Arsenal chairperson Peter Hill-Wood has told manager Arsene Wenger he can continue to say what he believes and rejected suggestions he should put a ”gagging order” on the Frenchman. Wenger was charged by the Football Association on Monday over his comments about Manchester United striker Ruud van Nistelrooy.

Evander Holyfield broke camp on Monday in Houston, heading toward New York and an uncertain future. Holyfield fights on Saturday night at Madison Square Garden for the 48th time in a professional career that began 20 years ago, almost to the day. His opponent is the undistinguished Larry Donald, though the name is of little concern to the former four-time heavyweight champion.

South African President Thabo Mbeki flew to Côte d’Ivoire on Tuesday morning to help find a solution to the political unrest in the country, the department of Foreign Affairs said. French troops were in a tense standoff with thousands of supporters of Côte d’Ivoire’s president on Monday as the country threatened to plunge into further violence.

The domestic limited-overs season explodes into action this week when the annual Sports Trust Cricket Challenge takes place at the Wanderers on Wednesday. The match traditionally pits the Standard Bank Cup champions against ”The Rest of South Africa XI”, and cricket fans will see in action all 14 members of the South African squad to tour India.

Olympic swim star Michael Phelps, whose eight medals at the Athens Olympics included six golds, is devastated and apologetic after being arrested on drunken driving charges. Maryland state police confirmed the arrest of the 19-year-old American hero last Thursday in Salisbury after his utility vehicle failed to halt at a stop sign.

New Soccer Australia chief John O’Neill says the fledgling Oceania soccer confederation has a 70-30 chance of gaining a direct spot at the 2010 World Cup. ”I hope 2006 is the last time we have to qualify on such a circuitous route,” said O’Neill. ”Oceania deserves a full spot, not half a spot, and we will continue to really push for that.”

The South African Tennis Association has received a grant of  000 (about R184 500) towards the establishment of two Futures International tournaments that will take place between November 22 and December 4 this year. These International Tennis Federation events offer prize money of  000 (about R246 000).

Breyton Paulse makes his 50th Springbok appearance in a first 15 to play Ireland in Dublin on Saturday that shows just one change to the team that beat Wales at the weekend. Flanker-cum-lock AJ Venter returns at number seven, replacing Juan Smith who has been dropped from the first 22.