GB men win two golds in Lithuania

Hull bantamweight Luke Campbell claimed his third gold of the year with a convincing 11-7 victory over Dennis Ceylan of Denmark.

London lightweight Martin Ward also won gold with an 11-4 destruction of Armenian Garnik Haratyunan.

Lightweight Tom Stalker; middleweight Anthony Ogogo and heavyweight Simon Vallily earned bronze medals.

The medal count at the 13-nation contest in Vilnius brings the GB men's team total to nine golds, four silvers and 13 bronzes in the seven tournaments held so far this year.

Campbell, 24, has not been beaten in three years and used his speed to dominate against the Dane.

Campbell was named Best Boxer of the Tournament.

Meanwhile Ward, who is regarded as a hot prospect for the 2012 Olympics, turned in an accomplished performance against an opponent who had recently moved up weight categories.

The 23-year-old scored six points in the final round with some powerful body shots to win his first international gold.

The men's European Championships are scheduled to begin in Turkey on 16 June.

View the original article here

Fifa to press ahead with presidential election despite Mohamed Bin Hammam's suspension

He was particularly angered by Valcke’s revelation during a press briefing, in an apparently clear breach of process, that he had received an email from the Puerto Rican FA backing the allegations and claiming that they had been given $40,000. Valcke said that he thought more nations might come forward to back the claims.

“I have been given the impression that the Ethics Committee is absolutely an independent committee, but in the press conference we have seen today, the General Secretary made clear that he is the one who has the influence in this committee,” Bin Hammam said.

The descent into civil war between Fifa’s senior figures came after the ethics committee announced that Warner and Bin Hammam will face a protracted investigation, and Valcke insisted there was nothing to stop the election proceeding.

Blatter was cleared by the ethics committee of any wrongdoing after being accused by Bin Hammam of knowing about the Trinidad payments and not reporting them.

Announcing the decision ethics committee deputy chairman Petrus Damaseb of Namibia said that as no payments had been made at the time Blatter was warned he had no case to answer.

Referring to Warner and Bin Hammam, Damaseb said: “We are assuming they are innocent until proven guilty but we are satisfied that there is a case to answer.” Damaseb said they would face a full investigation with independent investigators and legal counsel assisting the ethics commission.

He said it hoped to report within 30 days, but that the bans to Warner and Bin Hammam could be extended if required. With Blatter clearly having benefited politically from the allegations against Bin Hammam there a case for postponing the election while the investigation is completed.

A delay to allow an independent review might restore some confidence in Fifa’s reputation, but Blatter and Valcke are determined to press ahead, with the president expected to present his fourth term as a mandate for reform. Many will doubt his sincerity given a previous reluctance to tackle allegations of corruption.

The danger for Fifa is that with recriminations rife there is no knowing what allegations may surface.

Valcke acknowledged that the severity and timing of the allegations represented a “watershed moment” for Fifa, but insisted that there was no reason to delay the election.

“Maybe [Fifa’s reputation] is not at the highest, that is clear, and it is sad,” Valcke said. “I am not the Fifa president, it is for him to decide what to do, but I am clear we want to put systems in place to ensure that this does not happen again.

“The most important thing is a commitment from all the members of executive committee and president to ensure change at Fifa, so that in his last mandate Fifa is stronger and cleaner than it was. But if you are asking me am I happy that Blatter is elected president, the answer is yes.” Valcke also revealed that an FA inquiry into allegations of corruption in the 2018 World Cup bidding process made by former chairman Lord Triesman had found no supporting evidence from other bid members.

Blatter said in a statement that he regretted the damaging impact of recent events.

Meanwhile Chuck Blazer, the Fifa executive committee member who launched the investigation into Warner and Bin Hammam said he felt obliged to act after being presented with firm evidence of bribes.

“Of course it was difficult,” he said. “But what is more difficult is to ignore the fact that attempts were made to suborn members — it really wasn’t a choice.

“I said to Jack [Warner]: ‘What are you doing? In 21 years we have never bought a vote.’ Once you have done that you have let the genie out of the bottle and for any issue, people will say: ‘OK, how much are you putting on the table?”’

-----------

The accused: how ethics committee ruled on embattled executives

Sepp Blatter

What was he accused of? Knowing about the proposed $40,000 payments to Caribbean Football Union (CFU) officials allegedly made by Mohamed Bin Hammam, but not reporting them.

What was the verdict? The claim was rejected by the ethics committee and Blatter is free to stand in Wednesday’s presidential election.

What happens next? As things stand, Blatter will be re-elected as Fifa president for another four years.

What he said “Fifa’s image has suffered a great deal.”

-----------

Mohamed bin Hammam

What was he accused of? Offering $40,000 each to 25 CFU associations earlier this month as 'gifts’, in return for votes in the presidential election.

What was the verdict? The ethics committee decided there was enough evidence for Bin Hammam, who withdrew from the election on Saturday night, to be suspended from “all football-related activity”.

What happens next? Fifa will launch a 'full inquiry’ into the allegations.

What he said Bin Hammam denies the charges of vote-buying.

-----------

Jack Warner

What was he accused of? Helping facilitate the $40,000 payments to CFU associations for Bin Hammam.

What was the verdict? Warner was also suspended from all football-related activity by the ethics committee, while a full inquiry is launched into the allegations.

What happens next? The inquiry, involving independent external investigators, should take around 30 days.

What he said Warner denies any wrongdoing.

View the original article here

French Open 2011: Andy Murray set to play on at the French Open after scan reveals no major damage to ankle

Whether the Scot will be able to slide around the clay with anything like his usual freedom and confidence, so giving himself every opportunity of beating the world No15 from Serbia, remains rather more uncertain.

Murray, who damaged his right ankle while running to reach a drop-shot from Germany’s Michael Berrer on Saturday afternoon, was able to have a light practice session yesterday, in addition to being treated by a tournament doctor. Since Murray’s encounter with Troicki has been scheduled as the third match of the day on Court Suzanne Lenglen, he would have had around 48 hours of rest and recuperation before playing the Eastern European for a place in the quarter-finals.

Troicki, the second best Serbian tennis player after Novak Djokovic, has had food poisoning during the tournament, though it is not believed there is any danger he will be too weak to play Murray.

A commentator remarked on French television over the weekend that Murray has what amounts to “a virtual boulevard” through the tournament towards a semi-final against Rafael Nadal, though whether the fourth seed’s draw is kind or not hardly matters when there are concerns about his fitness.

If Murray is to beat Troicki, he will need to move around the court with much greater freedom than he did against Berrer. For the best part of two sets, he was inconvenienced by the injury, though he got away with it because he was striking some brilliant winners, and because Berrer felt sorry for his opponent and so did not play with the ruthlessness that he should have done. Troicki is unlikely to be so accommodating.

Without Troicki’s influence, this season could have turned out very differently. If he had lost the decisive fifth rubber of last December’s Davis Cup final against France, it is doubtful Djokovic would have launched himself at this season with such gusto.

Though no one has benefited as much from Troicki’s victory over Michaël Llodra in Belgrade as Djokovic, the Serbian No?2 is plainly a more assured presence on a tennis court now than he ever was before. He started this tournament at a career-high ranking and this is the first time he has made the last 16 of a slam.

Murray has beaten Troicki in straight sets in their three previous meetings, including in the third round of the 2009 Wimbledon Championships. However, this will be the first time they have played on clay, as well as the first time they have played when Murray has a sore ankle.

This has been the second medical drama of Murray’s clay-court season as at last month’s tournament in Monaco he required a cortisone injection into his elbow before losing his semi-final against Nadal.

If Murray beats Troicki, he will play either Juan Ignacio Chela, an Argentine ranked 34, or Alejandro Falla, a Colombian qualifier ranked 120 who is best known for having scared the heebie-jeebies out of Roger Federer in the first round of last summer’s Wimbledon. There was nothing frightening for Federer about his all-Swiss fourth-round match with Stanislas Wawrinka here, and he beat his friend 6-3, 6-2, 7-5. There were some fine shots from Federer, especially on the backhand wing. “Honestly,” said Federer, who has reached the quarter-finals without dropping a set, “I can’t believe how good my backhand has become.”

The brilliance of Djokovic’s tennis was such that he took all the tension out of the air on Court Philippe Chatrier, with his 6-4, 6-4, 6-2 victory over Frenchman Richard Gasquet extending his undefeated run to 43 matches, 41 of them this year.

Should Djokovic beat Italian Fabio Fognini, who won a 11-9 fifth set against Spaniard Albert Montanes, he would put himself level with John McEnroe’s record for the best start to a year, the 42-match run he assembled in 1984.

Vera Zvonareva’s defeat to fellow Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova meant the top three women’s seeds have all failed to make the quarter-finals, as the departure of the world No3 followed that of Kim Clijsters, the Belgian world No2, who was eliminated in the second round, and Caroline Wozniacki, the Danish world No?1, who lost in the third round.

View the original article here

Monaco Grand Prix 2011: Renault driver Vitaly Petrov given all-clear after crashing in chaos-hit race

Petrov was involved in an incident with Jaime Alguersuari in his Toro Rosso on lap 69 just as the three leaders in winner Sebastian Vettel, runner-up Fernando Alonso and third-placed Jenson Button were poised to lap a gaggle of cars.

Alguersuari ran over a kerb and into the back of Lewis Hamilton's McLaren, his momentum carrying him into a barrier coming out of the swimming pool complex, with Petrov unable to avoid ploughing into the back of the Toro Rosso.

Initial reports suggested Petrov was knocked unconscious, but the Russian has confirmed that was not the case.

However, an ambulance was still required and Petrov explained: ''It was quite a big impact and I could not feel my legs very well after the crash.

''I thought it was best for the medical team to assist with removing me from the car as it was difficult for me to move and my legs were trapped in the cockpit.

''I did not lose consciousness, but I was in quite a lot of pain when I was inside the car.''

Following a series of scans and tests, Petrov has been given the all-clear, and was tonight back in his hotel.

Expressing his gratitude for the attention he received, Petrov added: ''I would like to thank all my fans for all their well wishes, the medical teams at the circuit, the hospital for their efficient and friendly assistance, and the team for their concern.''

Team principal Eric Boullier was naturally relieved Petrov had escaped without injury.

''I'm glad to report Vitaly is okay, he has no fractures, just a sore ankle, but he is already joking,'' said Boullier.

View the original article here

Luke Wells enhances growing status with unbeaten 143 for Sussex against Yorkshire

Wells, the son of former Sussex batsman Alan, made 143 and put on an unbeaten 217 with Murray Goodwin, who also made a century as Sussex closed on 295 for two.

Yorkshire began well with the wickets of Chris Nash and Joe Gatting, but they failed to take a wicket in the final two sessions as captain Andrew Gale was made to regret his decision to field first.

Gale probably felt a pitch with an even covering of grass would assist his seam attack and Ajmal Shahzad, one of the contenders to replace James Anderson in the England squad for the Lord’s Test, did take the scalp of the in-form Nash in the ninth over with a ball that nipped back - but the Yorkshire skipper’s call soon looked to have backfired.

Wells was only opening because Nash’s regular partner Ed Joyce is playing for Ireland.

Kent’s batsmen enjoyed a fine start to their game against Leicestershire at Tunbridge Wells, with Joe Denly scoring his first Championship century for two years.

They closed on 376 for three, with Rob Key making 91 and Sam Northeast 99 before agonisingly being out off the last ball of the day.

Northeast, going for three figures before the close, attempted to flick a ball from Andrew McDonald wide of mid-on and was lbw to the fifth delivery of the 96th over.

There were also plenty of runs at Wantage Road, as Division Two leaders Northamptonshire closed on 325 for three against Glamorgan. Stephen Peters and Rob White both made centuries.

Glamorgan, who started the day three points behind their opponents in the table, struggled with the ball throughout, although Chris Ashling did take two for 74.

Chesney Hughes scored 124 to lead Derbyshire to 375 for seven on day one of their game against Surrey at Derby. The Anguillan rode his luck during the early overcast conditions but hung on to record his first century of the season.

View the original article here