Sporting Briefs

Adriano: Italy's soccer authorities have re-imposed a two-match Serie A ban on Inter striker Adriano for slapping an opponent. Brazilian Adriano successfully appealed the original ban, but an Italian Football League prosecutor protested and persuaded the disciplinary committee to reverse its decision. Adriano ran into trouble last weekend when television replays showed him appearing to slap Livorno defender Alessandro Grandoni in the face during a 0-0 draw.

Heitinga: Ajax defender John Heitinga will be sidelined for six weeks with a bruised kidney, the Dutch first division club said yesterday. Heitinga suffered the injury during Ajax's 2-2 draw with Inter in the Champions League first knockout round first leg last Wednesday. The return in Milan is scheduled for March 14.

Manfredini: Ivory Coast have handed a surprise call-up to Lazio midfielder Christian Manfredini for Wednesday's World Cup warm-up against Spain in Valladolid. The 30-year-old left-footer was born in the Ivory Coast but adopted by an Italian family at the age of five and has spent his entire playing career in Italy. He had previously rejected overtures from the Ivorians to play for them.

Davids: Edgar Davids' hopes of playing in the World Cup took a knock when coach Marco van Basten left him out of the Dutch squad for Wednesday's friendly against Ecuador. Van Basten said the match would be the last friendly before his World Cup warm-up begins in May.

Dong: China striker Dong Fangzhuo hopes a superb display for his country will help him earn a British work permit and a place at Manchester United. The 21-year-old joined the English club two years ago but was immediately loaned to Belgium's Royal Antwerp as he was unable to secure permission to work in Britain. More performances like the one he gave in the 2-0 win over Palestine in an Asian Cup qualifier, however, should cement his position as a national team regular, a requirement of the British authorities before a permit is granted to a non-EU player.

¤ Soviet-born track coach Remi Korchemny, the fourth and final defendant in the BALCO steroid scandal, was given a year's probation on Friday for his role in a conspiracy to distribute illegal drugs to athletes. US District Court Judge Susan Illston also ordered that Korchemny undergo random drug testing. However, she refused to impose a recommended $250 fine, calling it trivial, and added that "a huge fine was not appropriate either".

¤ Justine Henin-Hardenne won her 25th tennis career title yesterday when she defeated Maria Sharapova 7-5 6-2 in the final of the Dubai Open. It was the Belgian's third Dubai title and her second tournament victory of the year after winning in Sydney and finishing as runner-up at the Australian Open in Melbourne. She also remains unbeaten in her 12 matches in Dubai.

¤ Swedish tennis player Thomas Johansson will be sidelined for four months after injuring his eye during a training session. Johansson, the world number 13, was preparing for a doubles quarter-final at the Rotterdam World Tournament this weekend with his playing partner Mario Ancic when a ball hit him in the eye.

¤ Real Madrid defender Jonathan Woodgate says he has put thoughts of making the England World Cup squad out of his head after suffering his latest injury setback.

The English centre-back will be out of action for two to three weeks after straining his hamstring in the opening minutes of his side's 1-0 defeat against Arsenal in the Champions League on Tuesday.

Asked if he was still dreaming of winning a place in the England squad for the World Cup, Woodgate responded "Right now, no" in an interview published by Spanish sports daily AS yesterday.