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■ SOCCER

Hitler outfit draws flak

A German-born player at one of Australia's top clubs came under heavy fire yesterday for going to post-season celebrations dressed as Adolf Hitler. Central Coast Mariners midfielder Andre Gumprecht's behavior has been criticized by Jewish groups and will be investigated by soccer authorities, local media reported. Newspapers carried photographs of Gumprecht dressed in a military uniform and sporting a distinctive Hitler-style moustache at the party following the team's 1-0 loss to the Newcastle Jets in Saturday's A-League Grand Final. Football Federation Australia chief Ben Buckley said he would seek an explanation from Gumprecht. Buckley also criticized defender Tony Vidmar, a former national player whose nickname is "God," for turning up to the celebrations in white robes with his face blackened.



■ RUGBY UNION

Where is Bakkies Botha?

Bakkies Botha can't be in two places at the same time. French club Toulon said it planned to unveil the Springboks lock yesterday. Meanwhile, the Bulls say Botha is in Pretoria preparing to make his season debut for the Super 14 champions this weekend. Toulon, leading France's Pro D2, trumpeted on its Web site on Monday the pending arrival of Botha to join his World Cup-winning teammate Victor Matfield on a three-month contract with a two-year option. Last week, the Bulls said they'd turned down requests from Toulon and Botha for him to be released from his Bulls contract, which lasts until 2011, because they didn't want to set a bad precedent for other players wanting out from their contracts.



■ SOCCER

Fan loses hand in blast

A soccer fan lost his hand after a homemade bomb thrown by rival supporters exploded at a stadium in southern Brazil. Ivo Costa, 62, had his right hand amputated by doctors because of the injuries he sustained while watching the match between Criciuma and Avai in the Santa Catarina state championship on Sunday. Costa, a Criciuma fan, was sitting in the grandstand when the bomb was thrown by Avai supporters from a nearby section. He picked up the bomb in an attempt to toss it away, but it exploded in his hand. Criciuma won the match 1-0. After the explosion, Criciuma fans confronted Avai supporters and police had to intervene. Other confrontations also took place outside the stadium, local media reported.



■ RUGBY UNION

Burger to miss two games

Western Stormers flanker Schalk Burger has been slapped with a two-match ban following an incident in last weekend's second round of Super 14 action. The Springbok openside was found guilty of an "act contrary to good sportsmanship." The suspension will run from last Saturday to March 8, forcing Burger to miss the Stormers' first match on their Australsian tour against the Queensland Reds. Burger was charged with showing an abusive sign to assistant referee Willie Roos by forming his hands to appear like glasses. Meanwhile, at a different hearing, Bulls No. 8 Dewald Potgieter was found guilty of a spear tackle and suspended for one week, while teammate and center JP Nel was found not guilty of a dangerous tackle. Potgieter, a substitute, was only warned and penalized for his spear tackle during the Bulls' loss to the Canterbury Crusaders last Friday.