Panucci doubts big names will shun troubled Italy

FLORENCE, Italy: AS Roma defender Christian Panucci rubbished suggestions on Wednesday that top players might shun Italian football if fan violence continued to dog the game there.

Gerrard backs McClaren even if England misses out

WATFORD, England: England's stand-in skipper Steven Gerrard said on Wednesday that head coach Steve McClaren should remain in his job even if England fails to qualify for next year's European Championship.

Sports

Top Shot

Ronaldinho joins Brazil with ankle injury

UEFA: Game not to blame for unrest

BRUSSELS: UEFA president Michel Platini believes Italy's government must do more to tackle soccer-related violence in the wake of two fatal shootings in the country in the last year, his special advisor said.

Kaka could leave Italy if violence continues

TERESOPOLIS, Brazil: AC Milan and Brazilian midfielder Kaka said on Tuesday he would consider leaving Italian soccer if fan violence and other scandals continued to dog the game there.

Social issues, not sports, breed hooliganism

MILAN: Renewed soccer violence in Italy has led officials to consider whether social issues are the real cause of the problem rather than traditional football rivalries.

Schumacher still fastest on return to Formula One

LONDON: Seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher came out of retirement on Tuesday to set the fastest lap in testing for Ferrari at Barcelona's Circuit de Catalunya.

America's Cup club hands Oracle lawsuit ultimatum

MADRID: The club of America's Cup holders Alinghi has demanded US team BMW Oracle withdraw a lawsuit that is holding up plans to stage the 2009 event in Valencia.

Sports

Challenges are nothing for Aussie Fahey

SYDNEY: Facing a challenge brings out the best in John Fahey.

Pound prepares to step down as WADA president

MONTREAL: There will be few tears shed when Dick Pound steps down from his post as World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) chief at the end of the year.