Drugs ruined track and field in 2007

PARIS: The world of athletics was rocked by US sprinting legend Marion Jones' admission that she took performance-enhancing drugs at the 2000 Sydney Olympics where she bagged five medals, three of which were gold.

Sports

Defiant Rafa insists Reds not dead yet

LIVERPOOL: Rafael Benitez has insisted Liverpool can still claim its first English title since 1990, despite falling 10 points off the pace after another painful defeat at the hands of Manchester United.

Federer shines as storm clouds gather

PARIS: Roger Federer goes into 2008 with his position as the greatest player of all time virtually assured as the sport he represents fights an unexpected battle to preserve its integrity.

Arsenal boss tips 4-horse race

LONDON: Arsene Wenger has the destiny of the Premier League in his control but the Arsenal manager expects a four-way battle before he gets his hands on the title.

Rodriguez rebuffs Canseco charge of steroids use

NEW YORK: Yankee slugger Alex Rodriguez, who signed baseball's biggest deal ever on the day the Mitchell Report on drug use in the sport was issued, on Sunday denied a suggestion by admitted steroids user Jose Canseco that he was guilty of doping.

IN BRIEF (Page 23)

Fabio Capello factbox

LONDON: Factbox on Fabio Capello, who looks set to become the new England coach.

Sports

Team has 'mental block', Fabio says

LONDON: Fabio Capello, the favorite to become the next manager of England's national team, said on Thursday that he thought England's players suffered from a "mental block" when playing international matches.

Capello just the tonic for England

ROME: Anytime over the next day or two, one of the worst-kept secrets in football should be revealed as Fabio Capello is named the new manager of England.

Sources: Doping report to name MVPs, All-Stars

NEW YORK: American Major League Baseball's long-awaited doping report exposes a "serious drug culture" within the league, "from top to bottom," identifies top players and calls for increased testing by an outside agency to clean up the game, the Associated Press learned on Wednesday.