Racer Schumacher Suspended

Michael Schumacher’s dominance of the Formula One season was sidetracked Tuesday, and the two-week suspension he received for breaking the circuit’s rules could cost him the points title.

International Automobile Federation (FIA) officials barred the German driver from the next two Grand Prix races, giving Damon Hill a chance to win the title Schumacher appeared to have locked up.

Schumacher, who has won six of eight races this season with seconds in the other two, had no comment, but was on the verge of tears when he left FIA headquarters.

Schumacher was penalized for passing Hill on a warm-up lap and temporarily ignoring a black flag during the British Grand Prix.

Boxing

Nevada boxing authorities believe the death of former Olympic champion Wangila Napunyi of Kenya was unavoidable.

“We watched the film from the fight and there were no clues at all,” said Marc Ratner, executive director of the Nevada State Athletic Commission. “Everything was very normal. Napunyi gave as good as he got until the ninth round and even landed a lot of good punches in the eighth.”

Napunyi, 26, was fighting David Gonzales of Houston in a scheduled 10-round welterweight bout Friday night. Referee Joe Cortez stopped the contest in the ninth round.

Football

The New Orleans Saints withdrew their contract offer to free agent Rickey Jackson, giving the five-time Pro Bowl linebacker the chance to cut a deal with another team.

Seattle lost its second cornerback for the season because of a serious knee injury. Kirby Jackson, who was supposed to be a backup, suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament in his right knee in a non-contact drill at the Kirkland, Wash., training camp last week.

NFL Commissioner Paul Tagliabue upheld the $30,000 fine imposed last year on Chuck Cecil of the Arizona Cardinals as a “disciplinary action.” Tagliabue said the free safety was neither a “dirty player” nor a “cheap-shot artist.”

Miscellany

Former gymnast Christy Henrich, who missed qualifying for the 1988 Olympic team by 0.118 points, died in Independence, Mo., after a long battle against two eating disorders. She was 22.

Henrich’s family told KMBC-TV of the death but asked that no other details be released. She had battled anorexia nervosa and bulimia.

Paul Tapp, a former basketball player at California Lutheran, was listed in serious condition at Simi Valley Hospital and Health Care Center after an automobile accident Sunday night. Tapp suffered a head injury, a bruised left lung and a possible broken left hand after his car was hit by another vehicle, according to Tapp’s father, William.

Steve Slotemaker, a top Washington State recruit, has decided against playing college basketball, Coach Kevin Eastman said.

The Los Angeles Blades lost, 15-11, to the Las Vegas Flash in Roller Hockey International play at Las Vegas. Steve Wilson led the Blades with four goals.

Angela Lettiere upset No. 6-seeded Katerina Maleeva, 7-6 (7-5), 7-6 (7-3), in the first round of the $400,000 U.S. Women’s Hardcourt Championships at Stratton Mountain, Vt.

A deal is near to sell the Timberwolves to Minnesota businessman Bill Sexton for $89 million, according to The Minneapolis Star Tribune.