HEADLINES:
R/€ Sports scan - November 16, 2009
November 16, 2009 Edition 1
Maradona banned
ZURICH: Diego Maradona was banned from all football for two months by Fifa yesterday over his sexually explicit rant last month. The Argentina coach, who was also fined 25 000 Swiss francs (R183 701), fell foul of world football's governing body after losing his cool with journalists after Argentina's qualification for the World Cup. A Fifa statement released after a three-hour meeting of the disciplinary panel said: "The sanction applies from November 15 2009 to January 15 2010."
The 49-year-old coach will miss Argentina's friendly against the Czech Republic scheduled for December 16. -
Sapa-AFP
Van Persie sidelined
THE HAGUE: Robin van Persie could be sidelined for weeks after injuring his ankle during the Netherlands' 0-0 draw with Italy on Saturday. The Arsenal striker was stretchered off the pitch after being tackled by Italian defender Giorgio Chiellini 14 minutes into the game at Pescara. Dutch coach Bert van Marwijk believes the player has torn ligaments. - Sapa-AFP
Djokovic does it
PARIS: Novak Djokovic of Serbia secured back-to-back ATP titles by edging past battling Frenchman Gael Monfils 6-2 5-7 7-6 (7/3) in a thrilling Paris Masters final yesterday. The win was the first for Djokovic in the Masters Series this year following four runner-up finishes and it will send him into the season-ending ATP Tour World Finals in London from November 22-29 as the favourite. - Sapa-AFP
Interest in Heidfeld
STUTTGART: McLaren-Mercedes have been in talks with German driver Nick Heidfeld about a place in the Formula One team. Heidfeld has been out of contract since his BMW team pulled out of the competition. McLaren have also talked to F1 champion Jenson Button, who is also out of contract after winning this year's title with Brawn GP. Lewis Hamilton, is Mclaren's only under-contract driver for next season. - Sapa-AP
Dibaba world record
NIJMEGEN, Netherlands: Ethiopia's double Olympic champion Tirunesh Dibaba improved the 15km world record on her way to victory in the IAAF Seven Hills Run yesterday. The 5 000m and 10 000m Olympic champion clocked 46min 28sec to better the previous mark of 46:55 which was set by Japan's Kayoko Fukushi in Marugame on February 5, 2006. Four-time world champion Dibaba already holds the world record over 5 000m. - Sapa-AFP
ICC might move
KARACHI: The International Cricket Council (ICC) is considering a proposal to move its headquarters back to London from Dubai. Shashank Manohar, president of the Indian board, made the proposal at the last executive board meeting in October and the idea has garnered support, the Dawn daily newspaper reported. "Most of the affiliated members agree on the proposal and have asked the ICC president and chief executive to ascertain what would be required to move the headquarters back to London," it said. The ICC moved to Dubai from Lord's in 2005. - Reuters
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