AFC suspends 4 Laos national footballers
KUALA LUMPUR • The Asian Football Confederation has provisionally suspended four Laos national team members - Saynakhonevieng Phommapanya, Chintana Souksavath, Moukda Souksavath and Phatthana Syvilay - as it investigates suspected manipulation of "multiple matches" going back years.
The federation also said that other footballers were under investigation, without naming them.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Qatar will host World Cup 2022: organisers
DOHA • Holding the 2022 World Cup in Qatar is a "done deal", a confident head of the Gulf state's tournament organising committee said yesterday, shrugging off ongoing corruption and human rights concerns.
Hassan Al-Thawadi, secretary-general of the Supreme Committee for Delivery and Legacy, told the local Arabic daily Al-Sharq newspaper that football's biggest tournament will go ahead in the Middle East despite calls elsewhere for Qatar to be stripped of hosting rights.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
I'd like to be Messi plus Ronaldo: Bolt
BUENOS AIRES • Sprint king Usain Bolt said on Sunday that, if he ever realised his long-held ambition of becoming a professional footballer, he would like to have the skills of both Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Jamaican, who has often stated his dream of playing for Manchester United, told Argentinian magazine Viva: "By combining the talents of the two and adding my speed and my heart, I would be the greatest!"
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Gebrselassie to head Ethiopia athletics
NAIROBI • Retired running legend Haile Gebrselassie has been elected president of the Ethiopian Athletics Federation.
The 43-year-old, considered one of the greatest distance runners of all time, will serve a four-year term, with local media reporting he won nine of the 15 votes to secure the presidency.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Late-season poor form cost me: Willett
BELEK (Turkey) • Masters Champion Danny Willett has dropped outside the top 10 on the world golf rankings and admits an end-of-season downturn in his game could not have come at a worse time.
The 29-year old has enjoyed just two top-10s since being fitted last April with the famed Augusta National members green jacket.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Federer can still win a Grand Slam: Edberg
LONDON • Tennis star Roger Federer has fallen outside the world's top 10 for the first time since 2002 but he could still win another Grand Slam title, according to former great Stefan Edberg.
Currently ranked 16th, the 17-time Grand Slam winner ended his season in July in a bid to recover fully from knee surgery, although he is aiming to be fit for the Australian Open in January.
REUTERS