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R/£ World at a glance - November 17, 2009
November 17, 2009 Edition 3
Steyn, Du Preez shortlisted for honours
South Africans Francois Steyn and Fourie du Preez were included yesterday when the International Rugby Board (IRB) named seven shortlisted players for the IRB Player of the Year award. This year sees an extended list of seven nominees following the closest vote in the award's history. Steyn, Du Preez, Ireland's Jamie Heaslip, Australia's Matt Giteau and Tom Croft of England compete against two international captains in Ireland's Brian O'Driscoll and Richie McCaw of New Zealand to win the most prestigious individual award in the game.
Ronaldo to start training this week
Real Madrid forward Cristiano Ronaldo expects he will have recovered sufficiently from an ankle injury to be able to return to training by the middle of this week. "The most important thing for me is to return when I am at 100 percent," the Portuguese international said in an interview published in yesterday's As newspaper.
IPL to expand, trial pink balls in 2011
Indian Premier League organisers have voted to come under the supervision of the International Cricket Council's Anti-Corruption and Security Unit next season and to add two new teams and trial pink balls in 2011. The IPL said seven of the eight existing teams had voted in favour of expanding the league to 10 clubs in 2011, Press Trust of India said yesterday. Organisers of the lucrative Twenty20 league announced that they'd agreed to several rules changes during a three-day meeting. Among those were that teams will be allowed to trade players, will be able to use four fielding substitutes, and that any ball delivered above waist height will be declared a no-ball.
Burley sacked as Scotland manager
Scotland fired manager George Burley yesterday after a run of poor results culminating in a 3-0 friendly defeat by Wales at the weekend. The Scottish Football Association (SFA) said Burley, who failed to lead the side to next year's World Cup in South Africa, would leave with immediate affect, along with assistants Terry Butcher and Paul Hegarty.
Van Persie out for six weeks
Dutch striker Robin van Persie will be out for six weeks after damaging right ankle ligaments, Premier League Arsenal confirmed yesterday. Van Persie was carried off on a stretcher early in the Netherlands friendly against Italy on Saturday after landing badly following a tackle by Giorgio Chiellini and there were initial fears that he could be out for several months. The 26-year-old has thrived this season, scoring eight goals in his last 11 matches.
Bafana Bafana to sign giant jersey
The South African national football team will sign the giant replica 2010 Fifa World Cup home jersey when the adidas Unite Mzansi Unite truck stops at their hotel today. Bafana Bafana will be joined at the signing by the executive mayor of Mangaung Municipality FK Morule. The Mayor will lead the community of Mangaung in signing the giant jersey ahead of the clash between South Africa and Jamaica at the Vodacom Park in the evening.
England penalised for slow over-rate
The England cricket team has been fined for maintaining a slow over-rate during their 84-run defeat against South Africa in the second Twenty20 International at Centurion on Sunday. Javagal Srinath of the Emirates Elite Panel of ICC match referees imposed the fines after Alastair Cook's side was ruled to be one over short of their target at the end of the match when time allowances were taken into consideration. Cook, who was standing in as captain for the injured Paul Collingwood, was fined 20 percent of his match fee while his players received 10-percent fines.
Austrians to face 10 years for doping
Athletes in Austria caught doping could be charged with serious fraud and face prison terms of up to 10 years, according to an amendment to the national fraud act which is expected to take effect on January 1, 2010. Under Austria's current anti-doping laws, possessing and selling banned substances are already a criminal offence, but not the actual use of the drugs. Austria sports minister Nobert Darabos and justice minister Claudia Bandion-Ortner yesterday announced the amendment, which awaits ratification by parliament later this year. - Sapa-AFP/ AP/Reuters
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