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Cricket great Warne denies claims of affair

SYDNEY: Australian cricket great Shane Warne has denied having an affair during a trial marriage reconciliation, following claims of infidelity by his ex-wife.

Simone Callahan, who reunited last December with the spin bowler known also for his womanising, told New Idea magazine she caught the spin bowler cheating on her while he was in London.

As Callahan got the couple's three children ready for school in Melbourne, she said a text dropped into the inbox of her mobile phone.

"Hey beautiful, I'm just talking to my kids, the back door's open," the message from Warne said.

"You loser, you sent the message to the wrong person," Callahan sent back.

She told the magazine the message confirmed her suspicions that Warne was again cheating on her, adding that he had told her there was someone else and apologised.

Corinthians coach leaves after seven games

RIO DE JANEIRO: Ze Augusto became the third coach to leave struggling Corinthians this year when he quit the job on Monday after just seven games in charge.

Corinthians said in a statement that Ze Augusto had left by mutual consent and would return to his previous employment with the youth teams.

He had initially been appointed as caretaker coach to replace Paulo Cesar Carpegiani, who was fired last month, but was given the job on a long-term basis after a 2-0 win against Santos in his second game.

Corinthians, one of Brazil's biggest and most volatile clubs, quickly changed its minds after a run of four successive defeats, culminating with Sunday's loss to arch-rivals Palmeiras which left it in the Brazilian championship relegation zone.

Federation backs Scolari's appeal against four-match ban

LISBON: Portugal coach Luiz Felipe Scolari received a vote of confidence on Monday from the country's soccer federation despite his four-match suspension by UEFA.

Brazilian Scolari, who was banned last week, has apologised for lashing out at Serbian player Ivica Dragutinovic after its 1-1 draw in a Euro 2008 qualifier on September 12.

"He should not have acted in that way but the board of directors decided unanimously to reiterate their support to Scolari and formally support his appeal to UEFA," Portuguese Soccer Federation president Gilberto Madail said in a statement.

If Scolari's suspension is upheld, it could affect the team during their final qualifying matches for Euro 2008.

Scolari said after hearing the punishment last week: "Although I have recognised with all honesty my mistake, I think the sanction is excessive.

"The player who started this whole situation (Dragutinovic) was suspended for two games. That is why I will appeal this decision." he said.

The UEFA Control and Appeals body will hear the appeal on October 4.

(China Daily 09/26/2007 page23)