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■BASKETBALL

Maverick in video trouble

Dallas Mavericks forward Josh Howard was in hot water this week after a video was posted on YouTube showing him less than respectful of the US anthem at a charity event. “I don’t celebrate that [expletive],” Howard, a towel draped over his head, says as the Star Spangled Banner was played at a charity event hosted by fellow National Basketball Association star Allen Iverson in July. Mavericks owner Mark Cuban told the Dallas Morning News that the team had spoken with Howard, and planned to give the sometimes controversial player “advanced communication-skill sessions.”



■SOCCER

Blatter urges zeal for 2010

FIFA president Sepp Blatter said on Wednesday that South Africa needed to generate more excitement about the 2010 World Cup. Blatter spoke at the end of a four-day visit to check on preparations for the 2010 tournament and next year’s Confederations Cup. “What I am missing a little bit here is the identification that next year is already the Confederations Cup,” he said. Blatter called for greater advertising and publicity campaigns around the tournament and said he had raised the issue with local organizers. “Believe in it,” he said. “Make banners and not only in South Africa, but everywhere in the world ... so when you arrive at the airport it says: ‘We are ready. Come.’”



■SOCCER

Ferguson blasts Terry ruling

Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson has risked sanction from the Football Association (FA) by accusing the head of Premier League referees of showing favoritism toward Chelsea. Ferguson made the accusation against Keith Hackett after Chelsea captain John Terry’s red card against Manchester City was rescinded, clearing him to face United in Sunday’s high-profile Premier League game. “My information is that Hackett told [referee] Mark Halsey to rescind the red card and he would not do it,” Ferguson was quoted as saying in Wednesday’s newspapers. “Now I understand that Halsey is being made to referee in the second division this weekend. I just don’t understand how this could have happened. If it had been a Manchester United player, Hackett would never have done this for us.” The Professional Game Match Officials Board, which Hackett heads, said Hackett was not involved in the decision. “All matters of discipline are an issue for the FA — and them alone,” the organization said in a statement. Terry was sent off by Halsey for hauling down Man City striker Jo near the end of Chelsea’s 3-1 victory on Saturday. Chelsea appealed, and an FA panel ruled in its favor on Tuesday. Instead of serving an automatic three-game suspension, Terry is now free to play against United.



■SOCCER

Romania wants Culio

Romania plans to naturalize Argentine forward Juan Culio after he stunned Roma with two goals that earned unheralded CFR Cluj a 2-1 win in their Champions League group match. “Culio played brilliantly,” Romanian Soccer Federation head Mircea Sandu told reporters on Wednesday. “I’ve asked [the soccer authorities] to start getting the necessary documents.” Minutes after Tuesday’s Group A match in Rome’s Olympic Stadium, Culio said he would be happy to play for Romania. Culio, who worked as a bricklayer in Argentina to support his family for six years from the age of 13, played for Independiente Buenos Aires in 2005-2006. The 24-year old player came to Cluj from Deportes La Serena of Chile last year.


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