■ LocalAsian refs fall by wayside
Asian referees could be excluded from the next World Cup if FIFA proceeds with its decision to choose only teams of referees who have previously worked together in their native countries, Asia's soccer governing body warned yesterday. The Asian Football Confederation said it opposed the decision, because no Asian country can assemble a full team of World Cup-caliber referees. ``We can't find all the quality referees and assistant referees from the same country, but it is possible to find them from the same region,'' AFC Referees Committee Chairman Farouk Bouzo said in a statement released in Kuala Lumpur. FIFA made the decision in October in response to widespread criticism of the quality of officiating at the 2002 World Cup co-hosted by Japan and South Korea.
■ Soccer
Rooney signs up for Toffees
Teenage striking sensation Wayne Rooney finally ended months of speculation on Friday when he put pen to paper on his first professional contract with English Premiership side Everton. Negotiations have been ongoing to secure the player's signature ever since he turned 17 in October but the talks hit a rough patch when the local youngster changed his agent. News of the deal, which covers the rest of this season plus three further years, was announced at the club's Goodison Park ground where the player was joined by manager David Moyes and deputy chairman Bill Kenwright. "It was always going to be Everton," said Rooney who until Friday had been banned by his club from talking to the media.
■ Local
Hoogenband makes a splash
Pieter van den Hoogenband of the Netherlands easily won the 100m freestyle in a World Cup shortcourse meet in Paris, while Australian rival Ian Thorpe finished fifth. The Dutchman clocked a time of 47.41 seconds, followed by Jason Lezak of the US in second and Argentina's Jose in third. "It was difficult," van den Hoogenband said, adding that the competition was tough. "I got off to a really good start. Usually that's my weak point, but I'm getting better." Thorpe, world champion in the 200m, 400m and 800m freestyle, lagged from the start and finished in 48.31 seconds. "I did the best that I could," Thorpe said, acknowledging that he wasn't in his best form. "I have to train more, swim more." Thorpe decided to compete over the sprint distance in order to help his training for the World Championships later this year in Barcelona.Agencies
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