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Pettigrew banned for doping

RALEIGH, North Carolina: Former world 400m champion Antonio Pettigrew has been banned for two years after admitting he used prohibited substances, the US Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) said on Tuesday.

Pettigrew, 40, who has retired from competitive running, said last month during the trial of former coach Trevor Graham that he had used performance-enhancing drugs.

USADA said all Pettigrew's competitive results since January 1997 would be annulled and added he had also voluntarily surrendered his 2000 Sydney Olympics 4x400m relay gold medal and his 1997 and 1999 World Championships relay golds.

The decision could lead to the US team losing its 4x400m world record of 2:54.20 set in July 1998.

Pettigrew ran the race with Jerome Young, Tyree Washington and Michael Johnson.

On Tuesday Johnson said he was shocked by Pettigrew's admission and was returning his 2000 Olympic 4x400m gold medal because it was tainted.

Gascoigne detained again

LONDON: Former England midfielder Paul Gascoigne was detained under the Mental Health Act for the third time this year on Tuesday.

Gary Mabbutt, who played with Gascoigne for Tottenham Hotspur, told BBC Radio Five that the 41-year-old had been sectioned for up to six months, a day after being released.

"Since Paul was sectioned in February, we have all been working together to get Paul the best possible treatment to overcome his problems," Mabbutt said.

"The last six to eight weeks have been frustrating because he has been going in voluntarily and then discharging himself. It has been hard to get Paul detained so he can get the help he needs."

Gascoigne was detained on Sunday after appearing agitated in public but was released on Monday. However, newspaper photographs on Tuesday showed him sitting in a barber's chair in London receiving treatment from medics.

Mabbutt said Gascoigne had been detained under Section Three of the Mental Health Act after being assessed by doctors and cannot discharge himself.

Lehmann joins Stuttgart

TENERO, Switzerland: Germany goalkeeper Jens Lehmann will return to the Bundesliga next season after agreeing a one-year deal with VfB Stuttgart.

"I'm delighted with the Bundesliga and with Stuttgart," Lehmann said in a statement on Tuesday.

The 38-year-old was second choice at Arsenal for most of last season after losing his place to Spaniard Manuel Almunia.

Lehmann's contract ran out at the end of the campaign and he had been unsure about whether to continue playing after Euro 2008, where he will be Germany's first choice.

"Jens Lehmann was our first pick for goalkeeper from the start," Stuttgart coach Armin Veh said in the statement. "His qualifications are undisputed and our entire team will benefit from his experience."

Lehmann joined Arsenal in 2003 from Borussia Dortmund, winning the title in his first season when he played every game in Arsenal's unbeaten Premier League campaign.

Ancelotti staying at Milan

MILAN: Carlo Ancelotti said on Tuesday that he will definitely stay on as AC Milan coach next season, refuting reports he is about to take over at Chelsea.

"I'm staying at Milan 150 percent," Ancelotti, which led Milan to the 2007 and 2003 Champions League titles, told reporters.

"There has been no contact with Chelsea. The rumors are the usual fantasy football stories that are repeated every year."

British media reported on Tuesday that the Italian had struck a deal with the London club, which is looking for a manager after sacking Avram Grant last month.

Chelsea also issued a statement on its website (www.chelseafc.com) denying that it had reached an agreement with anyone or sought permission from any clubs to talk to their coaches.

(China Daily 06/05/2008 page22)