Fred banned for doping in Copa America
ASUNCION (Paraguay): The governing body of South American football says Brazil midfielder Fred has been banned for one year for doping. The 22-year-old Fred tested positive for the diuretic hydrochlorothiazide during the Copa America in Chile. He has continued playing for Shakhtar Donetsk, including 10 Champions league matches, while awaiting the verdict. The South American confederation backdated the ban to June 26 and applied it only to the matches it sanctions. If FIFA extends the ban worldwide, it would effectively rule Fred out of league play for only four months.
FIFA stops Gerrard, Pirlo and Xavi from playing in Kuwait
ZURICH: Steven Gerrard, Andrea Pirlo and Xavi Hernandez have been stopped from playing in a friendly in Kuwait because of the Gulf nation's ban from international football. Kuwait was suspended by FIFA in October because of government interference, a case which threatens the country's place in World Cup qualifying. The ban from international competitions extends to active players registered with clubs from taking part in the Football Champions Tour friendly in Kuwait on Friday against a local all-star team. Organisers said Pirlo and Gerrard, who play in Major league Soccer, as well as Qatar-based Xavi are no longer able to participate. The International Olympic Committee has also suspended Kuwait, risking its athletes' chances of qualifying and competing at the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro.
McIlroy wins European Tour player award
VIRGINIA WATER: Rory McIlroy has been voted the European Tour's player of the year for 2015, winning the award for the third time in the past four seasons. The 26-year-old Northern Irishman successfully defended the Race to Dubai title after winning the season-ending World Tour Championship in Dubai last month. He had two other victories, at the Dubai Desert Classic and the WGC-Cadillac Match Play. McIlroy says he feels "very proud to have won this prestigious award for the third time." He says it is "always special, no matter how often, to be recognized this way."
Shiva, Mandeep, 2 others get IOC Oly scholarships
New Delhi: In a massive fillip to their Olympic dreams, World Championships bronze-medallist Shiva Thapa (56kg) and Commonwealth Games silver-medallist Mandeep Jangra (69kg) were among the four Indian boxers selected by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) for a scholarship. Gaurav Bidhuri (52kg) and Sumit Sangwan (69kg) were the other two boxers picked by the IOC after recommendations from the Indian Olympic Association (IOA). The boxers will get a sum of $800 every month till August next year, provided they qualify for the Olympic Games, besides an additional $5,000 to cover their transportation cost for participation in the Olympic qualifying events.
Chandela, Chain Singh strike gold
New Delhi: Apurvi Chandela gave a firm indication that her Rio preparations were on the right track when she won the women's 10m air rifle event on the last day of the 59th National Shooting Championship here on Tuesday. Chain Singh, also a Rio Olympic Qualifier like Apurvi, claimed the men's 50m rifle 3 Positions Gold at the Dr. Karni Singh Shooting Range. While Apurvi was clearly the woman to beat in her final, Chain had to fend off the challenge from Olympic medalist Gagan Narang who finished second. It was a 1-2 for Rajasthan in the Women's 10M Air Rifle as unheralded junior Geetakshi Dixit came second. India international Anjum Moudgil of Haryana won the Bronze.