■SOCCER
Investors target Addicks
Championship strugglers Charlton Athletic could become the latest English club to have foreign owners after receiving an indicative offer from a group of Dubai-based investors, the club confirmed on Friday. The Addicks, who currently lie 14th in the Championship having been relegated from the Premier League last year, are the subject of an offer from Zabeel Investments, who were recently linked with buying Newcastle United. A statement from Charlton read: “The board of Charlton Athletic PLC announces that it has received an indicative cash offer from Zabeel Investments, a Dubai-based diversified investment company. The indicative offer is subject to a number of [waivable] preconditions, including due diligence, however, it is at a level at which, should the offer be made formally to shareholders, the board would recommend shareholders to accept it. There is, however, no certainty that a formal offer will be made, nor as to the terms of any offer.”
■RALLYING
Loeb leads in Corsica
Sebastien Loeb of France swept all six stages on the first day of the Tour of Corsica on Friday. The Citroen driver took a 32.3-second lead over Mikko Hirvonen into the second day. The Finn took over second place after Dani Sordo struck a wall in the third stage and broke the left-front suspension of his car. Ford driver Francois Duval is third. “There’s nothing much I could do,” Hirvonen said. “I’ve had a good day, I’m happy with the car and my driving. It’s just not enough to get him.”
■TENNIS
Sydney wants to stage Open
Australia is facing a tug of war over the site of the Australian Open after politicians in Sydney announced plans to build a multi-million dollar facility to attract the tournament, local media reported yesterday. The Australian Open, which is the year’s first Grand Slam tournament, is traditionally held in January each year in the Victorian state capital of Melbourne, which has the rights to host it until 2016. The New South Wales state government, however, is keen to build a tennis arena in Glebe, which is close to the city center, to try to win the tournament after the contract expires, local newspapers reported.
■SOCCER
Two Cubans go missing
Two members of Cuba’s national team have gone missing during the side’s trip to Washington for a World Cup qualifying match, the team’s coach told reporters on Friday. “It is always a problem for the Cuba team,” coach Reinhold Fanz told the Washington Post. “We have security, but you can’t handcuff them to their rooms.” The Post identified the players as midfielder Pedro Faife, 24, and forward Reynier Alcantara, 26. Defections have been a concern for Cuba when its sports teams travel abroad. In March, five players went missing after the under-23 team played the US in Tampa, Florida.
■RUGBY LEAGUE
England thrash Wales
England warmed up for the World Cup with a record 14-try, 74-0 rout of Wales at Doncaster on Friday. Even without the Leeds and St Helens players who will make up the bulk of their side in Australia, but who rested following last week’s Grand Final, England had too much pace and power for a youthful Wales. There were 10 different try scorers as Tony Smith’s men smashed England’s previous best win over Wales, a 60-13 triumph at St Helens in 1978.
■FOOTBALL
Cardinals’ Wilson fined
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