Jens Lehmann’s Champions League curse returned to haunt Arsenal on Wednesday as two mistakes by the big goalkeeper forced the Gunners to settle for a 2-2 draw against Panathinaikos. Lehmann, who was at fault in two matches in the tournament last season, was blundering again with the German set to take the rap for both the Greeks’ goals.

Inter Milan, Chelsea and AC Milan kept their records perfect on Wednesday as the Champions League group stage reached the halfway mark. Taking the lead with goals early in the second half from Dejan Stankovic and Christian Vieri, Inter Milan glided to a 5-1 victory at Valencia to improve to nine points atop Group G.

A group of handicapped South Africans have threatened legal action against a local airline for charging extra fees to passengers who need assistance boarding. Nationwide Airlines will have to answer to complaints of discrimination before the Equality Court, a Cape Town-based tribunal, said Vincent Gore, a member of the Independent Democrats opposition party.

Defending champion Juan Carlos Ferrero was eliminated by Luis Horna of Peru 6-3, 6-1 in the second round of the €2,4-million Madrid Masters on Wednesday. Ferrero committed 37 unforced errors in his worst result since April, when he could win only three games against Spanish countryman Fernando Verdasco in the Valencia semifinals.

A goal two minutes from full-time from captain Duncan Lechesa saw Black Leopards share the spoils with Supersport United in their Castle Premier Soccer League match played at the Thohoyandou Stadium on Wednesday night. The visitors grabbed the lead in the 19th minute.

Jenson Button will stay with the BAR-Honda team for the 2005 season, dealing a major blow to Williams who had hoped the British driver would spearhead their world championship challenge. Button had wanted to return to Williams, but that hope was dashed by a ruling from the formula-one Contract Recognition Board in Milan.

More than a third of Turkish women believe they deserve being beaten if they argue with their husbands, deny them sex or burn the meal, according to a survey carried by Anatolia news agency on Thursday. Arguing with the husband topped the list of justified reasons for domestic violence, followed by too much spending and the negligence of children.

The Football Association (FA) said on Thursday there was ”insufficient evidence” to pursue charges against Beckham, who acknowledged he deliberately fouled defender Ben Thatcher in England’s 2-0 win over Wales on October 9 at Old Trafford. Beckham was severely criticised by Fifa president Sepp Blatter for violating the spirit of fair play.