Even my father can't get tickets, says PlatiniLONDON: Michel Platini told the London Evening Standard that tickets for the World Cup Finals in France are so scarce he can't even get any for his father. In an interview with the newspaper, Platini, the joint-president of the France' 98 organisiang committee, said, "all my friends and family are annoyed becasue they can't get tickets."
Fifa's plea
ZURICH: Fifa, international football's governing body, has appealed to the England Football Association to try to stop ticketless fans travelling to France for the World Cup Finals. "If you don't have a ticket, don't go," Fifa spokesman Keith Cooper said the day after a man was charged with murdering a Fulham fan at an English League match.
Monaco surprised
MONACO: French champions Monaco were surprised to learn they had reportedly offered England football coach Glenn Hoddle a job for next season. "That's news to us. We have only just agreed to extend Jean Tigana's contract," saidMonaco sports director Henri Biancheri.
Philippoussis's vow
SYDNEY: Big-serving Mark Philppoussis has vowed not to play again for Australia in the Davis Cup until team captain John Newcombe makes a public apology to him, according to a newspaper report. Philippoussis accused Newcombe and Australian Davis Cup coach Tony Roche of refusing to help him when his form slumped last year on learning his father had cancer.
Jansher struggles
BIRMINGHAM: Jansher Khan, whose defence of the British Open title is threatened by knee problems, came close to quitting during his first round match. Jansher, who needed more than an hour and a half to beat Belgium's Stefan Casteleyn, looked cautious and uneasy during his 17-15 3-15 17-15 5-15 15-6 victory.
Boxer wins case
LONDON: An industrial tribunal ruled that the British Boxing Board of Control was wrong to refuse to grant a woman boxer a licence, rejecting the Board's argument that pre-menstrual tension made women unstable. The tribunalyesterday ruled in favour of women's world welterweight champion Jane Couch, who had accused the board of sexual discrimination for refusing to grant her a licence.
Women join ECB
LONDON: English women have agreed to disband their own cricketing organisation and join the national umbrella group, despite clear signs of male chauvinism from the ranks of the sport's upper echelons. The 71-year-old women's cricket association decided to merge itself with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), formed just 18 months ago.
McGrath back
SYDNEY: Australian Test spearhead Glenn McGrath returns to club cricket here this weekend in a step to declare his availability for the Pakistan tour in September. McGrath has recovered from the stomach injury he suffered in the first Test against South Africa in Melbourne over Christmas.
Pele signed up
French Public TV group France Television has signed Pele to comment on World Cup matches, chairman Xavier Gouyou-Beauchamps said today. "Francetelevision had obtained Pele exclusively. He will give his analyses on our channels," Gouyou-Beauchamps said.
Copyright © 1998 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.
