TOP 100 SPORT SITES
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| Christmas Day offers NBA fans five tasty matchups Ho, ho, ho, five games to show. The NBA glows with Christmas Day bows. Basketball junkies, get set for a treat. Six of the top teams are on the ... rssfeeds.usatoday.com |
AP: Mets, Bay come to terms on preliminary four-year contract The New York Mets and free agent slugger Jason Bay have reached a deal. A person familiar with the negotiations tells the Associated Press that ... rssfeeds.usatoday.com |
Ex-Tennessee WR Richardson pleads guilty to robbery charge Former Tennessee wide receiver Nu'Keese Richardson has pleaded guilty to one count of attempted robbery. Richardson was charged Nov. 12 with ... rssfeeds.usatoday.com |
Bin Hammam scores own goal for Fifa Mohammed Bin Hammam's ambitions for the Fifa presidency may have taken a hit after he challenged Sepp Blatter over the allocation of grassroots funds to NigeriaSenior figures in football are abuzz with talk of a heated disagreement between Sepp Blatter and Mohammed Bin Hammam, president of the Asian Football Congress.At the Fifa executive committee's meeting on South Africa's Robben Island last month, Bin Hammam challenged the Fifa president over the allocation of Goal programme funds to Nigeria.Bin Hammam, who chairs the committee that oversees Goal, which funds Fifa's grassroots football projects, demanded that Blatter pay the $30m (£18m) additional funds out of his own pocket. But Bin Hammam's outburst is said to have been so vehement that others present were moved to remind him of his responsibilities – particularly as it is said the extra funds had already been approved by the committee. Bin Hammam told Digger yesterday: "It was a difference of opinion between people. That exists and it is justifiable. But I do not think it was something more than normal. People are excited about it but there really is nothing in it."After the meeting Blatter made great play of giving Bin Hammam a conciliatory hug but tongues still wagged. Intriguingly, Bin Hammam has been a close ally of Blatter, even arranging an aeroplane for the Swiss's personal use.Fifa watchers viewed the challenge as evidence that Bin Hammam has ambitions for the Fifa presidency. But one well-placed observer said: "If he did have any hope of that, what happened in Robben Island has killed it."Hurdle for IOC candidateThere are also signs of manoeuvring for influence at the International Olympic Committee. Jacques Rogge, who steps down as IOC president in 2013, has appointed one of the many putative candidates to replace him as chair of the co-ordination commission for the 2016 Olympics. This is likely to leave Nawal El Moutawakel out of the running to succeed Rogge. But if the Rio Games prove a success it would boost the 1984 400m hurdles gold medallist's chances of eventually becoming the IOC's first woman president.Baldini takes flightA delayed flight out of London has forced Franco Baldini, the England assistant manager, to miss Algeria's second group game at the Africa Cup of Nations in Luanda yesterday, in which they beat Mali 1–0. But Baldini, who is scouting the African teams England will or might meet at the World Cup, will ensure he catches their potential second-round opponents, Ghana, who will be in action against the Ivory Coast. Baldini will take a private jet to Cabinda, where the match takes place today.Rush for West Ham West Ham United's owner, Straumur, does not appear to have long to decide whether or not to sell the club, and to whom. There are said to be extraordinary calls on the club's cashflow amounting to more than £10m before the end of the season. And unless a deal for the club is sealed, that money will have to be raised through the transfer market – possibly demanding the sales of Scott Parker, pictured below, Robert Green and Matthew Upson. Straumur's selling agent, Rothschild, has received multiple offers, meaning there is plenty of paperwork to plough through and no decision is likely to be made before next week. But with the transfer window closing soon, Straumur knows further delay cannot be an option.Pompey's happy savers With all the focus this week on Manchester United's bond scheme, Portsmouth fans who may have put up to £300 a year into the ailing club's Pompey Supporter Bond may be forgiven for second thoughts about their investment. But the bond's provider, Scottish Friendly Assurance, assures Digger: "The money that individuals save in the Supporter Bond is invested with Scottish Friendly and not the football club. Should Portsmouth be wound up, supporters will continue to save monthly with Scottish Friendly."Sepp BlatterFifaMatt Scottguardian.co.uk © Guardian News & Media Limited 2010 | Use of this content is subject to our Terms & Conditions | More Feeds guardian.co.uk |
Roger Federer outclasses Lleyton Hewitt to reach Australian Open quarter-finals Roger Federer produced an emphatic performance to extend his run of dominance over Lleyton Hewitt and reach the quarter-finals of the Australian Open. feeds.timesonline.co.uk |