Eto’o says sorry for headbutt

Milan: Inter Milan striker Samuel Eto’o has apologised for headbutting Chievo Verona’s Bostjan Cesar during last weekend’s Serie A game. Eto’o said in a statement Wednesday that “I want to sincerely apologise to all who were offended. I want to apologise to everyone at the match and the officials, who were unable to see the foul.”

India lose

New Delhi: India went down to Fujairah Sports Club by a solitary goal in a practice match played at Fujairah, near Dubai, on Wednesday. Without some of their frontline players like Bhaichung Bhutia, Sunil Chetri and Anwar, who are nursing injuries, Bob Houghton’s side conceded the goal in the 69th minute. India will take on Hatta Sports Club in another practice match on Saturday.

Match shifted

New Delhi: The Super Cup match between Federation Cup winners East Bengal and I-League champions Dempo Sports Club has been shifted out of Delhi because of poor ground conditions at the Ambedkar Stadium. The match will now be played at the Devi Lal Stadium in Gurgaon on December 1. According to AIFF sources, all the I-League matches scheduled in Delhi in December will also now be played in Gurgaon.

Coach fined

Zurich: Fifa has ordered Dutch coach Arie Haan to pay euro 500,000 compensation to the Cameroon football federation for walking out on the national team. Fifa said on Wednesday that a single judge from its players’ status committee ruled in favour of the Cameroon body, which filed a complaint in 2007.

Ashok in lead

New Delhi: Big-hitting Indian golfer Ashok Kumar set the green ablaze under overcast conditions with a scintillating seven-under 63 to top the leaderboard after the opening day of DDA Open golf tournament at the Qutab Golf Course here on Wednesday.

Jim in running

Miami: Americans Jim Furyk, Matt Kuchar, Dustin Johnson and Phil Mickelson, along with South African Ernie Els, are in the running for the 2010 PGA Tour Player of the Year award, the tour said.

Cup inspection

Mohali: A 23-member inspection team from the International Cricket Council (ICC) visited the Punjab Cricket Association stadium here on Wednesday and took stock of the arrangements made for hosting three World Cup matches in March 2011.The inspection team held separate meetings with PCA officials, pitch curator and ground staff, senior police personnel and hospitality in-charges, among others. James Fitzgerald, ICC’s media and communications manager, expressed satisfaction with the security arrangements.

Players booked

Panaji: Police booked two Goa Ranji cricketers for allegedly abusing and threatening a journalist here.

As per the complaint, Goa Ranji players Saurabh Bandekar and Rohit Asnodkar abused and threatened the journalist next to the city police station.

Sportsdesk & Agencies