Cheng just misses medal Down Under

BELMONT (New South Wales) • Singapore sailor Colin Cheng wrapped up the Australian Laser Championship yesterday with a creditable fourth-place finish.

The Singaporean world No. 13 placed behind some of the world's top Laser sailors. The Australians, known for their strength in this Olympic class, swept the podium. World No. 1 Tom Burton and No. 2 Matthew Wearn were first and second respectively, while No. 29 Luke Elliott was third.

Singapore's Ryan Lo also had a good regatta. He finished 14th, the top Under-21 sailor in the 49-strong fleet.

Vidal and Turan can play after end of ban

BARCELONA • A year-long ban on European football champions Barcelona registering new players came to an end yesterday, finally freeing up summer signings Aleix Vidal and Arda Turan to make their debuts.

Despite the ban imposed by Fifa for irregularities in the signing of foreign players under the age of 18, the Catalan club recorded the second-most successful year in their 116-year history. Luis Enrique's men claimed five trophies in all, including a treble of La Liga, Champions League and Copa del Rey.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE