Sweden return is on Ibrahimovic's radar
STOCKHOLM • Manchester United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic has opened the door for a return to the Swedish national team at this year's World Cup - if he can get fit in time.
"We'll see, it's a tough question. I want to feel that I can perform and give back. I don't want to come just because I'm somebody. The door isn't closed for anything," he said.
Ibrahimovic, Sweden's record goalscorer with 62 goals in 116 games, has struggled to recover from a serious knee injury suffered last April.
REUTERS
Eight-month ban as diver fails dope test
KUALA LUMPUR • Malaysia diver Wendy Ng Yan Yee has been banned for eight months after failing a doping test at last August's SEA Games.
Ng had tested positive for sibutramine, a stimulant commonly found in slimming products, and was stripped of her two golds medals.
The ban, issued by Fina, the world governing body for aquatics, has been backdated to Aug 26 last year, so she will be free to feature at August's Asian Games with the ban ending on April 26.
THE STAR/ANN
Inter deny reports of financial problems
MILAN • Chinese-owned Inter Milan on Thursday dismissed a report that their finances were in such a disarray they should be demoted from Serie A.
According to a report in Italian business daily Il Sole 24 Ore, the club's total debt has risen to €637.56 million (S$1.03 billion).
But Inter, who Chinese tycoon Zhang Jindong's Suning group paid nearly €270 million for last June, said the report was "misleading and incorrect".
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Hamilton sets best time in F1 testing
LONDON • Lewis Hamilton is cautiously optimistic about the performance of his new Mercedes car, having finally managed to achieve some meaningful running on the last day of F1's opening test in Barcelona.
The four-time world champion, who will begin the defence of his title in Australia on March 25, completed 69 laps and set the fastest time of the week on Thursday.
"I was really happy to get out," he said. "So far, it is positive... it definitely feels like a better car than last year."
THE GUARDIAN
Dual withdrawal as Wawrinka seeks rest
LOS ANGELES • Switzerland's Stan Wawrinka has withdrawn from this month's ATP events in Indian Wells and Miami on Thursday, saying that he still needed more time to rest after a knee operation.
"They are both amazing events but coming back from surgery (last August) is complicated... it is best for me to build on the progress," Wawrinka said.
He also said his recuperation was with the clay-court season in mind.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
