Sporting briefs

Ferencvaros: The Hungarian first division match between Ferencvaros and visiting Diosgyor was abandoned in the 68th minute due to crowd trouble yesterday. Angry Ferencvaros fans tried to invade the pitch and threw fireworks and other objects as their team trailed 3-1 in Budapest. The 28-times Hungarian champions, who have Malta goalkeeper Justin Haber on their books, are third from bottom in the table and Diosgyor are bottom.

Mouscron: The entire management team of two-time Belgian Cup finalists Mouscron yesterday said they had stepped down as a financial crisis has made their jobs untenable. In midweek the Belgian Football Federation (URBSFA) stripped the club of their licence and banned them from competing in the Belgian championship, bringing Mouscron to the brink.

Bent: Middlesbrough have signed striker Marcus Bent on a two-month emergency loan deal from Birmingham. Bent has yet to feature for the Blues this season, having been kept on the sidelines by a recurring hamstring injury.

No spitting: The Romanian Football League yesterday called on players not to spit pitchside amid fears of potentially spreading swine flu. "Following information linked to the spread of the H1N1 virus the League is recommending that officials of top-flight clubs ask players and technical staff no longer to spit on the grass nor expel water used to rinse out their mouths," the statement said.

In China: Beijing Guoan became China's champions for the first time yesterday when a 4-0 victory over Hangzhou Greentown gave them the Chinese Super League title. Honduran Emil Martinez grabbed a hat-trick and defender Zhou Ting added a penalty in front of a 60,000 crowd at the Workers' Stadium.

Bendtner: Arsenal forward Nicklas Bendtner will be sidelined for at least one month after sustaining a groin injury in the 3-0 Premier League victory over Tottenham Hotspur yesterday. Dane Bendtner was substituted after 37 minutes of the north London derby at the Emirates Stadium.

Tennis: Defending champion Venus Williams completed her circuitous route to the final of the WTA Championships yesterday, beating Jelena Jankovic 5-7 6-3 6-4. The weary-looking American will face sister Serena, who won the second semi against Caroline Wozniacki after the Dane pulled out with a stomach injury while trailing 6-4 0-1. Venus needed treatment on her knee several times during the match but she gradually turned things in her favour.

Sailing: An Australian schoolgirl bidding to become the youngest solo round-the-world sailor said she was making good speed and expected to reach the equator ahead of schedule. Jessica Watson, 16, left Sydney on her non-stop voyage two weeks ago aboard her 10-metre yacht. "It's been a good week. We have covered more miles than anticipated," Watson said in a blog update about her journey.

Basketball, NBA: The Boston Celtics blasted the Chicago Bulls 118-90 on Friday to maintain their unbeaten start to the new NBA season. Paul Pierce and Eddie House each scored 22 points while Ray Allen contributed 20 as the Celtics improved to 3-0. The meeting was a re-match of the epic seven-game series between the teams in the first round of last year's play-offs.

Olympics: Palermo has pulled out of the running to be Italy's candidate city for the 2020 Olympics. "At this time the conditions do not exist to bid for the 2020 Olympics," mayor Diego Cammarata said. Bari is considering a bid while Rome and Venice have officially registered interest.