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Leicester crowned champions after Hartley sees red

Sat, 25 May 2013 18:41:07 +0100

By Mitch Phillips LONDON (Reuters) - Leicester were crowned English rugby champions for the 10th time when they beat Northampton 37-17 in an extraordinary final on Saturday as their rivals had captain Dylan Hartley sent off for abusing the referee. Leicester, appearing in a ninth successive final but who had lost their last two, had the early advantage with a Niall Morris try but the game turned in their favour when England hooker Hartley was shown a straight red near the end of the first half after the referee said he had sworn and called him a "cheat". ...

Raikkonen allowed to race with Hunt tribute

Sat, 25 May 2013 18:25:47 +0100

By Alan Baldwin MONACO (Reuters) - Formula One title contender Kimi Raikkonen has been cleared to race with a tribute on his helmet to late champion James Hunt after the lettering was initially deemed to contravene television regulations. The party-loving Lotus driver, second in the championship at present, is a big fan of Britain's 1976 champion and once entered a snowmobile race under Hunt's name. He has also paid tribute to him in the past with Monaco helmets. This year's had the words 'James Hunt' on the top, positioned to face the camera behind. ...

Aguero extends City contract until 2017

Sat, 25 May 2013 18:24:41 +0100

(Reuters) - Manchester City striker Sergio Aguero has signed a one-year contract extension that will keep him at the Premier League club until 2017, City said on Saturday. The 24-year-old Argentina international scored 12 goals in 30 league appearances last season, and netted the winning goal against Queens Park Rangers that secured them the 2011-12 title. "I'm very happy at City and I feel very appreciated," he told the club's website (www.mcfc.co.uk) recently. "It's been barely two years since I've arrived and sometimes I feel like I've been here for all my life. ...

Nibali battles through snow to close on Giro win

Sat, 25 May 2013 18:03:54 +0100

By Alasdair Fotheringham TRE CIME DI LAVAREDO, Italy (Reuters) - Italy's Vincenzo Nibali all but sealed overall victory in the Giro d'Italia after battling through a snowstorm and sub-zero temperatures to take his second stage win of the race deep in the Dolomite mountains on Saturday. His helmet, bike and race clothes caked in snow, Nibali raised first his right arm and then his left, kissing his wedding ring as he crossed the line in blizzard-like conditions 17 seconds ahead of Colombia's Fabio Duarte. Colombian Rigoberto Uran in third in Stage 20 of the race. ...

Mercedes discussing engine deal with Williams

Sat, 25 May 2013 17:55:06 +0100

By Alan Baldwin MONACO (Reuters) - Mercedes are talking to Williams about a Formula One engine supply from 2014, the German company's motorsport head Toto Wolff said on Saturday. Mercedes are already contracted to supply their own works outfit, Force India and McLaren next year but the latter team have announced they will be reviving their partnership with Honda in 2015. ...

Nibali Closes In On Giro D'Italia Victory

Sat, 25 May 2013 17:38:18 +0100

Vicenzo Nibali has virtually secured the Giro d'Italia title after winning the 20th stage.

Canizares holds off Westwood charge at sun-kissed Wentworth

Sat, 25 May 2013 17:32:53 +0100

By Tony Jimenez VIRGINIA WATER, England (Reuters) - Wentworth, battered by wind and rain this week, almost turned into the Costa del Sol on Saturday so it was no shock to see Spain's Alejandro Canizares set the pace at the PGA Championship. The son of former Ryder Cup stalwart Jose Maria moved one stroke ahead of Lee Westwood after six birdies and two bogeys secured a third-round 68 and a nine-under tally of 207 on a sun-kissed day at the European Tour's flagship event. ...

Austrian overcomes fear of heights to aim for slackline record

Sat, 25 May 2013 17:31:30 +0100

FRANKFURT, May 25 - An Austrian man tip-toed along a line strung 185 metres (607 feet) off the ground in Frankfurt on Saturday, attempting to set a new world record for "highlining" despite his fear of heights. Reinhard Kleindl, 32, used only his arms to balance as he walked twice along a 30-metre-long polyester rope anchored to the two wings of Frankfurt's U-shaped skyscraper Tower 185 above hundreds of cheering supporters. ...

I can never thank the fans enough, says Garcia

Sat, 25 May 2013 16:50:35 +0100

By Tony Jimenez VIRGINIA WATER, England (Reuters) - Sergio Garcia spoke of his unending gratitude to the Wentworth galleries after soaring into title contention at the PGA Championship with a sizzling four-under-par 68 in Saturday's third round. The 33-year-old Spaniard was embroiled in a racism row with Tiger Woods earlier this week and had to issue an unreserved apology after making a "fried chicken" jibe at the world number one. Garcia was almost lost for words as he was asked to describe the reaction he had received from the crowd at the European Tour's flagship event. ...

Beckham's Professional Career Officially Ends

Sat, 25 May 2013 16:08:57 +0100

David Beckham's professional career has officially come to a close.

Root's composed half-century steadies England

Sat, 25 May 2013 16:07:04 +0100

By Justin Palmer LEEDS, England (Reuters) - Joe Root's composed half-century steadied England after lunch on day two of the second and final test against New Zealand at Headingley on Saturday. Root, in his sixth test, was not out 61 with Jonny Bairstow on 13, both playing on their home ground, as England progressed to 178 for four at tea. England lost Ian Bell for 30 to part-time off spinner Kane Williamson in the afternoon session after he and Root had added 79 for the fourth wicket. ...

Montanes prepares Nice-ly for French Open

Sat, 25 May 2013 15:52:21 +0100

(Reuters) - Albert Montanes warmed up for the French Open in perfect fashion with a 6-0 7-6 victory over Gael Monfils in the final of the Nice Open on Saturday as he claimed his sixth career title. Only a rain break during the fifth game could interrupt the Spaniard's march to the first set with Frenchman Monfils taking until the second game of the second set to hold serve. ...

Rosberg puts Mercedes on pole in Monaco

Sat, 25 May 2013 14:46:48 +0100

By Alan Baldwin MONACO (Reuters) - Germany's Nico Rosberg scorched to his third successive Formula One pole position with team mate Lewis Hamilton completing a front row lockout for Mercedes at the Monaco Grand Prix on Saturday. The pole was the fourth in a row for Mercedes, whose qualifying form has faded in the races so far this season, and second successive sweep of the top two places. Red Bull's triple world champion Sebastian Vettel qualified third, on a drying track after a damp session, with Australian team mate and last year's winner Mark Webber lining up alongside. ...

Rosberg Takes Pole In Monaco

Sat, 25 May 2013 14:39:39 +0100

Nico Rosberg claimed his third successive pole position in qualifying at the Monaco Grand Prix.

Beckham left out of PSG squad as retirement starts

Sat, 25 May 2013 14:03:30 +0100

(Reuters) - David Beckham was not included in Paris St Germain's squad for their final Ligue 1 game of the season at Lorient on Sunday as the former England captain headed into retirement. The 38-year-old midfielder had expected as much after his special send-off in Paris last weekend, saying he did not think he would play on the artificial pitch at the Brittany side because the surface could aggravate previous Achilles injury problems. Beckham was not among the 19-man squad named by manager Carlo Ancelotti on Saturday on the Ligue 1 champions' website (www.psg.fr). ...

England Get Off To Shaky Start At Headingley

Sat, 25 May 2013 13:36:09 +0100

England's batsmen made a disappointing start to their first innings as they were reduced to 67-3 on day two of the second Test at Headingley.

Djokovic and cold weather threaten Nadal's Paris bid

Sat, 25 May 2013 13:19:07 +0100

By Julien Pretot PARIS (Reuters) - Old foe Novak Djokovic and damp weather conditions are the most likely obstacles to claycourt machine Rafael Nadal's bid for a record-extending eighth French Open title over the next two weeks. Nadal, who last year beat Bjorn Borg's record of six Roland Garros crowns, has lost only one match on the Paris clay and has already won five titles on the slow surface this year. However, Serbia's Djokovic ended the Spaniard's eight-year reign at the Monte Carlo Masters to show he is beatable on the red dust after all. ...

Sunshine comes Just-in time as Rose blooms with 69

Sat, 25 May 2013 13:17:38 +0100

By Tony Jimenez VIRGINIA WATER, England (Reuters) - Britain's Justin Rose was relieved to feel the sun on his back again at the PGA Championship on Saturday and the world number four took advantage with a three-under-par 69. Most of the players contesting the European Tour's flagship event at Wentworth struggled to cope with wintry conditions on the first two days. The eight-degree temperatures and winds gusting up to 20-mph finally gave way to blue skies and warm sunshine in the third round and Rose blossomed as four birdies helped him glide gently through the field. ...

Raikkonen in the hunt without the Hunt

Sat, 25 May 2013 12:08:03 +0100

By Alan Baldwin MONACO (Reuters) - Formula One title contender Kimi Raikkonen has covered up a tribute on his helmet to late champion James Hunt after the lettering was deemed to contravene television regulations. The party-loving Lotus driver, second in the championship at present, is a big fan of Britain's 1976 champion and once entered a snowmobile race under Hunt's name. He has also paid tribute to him in the past with Monaco helmets. This year's had the words 'James Hunt' on the top, positioned to face the camera behind. The regulations do not allow rear-facing messages. ...

Rosberg tops crash-filled final Monaco practice

Sat, 25 May 2013 11:56:13 +0100

By Alan Baldwin MONACO (Reuters) - Ferrari's Felipe Massa crashed heavily in an accident-strewn final Monaco Grand Prix practice session on Saturday with Nico Rosberg completing a sweep of fastest times for Mercedes. The Brazilian wrestled with a seemingly unresponsive steering wheel before locking up on the brakes and smashing into the steel guardrail on the pit straight. The Ferrari then plunged nose-first into the energy-absorbing plastic safety barrier at the Ste. ...

Fernley says costs threaten some F1 teams

Sat, 25 May 2013 11:54:36 +0100

By Alan Baldwin MONACO (Reuters) - Some Formula One teams face a fight for survival next season when engine costs more than double, Force India deputy principal Bob Fernley said on Saturday. "You shouldn't underestimate the resolve of Formula One teams, they are incredibly resilient and probably will come through," the Briton told Reuters in an interview at the Monaco Grand Prix. "But to add to the level of costs to the teams at this time in an economic cycle, one has to question whether they can all survive." Formula One is introducing a new 1. ...

IPL's Chennai official arrested in spot-fixing scandal

Sat, 25 May 2013 08:38:25 +0100

NEW DELHI (Reuters) - Mumbai Police apprehended a key official of the Indian Premier League's (IPL) Chennai franchise late on Friday in connection with a spot-fixing scandal that has also led to the arrest of three cricketers. Former India test bowler Shanthakumaran Sreesanth and two other local cricketers were arrested last week on suspicion of taking money to concede a fixed number of runs and police have intensified investigations to discover the extent of the scandal. ...

F1 is a superego trip for Wurz's wife

Sat, 25 May 2013 07:45:04 +0100

By Alan Baldwin MONACO (Reuters) - Truth can be stranger than fiction in Formula One so perhaps it was inevitable that even some regulars were fooled when the launch of a new grand prix team was announced on April 1. Despite a polished website (www.dupontf1.com) and team details, there was no such thing as Dupont F1 - on the racetrack, at least. Julia Wurz, the former Benetton and Renault team public relations executive and wife of Austrian racer Alex, devised the stunt to publicise her debut novel set in the F1 paddock. ...

Froch: 'Kessler fight is biggest of my life'

Sat, 25 May 2013 07:09:51 +0100

Carl Froch says his rematch against Mikkel Kessler will define his boxing legacy.

Brazil's Santos decide to let Neymar go

Sat, 25 May 2013 05:48:24 +0100

RIO DE JANEIRO (Reuters) - Brazil's Neymar is on the verge of choosing one of two offers from un-named clubs, reported to be Spanish suitors Barcelona and Real Madrid, after Santos agreed on Friday to transfer him. Santos said they had ended a three-year fight to keep the 21-year-old, Brazil's big hope for next year's World Cup finals, and agreed to a transfer, giving him the right to choose which offer to accept, though a decision was not imminent. ...

Kuchar one ahead at weather-hit Colonial

Sat, 25 May 2013 01:42:45 +0100

(Reuters) - American Matt Kuchar held a one-shot lead at 10 under par after 15 holes when the weather-hit second round was suspended for the day at the Crowne Plaza Invitational in Fort Worth, Texas on Friday. Kuchar, who clinched his fifth PGA Tour title at the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship in February, will line up a 40-foot birdie putt at the par-three 16th when play resumes at 7:15 a.m. local (1215 GMT) on Saturday. ...

Woods heads potent field for next week's Memorial

Sat, 25 May 2013 00:35:13 +0100

(Reuters) - Next week's Memorial tournament at Muirfield Village in Dublin, Ohio will feature one of the season's strongest fields with the world's top six players all taking part in the PGA Tour event hosted by Jack Nicklaus. Top-ranked Tiger Woods will be back to defend the title he claimed by two shots last year while Rory McIlroy (second), Adam Scott (third), 2010 champion Justin Rose (fourth), Brandt Snedeker (fifth) and Luke Donald (sixth) will also be competing. Apart from five-times winner Woods and Rose, seven other former champions will be returning - K.J. ...

Rudisha resists quick buck for gold rush in Rio

Fri, 24 May 2013 23:50:10 +0100

By Julian Linden NEW YORK (Reuters) - David Rudisha was hailed as a super-runner after his world-record breaking victory in the 800 metres at last year's London Olympics. The Kenyan's name was added to track and field's A-list alongside Usain Bolt and Mo Farah. Suddenly, everyone wanted a piece of Rudisha. Politicians wanted to be photographed with him, talk show hosts wanted to interview him and promoters were dreaming up ways to get him and Bolt to race each other. For a fleeting moment, the notoriously shy and humble Rudisha lapped up the attention. ...

Donald bemoans 'terrible' display as he exits PGA

Fri, 24 May 2013 22:02:27 +0100

By Tony Jimenez VIRGINIA WATER, England (Reuters) - Luke Donald, the PGA Championship winner in 2011 and 2012, missed the cut after returning a level-par 72 for a six-over total of 150 at Wentworth on Friday. The real damage was done in Thursday's opening round when the world number six collapsed to a six-over 78 in cold, damp conditions at the European Tour's flagship event. The weather was no better for the second round and Donald suffered an early blow when he took a double-bogey five at the second. ...

Valdez back in big Uruguay squad for busy June calendar

Fri, 24 May 2013 21:46:03 +0100

MONTEVIDEO (Reuters) - Penarol defender Carlos Valdez has earned a recall to Uruguay's squad for next month's friendly against France, a World Cup qualifier against Venezuela and the Confederations Cup. Valdez last played in a World Cup qualifier against Colombia in September 2009 and missed out on the 2010 finals in South Africa where Uruguay reached the last four. One of four home-based players in a 28-man squad, Valdez's most recent international was a friendly against Angola in Lisbon in August 2010. ...

Molinari flourishes while Donald and McIlroy falter

Fri, 24 May 2013 20:58:36 +0100

By Tony Jimenez VIRGINIA WATER (Reuters) - Francesco Molinari flourished while five of his European Ryder Cup team mates fell flat on their faces as the Italian grabbed the lead after the PGA Championship second round on Friday. Luke Donald, the 2011 and 2012 winner, Rory McIlroy, Ian Poulter, Graeme McDowell and Paul Lawrie all missed the halfway cut after struggling in cold, dank conditions at the European Tour's flagship event. ...

Klopp wants cops to help Dortmund beat traffic

Fri, 24 May 2013 20:56:11 +0100

By Karolos Grohmann LONDON (Reuters) - Borussia Dortmund coach Juergen Klopp was not amused after London's snarling traffic wreaked havoc with his team's preparations for Saturday's Champions League final and he now wants their police escort to use flashing lights. On the eve of their all-German final against Bayern Munich at Wembley Stadium, Dortmund's well-planned schedule went out of the window after the team arrived late at the hotel and stadium. "We have to reach the stadium despite this damned London traffic. Police escorts have to turn on their flashing lights. ...

Mazzarri takes over Inter after Stramaccioni sacked

Fri, 24 May 2013 20:41:03 +0100

By Terry Daley ROME (Reuters) - Inter Milan appointed former Napoli boss Walter Mazzarri as their new coach on Friday after sacking Andrea Stramaccioni following a disappointing ninth-place finish in Serie A. The 2010 Champions League winners have suffered a series of blows and gone through five coaches since their unprecedented treble under Jose Mourinho. "FC Internazionale would like to thank Andrea Stramaccioni for the great commitment and professionalism he showed in a particularly difficult year. Walter Mazzarri has signed a two-year deal, " the club said on their website (www.inter.it). ...

Bayern target lethal approach against Dortmund

Fri, 24 May 2013 20:14:23 +0100

By Karolos Grohmann LONDON (Reuters) - Bayern Munich are unfazed by the need to be more clinical in attack against Borussia Dortmund on Saturday and avoid another Champions League final defeat having lost the showpiece match twice in the past three years. Midfielder Thomas Mueller, who at 23 will be in his third final after losing in 2010 and 2012, said his team mates were not panicking because experience had taught them the key to winning the all-German final at Wembley. ...

President Obama again to serve as honorary Cup chairman

Fri, 24 May 2013 20:11:52 +0100

(Reuters) - President Barack Obama has accepted an invitation to be honorary chairman of this year's Presidents Cup, the second time he will fulfil the role at the biennial team competition, the PGA Tour said on Friday. Obama, an avid basketball player who often escapes the pressures of the Oval Office by taking to the golf course, served as honorary chairman when the event was last played in the United States, at San Francisco's Harding Park in 2009. ...

Napoli chief denies announcing Benitez capture

Fri, 24 May 2013 19:59:20 +0100

ROME (Reuters) - Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis has denied media reports earlier on Friday that he had named former Chelsea and Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez as the new Napoli manager. "I've closed the deal for a new manager but I can't officially announce it until I receive the go-ahead from the other club with which he is under contract until June 30," he was quoted as saying by Sky Italia. ...

England Under-21 winger Townsend charged in betting probe

Fri, 24 May 2013 19:36:32 +0100

LONDON (Reuters) - England Under-21 winger Andros Townsend has withdrawn from the squad for June's European Championship in Israel after being charged by the FA with alleged betting offences. "The FA has announced it has charged Andros Townsend in relation to alleged breaches of its rules governing misconduct and betting," an FA statement said on Friday. "The Tottenham Hotspur player has been charged with breaches of Rule E8 (b) in relation to a number of betting offences." Players in England are not allowed to bet on competitions they take part in or have an influence over. ...

Dortmund's Hummels says fit to play against Bayern

Fri, 24 May 2013 19:11:56 +0100

By Karolos Grohmann LONDON (Reuters) - Borussia Dortmund central defender Mats Hummels has not fully recovered from an ankle injury but is fit enough to play in the Champions League final against fellow German club Bayern Munich on Saturday. "It was not just a scare, it was a bit more but I am able to play. The ankle is not as it was before the injury but it is acceptable to play," he told reporters on Friday. Germany international Hummels hurt an ankle ligament in their 2-1 home defeat by Hoffenheim on Saturday but tests showed he had stretched it rather than tearing it as initially thought. ...

Defending Champion Donald Crashes Out

Fri, 24 May 2013 18:59:26 +0100

Luke Donald is out of the European PGA Championship at Wentworth after finishing six over par.

UEFA targets game's evils on great day for Gibraltar

Fri, 24 May 2013 18:46:08 +0100

By Mike Collett LONDON (Reuters) - UEFA president Michel Platini repeated his call for football to win the battle over the evils affecting the game on an historic day for Gibraltar who were delighted at becoming European soccer's newest member on Friday. UEFA also responded to demands from its top clubs by awarding a Champions League place to the Europa League winners, while delegates at the annual Congress of European soccer's governing body unanimously approved a resolution introducing tough new measures to fight racism. ...