they thought that if they played at their best they might nick a win. Now they think, 'We can beat this lot.' That feeling of being scared of playing Australia has disappeared.

'But the Ashes in Australia is very different. It is the hardest series to win and England were embarrassed last time around. England's planning must be to go out there and beat them every time to keep the momentum going.'

Warne, however, said the World Twenty20 triumph will give England a psychological edge.

'England will have taken a small psychological advantage from Sunday's final. Australia were just starting to build a bit of momentum and find some consistency in the aftermath of losing last year's Ashes. But the first time they came up against England in a final they lost,' Warne said.

'That will send a message to Australia that they have to play very well to beat England now in any form of the game.'

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BCCI slaps notices on six players for pub brawl

Published>Tue, May 18 10 07:18 PM

Mumbai, May 18 (IANS) The Indian cricket board Tuesday asked Yuvraj Singh, Zaheer Khan, Ashish Nehra, Rohit Sharma, Piyush Chawla and Ravindra Jadeja to explain why action should not be taken against them for their alleged pub brawl during the World Twenty20 in the Caribbean.

A top source in the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) told IANS that the show cause notice was served by secretary N.Srinivasan at the behest of president Shashank Manohar.

The source said the six players have been given seven days to respond to the notice. The players were involved in a brawl at a pub in St Lucia, May 11, hours after India crashed out of the World Twenty20.

According to reports, the brawl started after the Indian cricketers were taunted by the fans for their failure to reach the semi-final and the cricketers reacted strongly.

Both Yuvraj and Nehra denied the brawl took place but team manager Ranjib Biswal played down the incident, saying there was only an altercation at the pub.

But after Biswal submitted his report, BCCI's chief administrative officer Ratnakar Shetty said that the board had conducted its own inquiry into the incident.

'We conducted an inquiry over the incident in the West Indies that was widely reported in the media. After considering all the information that we have gathered, the president took the decision that the board secretary will issue show cause notices to those players,' Shetty said.

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Amity to provide 200 "National Doping Control Officials" during the Common Wealth Games

Published>Tue, May 18 10 07:08 PM

NOida (UP), May 18 (ANI):Doping Control Programme (DCP) is a major initiative of Organizing Committee, Common Wealth Games 2010 Delhi, which falls in compliance with the World Anti- Doping Code, CGF- Anti Doping Standard and the accompanying international standards. The OC CWG Delhi 2010 and the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) are responsible for conducting the Doping Control programme during the Games.

For successful execution of DCP, Doping Control Department requires over 447 control officials for the Games and Amity University is the only University in Noida /NCR which has been selected by OC to provide over 200 National Doping Control Officials from amongst its students.

Today, the initial phase of screening process, which is a three day general training started with the first batch comprising of 72 students from Amity Institute of Physiotherapy (AIP) and Amity Institute of Forensic Sciences at Amity Campus, Sector-44, Noida.

The screening process will have three stages namely "General Training on Doping" (amalgamation of theoretical and practical components), "Role Specific Training" (one day training which will be conducted in July, 2010) and "Venue Specific Training" ( one day training which will be conducted in August, 2010), and subsequently, based on their performance in written examination, the students will be certified and registered as "National Doping Control Officials"

The training session started with an informative presentation by Dr. Prerna Bali-Director Training, DCP who apprised the students with the mission, vision, values and the role of OC during CWG Delhi 2010; 35 functional areas under OC and competition venues and non- competition venues of the games.

While presenting his views during a session on "Doping Control Induction", Dr. Munish Chander -DDG (Doping Control), OC CWG highlighted various anti- doping organizations functioning across the world and the objectives of the training programme.

Talking about the reason behind the growing use of prohibitive substances during the games, Dr. Chander said that the athletes face a lot of pressure from society, their coaches and their country during the International Games, where even a millisecond counts in attaining name, fame and money. Therefore, the athletes resort to prohibitive substances to enhance their performance. Dope Control is very important from legal and ethical point of view. WADA (World Anti-Doping Agency) has made it mandatory for all the participating nations to sign WADA code, which is the core document that provides the framework for harmonized anti-doping policies, rules and regulations within sports organizations and among public authorities.

Highlighting the training objectives and the benefits accruing from the same, Dr. Chander said, "the training programme aims to develop skills and knowledge for the Doping Control Program for CWG and evaluate and identify suitable candidates for training as Doping Control Officials.

The certification will be valid for two years, after which a person has to go for one day refresher training to continue the certification. On the completion of the training module, the uccessful candidates will become Certified Doping Control Officials, which is an International level accreditation and will become a member of National Anti- Doping Agency". (ANI)

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'Colts lived up to expectation in Azlan Shah'

Published>Tue, May 18 10 06:52 PM

Indian hockey team's go-young policy paid off in the just-concluded Azlan Shah Cup and the team would keep on trying new faces in the future tournaments as well, national coach Harendra Singh said.

India retained the Azlan Shah title in Malaysia with a relatively young side after four experienced campaigners -- Prabhjot Singh, Sandeep Singh, Deepak Thakur and Adrian D'Souza -- were axed from the team following their dismal showing in the World Cup.

Harendra lauded the selectors' decision to inject fresh blood and said performance, not past glories, would be the lone criterion for donning the national jersey.

"We went there (Azlan Shah Cup) to learn and play better hockey. We went there to try some new players and we did exactly that which is the most positive thing," Harendra said after returning from Ipoh, Malaysia.

"The selectors were right in inducting new players in the Azlan Shah team because it was a big experience for them. We will continue to try out new players in the upcoming tournaments. It will help us in creating a broader pool of players before the Commonwealth and Asian Games," said Harendra.

Defending champions India shared the Azlan Shah Cup with Korea after the summit clash was washed out due to heavy rain.

"For a player performance is the most important thing and not past glory. Whoever performs will be selected for India. A player cannot take his place for granted in the team," Harendra added.

He said India's success in the Azlan Shah Cup, where it beat top teams like world champions Australia, Pakistan and Korea en route the title, speaks volume of the team's improvement after their ordinary showing in the World Cup earlier this year, where they finished eighth out of 12 teams.

"In Azlan Shah, we executed all our plans accurately on the field. We were one step ahead of what we have done during the World Cup. Slowly we are learning to play as per the situation," Harendra said.

His views were shared by captain Rajpal Singh and forward Tushar Khandekar, who said Azlan Shah was a confidence booster not only for the youngsters but also for the entire squad.

"We improved on our game and worked on our mistakes which we committed during the World Cup. The win is a great morale booster for us, especially after the World Cup disappointment," Rajpal said.

Khandekar said, "The new players played their part in the tournament. They gained vital experience by playing against big teams like Australia and Pakistan."

Khandekar, however, was a little disappointed to have shared the trophy with Korea and said going by form, India were the overwhelming favourites in the abandoned final.

"Obviously, we are a little disappointed to share the trophy with Korea because we were pretty confident of beating the Koreans in the final.

"We were playing great hockey in the tournament and we defeated Korea in the round robin stage," he said.

Source: Web Search

Leaked footage shows Afridi, Yousuf calling Malik 'bad influence'

Published>Tue, May 18 10 06:48 PM

Karachi, May 18 (IANS) When the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) announced strict penalties against some of the country's leading players after a disastrous tour of Australia last February, it thought it had buried the issue by taking drastic action against the players.

But more than three months after the tour ended, the controversy refuses to die down. On Monday night, a leading Pakistani TV channel ran exclusive footage of the proceedings of a PCB inquiry in the Australia tour disaster in which some of the coaches and players are seen making serious allegations against some of their teammates.

Former captain Shoaib Malik seems to be at the centre of most of the criticism as he has been portrayed as a villain by Mohammad Yousuf - Pakistan's captain during the tour of Australia - and Shahid Afridi.

Yousuf and Afridi can be seen telling the PCB probe panel that Malik was a 'negative character and a bad influence' on the Pakistan cricket team.

According to the video, one of the probe committee members even described Malik as a 'termite' after being told by some of the players and the coaches that the all-rounder played a lot of politics within the national team and was the biggest culprit behind the lack of team spirit in the squad.

Malik, who married Indian tennis star Sania Mirza last month, was banned for one year by the PCB while former captains Yousuf and Younis Khan were banned for an indefinite period. All-rounder Rana Naved-ul-Hasan was banned for one year while heavy fines were imposed on Afridi and the Akmal brothers - Kamran and Umar.

The footage also shows former coach Intikhab Alam and assistant coach Aaqib Javed raising suspicion that some of the national team players may have been involved in match-fixing.

Source: Web Search

BCCI appoints former SPG director as security advisor

Published>Tue, May 18 10 06:38 PM

Mumbai, May 18 (IANS) Retired Indian Police Service (IPS) officer Ranjit Kumar Das will be the new security advisor of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI).

The board, in a statement Tuesday, said that with the World Cup round the corner, security issues were of 'paramount' importance.

'India, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh will co-host the Cricket World Cup, cricket's showpiece event early next year. The addressing of security concerns is paramount. The preparations for the same have begun, and no effort is being spared to put together an event that will not only enhance the image of the sport, but also that of the subcontinent,' BCCI secretary N. Srinivasan said.

Das has served as Director - Special Protection Group (SPG) of the Prime Minister of India, Director General (DG) of the Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) and Special Director of the Intelligence Bureau (IB). He also had a stint at the Indian Embassy in Washington as liaison Officer for International Counter Terrorism efforts.

His previous assignment was as advisor-security to the Organising Committee of the Commonwealth Games, Delhi 2010.

Source: Web Search

Chelsea, Barcelona compete for Torres

Published>Tue, May 18 10 06:08 PM

London, May 18 (ANI): Chelsea is facing strong competition from Barcelona in signing on Liverpool striker Fernando Torres.

"The Blues are expected to make a massive 50 million pounds move for the 26-year-old striker this month," The Sun reports.

Meanwhile, Barcelona is set to dump their 40 million pounds unfit striker Zlatan Ibrahimovich after a season and use the money to pay their bid for Torres.

They hope to pair him with fellow Spanish striker David Villa at Nou Camp. The deadly duo work brilliantly together on the international stage, having won the Euro 2008.

Chelsea's decision to offer Torres a staggering 190,000 pounds a week and will lessen the club's wage bill by selling the likes of Deco, Ricardo Carvalho, Michael Ballack, Juliano Belletti and may e Joe Cole. (ANI)

Source: Web Search

Affordable tickets, tight security for Indian GP

Published>Tue, May 18 10 05:48 PM

Indian Grand Prix organisers have promised affordable tickets and tight security to deal with anything from terror threats to stray dogs when the Formula One race makes its debut next year.

The circuit is being built 35 km outside New Delhi by industrial conglomerate the Jaypee Group, with a race pencilled in for October 2011.

Mark Hughes, vice-president of Jaypee subsidiary JPSK Sports, told Reuters at the weekend's Monaco Grand Prix that tenders were about to go out for asphalting the track later this year once the monsoon season was over.

At the same time organisers were carrying out market research on ticket pricing.

"We are looking at the range of tickets for the high end of cricket games, the international test matches, the IPL games," he said. "We are looking at the ticketing for the Commonwealth Games and we are also looking at the other races and trying to find a balance.

"There will be a reasonably affordable general admission and there will probably be about 25,000 general tickets," added the operations executive.

"I'd like to think that we can make it affordable in the same way that Malaysia did. Malaysia have a very good, affordable entry ticket price."

The cheapest general admission tickets for last month's Malaysian Grand Prix cost around 100 ringgit ($26.32).

Hughes said the capacity was set at around 150,000 but that could be increased to 175,000 with more temporary stands.

The main grandstand will have 29,000 seats, second only to China in terms of size.

Security would be tight in a country where sporting events have already been targeted by bombers.

"We will have things like built-in underground scanners so when a car drives in every vehicle will get scanned," said Hughes. "At the same time we will look at how we integrate that with the CCTV systems.

"We will have a reasonably sophisticated ticketing system that will be very difficult to forge. There will be a turnstile system at every entrance, every ticket will be electronic. Security will be ramped up, it has to be."

Stray dogs have posed a problem in Turkey, where one was hit by Brazilian Bruno Senna during a GP2 race, and Bahrain in the past but Hughes was confident that hazard could be managed.

"In Bahrain, we hadn't taken it into account when the circuit was constructed. There was a very good fence but it didn't go into the ground, so there were gaps under it and that's how the dogs made it into the venue.

"So we are looking at doing a few things differently...I think we've got that covered actually," said Hughes.

Source: Web Search

Dream victory at Monaco greatest day of my life: Webber

Published>Tue, May 18 10 05:12 PM

Melbourne, May 18 (ANI): Red Bull driver Mark Webber has said that winning the Monaco Grand Prix was the best day in his life as he had dreamt of a top podium finish in the world's 'toughest' race since childhood.

"It was the best day of my life. I've dreamt of winning the Monaco Grand Prix since I was a boy and to do it from pole position was just awesome.

"It's an honour for me to join the list of winners for this race, which hadn't been won by an Australian since Jack Brabham in 1959," The Daily Telegraph quoted Webber, as saying.

"Qualifying and the race were pretty near perfect for me. The RB6 was fantastic to drive and I executed some tidy laps to take pole position from Robert Kubica on Saturday afternoon," he said.

Webber said he expected a real challenge from Kubica, but was relieved to see Sebastian Vettel get the jump on him at the start.

"It gave me a buffer to the Renault driver, while also setting us up for Red Bull Racing's second one-two of the season. My start wasn't actually that great, but the run to the first corner was short and no one was able to get ahead.

"It's very difficult to pass at Monaco and when I emerged from the first corner in the lead, I knew that the race was mine to lose," Webber said. (ANI)

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Colts lived up to expectation in Azlan Shah: Harendra

Published Tue, May 18 10 04:58 PM

New Delhi, May 18 (PTI) Indian hockey team''s go-young policy paid off in the just-concluded Azlan Shah Cup and the team would keep on trying new faces in the future tournaments as well, national coach Harendra Singh said. India retained the Azlan Shah title in Malaysia with a relatively young side after four experienced campaigners -- Prabhjot Singh, Sandeep Singh, Deepak Thakur and Adrian D''Souza -- were axed from the team following their dismal showing in the World Cup. Harendra lauded the selectors'' decision to inject fresh blood and said performance, not past glories, would be the lone criterion for donning the national jersey. "We went there (Azlan Shah Cup) to learn and play better hockey. We went there to try some new players and we did exactly that which is the most positive thing," Harendra told PTI after returning from Ipoh, Malaysia. "The selectors were right in inducting new players in the Azlan Shah team because it was a big experience for them. We will continue to try out new players in the upcoming tournaments. It will help us in creating a broader pool of players before the Commonwealth and Asian Games," said Harendra. Defending champions India shared the Azlan Shah Cup with Korea after the summit clash was washed out due to heavy rain. "For a player performance is the most important thing and not past glory. Whoever performs will be selected for India. A player cannot take his place for granted in the team," Harendra added. He said India''s success in the Azlan Shah Cup, where it beat top teams like world champions Australia, Pakistan and Korea en route the title, speaks volume of the team''s improvement after their ordinary showing in the World Cup earlier this year, where they finished eighth out of 12 teams. MORE PTI SSC AY

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Swann backs England to win football World Cup

Published>Tue, May 18 10 04:52 PM

London, May 18 (ANI): Spinner Graeme Swann is sure that England can make it two World Cup wins by clinching the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

He backed the England footballers to follow the cricketers and make it a double glory for the country inside three months, The Sun reports.

Swann was the Bowler of the Tournament in England's World Twenty20 triumph.Winning a World Cup is something I can recommend. It is a great feeling. The world's biggest sporting tournament is coming up in a couple of weeks and I feel England can go all the way," he said.

"It sounds a bit cheesy to say 'We've shown you how to do it'. But I sincerely hope they do. The country will go crazy. I can't wait for kick-off," Swann said.

"I genuinely believed when we came to the Caribbean that we were going to win the tournament here. And I have the same feeling about the football. I reckon they are going to do it," he added. (ANI)

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Lampard determined to be England's nominated penalty taker

Published>Tue, May 18 10 04:38 PM

London, May 18 (ANI): Ace midfielder Frank Lampard has insisted he would not shy away from taking spot-kicks during the World Cup finals in South Africa this summer and is determined to be England's nominated penalty taker.

"Frank Lampard has promised he can beat England's World Cup penalty curse. England fans would have been left fearing the worst at the sight of the Chelsea star missing a penalty in the FA Cup final at Wembley," reports Mirror.

"I have missed penalties for England, I have missed penalties for Chelsea and it comes with the territory. But it would not put me off," said Lampard.

"I am big enough to stand up. I missed [in the final] and it will play on my mind a little, but it will be completely overshadowed by the fact that we won the game and won the Double," he added.

"It's quite good for me too because that kind of thing makes me address it and look at it and when I go away with England I will work on that kind of stuff. Sometimes you need a little reminder of what you have got to do," claimed Lampard.

Despite Lampard missing two penalties for his club this season, he still has an exceptional record from the penalty spot for club and country.

"England, World Cups and penalties do not go well together as Lampard will remember from seeing his spot-kick saved in the shoot-out with Portugal in the 2006 quarter-final defeat. He has not missed for England since being given penalty duties after the last World Cup, scoring four out of four," reports Mirror.

The midfielder has managed a season's best tally of 26 goals in 50 games for Chelsea this term and the two missed penalties are unlikely to play on his mind too much.

"It was a disappointing penalty at Wembley to say the least. I actually changed my mind in the run-up, which is a bit of a sin.

Once you do that, you are probably going to miss and I did that," admitted Lampard. (ANI)

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Hurst backs England to reach World Cup semis, but not win the trophy

Published>Tue, May 18 10 04:08 PM

London, May 18 (ANI): Football legend Sir Geoff Hurst has backed England to reach the semi-final of the 2010 World Cup, but is not convinced that the Three Lions are strong enough to lift the trophy.

Hurst is confident coach Fabio Capello will guide the team to the semi-finals for the first time since Bobby Robson did it at Italia 90, but is not sure that the team would be able to emulate the success Sir Alf Ramsey's men enjoyed in 1966.

Hurst, who scored a hat-trick as England beat Germany 4-2 in the final 44 years ago, said: "You've got to be very careful with being negative about football, but I just think we're a bit short at the moment."

"The goalkeeping area's a problem. I've spoken to Gordon Banks and Peter Shilton, two of the best keepers we've ever had, and they have concerns. Up front, Emile Heskey seems to be the No1 choice to partner Wayne Rooney. However, he hasn't played much this year, so there are concerns in some key areas," The Sun quoted Hurst, as saying.

"Having said all that, I think the squad and the management will expect to at least get to the semi-finals. The draw is very favourable and we're quite capable of beating most teams. When you get to the semis, who knows what will happen as that's when you come up against the Brazils and Spains.

"It's all about getting the squad right and keeping your best players on the field. That's in the lap of the gods through injuries and suspensions, but I think we're going to the World Cup better prepared than we've been for some time," Hurst said.

Capello's initial 30-man squad for South Africa includes a number of players who have struggled with injuries this season. (ANI)

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Somdev clears first hurdle in French Open qualifiers

Published Tue, May 18 10 03:58 PM

Paris, May 18 (PTI) Somdev Devvarman overcame an indifferent start to beat Jiri Vanek in a fierce three-set battle and progress to the second round of the French Open qualifying event here today. The sixth seed Indian scored a 2-6 6-2 6-4 win over his Czech opponent in little over two hours in the first round of the clay court Grand Slam''s qualifiers. Somdev will next take on Kiwi Daniel King-Turner, who defeated Australian Chris Guccione 6-3 6-3 in his opening round encounter. Known for his fighting spirit, Somdev made a remarkable comeback after surrendering the opening set. The 32-year-old Vanek, who was once a top-100 players, looked like puncturing Indian hopes of seeing a player in the singles main draw in the first round itself but Somdev was in no mood to throw in the towel. After squandering three break points in the third game of the second set, Somdev was all over Vanek, breaking him in the fifth and seventh games. Relentless hitting worked in Somdev''s favour and he broke Vanek at the first available opportunity in the decisive third set. There was no trade of break after that and that crucial break meant that Somdev stood on the right side of the result. Another Indian in the fray is US based Prakash Amritraj, who will open his campaign against 17th seed Joao Souza in the qualifiers.

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Hamilton warns McLaren to sort out mess or forget about title

Published>Tue, May 18 10 03:28 PM

London, May 18 (ANI): Formula One ace Lewis Hamilton has warned his team to sort the mess out, after McLaren was swept from the top of the drivers and constructors championships by the Red Bulls.

Hamilton and teammate Jenson Button's challenge for title glory has been hit by a series of reliability problems.

Button slumped from top of the drivers standings to fourth after his engine blew up in Monaco on Sunday, The Sun reports.

Button is now eight points behind of race winner Mark Webber with Hamilton at seventh position.

Hamilton said: "We've under-performed. We've a big gap to make up. I doubt whether we can catch up with them by the next race. It's not impossible but not likely. It's up to me and Jenson to go in and really push the guys and get them on it."

"We have to keep stressing to them they have to make that step forward. But they are under no illusions we have a big gap to make up.

"It's too easy for Red Bull at the moment. They weren't even pushing in the race. It's not that it was scary but it was just taking the mickey a little bit," the paper quoted him, as saying.

Hamilton fears it could take until the British Grand Prix on July 11 before he and Button can trouble Red Bull.

"I'm hoping by Silverstone we will be able to challenge them. Just imagine me and Jenson with a one-two. We're fired up - don't worry about that. I think we're doing an exceptional job considering our true pace. We're punching a bit above our weight.

I still reckon we can win both championships. We're the best team," he said. (ANI)

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Advocaat signs four-year deal as Russia coach

Published Tue, May 18 10 03:08 PM

Dutchman Dick Advocaat was officially presented as Russia's new national team coach after signing a four-year contract with the country's FA on Tuesday.

The 62-year-old succeeds compatriot Guus Hiddink, who guided Russia to the Euro 2008 semi-finals but opted not to renew his contract after the team failed to qualify for this year's World Cup finals following a two-legged playoff loss to Slovenia.

"I am very pleased to see so many people here, people who were involved in selecting the national team coach," Advocaat told the executive board members of the Russian FA.

"I can only say that after such good work by Mr Hiddink with the Russian team, our task would only be to strive for very lofty goals such as qualifying for the finals of Euro 2012." (Reporting by Gennady Fyodorov; Editing by John O'Brien; To query or comment on this story email sportsfeedback@thomsonreuters.com)

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Winning Ashes Down Under will be the icing on England's cake: Swann

Published>Tue, May 18 10 02:22 PM

London, May 18 (ANI): Beating Australia is always special, says England off-spinner Graeme Swann in an article for The Sun.

"Every time we beat them, our confidence grows that we can do it again and again," Swann says.

"There is only one thing which could top the two incredible, emotional highs we have had in the past nine months. And, that is retaining The Ashes this winter in the Aussies' own backyard," he adds.

"Winning the little urn last August and beating Australia in Sunday's World Twenty20 final are the greatest moments of my career. To have experienced two feelings like that in less than a year is unbelievable. Now, we are all hungry for a third when we travel Down Under in November," he says.

Describing the huge high the team felt after securing the title, the off-spinner said: "I have never moved so fast in my life. I am not the quickest across the ground, but I had smoke coming from my heels as we charged out to the middle. We chased Colly until we caught him and then were jumping up and down in a huddle and screaming like five-year-olds. You get punched and elbowed and everything but you do not care. Brilliant stuff."

"The champagne was spraying in the dressing room and Jimmy Anderson poured a whole bottle down my back. Then we settled down for an hour or two, had a few beers, enjoyed each other's company and contemplated what had just happened. It was a phenomenal feeling and very similar to The Oval last August," he adds.

He makes a pointed distinction between the Ashes victory and the World Twenty20 win.

"It was not quite the same, because that was the result of a whole summer's work, a release after all the ups and downs of the series. This was more a feeling of disbelief, the fact we had beaten the best team in the world with three overs to spare. That is a thumping in Twenty20," he says.

He also said that he the England batters perform from the physio's room.

"I am very superstitious and always sit there in Barbados. I have my lucky spot and I never left it," Swann says.

"The atmosphere for the final was sensational. We were 5,000 miles from home but the ground was awash with flags of St George and the noise was deafening. It got everybody's goose bumps up," he concludes. (ANI)

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