Sports News – Newsletter for January 27, 2011

Sky Sports football presenter Richard Keys resigns over role in sexism scandal

LONDON – Sky Sports football presenter Richard Keys has resigned from his 500,000 pounds-a-year job over the sexism scandal after admitting that he had behaved in a ‘prehistoric’ way towards women.

Keys had earlier made a public apology for his derogatory comments about female Premier League match official Sian Massey and West Ham United executive Karren … Read : Sky Sports football presenter Richard Keys resigns over role in sexism scandal.

Force India confirm Paul di Resta for 2011 Formula One season

LONDON – Force India has signed 24-year-old Scot Paul di Resta as a full-time driver for the upcoming Formula One season.

Di Rest has stepped up from the test and reserve role he enjoyed last year, and will now partner German driver Adrian Sutil.

Nico Hulkenberg, who last year drove for Williams, has taken on the test …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Force India confirm Paul di Resta for 2011 Formula One season.

Clijsters sweeps past Zvonareva into Australian Open final

MELBOURNE – World No.3 Kim Clijsters moved into the final of the Australian Open on Thursday with a facile straight-sets win over World No.2 Vera Zvonareva.

Clijsters finished off the Russian 6-3, 6-3 in an hour and 13 minutes at Melbourne Park, the Sydney Morning Herald reported.

Zvonareva’s big match temperament has been questioned in the past …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Clijsters sweeps past Zvonareva into Australian Open final.

Warne’s comments would create ‘major headache’ for Herald Sun: Ex-editor

MELBOURNE – Former Herald Sun editor Bruce Guthrie has said that Australian leg-spin legend Shane Warne’s comments about the Melbourne-based morning tabloid newspaper would create a major headache for senior editors.

Warne had earlier accused the Herald Sun of reporting “absolute crap” about his “antics” at the Australian Open.

“It’s always a major headache when … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Warne’s comments would create ‘major headache’ for Herald Sun: Ex-editor.

Suspended Pak pacer Aamir apologises for playing practice game despite ICC ban

ISLAMABAD – Suspended Pakistan pacer Mohammad Aamir has apologised to a Pakistan cricket official for violating an International Cricket Council (ICC)-imposed ban by bowling in a club match.

Rawalpindi chief Naeem Akhtar said that Aamir “was not aware he could not compete even at club level,” the Daily Times reported.

Aamir had bowled a few overs in … Original source on Gaea Times at : Suspended Pak pacer Aamir apologises for playing practice game despite ICC ban.

Ronaldo’s kids’ mystery mother ‘is dead’

LONDON – The mystery mother of Cristiano Ronaldo’s baby is ‘dead’, the Real Madrid winger’s sister has claimed.

According to the Sun, Katia Aveiro spoke out as she denied stories about the woman’s identity, but did not explain when or how she had died.

“There is no woman calling him. There is no mother, no telephone calls, …. Source article on Gaea Times at  : Ronaldo’s kids’ mystery mother ‘is dead’.

Bhupathi-Paes through to Australian Open final

MELBOURNE – The India Express, Mahesh Bhupathi and Leander Paes, have entered the final of the Australian Open with a three set win over Max Mirnyi and Daniel Nestor.

The third-seeded pair got the better of the second-seeded pair 7-6, 4-6, 6-3 in two hours and 20 minutes in their semi-final clash at Melbourne …. Source  : Gaea News Network.

Li Na becomes first Asian woman to reach Slam final with upset win over Wozniacki

MELBOURNE – World No.9 Li Na has shocked World No.1 Caroline Wozniacki in the Australian Open semi-finals to become the first Asian woman to reach a Grand Slam final.

After an error-strewn opening set, Li fought back to win 3-6, 7-5, 6-3, in a match lasting two hours and 35 minutes at Melbourne Park.

Wozniacki, …. Original article  : Li Na becomes first Asian woman to reach Slam final with upset win over Wozniacki.

Tour de France winner Alberto Contador receives one-year doping ban

LONDON – The Spanish Cycling Federation (SCF) has handed Tour de France winner Alberto Contador a one-year ban for his positive drug test from the 2010 Tour de France.

Contador had tested positive for clenbuterol, a banned weight loss/muscle-building drug also used to fatten cattle.

The three-time Tour winner denies any wrongdoing and says it came from …. Original article on Gaea Times at  : Tour de France winner Alberto Contador receives one-year doping ban.

Elbow injury forces ’shocked’ Justine Henin to retire from tennis for ‘good’

MELBOURNE – Belgian tennis ace Justine Henin has retired for the second time because of a right elbow injury that she aggravated at the Australian Open.

Henin had first quit the sport in 2008 when she was ranked No.1 in the world.

She had a change of heart and returned to the game at the beginning of … Read : Elbow injury forces ’shocked’ Justine Henin to retire from tennis for ‘good’.

Australian Open: Paes-Bhupathi in men’s doubles final

MELBOURNE – India’s Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi stayed on course for the maiden Australian Open tennis title as they made it to the men’s doubles final with a hard-fought win over Belarussian Max Mirnyi and Canada’s Daniel Nestor here Thursday.

The third seeded Indian pair, who are playing together after nine years, won … Original article on : Australian Open: Paes-Bhupathi in men’s doubles final.

Spanish King’s Cup: Barcelona-Real Madrid final on the cards

MADRID – A Barcelona-Real Madrid finaL in the Spanish King’s Cup is on the cards after Wednesday’s semi-final first-leg clashes.

Barca despatched Almeria 5-0 at home, and Real won 1-0 at holders Sevilla. The second legs will be played Feb 2.
The big two have not met in the final since 1990 – a 1-0 … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Spanish King’s Cup: Barcelona-Real Madrid final on the cards.

Shootout takes lacklustre Inter Milan to cup semis

ROME – Inter Milan prevailed 5-4 Wednesday over Napoli on penalties after a scoreless draw to qualify for the Italian Cup semi-finals.

The speed of Edinson Cavani and Ezequiel Lavezzi sustained by a solid midfield that also protects a three-man defence were Napoli’s trademark tactics against the powerful cup holders and European champions.
Both sides …. Original source  : Shootout takes lacklustre Inter Milan to cup semis.

Birmingham strike back to reach Carling Cup final

LONDON – Birmingham City came from two goals behind to beat West Ham United 3-1 in the second leg Wednesday and reach the Carling Cup final by a 4-3 aggregate.

Carlton Cole put West Ham 3-1 up on aggregate with a remarkable long-range effort, but Birmingham were much improved after half-time, and pulled level with …. Source article  : Birmingham strike back to reach Carling Cup final.

Bayern cruise into last four in German Cup

BERLIN – Bayern Munich made sure of a place in the semi-finals of the German Cup with a 4-0 drubbing of second-division Alemannia Aachen, but first-division sides Hoffenheim and Kaiserslautern crashed out Wednesday.

Thomas Mueller hit a quick second-half double and substitute Arjen Robben was on also target late on after a first-half goal from …. Original source  : Bayern cruise into last four in German Cup.

Benzema leaves Real Madrid well placed to reach cup final

MADRID – Real Madrid are well placed to reach the final of the Spanish King’s Cup after a 1-0 win away to dull Sevilla Wednesday, in a tense, disjointed semi-final first leg clash.

The only goal in the Estadio Sanchez Pizjuan was a handsome solo strike from Karim Benzema. The French forward took a short … Read more »»».

Cyclist Contador set for one-year ban

MADRID – The Spanish Cycling Federation (RFEC) is to ban Tour de France winner Alberto Contador for one year for doping, the cyclists lawyers have been told.

The RFEC have informed Contador’s lawyers of the decision which will be regarded as provisional pending any appeal within 10 days from the Spanish cyclist, federation officials have … Read more : Cyclist Contador set for one-year ban.

German Cup : Duisburg down Kaiserslautern, Cottbus oust Hoffenheim

BERLIN – Second-division sides MSV Duisburg and Energie Cottbus marched in the semi-finals of the German Cup with upset victories over top-flight cups Wednesday.

Duisburg, third in the second division, dumped Kaiserslautern out with a 2-0 victory while Cottbus shocked Hoffenheim with a late goal for a 1-0 win to continue a run of victories …. Read the original article  : here.

AC Milan clinch cup semis with brace from Pato

ROME – AC Milan qualified for the semi-finals of the Italian Cup Wednesday with a 2-1 win at Sampdoria.

Pato seemed to have settled matters in the first half hour with a brace that the Devils defended with minor problems in the first half.
The Brazilian volleyed home off a header from compatriot Thiago Silva [..] Read the original article: here.

Gaganjeet Bhullar hogs limelight at Bangladesh Golf

DHAKA – Gaganjeet Bhullar grabbed the lead for India on the opening day of the American Express Bangladesh Open Professional Golf Championship 2011 with a classic four under 68 at the Kurmitola Golf Club here.

Bhullars compatriots Raju Ali Mollah and Keshav Kapoor are in the tied second with matching scores of three … Read the original article on Gaea Times at : Gaganjeet Bhullar hogs limelight at Bangladesh Golf.