Today's other sports stories in brief
Decision to exclude player defended
TENNIS:Threats to safety and angry spectators were among the images created by the organisers of the Dubai championship yesterday as they sought to limit the potentially enormous damage caused by the Shahar Peer affair.
A tournament statement released during yesterday’s play said the decision to refuse a visa to the Israeli player had emerged from security fears, given the deep anger around the Arab and Muslim worlds at the Israeli offensive in Gaza.
Dubai’s position as a world sporting venue is under pressure as a result of the decision and the problems may increase if another Israeli is barred from playing. Andy Ram has applied for a visa to play in the men’s tournament.
Meanwhile, Sweden will discover today whether their Davis Cup world group first-round tie against Israel will be played behind closed doors next month because of the huge anti-Israel demonstrations planned in the host city, Malmo.
A-Rod says cousin told him about drug
BASEBALL:Alex Rodriguez has admitted that a cousin injected him with Primobolan, or "Boli", during his three seasons with the Texas Rangers from 2001-2003.
Addressing the media for the first time since acknowledging his use of a peformance-enhancing drug last week, Rodriguez for the first time named the substance involved, saying it was bought in the Dominican Republic.
“In 2001, my cousin told me about a substance you could purchase over the counter in the DR called “Boli”,” he said.
Jennings hopes for Irish support
BOXING: Michael Jennings is hoping the large support that John Duddy will bring to Madison Square Garden, New York will also get behind him on Saturday night.
The 31-year-old Englishman will fight Puerto Rico’s two-time world champion Miguel Cotto for the vacant WBO welterweight title.
Unbeaten Derry middleweight Duddy faces American Matt Vanda as the main support.
“I have got Irish in me, my granddad was Irish, so it would be good if they could get behind me but if they don’t they don’t,” Jennings said. “There’s quite a few of my own fans coming over, I’m surprised by how many are coming. There’ll be close to 200 when they all arrive.”
Carter moves into final 16
SNOOKER: Ali Carter yesterday cruised into the second round of the Welsh Open with a 5-1 victory over Jimmy White. White had battled through four qualifying rounds to reach the televised stages in Newport, but never looked like pulling off a shock win over the World Championship runner-up.
Carter took a scrappy opening frame before White levelled the scores with a break of 72. However, that was as good as it got for the left-hander and, after taking the next three frames, Carter wrapped up the win in style with a break of 72 in the final frame.
