Violent fans: German police have stopped dozens of violent fans from travelling to Brussels in a crackdown on hooliganism ahead of yesterday’s Euro 2012 clash against Belgium. According to police in Aachen, 42 “violent fans” had been prevented from travelling with police confiscating numerous weapons, including baseball bats, during checks on the border.
Pitch invaders: A German fifth division match has had to be called off after a pitch invasion by a group of four-legged fans left the turf in an unplayable condition. Local officials said that wild boar had entered Dresden Borea’s Jaegerpark stadium overnight, derailing today’s kick-off against Lokomotive Leipzig.
Divorce: The four-year marriage of England footballer Ashley Cole and his TV star wife Cheryl Cole ended yesterday when the High Court in London granted them a quick divorce. Cheryl Cole ended the relationship on the grounds of unreasonable behaviour following press allegations of the Chelsea defender’s infidelities. She had said she wanted only her share of the couple’s 26-million-euro fortune.
Hasebe: Wolfsburg midfielder Makoto Hasebe withdrew from Japan’s friendly against Paraguay today due to a foot injury. The 26-year-old Hasebe hurt his right foot during his club’s training a couple of weeks ago and has yet to recover fully. “I am disappointed that I’ve missed the chance to impress our new coach (Alberto Zaccheroni),” said Hasebe.
Brazil: The Brazil team yesterday started a six-day training camp in the Spanish city of Barcelona under the eye of new coach Mano Menezes. Menezes, the successor to Dunga, called up 22 Europe-based players for the camp. The primary goal of the get-together was “to get to know the players better” he said.
Cricket: Cricket’s world governing body charged three Pakistan players with anti-corruption offences and provisionally suspended them, as the trio protested their innocence in an alleged betting scam. The ICC announced late Thursday that Test captain Salman Butt and bowlers Mohammad Aamer and Mohammad Asif were barred from playing any further matches until their cases were resolved.
Cycling: Reigning Tour de France champion Alberto Contador will skip the UCI Road World Championships this year in order to better prepare for next season, the Spanish team coach said. “I spoke to Contador on the phone and he told me he preferred not to extend his season in order to face next season with more guarantees,” said the coach, Jose Luis de Santos.
Figure skating: Olympic gold medallist Evan Lysacek said he won’t compete for the rest of 2010, taking a break from figure skating to focus on other interests. “The next few months will be busy for me,” Lysacek said. “I will be working with sponsors and charities, including Ronald McDonald House and Pink Pony Foundation.”
Basketball: China will tackle undefeated Lithuania for a place in the World Championship quarter-finals, but their slim hopes have been hit further by an injury to Yi Jianlian. China coach Bob Donewald said Yi will need an MRI scan to discover the extent of the injury although the 22-year-old has time on his side with the last 16 clash not scheduled until Tuesday.
Lawn bowls: A New Zealand man who rocked the normally staid sport of lawn bowls when he exposed himself at a tournament has successfully appealed against a 10-year ban. Bowls New Zealand suspended David File after the 43-year-old admitted he “flopped out my old fella” during a tournament at Gisbourne in April.