World champion Michael Schumacher admitted in Malaysia on Sunday that his chances of retaining his crown for a sixth consecutive year are already not looking good after just two races of the season. This season has seen Ferrari plunge down the order, ending in seventh place in Sunday’s Malaysian Grand Prix.
New South Wales Waratahs lock Justin Harrison was late on Sunday banned for three Super 12 rugby matches for making a racial slur against a Golden Cats player in South Africa last week. The penalty includes the match from which Harrison voluntarily stood down, against the Western Stormers on Saturday.
Captain Brian Lara has been omitted from the West Indies team for the first cricket Test against South Africa later this month, the latest development in a four-month feud over sponsorship contracts. The West Indies Cricket Board said Lara gave ”a noncommittal response” to an invitation to make himself available to play in the Test.
The African Champions league match won 5-3 in a penalty shootout by Ajax against ASFA Yennenga of Burkina Faso in Cape Town on Sunday ended as a disgrace for South African soccer when a fight broke out among several players on the side of the field during injury time.
The chief executive of the South African Football Association, Danny Jordaan, on Sunday expressed his outrage at the decision by Burkina Faso soccer team ASFA Yennenga to wear the South African national shirt during their match against Ajax Cape Town in their African Champions League match at Newlands on Sunday.
Jomo Cosmos and Wits University played to a goalless draw in a dull Castle Premier Soccer League match at the Rand Stadium on Sunday afternoon. Both sides had their chances but neither team could find the back of the net. Cosmos midfielder Innocent Ntsume tested Wayne Roberts in the 17th minute but the Wits goalkeeper managed to parry the ball away.
Mamelodi Sundowns beat wasteful Bush Bucks 2-0 during their Premier Soccer League clash played at HM Pitje Stadium in Mamelodi on Sunday. The half-time score was 1-0. Bucks created most of the opening-half chances but were denied by Sundowns goalkeeper Brian Baloyi, who was outstanding between the poles.
Liverpool beat Everton 2-1 on Sunday to return to fifth place in the English Premier League and move within four points of their fourth-placed cross-town rival. Also on Sunday, Birmingham beat local rival Aston Villa 2-0 with goals from Emile Heskey and Julian Gray, while Southampton moved out of the relegation zone with a 3-1 win at Middlesbrough.
AC Milan rejoined Juventus at the top of Serie A with a 2-0 win over Roma in Rome on Sunday for the reigning champions’ eighth consecutive league victory and their 10th in all competitions. After a goalless first half, Hernan Crespo put Milan ahead with a superb header before winning a penalty that Andrea Pirlo converted.
United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan on Sunday proposed a radical change to the workings of the UN, after a period of scandals and controversy that has plagued the organisation. The blueprint for reform is contained in a 63-page draft report to be presented to the general assembly.