IN BRIEF (Page 24)
Soccer
FA clear Spurs over Lampard incident
LONDON: The Football Association (FA) on Tuesday cleared Tottenham of any blame after a fan ran on to the pitch following their FA Cup replay and aimed a punch at Chelsea's Frank Lampard.
Chelsea's 2-1 quarterfinal win at White Hart Lane was overshadowed by an incident after the final whistle when Timothy Smith, 18, ran on to the pitch and swung at Lampard, with the England midfielder ducking out of the way.
It led to the FA looking at the security provisions at Spurs and, after club officials also submitted a safety report, the club will not face punishment.
The fan has since been banned from attending football matches in England and Wales for three years, while Spurs have barred him from the club for life.
Another fan who ran on to the pitch also received a three-year ban and both offenders were fined 300 pounds.
Lille to appeal UEFA fine
LILLE, France: French club Lille will appeal the fine handed to them by European football's governing body (UEFA) for incidents that marred their Champions League last 16 encounter against Manchester United in February.
Lille were fined 61,734 euros for security violations and incorrect behaviour by the Lille players, who left the pitch after Ryan Giggs's quickly-taken free kick took everyone by surprise and consequently won the game.
"Lille football club have decided to appeal against the UEFA ruling to protect their current and future interests," the club said in a statement posted on their official website www.losc.fr.
United were fined 9,256 euros for incorrect behaviour by the travelling fans including disturbances at the turnstyles.
Tear gas was used by police during the match at Len's Stade Felix-Bollaert after ticketing problems led to 5,000 supporters cramming into a stand built for 3,500.
Tennis
Venus, Petrova waltz through at Amelia Island
AMELIA ISLAND, Florida: Venus Williams used a strong serve and powerful groundstrokes to whip Aravane Rezai 6-1, 6-2 in her opening match at the Amelia Island championship on Tuesday.
Williams needed just an hour to record the victory before saying she feels better than she has all year.
"Tonight was the most comfortable I've felt on the court of all the matches I've played this season," the American said. "I'm rounding into form at the right time with the claycourt season ahead."
In earlier matches, top-seeded Nadia Petrova stopped Kaia Kanepi of Estonia 6-4, 6-0, while number three Daniela Hantuchova bounced Nuria Llagostera Vives of Spain, 6-1, 6-3.
Baseball
Hernandez leads Mets to second straight win
BOSTON: Orlando Hernandez gave up five hits in seven innings and stroked a two-run double to lead the New York Mets to a 4-1 road victory over the World Series champion St Louis Cardinals on Tuesday.
The victory was the second straight for the Mets against the team that beat them in last year's National League Championship Series, although Hernandez missed that showdown due to a leg injury.
The 41-year-old right-hander made the most of his opportunity to face the Cardinals this time, however, and doubled his career RBI total when he blasted the ball down the left-field line with the bases loaded in the seventh inning.
He also helped his own cause by picking a runner off first base, spoiling the night for the Cardinals after the team gave out its World Series rings.
(China Daily 04/05/2007 page24)
