Soccer

Blatter impatient for goal-line technology

FIFA president Sepp Blatter said on Friday that he is desperate to see goal-line technology introduced to soccerl as quickly as possible.

Blatter is in England for a meeting of the rule-making body, the International FA Board (IFAB), which is due to receive reports on the testing of various goal-line systems ahead of a final decision in July.

The FIFA supremo had been opposed to goal-line technology, but a goal by England midfielder Frank Lampard that was controversially not given against Germany at the 2010 World Cup was enough to change his mind.

"We don't want a repeat of the last World Cup," he said.

"I think I can convince the IFAB board that we must go forward with technology. We cannot afford to just wait and see what happens."

UEFA president Michel Platini has expressed a preference for extra officials behind either goal-line, but Blatter is determined to press ahead with more high-tech alternatives.

Villas-Boas braced for defining month

Chelsea coach Andre Villas-Boas admitted on Friday that March will define the club's season and shrugged off specualation that Jose Mourinho is poised for a dramatic return to Stamford Bridge.

The under-pressure Portuguese coach faces two crucial Premier League games in the coming weeks and an FA Cup fourth-round replay, as well as trying to overturn a 3-1 Champions League last-16 deficit against Napoli.

"They are key just because we can be out of or continue in two competitions," he said ahead of Saturday's league game at West Bromwich Albion.

Asked if March was a defining month, he said: "It can define a 'trophyless' season for Chelsea, yes."

Adding spice to life at Chelsea this week were reports Real Madrid coach Mourinho was seen in London house-hunting.

Athletics

Bolt, Powell line up for Oslo clash on June 7

Usain Bolt and Asafa Powell will clash in the 100m at the Bislett Games in Oslo on June 7, the pair's second confirmed pre-Olympic sprint showdown.

Olympic champion and world record holder Bolt had already been announced for the Oslo Diamond League meeting in January with his Jamaican teammate confirming his place in the race on Friday.

Bolt and Powell will also meet in the 100m in Rome on May 31.

"These two Jamaicans are the best known personalities in athletics at the moment and we are very proud and excited that they are both coming to Oslo in an Olympic year," said Oslo meet director Steinar Hoen.

Bolt holds the world record of 9.58sec with Powell's personal best at 9.72.

The first Diamond League meeting of the season takes place in Doha on May 8.

Equestrian

Japanese in 70s gets Olympics berth

Japanese rider Hiroshi Hoketsu, the oldest competitor at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, has won an individual dressage slot at the upcoming London Games when he will be 71, officials said on Saturday.

Hoketsu, who turns 71 later this month, has topped the International Equestrian Federation's individual dressage rankings for Asia-Oceania, earning himself a place in London, the Japanese Equestrian Federation (JEF) said.

"We will make a formal decision on his selection as soon as possible," JEF spokeswoman Azusa Kitano said. "I understand he is willing to go."

Hoketsu, who is based in Germany and rose up the rankings after winning an event at an international dressage meeting in France on Thursday, was not available for comment.

NFL

Probe finds Saints guilty of bounty hunting

An NFL probe has found up to 27 New Orleans Saints defenders involved in a "pay for performance" scheme that included "bounty" payments to those who injured opponents.

The league said on Friday that an investigation by its security department had found 22 to 27 Saints players were involved in the program, which violated league rules.

Investigators found they received $1,500 for a "knockout" hit and $1,000 for a "cart-off" hit. Payments doubled or tripled during the club's three playoff appearances, according to the league.

The league said then-defensive coordinator Gregg Williams distributed the payments - which were also made for such plays as pass interceptions and fumble recoveries - during the 2009, 2010 and 2011 seasons.

"The payments here are particularly troubling because they involved not just payments for 'performance,' but also for injuring opposing players," NFL commissioner Roger Goodell said.

Agence France-Presse

(China Daily 03/04/2012 page7)