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■ Soccer
Joyriding ex-pros arrested
Former England internationals Robert Lee and Warren Barton were arrested on Wednesday after allegedly stealing a limousine and crashing into a parked car. Lee, 41, and Barton, 38, who played together at Newcastle in the 1990s, were questioned by police on suspicion of taking away and driving while unfit. The stretch Mercedes was taken and then driven into a van in east London on Tuesday evening. Scotland Yard refused to name the men but said a 41-year-old and 38-year-old were being questioned. Police are also investigating an allegation of theft of a satellite navigation system and a mobile phone from the car.

■ Rugby Union
O'Neill lashes out at Jones
Australian Rugby Union chief John O'Neill lashed out at ex-Wallabies coach Eddie Jones yesterday for helping South Africa in the lead-up to the Rugby World Cup. O'Neill, who returned to rugby this year after a stint heading Australian soccer, said he could not understand why Jones joined the Springboks for a training camp in Cape Town this week. "It's not something you would expect of a former Australian coach," O'Neill told Sydney's Daily Telegraph. "He would argue `I'm a professional' -- I would put a caveat in there that you've got to be a bit more discerning. In a sense, it tells you that the game has changed and coaches will take on jobs driven by motives other than loyalty and patriotism."

■ Soccer
United fans invade pitch
Enthusiastic Manchester United fans stormed the field and briefly interrupted a training session held by the English soccer powerhouse in the southern city of Guangzhou yesterday. After star players like Ryan Giggs and Wayne Rooney emerged from the dressing room to loud cheers, a sea of screaming Chinese fans ran onto the pitch at a Guangzhou stadium, some taking pictures, Hong Kong television footage showed. The players were sent back to the dressing room and waited until the crowd dispersed before returning, said Vicky Ho, spokeswoman for United's Asian tour. Ho said none of the players were injured, although they were overwhelmed by the passion of their Guangzhou fans. The chaos was initiated by one or two fans who rushed to the pitch once they saw the team arriving, she said. Yesterday's practice session came ahead of United's friendly match today against local team Guangzhou Pharmaceutical -- the last stop on the club's Asian tour.

■ ICE HOCKEY
Staal brothers arrested
Carolina Hurricanes center Eric Staal and younger brother Jordan, also a National Hockey League forward, were arrested after the elder sibling's bachelor party went out of control. Both players were charged with disorderly conduct and obstructing the legal process. Jordan, an 18-year-old left wing for the Pittsburgh Penguins, was also charged for underage drinking in the incident on Monday in Cook County, Minnesota. Police said they received complaints about loud music and screaming and warned the revelers "multiple times" to leave the party area. "After leaving the property, the group gathered on Highway 61 and began harassing passing motorists," according to a statement from the Cook County sheriff's department. That's when law-enforcement officials arrested 14 members of the celebrating group at 4am in the morning. Eric Staal, 22, is set to be married next month.


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