■ FIFA
Blatter gives Peru ultimatum
FIFA president Sepp Blatter on Friday gave Peru an ultimatum to solve a dispute between the government and the Peruvian Football Federation or face suspension from all international competition. Blatter said FIFA must receive by tomorrow a document in which both sides “agree to settle the problem in a 10-day period.” The original deadline was Friday but was extended to tomorrow because Friday was a holiday in Peru. “Unless we receive that document by Monday, the Peruvian federation will be immediately suspended,” Blatter told a news conference. The suspension would include the ongoing South American qualifying series for the 2010 World Cup and regional club competitions the Copa Libertadores and Copa Sudamericana. Even Peruvian referees would be prohibited from officiating in international competitions, Blatter said.
■ ENGLAND
Kinnear invites Shearer
Newcastle manager Joe Kinnear has invited St James’ Park legend Alan Shearer to learn the coaching ropes alongside him at the struggling Premier League club. Interim boss Kinnear told the BBC: “I have the utmost respect for Shearer. The door is always open and if he is listening to this interview, he is more than welcome to learn his trade here. I would be delighted if he wanted to come here two days a week and see for himself what football is all about. From Alan’s point of view, he will be looking more for the future than right now because right now is a difficult time to come in also in terms of injuries. Maybe he is biding his time.” Kinnear has made no secret of the fact he would like the job on a permanent basis, and still does not know how long he will remain at the club on his current month-by-month deal. However, he knows exactly where Shearer and Keegan stand in the affection’s of the club’s supporters. He said: “I have just got on with things. They are two idols that everybody loves up here, so I’m never going to be as popular as those two, and I’m not trying to be. I am aware of the situation and can handle it.”
■ ENGLAND
Donovan to join Bayern
Landon Donovan will join Bayern Munich in a loan deal similar to the one David Beckham has agreed with AC Milan, according to Bayern’s manager Uli Hoeness, but no other players will come or go from the club during the winter transfer period. “He [Donovan] will in any case now play for us until March 15,” Hoeness said in an interview posted on Friday on the Web site of the Sueddeutsche newspaper. The LA Galaxy forward has just concluded a 10-day practice stint with Bayern, ostensibly to keep fit.
■ SPAIN
Tevez to join Real: report
Manchester United striker Carlos Tevez will be a Real Madrid player next season, the Marca sports daily reported on Friday. “Tevez said ‘yes’ to Madrid ... for next season,” claimed the newspaper which added that a deal between Real and the Argentine international has already been signed. Real are desperate for reinforcements having seen striker Ruud Van Nistelrooy ruled out for at least six months with a right knee injury.
■ GERMANY
Dortmund down Karlsruhe
Borussia Dortmund beat Karlsruhe 1-0 to move into provisional fourth place in the Bundesliga on Friday. Mohamed Zidan scored in the 20th minute from a cross from Tamas Hajnal, a former Karlsruhe player, to seal Dortmund’s victory. Karlsruhe lost for the seventh time in eight games.
Taiwan’s top women’s badminton doubles duo, Hsieh Pei-shan (謝沛珊) and Hung En-tzu (洪恩慈), achieved a straight-sets victory over Japan’s Kaho Osawa and Mayui Tanabe at the Badminton World Federation (BWF) Super 300 Macau Open on Sunday. The Taiwanese pair won the final 21-18, 21-12, marking the duo’s second title this year after their win at the BWF Super 300 Taipei Open in May. The match on Sunday was their first encounter with the Japanese duo, ranked No. 63 in the world. Hsieh and Hung, ranked No. 12, began the opening game well. Hung, who plays left-handed, performed strongly at both the net and the
Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko upset top-seeded Coco Gauff 6-1, 6-4 on Saturday night to reach the National Bank Open quarter-finals. “Your support was incredible,” Mboko told the crowd in French after a chorus of “Ole, Ole, Ole” chants echoed around the venue. “I’m really happy to win today ... It’s incredible. I’m so happy to beat such a great champion.” Gauff dropped to 2-3 since winning the French Open. She followed the major victory with opening losses in Berlin and Wimbledon, then overcame double-fault problems to win two three-set matches in Montreal. Gauff had five double-faults on Saturday after having 23 in
Jobe Bellingham on Tuesday admitted to having “anxieties” on following in brother Jude’s footsteps after joining Borussia Dortmund in the summer. Jobe Bellingham, 19, is two years younger than Jude Bellingham, who joined Real Madrid in 2023 after three years at Dortmund. A centerpiece of the England national team, Jude Bellingham has emerged as one of the best players in the world in recent seasons. The younger Jobe Bellingham joined Dortmund in June from Sunderland after their promotion to the English Premier League. He admitted he understood what the perception would be ahead of the move to Germany. “It’s something you do think about.
Before Tuesday’s 7-2 win at the Atlanta Braves, Milwaukee Brewers manager Pat Murphy suggested “most people couldn’t tell you five players on our team.” A look at the standings would indicate more Brewers players soon will be recognized by more fans. After all, it is difficult to overlook a team that not only continues to extend their lead in the National League Central, but also boasts the best record in the majors. “What we’re doing in here right now is special,” right-handed pitcher Freddy Peralta said after allowing only four hits and one run in five innings, while setting a career high with
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