Punch-ups might once have been regarded as part-and-parcel of rugby but worried World Cup coaches have given a blunt warning to their players: steer clear of the rough stuff. New Zealand and South Africa, who have produced some of rugby’s toughest no-nonsense enforcers over the years, are particularly concerned about ill-discipline.

Arsenal were on Monday given a further 24 hours to respond to the charges brought against the club and six of their players by the English Football Association following the ugly scenes at Old Trafford last month. The club could face a hefty fine if found guilty of failing to control their players.

Wayne Ferreira tamed Ivan Ljubicic in two tight tiebreakers as the Tennis Masters Madrid began on Monday, setting up a second-round match against top-ranked Juan Carlos Ferrero. Playing the first match of the day on court one, the South African overcame a sore groin and elbow to win 7-6 (7), 7-6 (5).

Cameroon defeated Zambia 2-1 in the semifinal of the football event of the All-Africa Games in Calabar on Monday to set up a final clash with hosts Nigeria. Zambia took the lead after 12 minutes as the Cameroonian defence caved in and Isaac Chansa followed up on a rebound to find the back of the net.

The South African cricket squad, in a buoyant mood after Sunday’s seven-wicket victory in the fifth and deciding one-day international over Pakistan in Rawalpindi, received another boost on Monday when the country’s most experienced player, Gary Kirsten, arrived in Lahore to link up with the squad for the two Test matches.

Canada are sending out almost an entirely new line-up for Friday’s World Cup match against tournament co-favourite New Zealand. ”We obviously know we’re not going to beat the All Blacks,” Canadian coach David Clark said after practice on Tuesday. ”We obviously think we can beat Italy and Tonga.”

Argentina are back in the quarterfinal hunt at the Rugby World Cup after smashing African minnows Namibia 67-14 in a Pool A match in Gosford, Australia, on Tuesday. The Pumas were far too strong for the mismatched Namibian amateurs, who were blown away by Argentina’s unstoppable forward pack.