Wed, Jul 29, 2009 page19

• Sports Briefs

  • AGENCIES
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  ■BOXING

  Bullets flew around Forrest

  Former champion Vernon Forrest exchanged gunfire with robbery suspects before being shot to death, Atlanta police said on Monday. The 38-year-old former two-division champion was killed on Saturday night. Investigators believe between 20 and 24 shots were fired from two guns, said Lieutenant Keith Meadows. Police recovered Forrest’s gun and one shell casing belonging to that gun, he said. Forrest was putting air in his car tires at a service station when a man asked for money, his manager Charles Watson said. When he pulled his wallet out, the man snatched it and started running, and Forrest took off after him, Watson said. Meadows would not confirm those details and said investigators have no new leads on suspects.

  ■SOCCER

  Ronaldo has double fracture

  Three-time FIFA player of the year Ronaldo will be sidelined for at least five weeks while he recovers from a double fracture of his left hand, his Brazilian club Corinthians said on Monday. The 32-year-old striker — a two-time World Cup winner and all-time leading World Cup finals scorer — suffered the injury when he fell during a match against rivals Palmeiras, the club’s doctor Paolo de Faria said.

  ■SOCCER

  Obama backs World Cup bid

  US President Barack Obama offered support on Monday for the US bid to host the World Cup, FIFA president Sepp Blatter said after a meeting at the White House. Blatter told Obama that as FIFA chief he had to stay neutral on the issue of bids — there are 11 contenders so far for the 2018 host country — but said that Obama appealed for Blatter to “make another move toward United States soccer.” According to Blatter, Obama said that being able to host the competition might boost the US profile of the sport. Blatter said he played a little soccer with the president, who is better known for his basketball skills than his soccer talent. But the FIFA chief said the US president managed to control the ball, kicking it twice with his feet and once with his head, and said he was “impressed” by Obama’s skills.

  ■BASEBALL

  Mets fire combative VP

  The New York Mets, who have had a frustrating, injury-plagued season, made a front office move on Monday by firing vice president of player development Tony Bernazard for some combative behavior. Mets general manager Omar Minaya dismissed Bernazard, telling reporters that “his behavior in his interaction with others was inconsistent with our organization’s values.” Bernazard had the spotlight on him after a Daily News report that he had ripped off his shirt and challenged members of the Mets’ struggling Double-A Binghamton team to a fight during a post-game tirade this month. Other incidents were also reported, including a profanity-laced complaint about another team’s scout sitting in a seat he wanted at New York’s Citi Field, and a run-in on the team bus with Mets closer Francisco Rodriguez.

  ■BASKETBALL

  Suns extend Nash contract

  Two-time NBA MVP Steve Nash has been signed by the Phoenix Suns to a two-year contract extension through the 2011-2012 season, the club said on Monday. The 35-year-old point guard has averaged 14.4 points and eight assists over his 13-year NBA career. Nash is one of only nine players in the NBA to win back-to-back NBA MVP awards (2005, 2006) and is a six-times All-Star.
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