Soccer

De Boer rules out Spurs move

Frank de Boer ruled out accepting the Tottenham Hotspur coaching job again on Friday, saying he was satisfied with his post at Ajax Amsterdam. "I'm very satisfied with the Ajax job," he said at a media conference. "I'd only leave once there is no more challenge here." Speculation has continued to place the former Dutch international on the list of candidates for the Spurs job after last weekend's departure of Andre Villas-Boas.

Tevez has no Cup hopes

Carlos Tevez holds out no hope of being part of Argentina's World Cup squad and prefers not to watch its matches on television, the Juventus striker said on Friday. The 29-year-old, who has been in fine scoring form with 10 Serie A goals for Juve so far this season, has been overlooked since Alejandro Sabella became Argentina coach in August 2011. "If Sabella hasn't called me up, I'm not going to phone him to find out why he doesn't pick me," Tevez told Argentina's La Red radio station.

NFL

Rogers ruled out for pivotal game

The Green Bay Packers' push for a playoff spot will continue without Aaron Rodgers after the All-Pro quarterback remained sidelined with a broken collarbone, the National Football League team said on Friday. Rodgers will miss his seventh consecutive game because of the injury, leaving backup Matt Flynn under center on Sunday when the Packers host the Pittsburgh Steelers in a game that has playoff implications for both teams.

Baseball

Orioles say no to closer Balfour

The Baltimore Orioles have decided not to sign free-agent closer Grant Balfour to a proposed two-year deal because the club "wasn't satisfied" with the Australian's physical examination. Balfour, an All-Star last season who notched 62 saves in 67 opportunities since he became a full-time closer in 2012 for the Oakland Athletics, had been lined up to replace closer Jim Johnson, who was traded to the Athletics two weeks ago.

Basketball

Lakers sign guard Marshall

The Los Angeles Lakers, who have been hit by a number of injuries to their backcourt, have signed guard Kendall Marshall to a multi-year contract, the team announced Friday. Marshall, a first-round pick in the 2012 NBA draft, was released by the Washington Wizards on Oct 28, three days after he was acquired from the Phoenix Suns in a multi-player trade. He has been playing for the Delaware 87ers of the NBA Development League since Dec 3. In 48 games with the Suns last season, Marshall averaged 3.0 points and 3.0 assists.

- Agencies

(China Daily 12/22/2013 page11)