World Anti-Doping Agency drops case against FIFA

The World Anti-Doping Agency dropped its dispute to FIFA's decision not to permit five Mexican footballers who tested positive for clenbuterol.

Mexico suspended five players of their Gold Cup squad Edgar Duenas, Christian Bermudez, Francisco Javier Rodriguez, Antonio Naelson and Guillermo Ochoa after they all failed a test at a pre-Gold Cup training camp in May.

An inquiry by the Mexican Football Association's disciplinary committee found the positive outcome were a consequence of eating impure meat and their choice to hand out no further punishments was backed by FIFA.

WADA dispute the decision, lodging a plea to the Court of Arbitration for Sport, but withdrew their objection after reviewing proof gathered by FIFA.

A WADA report read: WADA has subsequently received convincing evidence from a FIFA study at the U17 World Cup in Mexico that point a serious health problem in Mexico with regards to meat polluted with clenbuterol.

This is a public health matter that is now being addressed immediately by the Mexican Government.

The government of Mexico which has legislation forbidding the use of steroids with livestock accepts that it has a consequence with infected meat and is actively looking to resolve the problem state by state.

Already several arrests have been made pursuant to these laws and huge amounts of clenbuterol seized. Investigations are to go on.

"WADA acclaim FIFA for the more research it has initiated, while WADA, the Mexican Football Federation and the Mexican Govt have decided to help with the study which will continue as a joint project."

FIFA welcomed WADA's decision in a declaration, which read: "This statement by WADA confirms the initial verdict taken by the Mexican Football Association's disciplinary committee to apparent the players of any wrongdoing, which FIFA entirely agreed with and supported after carefully looking at the case.

FIFA would also like to thank WADA for positively considering the studies and research conducted by FIFA in this issue, including compelling proof from a FIFA study at the U-17 World Cup in Mexico that shows a serious health problem in Mexico with regard to meat contaminated with clenbuterol.

FIFA is pleased that these studies have served not only to solve this case, but also to help the Mexican authorities in their fight to tackle this public health matter, which is now being desperately addressed by the Mexican government.

FIFA will continue to play a foremost role in this issue and will work together with the various authorities, including WADA, the Mexican Football Association and the Mexican government on this study, which in future will be carry on as a joint project.

WADA added that clenbuterol remains on their list of prohibited substances, and that they would judge further positive tests on a case by case source.

Andy Roddick survives frighten in Shanghai

Andy Roddick

Roddick survived a second set wobble against qualifier Yen-Hsun Lu to move ahead to the second round of the Shanghai Masters on Monday.

The American, seeded 10th, lost his way midway through an enjoyable clash but recovered to register a 6-2 3-6 6-2 triumph in one hour and 52 minutes.

"He plays so high risk," said Roddick. "You know, In general I thought it was pretty good, save four games perhaps."

Andy Roddick will meet Grigor Dimitrov next after the Bulgarian saw off Turkish qualifier Marsel Ilhan 2-6 6-1 6-4.

Bernard Tomic move on courtesy of a 7-6 (7/5) 6-7 (4/7) 6-3 win against Kevin Anderson and will now meet fifth seed Mardy Fish.

"I'm happy I won against a player like Anderson since he can beat so many world class players on his day," said Australian Tomic.

"I'm happy I won that third set because his serve was too good the entire game. To enter tournaments like this, play main draws, is a way to make your ranking up even faster. It's actually tough to get there. I'm lucky I did it at a young age.

"I've acquire a long way to go, and a lot of things in front of me."

Spaniard Fernando Verdasco was also strong for Chinese wild card Zhe Li, winning 6-2 6-2, Nalbandian beat Ernests Gulbis 7-5 6-4 and former world no.1 Juan Carlos Ferrero edged out Mikhail Youzhny 7-6 (7/4) 6-2.

“Marsh aim for Lanka's 1st win”

Geoff Marsh

Sri Lanka coach Geoff Marsh is aiming for first Test victory in the post Muralitharan era when they face Pakistan in a Test series next month.

"I am aiming to take Sri Lanka to a new level," Marsh, the former Australian opening batsman, told reporters.

"Evidently, looking for the Test victory against Pakistan is the propose."

Sri Lanka travels to United Arab Emirates, Pakistan's offshore place, in October, to play a three match Test series.

Sri Lanka has gone during a phase of nine Test matches without a win since Muralitharan retired following the first Test against India at Galle in 2010.

Marsh said Tom Moody, the fellow Australian and a former Sri Lanka coach, and Marsh's two sons, Shaun and Mitchell, pressed him to take up the obligation.

"My boys said go along there and take up the job (coaching Sri Lanka)," Marsh, who witnessed Shaun scoring his debut Test century in Sri Lanka early on this month, said.

"Sri Lanka is in just the same position as Australia," Marsh said, adding that both nations are going through transition phase.

He said he was expecting to the challenge of "coming up against my own boys," referring to the view of Shaun and Mitchell Marsh playing for Australia when Sri Lanka tours there next year.

He said that even though his current contract was limited to two years, he would like to coach Sri Lanka to the next World Cup to be played in Australia in 2015.

Kingfisher East Bengal face Salgaocar SC in the Final

Khan Thang Paita's 82nd minute hit helped Kingfisher East Bengal beat Prayag United SC 2-1 in the second semifinal of the Federation Cup in Kolkata.

It was Red and Gold brigade’s third consecutive entry in the Federation Cup Final. Alan Gow in the 37th minute and Paita in 82nd minute scored for the East Bengal while Snehasish Datta scored for Prayag in 16TH minute.

The high voltage match between the two Kolkata sides saw attacking postures by both the sides since the very first minute. Prayag’s Joshimar Dasilva Martins pierced through the Red and Gold defense giving the initial jim-jams; in return East Bengal retaliated furiously within seconds when Tolgay Ozbey missed the net by whiskers.

But eventually it was Prayag who took the early lead in the 16th minute when Snehasish Datta buldged the net to put his team in the lead. Just minutes after going one down, East Bengal made a counter attack but Alan Gow waste a chance to slot the ball into the open nets.

Though determined attack gave them result in 37th minute when Alan Gow equalised through a penalty when he was let down in the penalty area by Prayag’s Bello Razzaq.

The second half got off to a slow start with both the team on defensive approach, in the 67th minute, Tolgay Ozbey and was replaced by Orji Pennn Ikechukwu.

Prayag received a jolt in quick succession when Joshimar Dasilva Martins in 77th and Deepak Mondal in 81st minute were shown red cards dropping Prayag to just nine men.

Taking advantage, East Bengal started placing more pressure through the flanks which ultimately gave them result in 82nd minute when Khan Thang Paite on a cross from Orgi Penn slot in second goal to give his team critical lead.

Prayag failed to find a reaction till the final whistle as East Bengal held on to reaches the final of the Federation Cup.

Kingfisher East Bengal will now face Salgaocar SC in the final which was plan on September 29th.

The kickoff is schedule for 6pm and the match would be telecast live on DD Sports and News Time.

Maria Kirilenko makes semifinals in Guangzhou

Maria Kirilenko

Top seed Maria eased into the semifinals of the Guangzhou International Open in China with straight-sets win over Tetiana Luzhanska.

The 6-1 7-5 triumph took Kirilenko, the world number 28 from Russia, one step nearer to her sixth WTA title and fourth on Asian soil.

China's Zheng Jie defeated Croatia's Petra Martic in three sets as she fought back to beat the fourth-seed 1-6 6-4 6-3.

South Africa's Chanelle Scheepers also took three sets to defeat Poland's Urszula Radwanska, finally winning 4-6 7-6 (8/6) 6-3 in a tough match.

In the final match, second seeded Australian Jarmila Gajdosova was beaten 6-4 6-3 by Slovakia's Magdalena Rybarikova.

Kirilenko will currently play Scheepers as Zheng will face Rybarikova.

"Woods won't succeed another major"

Tiger Woods

Greg Norman conceives Tiger Woods no longer has the focusing needed to win another major championship.

Norman said in an interview that will be published in the November subject of Golf Magazine that Woods has too much distraction now and lacks the "street smarts" needed to add to his 14 majors.

His previous major win came at the 2008 US Open and he has not won a tournament since the full gory facts of his sex scandal broke in November 2009.

"Woods, when he dominated, had a single shot approach," Norman said.

"It was merely about the golf.

"Now there are so a lot of distractions and people are looking things that are wrong with Tiger now, so he's got to deal with that on a day-to-day basis, like every other mortal has to do, right?

Greg Norman

"In our lives, in our business, we all have to be answerable for our actions. It's very hard for him to have that focusing. And the more he shuts people off, the worse it gets."

"He feels everything's OK because his world is so cocooned," he said.

Norman added: "Well, merely look at [Woods'] body language."

"He doesn't hold his head up anymore, he's got his eyes down, and he’s trying to keep his eyes away from the camera, right?"

Norman, a former world no.1 and holder of two major titles, will captain the international team at the Presidents Cup in Australia this November.

Hard times for Somdev in Davis Cup

Somdev has a heavy workload to shoulder as India take on hosts Japan in their bid to re-enter the elite Davis Cup World Group, beginning Friday.

India had lost 1-4 to top seeded Serbia in the first round to once again face the play offs, while Japan scored a influential 4-1 win over Uzbekistan to give themselves a opportunity to make the 16-nation World Group for the first time since 1985.

Back spasms have forced Paes to miss the flight to Tokyo and in his absence, the doubles rubber on the second day of the tie has now turn into a complicated issue.

Surprisingly, India has decided to field Somdev, or else of Rohan Bopanna, along with Mahesh Bhupathi in the doubles rubber against the home pair of Kei Nishikori and Go Soeda.

It means that 64th ranked Somdev will have to play on all three days, beginning with the opening singles of the tie against 174th ranked Yuichi Sugita on Friday and then the reverse singles against Nishikori on Sunday.

Seemingly, India's non-playing captain S P Misra wants Bopanna, another enormous doubles player, to concentrate on just singles.

Bopanna has done tremendously well in the singles in the Davis Cup and his real challenge will be against world number 55 Nishikori.

Somdev will start as favorite against Sugita and if Bopanna can turn the tables on Nishikori, India's job would turn easy.

Nishikori is coming into the tie following a hip and back injury, which he endured at the US Open.

Lewis Hamilton turns attention to 2012

Lewis Hamilton says he has already set out to turn his concentration towards next year's Formula One campaign.

The McLaren driver ended fourth in Sunday's Italian Grand Prix after starting second on the grid behind eventual winner Sebastian Vettel, and as a result finds himself 126 points adrift of the defending world champion with six races left to run.

With only 150 points available, it was a downbeat Hamilton that measured the glaring realization this year's championship is, to all intents and purposes, over.

Asked for his aim for the rest of the season, Hamilton said: "To finish the rest of the races, and also work hard on trying to make a point next year's car is quick.

"We're still approaching for this year, but it would be sensible to focus on making sure next year's car is faster than this year's car."

Hamilton seemed to take satisfaction only from the fact he had taken the chequered flag at Monza and said he hoped to do the same at each of the remaining races.

That is an insight into his approach given the fierce criticism that followed his crash in Belgium a fortnight ago.

After a 24-lap duel with Michael Schumacher throughout which Hamilton complained to his team about the German's excessive weaving to defend his place, he finally got past.

"I'm glad I finished the race," added Hamilton.

"I showed people I can drive cleanly and not get into problem even if the guy in front makes it very hard for me.

"I got by finally and made it stick, so it was good."

Asked about Hamilton's desire to only finish races and whether he had been mentally affected by the criticism that followed his Spa shunt, McLaren team principal Martin Whitmarsh said: "I don't think so.

"He is a tough cookie who only wants to win. He will very shortly bang in that win and look fantastic.

"It's a shame it wasn't at this time, so we'll see if he can do it in two weeks' time.

"Here there was a fair amount of aggravation and defeat in the race. I think someone (Schumacher) drove him off the circuit pretty sharply at one point.

"At the first corner he could have stuck in for second and lost a wing. He was less agitated than I was at that stage, so congratulations to him on that.

"He is growing and rising, and I'm sure he's going to win more races this year and put some of the other issues further behind him."

For Hamilton, there also remains the honor of finish ahead of team-mate Jenson Button, who now stands nine points ahead of him in the drivers championship.

Since making his F1 debut in 2007, the 26-year-old has up till now to be beaten by any of his team-mates Fernando Alonso, Heikki Kovalainen or Button.

"Where I end in the championship does matter to me, but it is the way it is. There's not much I can do about it at the moment," said Hamilton.

After at first stating second in the championship was now another target, Hamilton then quickly changed his mind.

“We must be discover to win in India”

Graeme Swann believes England must beat India at home and off if they are to accomplish their aim to be one of the best ODI nations in the world.

Team director Andy Flower has pointed betterment in the 50 over game. England is at present ranked fifth after guiding his team to the top of the Test standings.

England are favorites to win the present series against a injury depleted India, who are without most of the team that won the World Cup in April, as the hosts go ahead 1-0 heading into tomorrow's third game at The Oval.

Whereas Swann is concentrated on securing the series success he believes any longer-term ambitions will only be realized if England also win in the return series on the sub-continent next month.

"Our official ranking is five and I don't think we can disagree with that," he said in an interview shown on Sky Sports News.

"We have to beat teams like India, not just in this series, but when we be off to play them as well."

Swann believes one-day skipper Alastair Cook is hushing his doubters after his match-winning innings in the rain shortened win at the Rose Bowl on Tuesday.

Cook's suitableness for the shorter formats had been questioned when he was installed as skipper earlier this summer, but he replied with an unbeaten 80 off 63 balls in Southampton.

"He's just let his bat do the talking," Swann added.

"It is very good for Cooky. He works very tough on his game, no-one works harder on his game while Kevin Pietersen might tell you in a different way.

"It is magnificent that it is paying off for him.

"He was written off; he's still hitting sixes these days. So you never know hell may freeze over."

Alex Ferguson and Edin Dzeko receive BPL acclaim

Both the Barclays Manager and Player of the Month of August awards will be heading to Manchester.

Man City striker Dzeko received praise for his four goals in their 5-1 win over Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane, and was given the award for the first time, after his excellent start to the season.

Dzeko was also on the score sheet as the Citizens frisked over Swansea 4-0, and Bolton Wanderers also suffered a 3-2 loss at the hands of Roberto Mancini's men.

While Dzeko had a lackluster unveiling season at Eastland after completing a move from Wolfsburg for a reported £27 million, he has now won the worship of the fans in Eastlands, with the Citizens currently in second spot on the Premier League table behind Manchester United on goal difference.

There was also acclaim reserved for Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, who won the Barclays Manager of the Month for the 26th time in his career after his squad maintain a 100% record this season by beating Arsenal 8-2 last weekend.

The Red Devils beat West Brom 2-1 in their opening weekend, and then hit Tottenham for a 3-0 victory, earlier racing to the top of the table with their beating of Arsenal.

The wily Scot has acquainted new signings such as Phil Jones and Ashley Young who have contributed strongly, together with young players including Danny Welbeck and Tom Cleverley who apparently have made the transition effortlessly to the first team.

The choice was made by the Barclays Awards Panel that includes representatives from football's governing bodies, the media and fans.