| Deion Sanders, Curtis Martin eligible for hall By 2010-09-13T16:26:13ZCANTON, Ohio (AP) -- Deion Sanders, Curtis Martin, Marshall Faulk and Jerome Bettis are among the first-year eligible candidates for the Pro Football Hall of Fame's class of 2011.... hosted.ap.org |
Higgins's 'world in a spin' after sting • Three-time world champion endured 'horrible time'• Read the full interview on Tuesday morningJohn Higgins has spoken of the "horrible time" when, for four months, he was at the centre of snooker's worst match-fixing scandal before being cleared of the most serious charges 12 days ago.In an exclusive interview with the Guardian, which will appear in full online tomorrow morning and in Tuesday's paper, Higgins talks about the week in spring that ended with the News of the World breaking a story that it had video footage which apparently showed Higgins in Kiev agreeing to throw frames at future tournaments in eastern Europe."I was bewildered," he says of the meeting instigated by his former manager Pat Mooney. "I'm not the sort to start screaming and shouting, but I couldn't believe he had said this so flippantly. Once we were inside a few more things were said that didn't add up. It was pretty intimidating and I thought let's get out of here as quickly as possible. That's all I was thinking."I came back late on the Friday night," Higgins says, "and there was just time for me to help Denise [his wife] put the kids to bed. I was still getting my head around everything. Denise had to go to Glasgow early the next morning as her sister was getting fitted for her wedding dress. So I was running all over the place with the kids. At the same time Mooney had left messages for me but I didn't want to speak to him."He then left another message saying it was really important I called back. He said the News of the World had videotaped our meeting in Kiev. I just put the phone down. My whole world was in a spin. I had to go pick up Denise in Glasgow. When Denise and her mum got in the car she saw I was chalk-white. She said: 'What is it?' But I couldn't speak because the kids were in the back. When we got home the reporters were already waiting for us in the drive."Higgins adds: "It's been a horrible time." The day after he was cleared of the most serious charges of agreeing to fix matches - but suspended for six months and fined £75,000 for failing to report an illegal approach and for bringing snooker into disrepute - Higgins heard that his father's long battle against cancer had reached its final stage. John Higgins Sr has been released from hospital so that he can spend the time he has left at home.For the full interview, visit guardian.co.uk/sport tomorrowJohn HigginsSnookerNews of the WorldNewspapers & magazinesDonald McRaeguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
Dish Network drops Fox Sports Ohio Satellite TV operator Dish Network has dropped Fox Sports Ohio as of Sept. 30, after the two companies were unable to reach an agreement, Fox Sports said. feeds.bizjournals.com |
Ex-NFL QB Chris Simms pleads not guilty in drug case Former NFL quarterback Chris Simms pleaded not guilty Thursday to charges he drove his car while high on marijuana, and an officer testified ... rssfeeds.usatoday.com |
Semenya struggling for sponsorship • South African runner overlooked for endorsements• There isn't spare money, says coachCaster Semenya is finding it hard to get sponsors despite being a world champion, her coach said today."It is tough for Caster," said Michael Seme. "If you look overseas you will see other world champions featuring in a lot of advertising campaigns and you see their faces up on billboards but that doesn't happen for Caster."Semenya, who underwent gender verification tests after winning the 800m gold at the world championships in August 2009, does not have as much financial backing as she would have liked, Seme said."Caster does receive help from Nike while the Department of Sports and Recreation and the University of Pretoria help out with her education but there isn't spare money," Seme said. "For instance, if she requires special equipment she can't just go out and get it."Reports in South Africa about Semenya's financial situation have sparked a campaign by a group of fans to raise one million rand (£90,000) for the runner by December."People love her," said Thobeka Magcai, spokesperson for the campaign. "She has been through such a lot at such a young age and we just want to show our support for her and say that we want to see you back on the world stage, winning medals."Semenya, who is studying towards a sports science degree at the University of Pretoria, pulled out of the recent Commonwealth Games in Delhi because of a back injury. "Caster's treatment is going well and she has just started some light training," Seme said. "But we are taking it slow to allow her back to heal properly."Caster SemenyaAthleticsguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |