Sporting briefs

Banks: England's 1966 World Cup-winning goalkeeper Gordon Banks said yesterday that foreign managers at English clubs are hindering the emergence of young British goalkeepers. "We have such a lot of foreign managers now who seem prepared to go and buy abroad rather than give our youngsters that are coming through a chance to get the experience they need in the Premier League," the 70-year-old said.

Torino: Torino have signed Italy Under-21 midfielder Ignazio Abate from Milan on a co-ownership deal, the Serie A clubs said. The 21-year-old, who played for relegated Empoli last season, is a product of Milan's academy.

Rossi: Captain Marco Rossi has renewed his contract with Genoa until 2011. The 30-year-old right winger scored two goals in 33 Serie A games last season, his fifth with Genoa since joining from Como. Genoa are also close to signing midfielder Ruben Olivera from Penarol. The 25-year-old Uruguayan international, who has already played in Italy with Juventus and Sampdoria, has already passed a medical test.

Zenit fined: UEFA Cup winners Zenit St Petersburg were fined €37,000 yesterday for racist behaviour by their fans during their match against French side Marseille last season. "Our disciplinary committee fined Zenit for racist conduct by their fans, the use of pyrotechnics and the display of a political banner during their match against Marseille," a UEFA spokesman said.

Liverpool: Liverpool have signed French striker David Ngog from Paris SG, the Premier League club announced on its website yesterday. The 19 year-old, who scored one goal in 18 league appearances last season, has signed a four-year contract with the Anfield club.

Black power: Paul Ince's appointment as the Premier League's first English black manager at Blackburn last month has inspired black coaches, his former England team-mate Les Ferdinand said yesterday. "I've spoken to numerous black coaches now and they've said people who were about to give up coaching and look at something else have said Incey's inspired them to go on and complete their coaching badges," Ferdinand said.

A-League: The Australian A-League is set to be expanded to from eight to 10 teams in the 2009-10 season. Football Federation of Australia officials plan to add teams for the Gold Coast and North Queensland.

Dellas: Cypriot champions Anorthosis Famagusta have signed Greek international defender Traianos Dellas. The 32-year-old was recently released by AEK Athens and has agreed terms with Anorthosis coach Temuri Ketsbaia. The Cypriot side will be taking on SK Rapid Wien in the second qualifying round of the UEFA Champions League later this month.

Doping offenders: The head of the Italian Professional Cyclists Association (ACCPI) has proposed life bans for all Italian riders found guilty of doping after Riccardo Ricco tested positive for EPO on the Tour de France last week. "The Ricco case has pushed me to propose this drastic solution," ACCPI president Amedeo Colombo said. "Those who use drugs, who test positive, must not race any more, even if it's the first offence."

Golf: The Lexus Cup returns to Singapore in November for the fourth edition of the women's team competition with Pak Se-ri and Annika Sorenstam lined up as captains of Team Asia and International. The LPGA sanctioned tournament, hosted by the city-state for the first two years before moving to Perth, takes place on Nov. 28-30. Asia have won the last two events after Team International took the inaugural competition in 2005.

Cricket: The International Cricket Council (ICC) has decided to keep the September Champions Trophy in Pakistan despite security concerns. The decision was taken by the ICC's executive board following a teleconference after England, Australia and New Zealand led calls for a switch over player safety.

Basketball: Forward Josh Childress has signed a three-year, $20 million deal to play with Greek club Olympiakos after turning down an offer to stay with the NBA's Atlanta Hawks. The 25-year-old restricted free agent had been offered a five-year deal from the Hawks worth $33 million but turned it down. The move is unprecedented for a player of his calibre.

Athletics: World 100 metres champion Tyson Gay has pulled out of his clash with Jamaican Asafa Powell at the London Grand Prix today to avoid aggravating a hamstring injury. Gay suffered a hamstring strain at the US Olympic Trials where his hopes of a sprint double in Beijing ended in agony when he suffered severe cramp during the 200m quarter-finals. He will compete in the 100 metres and 4x100 relay at next month's Games.