■UNITED STATES
MLS players vote to strike
Major League Soccer (MLS) players have voted to strike unless a new labor deal is reached in time for the scheduled March 25 season opener in a move that could damage the US’ World Cup hopes. Negotiators met twice this week with a federal mediator in Washington, but the players moved no nearer their goals of more guaranteed contracts and greater free agency opportunities. “The meetings this week were productive and we scheduled a number of additional meetings,” MLS president Mark Abbott said. While player salaries averaged US$147,945 a year ago, the midpoint salary among all 323 MLS players was only US$88,000, the average skewing higher by virtue of rich deals to a few stars, such as England’s David Beckham. “The players are unified and, per the results of our strike vote, will not begin the new season if a new agreement with the league is not reached,” union executive director Bob Foose said in a statement.
■ENGLAND
Tigers come to blows
There is something strange in the air down by the Humber Bridge, at least there would appear to be if you are a Hull City player. For the second time this season a training work-out at the scenic suspension bridge on England’s east coast has been interrupted, although this time there was nothing much to be proud of as a melee broke out in the wake of last weekend’s 5-1 Premier League defeat at Everton. On Friday, manager Phil Brown said he had to apologize to the local branch of the Women’s Institute after two of his players, Nick Barmby and Jimmy Bullard, came to blows in full view of about 50 members of the organization who were enjoying a stroll in a nearby park. In October, Brown was leading the players in a “contemplative walk” across the bridge when he stumbled across a distressed woman apparently considering suicide and offered some comforting words. Brown, who was not present when Bullard and Barmby squared up on Monday, said they had since shaken hands and made up. “This incident was unsavory and very unfortunate, but the players have settled their differences. It was back to normal at training on Tuesday. They shook hands and got on with it,” Brown told Sky Sports.
■NETHERLANDS
Twente go five points clear
Bryan Ruiz struck twice to earn FC Twente Enschede a 3-1 home win against lowly ADO Den Haag that moved them five points clear at the top of the Dutch championship on Friday. Wesley Verhoek opened the scoring for ADO in the first minute, before Ruiz leveled with a penalty. Costa Rican Ruiz added his second, and 19th league goal of the season, 11 minutes into the second half when Luuk de Jong set him up from a counterattack. Kenneth Perez then sealed victory.
■ENGLAND
Pompey’s Storrie steps down
Peter Storrie stepped down as chief executive of crisis club Portsmouth on Friday. “After talks with his family and friends, [Storrie has] decided it is in the best interests of the club for him to leave his full-time employment,” administrator Andrew Andronikou said in a statement. Storrie has been at Portsmouth since 2002. The south-coast team have been in turmoil this season, a series of unsuccessful takeovers culminating last month in Pompey becoming the first Premier League club to go into administration, with debts of about £78 million (US$118 million). They are also bottom of the table and almost certain to be relegated if the league imposes a nine-point penalty.
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