IN BRIEF (Page 24)

NHL

Capitals sign Fedorov

WASHINGTON: The Washington Capitals have signed six times all-star center Sergei Fedorov to a one-year contract, the team announced on Monday.

Fedorov, 38, played in 18 games for the Capitals last year after being acquired from Columbus at the trade deadline.

The Russian-born Fedorov won three Stanley Cups with the Detroit Red Wings and captured the Hart Trophy as the league MVP in 1994.

He has averaged nearly a point per game in his career, with 1,146 points (472 goals, 674 assists) in 1,196 games with Detroit, Anaheim, Columbus and Washington.

As a Capital, Fedorov scored twice and had 11 assists in the regular season, adding one goal and four assists in seven playoff games.

Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed but local media reported the contract is worth $4 million.

Tennis

Djokovic leads Thai Open

BANGKOK: Reigning Australian Open champion and world No 3 Novak Djokovic of Serbia will headline the Thailand Open this September, organizers announced on Monday.

The Serb will compete for the title against two-time Grand Slam champion Marat Safin from Russia and France's Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, who lost to Djokovic in this year's Australian Open final.

The tournament is also expected to mark the return of hometown favorite Paradorn Srichaphan, who has been off the court for 18 months due to injury.

Lawn Tennis Association of Thailand president Suwat Liptapanlop said organizers were struggling to put together this year's event due to the nation's wobbly economy, with inflation running at a 10-year high.

Last year Russian Dmitry Tursunov defeated Germany's Benjamin Becker 6-2, 6-1 to win the tournament.

NBA

Another ref implicated

NEW YORK: Disgraced ex-ref Tim Donaghy made numerous phone calls to a second NBA referee during the time he provided information to professional gamblers, Fox News reported on Monday.

According to the company's website, Donaghy placed 134 calls to referee Scott Foster between October 2006 and April 2007. That is the period during which he has admitted to betting on games and giving game information to gamblers.

Fox obtained the phone records, which revealed that most of the calls were no more than two minutes in length and took place before and after games that Donaghy refereed.

Fox claims that prosecutors not involved in the case consider the frequency and duration of the calls suspicious. No charges have been laid against the second referee.

Donaghy, 41, is scheduled to be sentenced later this month after reaching a plea agreement in the case. He faces a maximum of 33 months in prison.

Soccer

Juventus signs Poulsen

MILAN: Juventus has completed the signing of Sevilla midfielder Christian Poulsen, the Italian club said on Monday.

The Denmark international, 28, has moved for 9.75 million euros ($15.32 million) and penned a four-year deal, the club said in a statement.

Juve, which enters the Champions League qualifiers next month after finishing third in Serie A last term, has been seeking a new midfielder throughout the offseason.

Poulsen's arrival means it is less likely Liverpool's Xabi Alonso will be moving to Turin and a deal for Inter Milan midfielder Dejan Stankovic also looks dead.

Juve fans do not like signing players from bitter rival Inter and there was anger from some supporters when news leaked of the club's interest in Stankovic.

(China Daily 07/16/2008 page24)