BOA fuming at funding cuts for minority sports

LONDON: The British Olympic Association (BOA) accused the government of turning its back on less popular sports on Wednesday when a breakdown of funding for sports in the run-up to the 2012 Olympics was published.

IN BRIEF (Page 24)

Maradona says no place for 2nd best

GLASGOW: New Argentina coach Diego Maradona will not accept anything less than first place at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Aguero flees camp to tend to boss's daughter

GLASGOW: Diego Maradona's daughter Giannina has had a minor complication with her pregnancy, almost certainly denying partner Sergio Aguero the chance to feature in her father's debut as Argentina coach on Wednesday.

Diego not bothered by Butcher snub

GLASGOW: Diego Maradona will not lose any sleep over Terry Butcher's refusal to shake hands with him at Wednesday's friendly against Scotland, Argentina's coach said on Tuesday.

Absentees highlight club versus country conflict

LONDON: There are few more evocative fixtures in world soccer than Germany against England yet the build-up to Wednesday's friendly in Berlin was rendered almost meaningless by a high-profile list of absentees.

Capello wants medical checks

BERLIN: Players who are injured the weekend before an international will have to report for checks by an England team doctor before pulling out, manager Fabio Capello said on Tuesday.

Boca's Viatri accused of stealing hair spray

BUENOS AIRES: Boca Juniors striker Lucas Viatri, one of the revelations of the Argentine season, is to face court proceedings over allegations that he robbed a salon, his lawyer said on Tuesday.

Drogba gets three match ban for coin throwing

LONDON: Didier Drogba was banned for three matches on Tuesday for throwing a coin at Burnley fans during Chelsea's shock League Cup defeat at Stamford Bridge last week.

Nadal's absence takes shine off Davis final

BUENOS AIRES: The absence of world No 1 Rafael Nadal has taken the shine off the Davis Cup final and left Argentina as firm favourites to beat Spain and win the trophy for the first time.

Spain unfazed by talk of hostile reception

BUENOS AIRES: Spain captain Emilio Sanchez Vicario is not worried about the prospect of facing a hostile Argentine crowd in the Davis Cup final this weekend.

Results of previous finals

2007 US beat Russia 4-1