Top Shot
Pippen to play one match for Swedish side Sundsvall
STOCKHOLM: Former Chicago Bulls player Scottie Pippen will make a one-off appearance for Swedish side Sundsvall Dragons in January, the club announced on their website (www.sundsvalldragons.com) yesterday.
The 42-year-old American, who played alongside Michael Jordan and helped the Chicago Bulls to win six NBA titles, will play for Sundsvall on January 11 when it takes on Akropol at home in the Swedish basketball league.
Pippen retired in 2004 with a knee injury but has contemplated a return to the NBA according to media reports.
Free-agent pitcher Wood re-signs with Cubs
CHICAGO: Free-agent and right-handed pitcher Kerry Wood will stay with the Chicago Cubs after agreeing a one-year contract, the club said on Monday.
"It's a very positive day for the Cubs," general manager Jim Hendry said in a conference call. "Bringing Kerry back was a priority."
Wood, drafted by the Cubs as the fourth overall pick in 1995, has agreed to a deal estimated by local media to be worth $4.2 million.
Wood's contract could pay him an additional $3.45 million in performance incentives based on games finished if he ends up with the closer's role after getting steady work as a reliever in 2007.
Manager Lou Piniella will decide on the position at spring training where Wood, 30, will be competing with Bob Howry and Carlos Marmol for the role.
United's Ferguson charged after outburst at referee
LONDON: Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson has been charged by the FA for an outburst at the referee during the defeat at Bolton Wanderers on Saturday.
"Alex Ferguson has been charged with using abusive and/or insulting words towards referee Mark Clattenburg," the FA said in a statement on Monday.
The charge relates to Ferguson's conduct at halftime of his team's 1-0 Premier League loss at the Reebok.
Ferguson, who had to watch the second half from the stands, was upset by what he felt were Bolton's over-physical tactics.
"I thought there were two or three very dodgy tackles and you hope the referee is strong in those situations," Ferguson said after the defeat left the champion United three points behind leader Arsenal in the title race.
Empoli appoints Malesani after sacking Cagni
MILAN: Serie A strugglers Empoli has brought in Alberto Malesani after sacking coach Gigi Cagni, the club said yesterday.
Cagni led the small Tuscan side to a surprise seventh spot in the league last term and their first-ever UEFA Cup place.
However, it has struggled this season after selling midfielder Sergio Almiron to Juventus and lies third bottom with 10 points from 13 games. The club was also dumped out of the UEFA Cup in the first round by FC Zurich.
Sunday's tame 0-0 home draw with Torino proved the final straw and Empoli has quickly turned to Malesani, who left Udinese at the end of last season.
"The club thanks Mr. Cagni for the brilliant and historic results achieved as coach of the team," read a statement on the club website (www.empolicalcio.it) announcing the change.
Cagni was shocked by the decision to axe him.
Jamaican Olympic champion McKenley dies, aged 85
KINGSTON: Former Olympic champion and Jamaican athletics administrator Herb McKenley has died aged 85, his family said on Monday.
Hospital officials said that McKenley had been hospitalised for two weeks, but did not give the cause of death.
McKenley was a member of the Jamaica quartet that won gold in the 4x400 meters relay at the 1952 Olympic Games in Helsinki. He also won silver in the 400m, behind compatriot Arthur Wint, and in the 100m behind American Lindy Remigino.
The three medals in Helsinki added to the silver he had won in the 400m at the 1948 London Olympics. McKenley had been the world record holder for the distance with a time of 45.9 seconds.
"The death of Herb McKenley is a tremendous blow to Jamaica," sports minister Olivia Grange said in a statement. "He served this country with distinction both as an athlete and as an administrator and he will be sadly missed."
(China Daily 11/28/2007 page23)
