Mae's 4-year skiing ban lifted
LAUSANNE - The Court of Arbitration for Sport yesterday overturned a four-year ban on Vanessa Mae, imposed after the renowned violinist was accused of manipulating results in skiing.
The sports tribunal found there was "insufficient evidence" to back the International Ski Federation (FIS) sanction.
But it backed the FIS' decision to rule as invalid Mae's results at the Sochi Winter Olympics last year because of the "defective" results of her qualifying events. Mae finished 67th and last in the women's giant slalom at the Olympics.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Mystery over physio's exit
LONDON - Manchester United's first-team physiotherapist has left the club less than nine months after his appointment at Old Trafford.
United confirmed Matt Radcliffe's departure yesterday but served only to heighten the intrigue surrounding the situation by refusing to offer a reason for his exit. It is believed that he was not forced out but that he had sought legal advice and that there were personal reasons behind his departure.
THE TIMES, LONDON
Soares moves to Southampton
LONDON - Southampton have signed Portuguese international defender Cedric Soares from Sporting Lisbon, the Premier League club announced on Thursday.
The fee for the 23-year-old German-born right-back was €6.5 million (S$9.9 million), plus a percentage of any future sell-on fee.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
De la Hoya not coming back
LONDON - A showdown between boxers Floyd Mayweather and Oscar de la Hoya has been knocked on the head - because the latter insists he is not stepping back into the ring.
"I'm happy, I'm retired, I'm content," the 42-year-old said. "I'm never coming back."
On Wednesday, the 38-year-old Mayweather suggested he was open to defending his 48-0 professional record against his former rival and the man he defeated after a controversial split-decision in 2007.
THE GUARDIAN
Weimann steps down to Derby
LONDON - Striker Andreas Weimann has left Aston Villa after eight years to join Championship side Derby County on a four-year deal, the clubs announced on Thursday.
The 23-year-old joins Paul Clement's side for an undisclosed fee, reported to be around £2.75 million (S$5.8 million).
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Farah denies taking drugs
LONDON - Britain's double Olympic champion Mo Farah, 32, has denied ever taking performance-enhancing drugs and said rumours and speculation over his career after the revelation that he missed two drugs tests "are completely false".
REUTERS
