A round-up of today's other stories in brief
United deny €1.8bn Qatar offer
SOCCER: A Qatari consortium is reported to have offered €1.8 billion to buy English Premier League leaders Manchester United from its owners, the Glazer brothers, after holding secret talks.
But the club yesterday denied there has been any approach and reiterated that Manchester United is not for sale.
It is understood, however, that an approach from Qatar Holding – an investment group controlled by the Qatari royal family – took place shortly after the Arab state had secured the right to stage the 2022 World Cup finals.
Discussions are said to have foundered because of the asking price. The Glazers value the club at close to €2.3 billion, which is more than the Qatar group, which recently agreed a record €147 million shirt deal with Barcelona, was initially prepared to pay.
The Glazers paid €939 million for the club in 2005, the majority of which was provided by loans secured against the club’s assets. The borrowings are now believed to stand at around €622 million.
Football sources believe Qatar, keen to raise its profile still further in the game, will return with a higher offer.
Armstrong's career ends in controversy Down Under
CYCLING: Lance Armstrong ended his international career at the Tour Down Under in controversial circumstances yesterday, with continued allegations over illegal doping overshadowing his swansong.
The 39-year-old American refused to talk to reporters as he finished his last professional international race 65th overall, almost six minutes adrift of winner Cameron Meyer of Australia.
Seven-time Tour de France champion Armstrong will now have to deal with a federal investigation in the US triggered by former team-mate Floyd Landis’s allegations that he and other prominent figures in the sport used performance-enhancing drugs.
The Texan, who never tested positive throughout his career, has denied any wrongdoing and said on Friday he was keen to cooperate following fresh doping allegations published by Sports Illustrated.
Armstrong is to make a few appearances during the year but will not be riding as a professional.
Williams misses Gatland's cut
RUGBY: Martyn Williams has been left out of Wales’ Six Nations squad in a shock omission by head coach Warren Gatland.
The 35-year-old Cardiff Blues flanker, who has won 98 caps and featured on the last three Lions tours, misses Gatland’s cut for a tournament that Wales kick off against England in 12 days.
Gatland has opted for youth as his openside options in the form of Williams’ Blues colleague Sam Warburton and Scarlets’ highly-rated Josh Turnbull.
It could signal the end of Williams’ illustrious Test career.
Gatland’s 28-man party includes five uncapped players in Turnbull, Scarlets back Rhys Priestland, frontrow forwards Ryan Bevington and Scott Andrews, plus backrow prospect Toby Faletau.
Williams is not the only player to miss out, with the likes of Dan Biggar, Tom James, Aled Brew, Tom Prydie, Huw Bennett and Ian Gough also deemed surplus to requirements.
Turner secures Asian PGA Tour card
GOLF: Muskerry’s Niall Turner gained his tour card for the Asian PGA Tour in Thailand in fine style. Turner finished on seven under par with rounds of 73, 70, 69 and 69 for a total of 281 to finish in 33rd position with 40 cards available.
Turner was in 44th position entering the final round but he produced a great three-under-par 69 to move up to 33rd position.
His tour card enables him to play the Asian Tour for 2011 season with the possibility of playing in some European co-sanctioned events.
The event was won by Lucas Lee from Brazil with rounds of 62, 65, 70, and 74.
South Africa clinch series 3-2
CRICKET: Yusuf Pathan’s blistering century proved in vain for India as South Africa won the fifth and decisive one-day international by 33 runs yesterday to take the series 3-2.
Morne Morkel bagged four wickets and Dale Steyn and Lonwabo Tsotsobe two apiece for the hosts who dismissed India for 234.
India had been set a Duckworth/Lewis target of 268 to win in 46 overs following a rain delay.
India were in desperate trouble at 119 for eight before Pathan resurrected their hopes by thumping 105 off 70 balls.
Hashim Amla had earlier batted through the South African innings, his 116 not out anchoring a total of 250 for nine in 46 overs.
Coe backs West Ham bid
OLYMPIC GAMES: London 2012 chairman Seb Coe believes there is a “moral obligation” to preserve the Olympic Stadium as a multi-sport facility. Tottenham and West Ham want to move to the stadium, but Spurs want to turn it into a football-only venue.
“It’s serious we deliver what we said we were going to unless we’re prepared to trash our reputation,” he said. “It’d be very difficult for us to be taken seriously in the corridors of world sport and arguably beyond.”
A decision is due on Friday.
