Global Sport

Fifa rules out ban on Brazil
TOKYO: Fifa today effectively ruled out the possibility of Brazil being banned from international football for knowingly fielding overage players in youth competitions. Mexico was given a two-year ban from international football in 1988 for similar offences. A repeat of the punishment in Brazil8217;s case could rule them out of the 2002 World Cup finals in Japan and South Korea. But a top Fifa official poured cold water on the possibility of this happening. 8220;If there was effectively a problem which is not yet proven then it would refer to a youth competition and not to the World Cup itself,8221; the organisation8217;s general secretary Michel Zen-Ruffinen said.

Swapping cards lands 10-year ban
LONDON: An international bridge player has started a 10-year ban after he was caught cheating, officials said on Saturday. Tony Haworth was reported to the Welsh Bridge Union WBU after he was spotted swapping his own cards for the official pack at a competition in Porthcawl,in South Wales, in September. Haworth, who represented Wales 11 times, admitted cheating on Friday and was suspended by the WBU. The ruling means he cannot compete in official tournaments until 2009.

Arrest warrant for Stevenson
MIAMI: A judge issued an arrest warrant against Cuba8217;s triple Olympic heavyweight champion Teofilo Stevenson here after he failed to turn up for trial to answer an assault charge and for resisting arrest. The judge took the decision on Saturday despite Stevenson8217;s lawyer Scott Srebnick8217;s explanation that his client had been unable to attend for reasons beyond his control.