Israel

Russia's soccer chiefs have sacked Sergei Khusainov, the embattled head of the country's referees' association (RA), but denied the dismissal was linked to allegations of drunkenness.

Israel's government has reached a $4 million settlement to compensate an Australian athlete injured in a 1997 sporting event near Tel Aviv, an Israeli source said on Tuesday. Sasha Elterman of Australia was seriously injured when a pedestrian bridge rigged for athletes competing in the Maccabiah "Jewish Olympics" collapsed and swept them into the polluted Yarkon River.

The International Cricket Council has approved South Africa?s proposals for the format of the 2003 World Cup.

The NBA has reached a television agreement with Digiturk (Turkey) to launch a 24-hour basketball channel and has renewed its agreement with NHK (Japan) to include a 60-minute programme on NHK?s terrestrial channel.

Foreign security forces accompanying athletes to the Sydney Olympics will not be allowed to carry guns to protect their delegations, according to Australian attorney-general Daryl Williams.

Demand for the Viagra anti-impotency drug is dropping in Israel as World Cup action heats up, an Israeli doctor said on Monday.

FIBA, forced to revamp its new flagship SuproLeague basketball tournament after a mass breakaway by clubs, has made the draw for next season.

Security operations for the Sydney 2000 Olympics have been "sharpened" in response to the bombings of two U.S. embassies in Africa, the Sydney Olympic security commander has said.

Extreme International has signed an agreement with Yes Satellite TV to distribute its Extreme Sports Channel in Israel.

The National Basketball Association, which imposed a lockout on its players in July, has cancelled training camps and 24 preseason games through October 16.

The league cited a lack of progress in negotiations as the reason for the cancellations.

European basketball is set to be split into two opposing camps in Thessaloniki today when newcomers ULEB will challenge the sport's governing body FIBA by announcing its own rival to the recently launched Suproleague.

UEFA have thrown down the gauntlet to their own clubs, the European Commission and upstart rivals Media Partners and have announced far-reaching plans for the reorganisation of European club soccer.

ESPN is to launch a 24-hour television service in Israel tomorrow (Thursday).

This season's European Cup Final - likely to be the last under the current format - will be played at the Nou Camp Stadium, home of Barcelona.

NBA fans in more than 750 million households around the world will be able to tune into the NBA Finals 2000 featuring the Los Angeles Lakers and the Indiana Pacers.

Twelve of Europe's top clubs have asked UEFA for closer co-operation in the organisation of the European Champions' League and insisted on having more input in financial matters.

Tel Aviv may bid for the 2012 Summer Olympics, officials have said.

European soccer's governing body UEFA has called off an international youth tournament scheduled to be held in Israel next week, an official said.