In May, Perrota stopped all matches and said he would lift the ban only when the Argentine Football Association (AFA) improved security at grounds. It took two weeks for the AFA to convince him it had done that.

Festina joins drugs crack down

BARCELONA: Festina, whose team was kicked out of the Tour De France after admitting to drug use, has said it has joined three other cycling sponsors in signing a charter aimed at clamping down on use of banned substances.

The watch company also said that it was earmarking $<\!q>715,000 to fight drug use in cycling and train young riders.

Gaudenzi troubled by sore shoulder

ROME: Italy's No 1 player Andrea Gaudenzi is a questionable starter in the Davis Cup final against Sweden because of a sore shoulder.

Paolo Bertolucci, captain of the Italian Davis Cup team, said Gaudenzi gave up two tournaments in Argentina and Chile later this month because of pains in his right shoulder, already operatedtwice.

Gaudenzi, who led Italy to an upset victory against the United States in the Davis Cup semifinals, is considered a key to a possible Italian victory in the December 4-6 final against Sweden, scheduled on clay at Milan's Forum December 4-6.

Former co-manager sues Tyson

LOS ANGELES: John K Horne, former co-manager of Mike Tyson, has filed a lawsuit against the boxer, claiming breach of contract and seeking damages in excess of $<\!q>14 million.

Horne had filed a suit against Tyson's new adviser, Shelley Finkel, in state district court in Las Vegas last month, seeking a 10 per cent share in any money Tyson makes from his next five fights.

Tyson, who had his Nevada boxing license reinstated on October 19, a day before Horne filed his suit against Finkel, will reportedly return to the ring on January 16 against Francois Botha of South Africa at the MGM Grand.

Taylor warns Warne to ease up

MELBOURNE: Australian cricket captain Mark Taylor has urged star leg-spinner Shane Warnenot to rush his recovery from shoulder surgery, with the first Test against England starting on November 20.

Warne has been forced to sit out a second Sheffield Shield match for Victoria, who play New South Wales at the MCG on Wednesday, but is under consideration for a One-dayer on Sunday.

Too much cricket in England, says Langer

PERTH: English county cricket came under fire here today from Australian batsman Justin Langer who had his first close look at the English system in the recent summer.

Langer, who played for Middlesex, found there was too much cricket and too many cricketers.