Platini backs handball referee

WARSAW: Swedish referee Martin Hansson, who was at the center of the Thierry Henry handball controversy in France's World Cup qualification, deserved to be picked for the finals, UEFA president Michel Platini said on Saturday.

Organizers desperate for climate change

VANCOUVER: Winter Olympics chiefs will not sanction a desperate last-minute venue switch despite unseasonably warm temperatures continuing to curse Cypress Mountain, the host of the freestyle events at the Games which begin on Friday.

IN BRIEF (Page 24)

Ancelotti puts trust in captain Terry

Coach praises match-winner despite allegations of Chelsea skipper having affair

John Terry and off-field rows

Below are some of the incidents that have caused central defender Terry problems off the field:

Van Gaal delighted with leaders Bayern

MUNICH, Germany: Bayern Munich coach Louis van Gaal said his side's 3-0 win over Mainz on Saturday was its best home performance of the season as the German giants went back to the top of the German league.

Togo banned from Nations Cups after deadly ambush

LUANDA: Togo have been banned from the next two African Nations Cups following their withdrawal from this year's competition after two members of their delegation were killed in an ambush, the Confederation of African Football (CAF) said on Saturday.

Score board

Golf

IN BRIEF (Page 23)

Federer makes it sweet 16

Swiss star gets by Murray to claim fourth Australian Open title

Paes keeps promise to Black

MELBOURNE: India's Leander Paes kept his promise to Zimbabwean partner Cara Black when they won the Australian Open mixed doubles title yesterday.

Looking up Down Under: Serena tops Henin for crown

MELBOURNE, Australia: Serena Williams loves a good underdog story and understood most of the crowd was behind Justine Henin.