Manute Bol, NBA player-humanitarian, dies at 47

Sat Jun 19, 7:11 pm ET

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Manute Bol, a lithe 7-foot-7 shot-blocker from Sudan who spent 10 seasons in the NBA and was dedicated to humanitarian work in Africa, died Saturday. He was 47.

Bol died at the University of Virginia Hospital in Charlottesville, where he was being treated for severe kidney trouble and a painful skin condition, Tom Prichard, executive director of the group Sudan Sunrise, said in an e-mail.

"Sudan and the world have lost a hero and an example for all of us," Prichard said. "Manute, we'll miss you. Our prayers and best wishes go out to all his family, and all who mourn his loss."

Bol played in the NBA with Washington, Golden State, Philadelphia and Miami, averaging 2.6 points, 4.2 rebounds and 3.3 blocks for his career. He led the league in blocks in 1985-86 with Washington (5.0 per game) and in 1988-89 with Golden State (4.3 a game).

"Manute's impact on this city, our franchise and the game of basketball cannot be put into words," 76ers president and general manager Ed Stefanski said in a statement. "He ... was continually giving of himself through his generosity and humanitarian efforts in order to make the world around him a much better place, for which he will always be remembered."

Bol joined the NBA with Washington in 1985 and played three seasons there. He returned to the team briefly toward the end of his career. The Wizards lauded him as a "true humanitarian and an ambassador for the sport of basketball."

"Despite his accomplishments on the court, his lasting legacy will be the tireless work and causes he promoted in his native Sudan and the cities in which he played," the club said in a statement.

After the NBA, Bol worked closely as an advisory board member of Sudan Sunrise, which promotes reconciliation in Sudan. .

Bol was hospitalized in mid-May during a stopover in Washington after returning to the United States from Sudan. Prichard said then that Bol was in Sudan to help build a school in conjunction with Sudan Sunrise but stayed longer than anticipated after the president of southern Sudan asked him to make election appearances and use his influence to counter corruption in the county.

He said Bol had undergone three dialysis treatments and developed Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, a condition that caused him to lose patches of skin. Prichard said the skin around Bol's mouth was so sore he went 11 days without eating and could barely talk.

Prichard said it's believed Bol contracted the skin disease as a reaction to kidney medication he took while in Africa.

Janis Ricker, operations manager of Sudan Sunrise, said Saturday the organization will continue its work building the school in Bol's home village in southern Sudan. She said Bol's goal was to build 41 schools throughout Sudan.

Johnson builds 3-shot lead, Woods 5 behind

By DOUG FERGUSON, AP Golf Writer Doug Ferguson, Ap Golf Writer – 18 mins ago

PEBBLE BEACH, Calif. – Dustin Johnson plays his best at Pebble Beach no matter what month, no matter what stage.

Hours after Tiger Woods came to life in the U.S. Open with his best round of the year to get into contention, Johnson turned in a prime-time performance every bit as good Saturday.

Johnson, the two-time defending champion in the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, overpowered the course and birdied his last two holes, hitting 6-iron onto the green from the rough on the par-5 18th for a 5-under 66 and a three-shot lead over Graeme McDowell of Northern Ireland.

"If I keep hitting like I've been hitting and putting it in the spots on the green, then I'm going to be tough to beat," said Johnson, who was at 6-under 207.

McDowell struggled down the stretch, fell out of the lead on the 17th and finished with an even-par 71. He will play in the final group Sunday, with a familiar face — and a familiar game — directly in front. Woods was alone in third, five strokes back after his own 66.

Woods finally looks like the Woods of old.

Nine shots out of the lead after a pair of sloppy bogeys early in his round, Woods hit his stride by making the clutch putts and extraordinary shots that have been missing since he returned to competition two months ago.

First came a curling, downhill birdie putt on the 17th.

He followed that with an aggressive 3-wood on the 18th, carving it around a cypress and out toward the Pacific and onto the green to about 15 feet for a two-putt birdie. It was his eighth birdie of the round, the most he has ever made in a U.S. Open.

And it put him in the mix for a 15th major, and second U.S. Open at Pebble Beach.

"It's been a while," Woods said. "I hadn't played good enough for anyone to cheer anything. So it was nice to actually put it together on the back nine and put myself right back in the championship."

Johnson, who played a practice round with Woods on Monday, made it a lot tougher.

The 25-year-old from South Carolina, often overlooked among the stylish young stars in golf, put on a powerful display that led Woods earlier this week to call him "stupid long."

The USGA moved the tees forward on No. 4 to make it play 284 yards up the hill and tempt players to try to drive the green. Johnson did just that — with a 3-iron to four feet for an eagle. And on the 18th, the same hole where Woods hit 3-wood off the tee and 3-wood onto the green for the loudest cheer of the day, Johnson got there with a driver and a 6-iron.

"Length is an advantage a lot of places, but definitely here, especially if I'm hitting it in the fairway," Johnson said. "Because the ball is going a long way. I'm hitting it extra far."

Johnson is not flashy. He's not a fist-pumper. And he didn't sound the least bit flustered about taking a three-shot lead into the final round of the U.S. Open.

"This is what I live for ... to go out and have a chance to win a U.S. Open," he said.

Johnson, McDowell and Woods were the only three players who remained under par, while Ernie Els (72) and Gregory Havret of France (69) were at even-par 213.

Phil Mickelson stumbled at the start, nearly fell apart along the coastal holes when he had to play one shot right-handed, and had to scramble for par on the closing hole when his tee shot bounced off the rocks and rolled back down on the beach.

Mickelson, runner-up in the U.S. Open a record five times, wound up with a 73 and was seven shots out of the lead.

"I didn't hit it as well as I did yesterday, so I had to fight pretty hard to get some up-and-downs — some ridiculous up-and-downs — to keep it within striking distance," said Mickelson, who was at 1-over 214.

Mickelson normally would settle for 1-over par going into the last round of a U.S. Open. He just didn't expect Johnson, one of his regular practice partners, to surge so far ahead.

"But anything can happen on Sunday," Mickelson said. "And if you make a move, you can make up a lot of ground."

That's exactly what Woods did.

After bogeys on the second and third holes, he ran off birdies on the next three and made the turn in even par. Birdies on the 11th and 13th holes got him closer to the conversation, and the final three holes set off a series of cheers that could be heard from all corners of the peninsula.

He rolled in a 12-foot birdie from the 16th, then made the tough, downhill 15-footer from the fringe of the 17th, raising his index finger in the air.

The old Tiger showed up on the 18th hole.

Blocked behind a pair of cypress trees, some 260 yards from the flag into an ocean breeze, Woods hit a 3-wood toward the Pacific and urged it on toward the green. "C'mon! C'mon!" he screamed at it, and followed that with a "Yes!" when it stopped 15 feet from the pin.

"I was hitting shots like this every now and again," Woods said. "I would get into two-, three-hole stretches, but I haven't strung it out for more than that. And today, I did."

Even so, history is working against him.

Woods has never won any of his 14 majors when he wasn't at least tied for the lead going into the final round. He at least gave himself a chance. And while he won by a record 15 shots the last time the U.S. Open was played at Pebble Beach, in 2000, he rallied from a five-shot deficit earlier that year to win the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am, a tournament he no longer plays.

The USGA pushed back the starting times so the third round could be broadcast in prime time on the East Cost, just like two years ago at Torrey Pines. Woods delivered quite a show that day by turning a five-shot deficit into a one-shot lead.

Neither Johnson nor McDowell have ever contended in a major.

McDowell quickly built a four-shot lead with birdies on the opening two holes as Mickelson went in the other direction, with a three-putt bogey on the opening hole and a chip that he hit 15 feet by the hole on the second.

He regained the lead with a birdie on the ninth, where Johnson missed a 3-foot par putt. McDowell was still tied for the lead on the 17th until the two-shot swing, when he missed the green and made bogey.

Just like that, he was three shots behind.

"He was awesome today," McDowell said. "He really just stood up and had no fear, hit the shots — hit all the shots. He's going to go home and sleep on a three-shot lead, and we'll see how he feels tomorrow morning. If he turns up tomorrow like he did today, he's going to be tough to beat."

Fernando Torres could play on Monday

Torres will test his groin injury with light training over the weekend. Gerrard is also doubtful but but Martin Skrtel returns after a virus.

Birmingham are without Barry Ferguson (banned) while Garry O'Connor (groin) and Keith Fahey (knee) are both doubts.

On-loan keeper Joe Hart could replace Maik Taylor after being ineligible to face parent club Manchester City.

Just six weeks ago Liverpool beat Hull City 6-1 at Anfield and were only three points behind title rivals Chelsea and Manchester United.

Yet six defeats in eight games later and Liverpool's season has virtually been written off. Lyon's last-minute Champions League equaliser on Wednesday has the 2005 winners looking at an early European exit. The Carling Cup is already gone and the Premier League appears to be following suit.

After being appointed Reds boss in 2004, Rafael Benitez proclaimed "Liverpool FC is more than just a football club. It's a feeling". Unless results improve, there is more than just a feeling that the under-fire Spaniard could become the first Premier League manager this season to lose his job.

Next up for Benitez are Birmingham, one of his bogey sides as he has never tasted a league victory over them. Improving Birmingham more than stifled Manchester City last weekend and are capable of frustrating an under-performing Liverpool side.

Blues boss Alex McLeish has this week empathised with Benitez. The Scot spent five years in charge of Rangers and understands that expectation levels from fans can not always be met.

On the field, there have been signs of late that newly-promoted and newly-bought Birmingham are beginning to get used to the Premier League. A run of four points from two games has supporters in high spirits as the club's new owners also start to settle into their new surroundings.

Chelsea Transfer Ban Suspended

12:06pm UK, Friday November 06, 2009

Chelsea will be able to sign players in the January transfer window.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport has suspended a ban imposed on the club until they reach a final decision on the matter.

Chelsea appealled after being banned from signing new players until 2011 by FIFA.

They were found guilty of illegally inducing French teenager Gael Kakuta to join the club two years ago.

A statement said: "CAS has granted the request for a stay filed by Chelsea Football Club Ltd and Mr Gael Kakuta in relation to the decision taken by the FIFA Dispute Resolution Chamber on 27 August 2009. Such sanctions are now stayed until the CAS renders its final decision in this matter."

No indication has yet been given as to when a court will conclude the matter.

CAS suspend Chelsea transfer ban over appeal

November 6, 2009


The Court of Arbitration for Sport has granted Chelsea's request to suspend their transfer ban pending a final decision regarding their case.


Chelsea were initially handed a FIFA ban over the next two transfer windows after they were found guilty of inducing French teenager Gael Kakuta to breach his contract with Lens in 2007, but the Blues appealed to CAS against the punishment and, as part of their appeal, requested the transfer ban be 'stayed' until the case had been dealt with.


Now the appeals body have given the London club a lifeline which will allow them to sign players again in January if the final decision is not taken before then.


A statement on the CAS website read: ''The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) has granted the request for a stay filed by Chelsea Football Club Ltd and Mr Gaël Kakuta in relation to the decision taken by the FIFA Dispute Resolution Chamber on 27 August 2009.


''The FIFA Dispute Resolution Chamber imposed, inter alia, a restriction of four months' ineligibility on Mr Gaël Kakuta, and Chelsea Football Club Ltd was banned from registering any new players, either nationally or internationally, for the next two complete, consecutive registration periods. Such sanctions are now stayed until the CAS renders its final decision in this matter.''

Brandon Spikes’ Eye Gouge Against Georgia

By jayita

Florida- It was a splendid match to watch Florida Gators won 41-17 beating their arch rival Georgia on Sunday. The game has already gained recognition as Florida’s best victory ever. Its always exciting to see Florida Gators and Georgia Bulldogs facing with each other. The Sunday game was an electrifying one including controversy of Brandon Spikes’ eye gouging.

During Florida’s 17th win against Georgia on Sunday, a video caught linebacker Brandon Spikes busy in a foul play and his eye gouge was recorded. Annoyed with this event Florida Coach Urban Meyer had some serious post-game talk with the linebacker.

Eye-gouging is the act of pressing or tearing the eye of opponent using the fingers, other body parts, or instruments. Eye-gouging involves a very high risk of eye injury, such as permanent eye loss. It is disallowed in combat sports and anyone found practicing this nasty work signifies lack of sportsmanship.

Florida Gators and Georgia had a breath-taking game on Sunday. Gators were victorious on as many as 16 occasions, prior to this game. This may be the reason behind Gators’s overenthusiam with yet another victory whereas the Georgians were also playing desperately to win the game. The things went wrong several times during the game.

The umpires were forced to impose penalties on various accounts such as verbal altercations, lack of sportsmanship, unnecessary rush of blood and even physical encounters between the players.

During the Florida-Georgia game, Brandon Spikes appeared to gouge the eyes of Georgia’s Washaun Ealey and poked his hand inside Ealey’s helmet,after making a tackle.

Meanwhile Florida team coach Urban Meyer’s had reassured the game fans that he would do his best to find out what exactly happened.
Brandon Spikes is considered as a”very emotional player”. One of the best linebackers of Florida has not yet been punished for the event , but if proved he can get a suspension.

Yankees one win away

New York gets to Lidge in ninth with Damon's daring base-running, Rodriguez double

By BOB ELLIOTT, SUN MEDIA

PHILADELPHIA -- Joe Girardi could have picked any uniform number when the New York Yankees hired him as manager two years ago.

Well, save for all the retired, single-digit numbers and the ones his millionaires wear.

Girardi chose No. 27 because it represented a specific goal.

And with a win tonight the Yankees, the most storied franchise in pro sports, can win their 27th World Series.

CC Sabathia, despite being put in a hole by Alex Rodriguez before even taking the mound, pitched 62/3 innings, and Rodriguez doubled home the eventual winning run off Brad Lidge with two out in the ninth as the Yanks scored a 7-4 win over the Philadelphia Phillies before 46,145 fans last night.

The Yanks, with A.J. Burnett on the mound, try to wrap up the Series tonight against lefty Cliff Lee.

"We're down, but we're still breathing," said Phillies manager Charlie Manuel, whose team trails the Yanks 3-1 in the best-of-seven series.

Lidge, the Phillies' failed in-season closer, had two out and none on in the ninth when Johnny Damon hit the 10th pitch of his at-bat softly into left for a single. With the shift on for batter Mark Teixeira, Damon stole second and then sprinted to an unprotected third base.

"Play like that, it's either the catcher or the pitcher's responsibility," Phils manager Charlie Manuel said. "It's the first time that ever happened to us."

Third baseman Pedro Feliz took the throw at second base.

"That was instinct," Girardi said. "If he's going, he'd better be sure with the hitters we had due up."

K.C. SPEED

Said Damon: "I knew the throw drug Pedro off to the second-base side, I was hoping I still had some of my legs from my Kansas City days."

The fact that Damon was on third took away Lidge's slider, and after Lidge hit Teixeira with a pitch, Rodriguez ripped an 0-1 fastball into the corner, scoring the winner.

"Did he lose his focus? I don't know, he was ahead of Damon 1-2, he started off fine," Manuel said of Lidge.

For Rodriguez, it was his 15th RBI of the post-season, tying Bernie Williams and Scott Brosius, a club post-season record.

Is he a true Yankee now?

"Cole Hamels had been breezing and Alex got us going in Game 3 with his homer," Girardi said. "All I think now is playing a good game (today)."

Mariano Rivera slammed the door in the bottom of the ninth.

Blanton hit Rodriguez with his first pitch in the first inning. Rodriguez, hit for the third time in the Series, whirled, placed his hands on his hips and stared at the Yanks dugout. Roughly half the players jumped off the bench and began screaming at Blanton.

What would have happened had Rodriguez simply headed to first base? Nothing.

Since he didn't and players were hooting, plate ump Mike Everitt, crew chief Jerry Davis and Joe West huddled. Warnings were issued: Next pitcher who throws at anyone gets ejected. Girardi was upset as Sabathia had yet to reach the mound.

"I don't think it was intentional, but Alex has been hit three times, Tex has been hit twice," Girardi said. "We don't like that.

"The umps told us to tell your guy he can pitch inside, we'll make a judgement. We just don't want things to escalate. I don't think it took anything away from CC."

Giradi didn't want to use Rivera three days in a row for more than an inning, so the eighth belonged to Joba Chamberlain. Chamberlain whiffed the first two hitters before Feliz homered to left tying the score.

Chase Utley's solo homer to right in the seventh chased Sabtahia and made Utley 4-for-6 off the lefty, with three homers and 0-for-9 against everyone else in the Series.