IN BRIEF (Page 23)
Sailing
Kiwis' protest over Alinghi mainsail hook overruled
VALENCIA: The jury committee of the America's Cup yesterday dismissed a protest lodged by Emirates Team New Zealand over Alinghi's halyard-release system on the mainsail.
Challenger Team New Zealand protested after Wednesday's fourth race, which defender Alinghi won to draw the best-of-nine series level at two races apiece.
"The jury has dismissed the protest by majority decision," a Cup spokesman announced.
Tennis
I can hardly afford a meal at Wimbledon, Safin says
MOSCOW: Marat Safin has won more than $13 million in prize money in his tennis career but said he could hardly afford a meal at this year's Wimbledon.
The big Russian, who has never liked playing on grass, was outraged at the high prices at the All England Club.
"I try not to overstay my welcome here," the former world number one told the Sovietsky Sport newspaper, calling Wimbledon his least favourite tournament.
"Players complain about a lot of things in the locker room but when it comes to speaking their mind to the press they always say how nice everything is.
"But how can it be nice if you can't even buy a normal meal with our daily allowances here. A plate of spaghetti cost $25, where else do you see such outrageous prices," he asked.
Soccer
Mexico stun Brazil with sublime Castillo goal
PUERTO ORDAZ, Venezuela: Mexico striker Nery Castillo scored a sublime goal to set his team on their way to a shock 2-0 win over defending champions Brazil at the Copa America on Wednesday.
Castillo flicked the ball over a defender's head and then past goalkeeper Doni without letting it touch the ground in the 21st minute of the Group B match.
A Ramon Morales free kick eight minutes later handed Brazil coach Dunga defeat in his first competitive match in charge.
Mexico survived a second-half battering by Brazil, with goalkeeper Guillermo Ochoa making a string of outstanding saves to preserve the lead.
Makaay leaves Bayern Munich for Feyenoord
BERLIN: Roy Makaay has left Bayern Munich and will return home to the Netherlands to play for Feyenoord, the Bundesliga club said yesterday.
The Dutch striker, bought for a then-club record 18.75 million euros ($25.2 million) in 2003, was released early from his contract and signed a three-year deal with Feyenoord, Bayern said on its website.
He last played for a Dutch club a decade ago when he left his first club Vitesse Arnhem for Spain, first with Tenerife then Deportivo.
"I had many good and interesting offers but I decided to return to Holland," Makaay told Bayern's website. "I am looking forward to the new challenge in Rotterdam and hope to help Feyenoord reconnect to their successful past."
Atletico say it is up to Torres to decide his future
MADRID: Atletico Madrid said on Wednesday it is up to Spain striker Fernando Torres to decide where he wants to play next season as media reports continue to link him with a move to Champions League finalists Liverpool.
"I would love him to stay with us but it is up to Fernando to decide his future. We have spoken to him and told him we want him to stay," Atletico's majority shareholder Miguel Angel Gil told Punto Radio on Wednesday.
Cycling
German rider tests positive for testosterone
BERLIN: German rider Matthias Kessler, a stage winner on last year's Tour de France, has tested positive for testosterone and been suspended from his team.
"Until the results of the B-test come in the Astana rider (Kessler) ... has been suspended from the team," Team Astana said on its website on Wednesday.
The news follows a number of damaging revelations about German cycling centring on Team Telekom, which is now known as Team T-Mobile. Kessler rode for Telekom as a junior before quitting the team last year. He joined Astana in 2007.
Astana said Kessler, who won the third stage of the 2006 Tour, tested positive for the hormone in Charleroi on April 24.
(China Daily 06/29/2007 page23)
