Minneapolis Metrodome roof
collapses after storm
The inflatable roof of the Minneapolis Metrodome, where the Minnesota Vikings pro football team plays, has collapsed following a snow storm that dumped 43 centimeters on the city. The Metrodome is operated by the Metropolitan Sports Facilities Commission. Its executive director, Bill Lester, said yesterday morning the damage was being assessed and the agency will issue a statement. He says he has no details yet on what happened. The National Weather Service says the storm that hit Minneapolis and much of the upper Midwest has dumped more than 53 centimeters of snow in some areas. The Vikings’ yesterday’s National Football League game against the New York Giants had already been pushed to today and now was unlikely to be played.
City’s money brings trouble as
Tevez asks for move
With Carlos Tevez asking for a new contract and now a transfer, Manchester City is finding that becoming the richest club in English football brings problems as well as perks. Tevez’s arrival in July 2009 was heralded as a significant step in owner Sheikh Mansour’s attempt to build a side capable of overhauling the likes of Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal at the top of the Premier League. Lucrative contracts and the prospect of honors tempted world-class players including David Silva and Yaya Toure into following Tevez to City, and the club only narrowly missed out on Champions League qualification last season. City has already said its vast wealth means clubs, players and agents feel able to demand higher fees and better terms than they would from other sides. And now there are suggestions its highest paid player is doing the same. Less than three weeks before the January transfer window opens, Manchester City said yesterday that it had refused Tevez’s written request to be sold to another club in what it said was a move motivated by his desire for an improved deal.
Stuttgart hires Labbadia as new coach
Stuttgart has appointed its third coach of the season, giving Bruno Labbadia the task of leading the 2007 Bundesliga champion out of the relegation zone. Labbadia replaces Jens Keller, who was fired after only two months in the job following Friday’s 2-1 loss to Hannover. Stuttgart has dropped to next-to-last in the Bundesliga after the defeat. The 44-year-old Labbadia, a former striker who played for a number of top Bundesliga clubs including Bayern Munich, was fired by Hamburger SV in April. He has also coached Bayer Leverkusen.
Drogba, Eto’o and Gyan finalists for Africa player of year
Strikers Didier Drogba, Samuel Eto’o and Asamoah Gyan have been named as finalists for Africa’s 2010 player of the year award. Ivory Coast’s Drogba is a two-time winner and last claimed the honor in 2009. He won the English Premier League title with Chelsea last season, finishing as the league’s top scorer with 29 goals in 32 games. Eto’o of Cameroon, Africa’s player of the year in 2003, 2004 and 2005, won an Italian league, cup and Champions League treble with Inter in 2010. Gyan starred as Ghana advanced to the quarterfinals at the World Cup. The winner will be decided by a vote of the coaches or technical directors of the 53 countries that make up the Confederation of African Football on Dec. 20.