Villa sack di Matteo after just 12 matches

LONDON • Roberto di Matteo was sacked by Aston Villa yesterday after just 12 matches in charge of the Championship club.

The former Chelsea boss was expected to lead his side back into the Premier League. but a poor run has left the team occupying 19th position in the Championship.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

India may miss Champions Trophy

KOLKATA • Indian cricket boss Anurag Thakur has warned that a key reform demanded by the country's highest court may force the national team to miss next year's Champions Trophy.

The court wants a 15-day break after the cash-rich Indian Premier League, but the eight-team Champions Trophy begins on June 1, only a few days after the IPL final is likely to end.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Motorboat champion Rossi dies in race

BERLIN • Italian motorboat world champion Massimo Rossi died on Sunday following a crash during a race in Germany.

The 24-year-old was catapulted out of his boat during a turn in a race on the Moselle river in south-western Germany, and hit a tree on the embankment.

REUTERS