IN BRIEF (Page 24)

Soccer

Maradona charges businessman for stealing

BUENOS AIRES: Argentine soccer legend Diego Maradona filed charges against a businessman for stealing hundreds of memorabilia items shown around the world in his "Itinerant M10 Museum", the star's official website said on Tuesday.

The 600 pieces of memorabilia, including the 1995 Golden Ball and gifts from Brazilian football icon Pele and Cuban President Fidel Castro, were on exhibition since 2003 but are presently tied up in customs in several countries due to the "organizer's failure to meet his obligations", the website said.

Maradona filed a complaint against businessman Ernesto Texo, in the matter, it added.

The complaint said: "Texo and his associates improperly took possession of these objects after being tasked with organizing the Itinerant M10 Museum that visited Argentina, Italy and Mexico, among other countries."

Cameroon confirm Barca allowed to retain Eto'o

MADRID: Barcelona have permission to retain Samuel Eto'o for two more games before the striker joins up with Cameroon for the African Nations Cup, the president of the Cameroon Football Federation (CFF) confirmed on Tuesday.

"There is no problem. The coach (Otto Pfister) has spoken with the player and accepts that he plays this weekend and then joins the squad, having played two more games with Barcelona," Mohammed Iya told Spanish radio station RAC-1.

Iya admitted Pfister had needed convincing but that the German coach had accepted it would help Eto'o improve his physical fitness after having missed most of the season so far with injury.

Iya's comments supported Barcelona coach Frank Rijkaard's assertions that the Primera Liga club had written permission to retain the player.

Cricket

Australian sporting heroes turn on cricketers

SYDNEY: Australian sporting legends have added their voices to criticism of the country's cricketers after their controversial win over India.

"Sport is only sport. It's not war," said Hall of Fame chairman, yachtsman John Bertrand, accusing the cricketers of tarnishing Australia's international reputation.

"Their desire to win at all costs is beginning to blur their moral compass," he told Sydney's Daily Telegraph.

Bertrand, who 25 years ago skippered the yacht that won the America's Cup from the US for the first time in 132 years, said he would seek an urgent meeting with cricket officials to help "re-tune" the team's thinking.

The Australian team was accused of unsportsmanlike behavior during their narrow victory over India in the second Test in Sydney and criticized for their aggressive on-field celebrations after Sunday's win.

NHL

Hasek gets 79th career shutout in Red Wings' win

DETROIT, Michigan: Pavel Datsyuk scored the game's only goal and Dominik Hasek posted the 79th shutout of his career in the Detroit Red Wings' 1-0 home win over the Colorado Avalanche on Tuesday.

Hasek's shutout was the second in a row and third of the season for the veteran goaltender, who produced 19 saves in his third shutout of the season.

Datsyuk got the game-winner on an even-handed goal with 1:39 to play in the second period.

Meanwhile, Detroit's Chris Chelios became the second-oldest player to appear in an NHL contest. The Red Wings defenseman, who is 45 years, 348 days old, received a standing ovation.

Gordie Howe holds the record, having retired in 1980 at 52 years, six days.

(China Daily 01/10/2008 page24)