■ Soccer
Federation head quits
Guido Rossi, the former senator called in to lead the Italian Soccer Federation during a wide-ranging scandal, has resigned. Rossi was named chairman of telecommunications unit Telecom Italia last week. Rossi said the two jobs did not conflict and he was open to continuing his work with the soccer federation but other figures within the sport rejected his offer.
■ Soccer
PSG likened to Schiffer
Paris St Germain are to French soccer what Claudia Schiffer is to l'Oreal, according to the club's coach Guy Lacombe. Lacombe, who was speaking after PSG's weekend victory at Monaco, was complaining that his side get a raw deal from referees. Just as Schiffer is the face of l'Oreal, PSG are the most high profile team in the league and thus referees exploit the media glare surrounding the club to enforce the strict letter of the law. Lacombe was angry that his side were not awarded several penalties against Monaco whereas they were twice penalized in a previous defeat to Sochaux. "At Sochaux we were the victims of PSG's place in French football. PSG are what Claudia Schiffer is to l'Oreal. We could have had two or three penalties [against Monaco]. It's very difficult to accept," Lacombe said.
■ Soccer
Puskas condition stabilizes
Hungarian great Ferenc Puskas may soon be able to leave the intensive care unit he was transferred to last week. The 79-year-old Puskas has been living in a Budapest hospital with Alzheimer's disease since 2000. "In the last few days, we have been able to stabilize Ferenc Puskas' condition," state news agency MTI reported, quoting Zsolt Ivanyi, acting director of the hospital's intensive care unit. "The longer he remains in a stable condition, the lower the risk of complications. Based on the past few days, it's conceivable that ... he may be able to leave the intensive care unit during the weekend." Puskas was part of Hungary's famed "Golden Team" of the 1950s.
■ Rugby Union
Robinson cleared of racism
Former All Black Mark Robinson was cleared on Monday of charges he made racially abusive remarks during Northampton's match against Bath in the English Premiership. Robinson admitted he swore at Bath's Andy Higgins but denied saying anything racist, English Rugby Football Union disciplinary chief Jeff Blackett said. Saturday's match was halted briefly when fans allegedly overheard racist abuse. Four Bath supporters gave statements to the RFU charging Robinson. Neither the clubs nor the match officials found any evidence and Robinson denied the charge, though he admitted to swearing when Higgins refused to return the ball after a penalty was awarded.
■ Soccer
Becks says he's not needed
The quality in the England side is such that David Beckham admits he will not be needed to guarantee their berth in the Euro 2008 finals. Beckham, 31, expects head coach Steve McClaren to steer the team into the finals whether or not he is in the squad. "I'm certain England will qualify without me," Beckham said. "They have a good team and great players and a very good chance of winning something at some point soon," he said. "I'm not thinking about playing for England again. That's for other people to decide," the Real Madrid star said.
■ NFL
Pollack out with broken neck
A broken neck suffered in the first quarter of a victory on Sunday over Cleveland will sideline Cincinnati linebacker David Pollack for the remainder of the National Football League season. The Bengals announced on Monday that Pollack was done for the year after colliding with Browns running back Reuben Droughns in a 34-17 triumph. Pollack was motionless on the field for several minutes before being placed on a stretcher and taken off. Team officials said Pollack was conscious and had feeling in his extremities when he was taken to University Hospital. Rashad Jeanty, a former player in Canada, will replace Pollack at strongside linebacker for the Bengals, who have won both their first two games.
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