The Star Online: Sports
The Star Online: Sports |
- Cycling: Armstrong's ex-boss Bruyneel leaves RadioShack
- Snooker: Lee suspended in 'betting' probe
- Rugby: Ulster, Ospreys clinch bonus-point triumphs
| Cycling: Armstrong's ex-boss Bruyneel leaves RadioShack Posted: 12 Oct 2012 05:30 PM PDT PARIS: Johan Bruyneel, disgraced cyclist Lance Armstrong's former manager during his drug-tainted seven Tour de France wins, has left his current team RadioShack, the Luxembourg outfit announced on Friday. The decision comes just two days after the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) condemned Armstrong for being at the heart of the biggest doping conspiracy in sports history. "I am surprised and extremely disappointed that USADA released information in the public domain relating to their pending case against me before I had been given any opportunity to review the evidence and provide my defence against it," said Bruyneel. "I still hope to be able to defend myself in a forum free from bias, although I now fear that USADA's calculated action may have irreversibly prejudiced my case. "It is a troubling facet of USADA's approach to this case that it appears not to respect basic principles such as the right to be heard and the presumption of innocence." Earlier, RadioShack said the decision to part ways with Bruyneel was taken to protect the standing of the team. "From this day on, Johan Bruyneel will no longer act in the position of general manager of cycling team RadioShack Nissan Trek," a statement said on the team's website. "The decision published by the USADA included a number of testimonies as a result of their investigation. "In light of these testimonies, both parties feel it is necessary to make this decision since Johan Bruyneel can no longer direct the team in an efficient and comfortable way. "His departure is desirable to ensure the serenity and cohesiveness within the team. "RadioShack Nissan Trek wishes to thank Johan Bruyneel for his dedication and devotion since his arrival. "The USADA investigation does not concern the activities of Mr Bruyneel while managing the RadioShack Nissan Trek team. Johan Bruyneel contests the validity of the procedure as well as the charges against him." Earlier on Friday, the four-time world time-trial champion Fabian Cancellara said he might have had to consider his position with the RadioShack team if 48-year-old Bruyneel had remained in charge. RadioShack is also the team of Andy and Frank Schleck. Andy Schleck was declared the winner of the 2010 Tour de France after Spain's Alberto Contador was stripped of the title for doping. Bruyneel, who quit as a rider in 1998, was the sporting director at Armstrong's US Postal team from 1999 to 2005, as well as at the Astana team in 2009 and at RadioShack in 2010, when the American returned to the saddle. The Belgian, who is one of six people accused by USADA in the Armstrong affair, protested his innocence in June. On Wednesday, the Belgian Cycling Federation (RLVB) said they would study the USADA report. - AFP |
| Snooker: Lee suspended in 'betting' probe Posted: 12 Oct 2012 05:26 PM PDT LONDON: Sooker's world number seven Stephen Lee was suspended by snooker's governing body on Friday after an investigation was launched into suspicious betting patterns in a Premier League match with John Higgins. Lee, 38, was already the subject of an investigation by the World Professional Billiards and Snooker Association (WPBSA) who were looking into match-fixing allegations in 2010. The Englishman, however, has already been told he will not face a criminal prosecution over those claims. "The WPBSA have concluded that it would not be appropriate for Stephen Lee to continue to compete on the world snooker tour whilst these investigations are undertaken," said a statement. "Therefore WPBSA chairman Jason Ferguson has taken the decision to suspend Stephen from competition whilst this enquiry is ongoing. "Subject to his right to appeal, this suspension will remain in place until either the conclusion of the investigation or any resultant hearings." Lee's manager Adam Quigley said his client was devastated by the allegations. "Stephen can't believe it is happening again, just one week after a case that has been outstanding against him for two and half years was dropped by the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS)," Quigley told the Press Association. "Stephen is absolutely devastated. He has worked incredibly hard this year to get back up to number seven in the world. He is sick of all this stuff getting thrown at him and feels there are doubts about him every time he misses a ball. "Stephen was supposed to be going out for a meal with his wife tonight to celebrate his 38th birthday. He has booked his flights to a tournament in Antwerp next week. Now they are both cancelled and he is engaging a lawyer to fight his corner." - AFP |
| Rugby: Ulster, Ospreys clinch bonus-point triumphs Posted: 12 Oct 2012 05:07 PM PDT PARIS: Scrum-half Paul Marshall grabbed a brace of tries as last season's runners-up Ulster began their new European Cup campaign with a bonus-point 41-17 victory over French side Castres on Friday. Winger Andrew Trimble also crossed at Ravenhill in Belfast, as did South African replacement fly-half Ruan Pienaar in the last minute, after a punishing 17 phases following a loss of possession by Castres. Paddy Jackson converted three of the tries and added five penalties for Ulster, who were soundly beaten 42-14 by fellow Irish side Leinster in last season's final. Ulster, the 1999 European champions, are now unbeaten in six matches this season. In Friday's other game on the opening night of the 2012-13 tournament, Welsh side Ospreys also secured a bonus point victory with a last-minute try from Ashley Beck. Eli Walker and Hanno Dirksen, with a brace, scored the other tries, with fly-half Dan Biggar kicking 18 points at Swansea's Liberty Stadium. Treviso scored two tries through Manoa Vosawai and Luke McLean. "We are pretty pleased with the performance, but there's still a bit to work on. We have got to be able to think a bit quicker and not play so wide too early," said Ospreys captain Alun Wyn Jones. "We can be pleased with the end result and the most pleasing thing for me was the composure we showed in the last minute, minute and a half. "In the past you would have seen us tighten up in that situation but we realise that these pool games will come down to the last minute." The win was sweet revenge for Ospreys, who had lost 12-6 to the same opponents in the Celtic League earlier this season. - AFP |
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