Sat, Oct 10, 2009 page18

• Sport Briefs

  • AGENCIES
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  ■BASKETBALL

  Bryant outsells Yao in China

  Los Angeles Lakers Kobe Bryant has the most popular jersey in China even outselling Chinese superstar Yao Ming, the NBA said on Thursday. Bryant also had the top selling jerseys in Europe and the US, the league said, citing statistics from its official retail stores, league spokesman Rick Pendrick said in a news release. The second best selling jersey was Cleveland’s LeBron James. Houston Rockets center Yao came in sixth place. This is the third consecutive year Bryant’s jersey has been No. 1 in China.

  ■BASKETBALL

  Fight leads to suspensions

  Detroit Pistons forward Jonas Jerebko and Miami Heat center Jamaal Magloire have been suspended for their roles in a fight during a pre-season game on Monday, the NBA said. Magloire received a two-game ban for instigating the fight and hitting Jerebko in the face, while Jerebko was suspended for one game after retaliating and striking Magloire, the league said in a statement on Thursday. Their suspensions will begin with the first game of the regular season.

  ■BOXING

  Trial set for Mayweather

  A preliminary hearing has been set for boxing trainer Roger Mayweather, who is accused of attacking a female boxer he once trained. The woman told police that 48-year-old Mayweather attacked her on Aug. 2 at an apartment he owned and was renting out. He is charged with felony coercion and battery-strangulation. Mayweather coached his nephew Floyd Mayweather Jr to victory in a comeback fight against Juan Manuel Marquez last month. The preliminary hearing is scheduled for Jan. 15. Justice of the Peace Joseph Sciscento on Thursday quashed a bench warrant that was issued after Roger Mayweather failed to appear in court for arraignment last Friday. Roger Mayweather’s attorney, Bucky Buchanan, says his client will plead not guilty to the charges because the incident is a misunderstanding.

  ■CRICKET

  Trescothick honored

  Somerset opener Marcus Trescothick was named English cricket’s player of the year by his fellow professionals on Thursday after another prolific batting season. The former England batsman scored 2,934 runs in all cricket, including 1,817 first-class runs at an average of 75.70. Trescothick, who will take over the Somerset captaincy next season, had already won the Most Valuable Player award, which was given automatically on a points tally secured by his runs, but Thursday’s honor was the result of a vote by his fellow professionals in the Professional Cricketer’s Association. Leicestershire’s 19-year-old batsman James Taylor was named the young player of the year.

  ■RUGBY

  Elsom replaces Mortlock

  Stirling Mortlock has been dumped as Australia captain and replaced by Rocky Elsom in a 35-man squad named by coach Robbie Deans on Friday for the Wallabies’ season-ending Grand Slam tour. Media speculation surrounding Mortlock’s captaincy had grown since the 80-cap veteran sustained a serious knee injury during a Test against South Africa in August. He was still named for the tour. “Stirling has done a good job as Australian skipper, both before I became involved, and over the last 16 months,” Deans said in a statement. “He also understands that this initiative has no meaning in terms of his playing future. He has indicated a desire to continue not only to play but also to lead and we respect that.”

  ■SOCCER

  FIFA send Serbia warning

  FIFA has warned Serbia they could have points deducted in their World Cup qualifying campaign if their fans keep causing trouble, the Serbian FA said on its Web site on Thursday. It said Serbia had been fined for fan misbehavior during the team’s qualifiers in Austria and Romania, as well as last month’s home game against France. “We have received a very worrying note from the FIFA disciplinary committee saying that we could have points deducted if our fans keep repeating these forbidden acts,” the Serbian FA said. Serbian fans lit dozens of flares and threw them on the pitch in matches with Austria and Romania, having also clashed with security in the latter game. They also lit flares and set off firecrackers during the game with France. The Serbian FA and players have appealed to fans to behave during today’s Group 7 home qualifier with Romania.

  ■OLYMPICS

  Rogge re-elected president

  He has presided over four Olympics, led a determined fight against doping and steadied the ship after the worst ethics crisis in the movement’s history. After an eight-year term in office, Jacques Rogge is about to embark on a second — and final — four-year mandate as president of the International Olympic Committee. He goes forward with the Olympic brand in remarkably sound shape despite the economic downturn and other challenges. The 67-year-old Belgian and former orthopedic surgeon is up for re-election on the final day of the IOC session in Copenhagen. The election is a formality as Rogge is the only candidate.

  ■OLYMPICS

  Madrid reveals price tag

  Madrid’s candidature for the 2016 Olympics cost 37.8 million euros (US$55.6 million), said the city’s mayor, who confirmed that any decision on whether to launch a third successive bid would be taken in 2011. Madrid was beaten by Rio de Janeiro last week in the final round of voting by the International Olympic Committee to decide the hosts of the 2016 Games. Four years ago, it lost to London for the 2012 Olympics. Of the 37.8 million euros invested, 16.8 million euros came from the city budget and the rest from private businessman, Madrid Mayor Alberto Ruiz-Gallardon told a news conference on Thursday.

  ■HORSE RACING

  Mine That Bird stars on Web

  Kentucky Derby winner Mine That Bird will be available for fans to see around the clock via security Web cam installed above his stall at Santa Anita. Track officials said on Wednesday that trainer Chip Woolley Jr agreed to have his star horse appear on video while eating, sleeping and standing around his stall. Mine That Bird is set to run in today’s Goodwood Stakes in preparation for the Breeders’ Cup Classic on Nov. 7 at Santa Anita. Fans can view live video streaming of Mine That Bird at www.oaktreeracing.com.

  ■GOLF

  Jordan breaks smoking ban

  Michael Jordan, pal of Tiger Woods and an honorary assistant to the US Presidents Cup team for this week’s match play clash against the Internationals, has already provided a spark — an unwelcome one. The San Francisco Chronicle published a photograph of Jordan puffing a cigar during a practice round at Harding Park golf course — a violation of San Francisco’s smoking ban on public courses. Recreation and Park General Manager Phil Ginsburg told the newspaper that he had asked US PGA Tour officials to remind Jordan of the no-smoking rule.
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