■ RUGBY UNION
Bergamasco apologizes
Italy flanker Mauro Bergamasco has apologized for the eye-gouging incident in the 47-8 defeat by Wales on Feb. 23 that cost him a 13-week ban. Bergamasco was found guilty by a Six Nations disciplinary commission on Wednesday of deliberately placing his finger in the eye of Wales fullback Lee Byrne and was suspended until June 2. He will miss the rest of the tournament. "I apologize to the person concerned, Lee Byrne, to my fans, my teammates, my club Stade Francais and the Italian Rugby Federation," the 28-year-old said on his Web site. "I realize that what happened does not reflect the values and principles of rugby and of sport in general. I'd like to say that I did not want to cause any damage with the gesture I committed, even though it was serious."
■ CRICKET
Elliott gets Black Cap call
Uncapped South African-born allrounder Grant Elliott was named in a 13-man New Zealand cricket squad for the first of three Tests against England starting at Hamilton on Wednesday. Elliott, 28, is a right-hand middle order batsman and right-arm medium pace bowler who was born in Johannesburg and played at under-19 level for South Africa. His selection yesterday came largely at the expense of Peter Fulton, who has been dropped from the New Zealand squad after an extended period of poor form. Jamie How was named to partner Matthew Bell at the top of the New Zealand order, replacing Craig Cumming, and Ross Taylor returns to the Test squad after missing New Zealand's most recent series against Bangladesh. Iain O'Brien was named as the squad's third seam bowler.
■ SOCCER
Chelsea ban Greek names
Chelsea has banned supporters with Greek names from buying home tickets for Wednesday's Champions League match against Olympiakos. "Nonmembers of a Greek nationality buying tickets for the Olympiakos game will have their orders canceled," the Chelsea Web site said on Friday. Chelsea fan Peter Pakos paid £100 (US$199) for two tickets for the second-round match at Stamford Bridge via the club's official Web site, but was later sent an e-mail canceling the order. "It's incredible discrimination," Pakos said. "It's shortsighted and clumsy. We may have a Greek background, but we're Chelsea fans through and through." Chelsea said large numbers of Olympiakos fans were trying to buy tickets in the area reserved for Blues supporters. "Chelsea Football Club has discretion to put measures in place to ensure segregation," a London Metropolitan police force spokesman said.
■ SOCCER
Berlin defeat Duisburg
Goals by Marko Pantelic and Raffael lifted Hertha Berlin to a 2-0 win and dumped MSV Duisburg into last place in the Bundesliga on Friday. The two forwards set up each other with Raffael scoring in the 34th minute and Pantelic in the 37th minute as Berlin ran their unbeaten streak to four games in pouring rain. Duisburg dropped into the cellar -- at least until yesterday's matches. Berlin put on one of its best attacking games of the season in pouring rain in front of 32,382 spectators at Olympic Stadium. Raffael, a forward Favre demanded from management, recorded his third goal in five games since joining Berlin from FC Zurich. His header ricocheted off the crossbar to Pantelic, whose pass to him left him clear for a shot inside the left post. Duisburg were still reeling when Raffael passed to Pantelic, who scored his 10th goal and helped his case for a contract extension.
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