■ Tennis
Dokic pulls out
World No. 15 Jelena Dokic withdrew yesterday from next week's Auckland Classic women's tennis tournament in New Zealand citing personal reasons. Tournament director Richard Palmer said Auckland Tennis had been told Dokic, 20, had personal details to sort out and could not come to New Zealand until they were resolved. "I'm extremely disappointed at this decision especially at such late notice. I sincerely hope Jelena can resolve the issues facing her and concentrate on her tennis," Palmer said without giving the reasons for her withdrawal. The Auckland Classic is one of the warm-up tournaments ahead of the Australian Open. Dokic announced in November she would be returning to the Open following two years of self-imposed exile. Formerly Australia's top player, she left the country following her exit from the 2001 Open when her father accused tournament officials of fixing the draw.
■ Hockey
MacLean resigns post
Doug MacLean resigned as coach of the struggling Columbus Blue Jackets on Thursday, as the team tries to get out of last place in the National Hockey League. MacLean remains president and general manager of the team, with assistant coach Gerard Gallant promoted to head coach. Gallant was due to coach his first game yesterday in Tampa Bay, where the Blue Jackets open a seven-game road trip. Gallant has been an assistant coach with the Blue Jackets since they joined the league in 2000. MacLean, 49, was 24-43-8-4 as head coach of Columbus. He succeeded Dave King, the team's first coach, whom he fired last January. But MacLean hasn't been able to duplicate the success he had with the Florida Panthers, who he led to the Stanley Cup finals in 1996.
■ Football
Quarterback accused
Kansas State quarterback Ell Roberson was accused on Thursday of sexually assaulting a woman at the team hotel, leaving his start in the Fiesta Bowl in question. Roberson told police he had consensual sex with the 22-year-old woman, who is a Kansas State alumna and acquaintance of the quarterback, Paradise Valley police Lieutenent Ron Warner said. Neither the woman nor Roberson were staying in the room where they had sex at the Scottsdale Plaza Resort, Warner said. Athletic director Tim Weiser said it would be up to coach Bill Snyder whether Roberson would play yesterday night against Ohio State.
■ Soccer
Nakata to join Bologna
Japanese soccer star Hidetoshi Nakata has said he is leaving Parma to start the new year afresh with rival Italian club Bologna. Nakata's said his transfer for the remainder of the season would probably be officially announced yesterday. He cited differences with Parma coach Cesare Prandelli as his reason for leaving the club. "Last season was a completely dissatisfying due to differences between the kind of soccer I wanted to play and the soccer that the coach expected of me," Nakata said in a statement on his Web site. "I have come to a decision after sorting out my thoughts and feelings to make a fresh start in the new year," he said. "I will go to Bologna." The 26-year-old midfielder said his main reason for the move was Bologna coach Carlo Mazzone. "Mazzone was my coach for two years at Perugia ... and I trust him completely."
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