Eriksson named Mexico coach

Mexico City: Former England coach Sven-Goran Eriksson was named as the new coach of Mexico on Tuesday, a federation official said. Eriksson, sacked by Manchester City on Monday, was approved at a meeting of the Mexican Football Federation’s executive committee, comprising the owners of the 18 first division clubs.

Meanwhile, Mark Hughes, one of English football’s most sought after managers, was hired as the new Manchester City coach on Wednesday with a pledge from the club to provide the necessary cash to reinforce the squad.

Porto out

Lisbon: FC Porto have lost their place in next season’s Champions League after a bribery scandal. The Portuguese champion said in a statement that Uefa barred the club from the lucrative competition in a decision Wednesday. Porto said it will appeal against the ruling.

Iraq banned

Athens: The IOC has provisionally suspended Iraq’s national Olympic committee. Wednesday’s decision follows the Iraqi government’s recent dissolution of the national body. The IOC says the move was political interference and a clear breach of the national body’s autonomy. The IOC says it won’t recognise the interim committee appointed by the Iraqi government.

Maria’s loss

Paris: Maria Sharapova’s short stay atop the rankings will end after the French Open. Sharapova moved up from No. 2 when Justine Henin suddenly retired last month. After losing in the fourth round at Roland Garros, Sharapova will drop down and there will be a new No. 1 — current No. 2 Ana Ivanovic of Serbia, No. 3 Jelena Jankovic of Serbia or No. 4 Svetlana Kuznetsova of Russia.

Hill’s lament

London: The Max Mosley sex scandal has hurt Formula One and the Briton’s staying at the helm of the world governing body will not make life any easier, former champion Damon Hill said on Wednesday. Hill, the 1996 world champion, said the situation had complicated his task as president of the British Racing Drivers’ Club in talks to keep the British GP at Silverstone beyond 2009.

Athletics meet

Madurai: The 48th national inter-state athletics championship, which will serve as the final selection trial for the Beijing Olympics, will be held here from June 15-18, according to a top official of the Tamil Nadu athletic association. “The meet will be the final selection trial for the Indian team for the Olympics,” association president WI Dawaram said on Tuesday.

Dwain move

London: British sprinter Dwain Chambers will challenge the British Olympic Association’s lifetime ban at London’s high court in a bid to compete in Beijing.
The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) banned Chambers from 2003-05 for testing positive for the steroid THG.