Rennes: Coach Frederic Antonetti extended his contract as coach of high-flying Rennes for two more years. The 49-year-old’s present contract runs out at the end of June and the new deal sees him through to 2013 with the side, who are battling for the title and are presently fourth seven points adrift of leaders Lille.
PSG: The American owner of Paris SG, Colony Capital, is set to put the club on the market with a price tag of around €60 million, Le Parisien reported. “PSG is for sale,” said the paper after reporting that Colony Capital’s European director of operations Sebastien Bazin had sought out specialist advisors to broker the deal, although Bazin would not confirm as much.
Doyle: Injured Wolves striker Kevin Doyle has set his sights on playing for Ireland at the end of the season. Doyle has virtually ruled himself out of the remainder of Wolves’ battle for Premier League survival with a knee injury. Doyle said: “If I don’t play for Wolves again this season, I don’t suppose the manager will be too happy to see me get fit and disappear for my country. But I’m going to try to make it.”
Probe: Poland midfielder Lukasz Piszczek has been indicted over a match-fixing scandal involving his former club, Zaglebie Lubin, Polish media reported yesterday. The 25-year-old was among 14 individuals indicted. According to Polish legal custom, none gave the player’s full name, describing him only as Lukasz P.
Agnew: Blackburn press officer Paul Agnew has played down reports he could be installed as the club’s new chairman. The 53-year-old has flown out to India to meet the club’s owners, Venky’s, but insists the discussions will be about his current role and communication with the fans. Asked about the speculation that he could replace John Williams in the vacant chairman’s role, he said: “I’m in the dark over where that came from.”
Jelen: Poland striker Ireneusz Jelen has announced he will leave Ligue 1 side Auxerre at the end of the season. The 30-year-old has played 135 times for Jean Fernandez’s side since moving from Wisla Plock in 2006, scoring 48 goals but he is set to leave the Stade de l’Abbe-Deschamps at the end of the current campaign.
Athletics: Athletics legend Carl Lewis, who won nine Olympic gold medals for the United States between 1984 and 1996, announced plans to run for the New Jersey Senate. The 49-year-old will represent his hometown of Willingboro by running as a Democrat in the eighth legislative district. Lewis is a native of New Jersey and is running in a district now held by Republican Dawn Addiego. Lewis is running on a platform that includes improving schools and building strong communities.
Basket, NBA: LeBron James finished with 34 points and 10 rebounds as Miami Heat beat Atlanta 98-90 to secure the Eastern Conference’s No. 2 seed. James Jones had two crucial three-point baskets down the stretch for the Heat who won their third straight game. “It took us 81 games to get to this point but there’s a lot more work to do,” James said. Miami secured their post-season spot after Boston lost to Washington in overtime on Monday.
Racing: Injured jockey Peter Toole was yesterday brought out of an induced coma by doctors following an horrific crash last weekend. The 22-year-old Irishman suffered bleeding on the brain when 100-1 shot Classic Fly fell at the first fence during the Maghull Novices’ Chase at Aintree on Saturday. Toole was taken to a hospital near the course but was later transferred to the neighbouring Walton Centre for Neurology and Neurosurgery.
Snooker: Ding Junhui has been fined £2,000 for failing to reveal he was too unwell to compete at his best prior to a match which he lost 4-0. China’s world no.4 did not disclose his illness to organisers of a Euro Players Tour Championship event in Russelheim, Germany, in October. Ding was beaten by fellow Chinese player Liang Wenbo on October 23, and tournament officials reported him to the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association, which launched an investigation.