LONDON (AP):
Former England manger Bobby Robson was buried yesterday at a private funeral service in his native northeast England.
The service at an undisclosed location was attended by Robson's widow Elsie and the couple's three sons, Andrew, Paul and Mark.
The 76-year-old Robson died last Friday after a long struggle with cancer.
"Sir Bobby Robson was laid to rest today at a private family service," a family statement said. "Lady Robson has been overwhelmed by the wonderful tributes and messages of condolence and is very grateful that the family's privacy has been respected at this sad time." A public memorial service is set to be held later in the year.
Alonso completes Real deal
MADRID, Spain (AP):
Midfielder Xabi Alonso completed his transfer to big-spending Real Madrid from Liverpool yesterday.
Alonso passed his routine medical to become Madrid's eighth signing in a US$365 million spending spree since Florentino Perez returned to the club presidency in June.
Liverpool will receive a reported fee of US$43 million for the 27-year-old Spain international, who is said to have signed a five-year contract.
Alonso made his first appearance as a Madrid player yesterday at the club's training ground for a session with his new teammates. The club said he would be officially presented at an evening news conference.
Stop jeering Ponting
LONDON (AP):
The head of the England and Wales Cricket Board has asked fans to stop jeering Australia captain Ricky Ponting during this week's potentially series-deciding fourth Ashes Test.
Mindful of the often colourful crowds at the northern England ground of Headingley, ECB chairman Giles Clarke has written a column for the match programme asking fans to lay off Ponting and respect cricket's gentlemanly traditions.
Although Ponting was given a standing ovation when he became Australia's leading Test scorer in the drawn third Test at Edgbaston, the combative batsman has been greeted with boos when he walks out to the crease and has long been unpopular with opposition fans because of his success, durability and what is interpreted by some as an unsporting streak.
He riled fans further in this year's first Ashes Test when he questioned the stalling tactics that helped England escape with a draw and has endured a poor series by his standards with an average of 46.60 compared to his Test average of 55.96.
Mason ruled out of Worlds
LONDON (AP):
Olympic high jump runner-up Germaine Mason has been ruled out of Britain's team for this month's World Championships in Berlin because of an ankle injury.
UK Athletics said yesterday that the 26-year-old Mason was hurt competing in Stockholm last week.
"A subsequent scan showed a significant ankle ligament injury in his take-off leg, ruling him out for the rest of the season," UK Athletics said in a statement.
Toby Sandeman, the European under-23 200m champion, has also withdrawn from the British team for the August 15-23 event because of a persistent foot injury.