Football - Greece captain Karagounis joins Fulham
Greece captain Giorgos Karagounis has joined Premier League club Fulham until the end of the season. The 35-year-old midfielder was able to sign outside of the transfer window because he's been a free agent since being released by Panathinaikos earlier this year. Fulham manager Martin Jol says Karagounis "has a wealth of club and international experience."
Football - Kagawa sits out World Cup qualifier against Iraq
Manchester United midfielder Shinji Kagawa sat out Japan's World Cup qualifier against Iraq because of back pain. The Japan Football Association says Kagawa felt pain in his lower back during a training session on Monday, ruling him out of the match yesterday. The extent of Kagawa's injury was not immediately clear, but it could put him in doubt for United's Premier League home match against Wigan on Saturday and its Champions League opener against Galatasaray at Old Trafford on 19 September.
Tennis - Federer to play in Davis Cup away to Netherlands
Switzerland's tennis federation says Roger Federer will play in the Davis Cup playoff against the Netherlands this weekend. Swiss Tennis spokeswoman Sandra Perez tells The Associated Press that Federer is scheduled to arrive in Amsterdam today and will play in the opening singles matches on Friday. Perez says Federer "is ready for everything that is needed." The world group relegation playoff is being played on outdoor clay courts. Federer has spent the past three months playing tournaments on grass and hard courts. Federer had not committed to representing his country after losing in the US Open quarterfinals against Tomas Berdych in New York last Wednesday. The winner this weekend stays in the top-tier, 16-nation world group.
Olympics - UK Olympic official: G4S not open about guard woes
Britain's Olympic security chief says the private contractor that was unable to provide enough guards for the Summer Games had failed to disclose its problems in the buildup to the event. Home Office head of security and counterterrorism Charles Farr told a committee of lawmakers Tuesday that G4S had not been "completely open" with organizers before the 27 July opening. G4S admitted in early July that it could not provide all 10,400 contracted guards, forcing the government to call in thousands of troops. Farr said that just days before the admission, G4S had sent the government "sets of data which gave no indication whatever ... that there was going to be a problem." G4S says that failing to fulfill its contract has cost it 50 million pounds.
Wrestling - Wrestling commentator Lawler in hospital
Professional wrestling commentator Jerry Lawler has collapsed during a World Wrestling Entertainment event. A statement from the WWE said that Lawler suffered a heart attack at the announcers' table Monday night and was taken from the Bell Centre to a hospital. Broadcast partner Michael Cole addressed the television audience and said that the situation is "serious," but that Lawler was breathing on his own. "We are hopeful Jerry makes a full recovery and returns to WWE in the near future," the WWE said in its statement. "Our thoughts are with Jerry and his family." Though the 62-year-old Lawler occasionally wrestles, he mainly works on WWE broadcasts as a commentator.
Football - Lebanon upsets Iran 1-0 in WCup qualifier
Lebanon stunned Iran 1-0 in a World Cup qualifier yesterday to revive its hopes of reaching the tournament in Brazil. Lebanon attacked from the start and went ahead when captain Roda Antar took a cross from Mohammad Haidar and headed home a shot from close range. That appeared to wake up the Iranians, who pressed forward for the rest of the half. The Iranians dominated possession in the second half and Mohammad Nori almost drew his team level when his header was just cleared off the Lebanon goal line in the 62nd minute. Nori had a second chance to equalize but his searing volley was stopped by Lebanon goalkeeper Abbas Hassan, who had several acrobatic saves in the match.
Football - South Korea draws 2-2 with Uzbekistan in qualifier
South Korean drew with Uzbekistan 2-2 in a World Cup qualifier yesterday, missing a chance to tighten its grip on Group A in Asia. Uzbekistan, desperate for a victory after gaining only a point in two matches, took the early lead on an own goal from Ki Sung-yuengi in the 13th minute. South Korea drew even thanks to Kwak Tae-hwi in the 44th. It took the lead in the second half after Lee Dong-gook scored in the 58th, but a minute later Uzbekistan's Sanzhar Tursunov leveled. Both teams pressed in the final half hour, with each having several good chances in injury time. A shot from Tursunov rolled across the goalmouth and Kim Bo-kyung's free kick was punched out by goalkeeper Ignatiy Nesterov.
Football - Japan, Lebanon win 2014 World Cup qualifers
Japan took a significant stride toward a place at the 2014 World Cup by beating Iraq 1-0, extending its commanding lead in Group B of Asian qualifying. Lebanon stunned Iran 1-0 to get its campaign on track and South Korea managed a 2-2 draw against Uzbekistan to extend its lead in Group A. Iraq performed creditably after fielding a very inexperienced team, with coach Zico - formerly in charge of Japan - changing the entire starting lineup from the previous qualifier and only using stars Younes Mahmoud and Nashat Akram as second-half substitutes.