Soccer

Pellegrini faces UEFA charges

Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini has been charged with misconduct for his comments about the referee after his side's 2-0 Champions League home defeat by Barcelona, UEFA said on Friday. Pellegrini questioned the impartiality of Swedish official Jonas Eriksson and accused him of deciding the outcome of Tuesday's last-16 first-leg match. The Chilean has been charged with violating the general principles of conduct, European soccer's ruling body said in a statement. The case will be handled on Feb 28.

Basketball

Nose broken, James may miss game

Four-time NBA Most Valuable Player LeBron James suffered a broken a nose and is doubtful for the reigning champion Miami Heat's home game on Sunday against Chicago, the team said on Friday. James suffered the injury midway into the fourth quarter of a 103-81 victory on Thursday night at Oklahoma City in a showdown of two of the NBA's top clubs and major stars, James and NBA scoring leader Kevin Durant of the Thunder. As James drove past two defenders to the basket, he was struck in the nose by Spanish big man Serge Ibaka. His nose bleeding, James continued to the basket, jammed in a slam dunk and then fell in a heap to the court.

NFL

Coughlin signs one-year extension

New York Giants head coach Tom Coughlin has agreed to a one-year contract extension that will keep him with the National Football League team through the 2015 season. Coughlin, 67, is a two-time Super Bowl-winning coach and guided the Giants to a 7-9 record last season as they missed the playoffs after making a dismal 0-6 start. Coughlin's new deal had been delayed while he reshaped his offensive staff, coordinator Kevin Gilbride having retired at the end of the season and been replaced by former Green Bay quarterbacks coach Ben McAdoo.

Winter sports

National ski climbing event

The Asus Cup China national mountain ski climbing competition ended at the Wanlong Ski Resort in Zhangjiakou, Hebei province, on Thursday. The outdoor sporting event has been gaining in popularity in China since the China Mountaineering Association started organizing national and Asian competitions back in 2007. This event attracted 80 participants from 10 provinces and municipalities in men's and women's competitions staged 1,300 meters above sea level. Zhangjiakou and Beijing have launched a joint bid to host the 2022 Winter Olympic Games.

Agencies

(China Daily 02/23/2014 page11)