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Sports Briefs

■ SOCCER

Player suffers heart attack

A French player suffered a heart attack while playing in a second division match between Sedan and Niort on Friday. Niort defender Marco Randrianantoanina, 24, who has played for English Premier League side Birmingham, collapsed in the 23rd minute of the match. After being transferred to hospital, the club said his condition had improved. "He is out of danger at the moment," said a statement on the Niort official Web site. Paramedics treated the player on the pitch at the Louis Dugauguez stadium with a defribillator after he lost consciousness.



■ CYCLING

Cipollini set for comeback

Former sprint king Mario Cipollini is set to come out of retirement and sign a contract with US team Rock and Republic, the Gazzetta dello Sport reported on Friday. The 40-year-old, who arrived in California to negotiate with team officials, retired two years ago but is expected to formally complete a deal shortly. Cipollini, however, threw some doubt on his joining the team when he told Rai television: "It's not an easy transition: we'll see. We're still in talks. But compared to two days ago, things are a bit more difficult. Something has happened."



■ SOCCER

Politician protests ban

A Slovak Christian Democrat European member of parliament on Friday protested against the banning of religious slogans on players' equipment. "Players are allowed to wear commercial messages and it is blatant to punish them for a demonstration of joy by religious means," Miroslav Mikolasik said in an open letter to world governing body FIFA. "This is a serious breach of the constitutional right of EU citizens to religious freedom," he said. His letter to FIFA president Sepp Blatter asked for the regulation, which sanctions the team of a player who publicizes political, religious or personal slogans or statements, to be lifted.



■ SOCCER

Gullit predicts Toon woes

Former Newcastle United manager Ruud Gullit believes Kevin Keegan will struggle to make an impact in his second spell as manager of the Premier League team and believes they are no longer a big club. Speaking to Web site www.feelfootball.com Gullit poured cold water on Keegan's joyful return. "I think the expectations of the club are so incredibly high that maybe [they are] not realistic for the people who go to work there," he said. "If you think you can play and win immediately there that is not true." Asked if Newcastle will start challenging the top six soon under Keegan, Gullit said: "No. He won't do it. It is not realistic to expect that."



■ RUGBY LEAGUE

New Zealand coach quits

Gary Kemble quit as New Zealand coach yesterday, a week after senior players said they had no confidence in him. Kemble, who succeeded Bluey McClennan as New Zealand coach last year, announced his resignation by written statement after 155 days in the job. Kiwi captain Roy Asotasi led a player uprising last week when he called for former Australia coach Wayne Bennett to be given an advisory role in the New Zealand management structure. In only five matches in charge, Kemble led New Zealand to a record 58-0 loss to Australia, a 3-0 series whitewash by Britain and an unimpressive win over France. Other senior players joined Asotasi in expressing either lukewarm support or open criticism of Kemble.
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