■TENNIS
ITF fines Australia
Australia were on Friday fined US$10,000 and ordered to pay costs by the International Tennis Federation (ITF) for failing to fulfill a Davis Cup fixture against India in Chennai. The Australian team refused to travel to India for the May 8 to May 10 match after expressing concerns over security arrangements. The tie clashed with India’s month-long parliamentary elections and the Indian Premier League cricket tournament, which was scheduled to begin at the same time, and was moved from India to South Africa because of a subsequent lack of police resources. Australia will not, however, be banned from participating in the tournament.
■FOOTBALL
Dog bites Harrison’s son
A pit bull owned by Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker James Harrison bit his two-year-old son in the thigh. The boy is expected to recover though he remained hospitalized on Friday, the player’s agent said. Harrison’s agent, William Parise, said that James III was bitten after his mother let the dog out of its pen on Thursday. Parise wouldn’t identify the woman, but said she and Harrison’s massage therapist also were hurt trying to help his son. The massage therapist needed three stitches, Parise said. Parise said Harrison was not home at the time, but was nearby and alerted after the dog attacked.
■ICE HOCKEY
Flames fire Mike Keenan
Mike Keenan was fired as coach of the Calgary Flames on Friday, almost a month after his team lost in the first round of the NHL playoffs for the second straight year. Keenan spent just two seasons with Calgary and general manager Darryl Sutter said expectations were not met. “Taking into consideration all factors affecting our season-ending result, we believe this is a necessary change required to allow our team to continue toward our objective of winning the Stanley Cup,” Sutter said. The Flames finished the regular season with 46 wins and 98 points, but they were ousted in the first round in six games by the Chicago Blackhawks.
■BASKETBALL
FIBA wants more in 2012
Basketball’s global governing body has asked the International Olympic Committee to include four more teams at the 2012 London Games. FIBA said on Friday that having 16 instead of 12 countries would deliver bigger audiences and a more efficient tournament. “The game has exploded and it’s time to recognize that,” FIBA secretary-general Patrick Baumann said. “The ratings will just skyrocket and it’s going to be good for the IOC, good for us.” The men’s tournament has had 12 teams since the 1976 Montreal Games but has grown in stature since NBA players were first allowed to play, at the Barcelona Games in 1992.
■BASKETBALL
Johnson may sell Bobcats
After losing tens of millions of dollars, the first black majority owner of a major US professional sports team is exploring selling the NBA’s Charlotte Bobcats. Bob Johnson’s decision could pave the way for minority investor Michael Jordan to take control of the team — if he’s willing to meet Johnson’s price. The NBA confirmed on Friday that Johnson is using a New York-based sports financial services firm to seek additional investors. Jordan said in February that he’d be interested in someday getting majority control of the team.
■SAILING
Swedes regain the lead
Sweden’s Ericsson 4 regained the lead on Friday as yachts in the Volvo race around the world entered the final sprint toward Ireland and rough Atlantic waters broke the rudder of US entry Puma Ocean Racing. The seven yachts taking part in seventh stage of the event, which left Boston on May 16, are advancing at speeds of nearly 25 knots and could arrive early today at the port of Galway on the west coast of Ireland, organizers said. Ericsson 4, the overall race leader, was on a more northerly route than its rivals and was about a 22km ahead of Spain’s Telefonica Blue, followed by Dutch team Delta Lloyd, which was the surprise leader on Thursday. Puma Ocean Racing were in fourth place after they lost time on Thursday when its leeward rudder snapped off shortly after it took the lead and needed to be replaced. “We had to literally stop the boat and take down the sails to fit our emergency rudder. We’ll race as best we can. Our emergency rudder system is pretty slick,” Puma skipper Ken Read said in a statement.
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