Karthikeyan wins pole

FA to take retrospective action

The English FA closed a loophole in its rulebook on Friday allowing it to sanction players who were escaping punishment for a serious offence during a match which may have been partly,but not fully seen by match officials. In a statement on its website,the FA said: “Prior to this change,which was ratified by The Football Regulatory Authority,The FA was only able to take retrospective action when none of the match officials had seen the “coming together” or when the incident was truly exceptional.”

Connors to coach Sharapova

A day after announcing she was parting with Thomas Hogstedt,Maria Sharapova posted on her website on Saturday that she would work with the eight-time major champion. Connors coached Andy Roddick for two years before resigning in 2008. He briefly worked with Sharapova before the 2008 Australian Open. “I am really excited about our new partnership and looking forward to the upcoming tournaments.”

Allen takes 5-stroke lead

Michael Allen shot a 7-under 63 Friday and broke away from the pack for a 5-stroke lead after the second round of the US Senior Open. Allen was among seven players who shared the first-round lead at 3-under. He birdied five of the first eight holes and eagled the par-5 14th while shooting his best round of the year at the par-70 Omaha Country Club. Allen’s 36-hole lead is the largest in the event’s 34-year history.

Maurice brace for Haiti

Haiti forward Jean-Eudes Maurice scored twice to give his side a 2-0 win over Trinidad and Tobago in CONCACAF Gold Cup,Group B on Friday. Maurice,who plays in France with Le Mans,pounced in the 16th minute after Trinidad keeper Jan Michael Williams parried a fierce drive from Jean Junior Monuma Constant and slotted home the loose ball. Haiti made sure of their win in the 53rd minute when Yves Desmarets burst down the left and his low cross ricocheted to Maurice who blasted home.

Shaw extends contract

Southampton defender Luke Shaw marked his 18th birthday on Friday by signing a new five-year contract with the English Premier League club,ending speculation about the sought-after left back’s future. Shaw made his first league appearance in November. He quickly became a regular and has been linked by the media with moves to Manchester United and Chelsea. “I’ve been here since I was eight and I’ve loved every single moment of it,” he told Southampton’s website (www.saintsfc.co.uk). “I want to stay at this club and signing this contract means I’m here for another five years.”

Tremoulinas joins Kiev

France defender Benoit Tremoulinas has left Girondins Bordeaux and signed a four-year contract with Dynamo Kiev,the club said on their website (www.fcdynamo.kiev.ua). He is the second major signing of the close season for the Ukrainian championship runners-up who also bought Morocco midfielder Younes Belhanda from Montpellier last month for an undisclosed fee. The attack-minded Tremoulinas,27,is expected to play on the left side of the defence. He played 165 games for Bordeaux after joining the French club in 2007,scoring five goals.

Ishpreet wins snooker title

Maharashtra’s junior and sub junior champion Ishpreet Singh Chadha trounced Zubin Leninwala of Indian Snooker Academy 4-1 to clinch NSCI-BSAM All India Under-25 Snooker Challenge 1 title. Chadha,who shocked Laxman Rawat in the semi-finals,romped to a 59-10,48-53,62-52,65-48,65-35 win in the best-of-seven frame.