Deal Boosts U.S. Chances in World Cup Qualifying
Top American soccer players reached contract agreements with the U.S. Soccer Federation Tuesday, ensuring that they will play in World Cup qualifying, which begins Nov. 3 against Guatemala.
Most of the players who helped the United States reach the second round of the 1994 World Cup are involved in the agreement, including Alexi Lalas, John Harkes, Tab Ramos and Eric Wynalda.
“I am very pleased that this situation has been resolved and that the United States soccer fans will have all their stars to cheer for,” said Alan Rothenberg, president of the USSF. “We have been in negotiations for more than a year and I am glad that we have crossed this bridge to World Cup 1998.”
The best American players refused to participate in an exhibition at Peru last week and the U.S. lost, 4-1. Their main concern was bonus money.
The players also have filed a complaint with the National Labor Relations Board, which will be considered despite Tuesday’s agreement.
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Diego Maradona might be questioned by a judge investigating charges that the Argentine soccer star’s manager, Guillermo Coppola, is part of an international drug-trafficking ring.
According to federal Judge Hernan Bernasconi, Coppola, arrested two weeks ago, said he and Maradona were in his Buenos Aires luxury apartment with three women shortly before police raided the home and found one pound of cocaine in a flower pot. Coppola has said the drugs were planted in an attempt to frame him.
Tennis
Michael Chang, Richard Krajicek and Jim Courier advanced to the third round of the $2.2-million ATP tournament at Stuttgart, Germany.
Second-seeded Chang eased past Australian Todd Woodbridge, 6-3, 6-2. Krajicek steadied to defeat Arnaud Boetsch of France, 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, and Courier beat Bohdan Ulihrach of the Czech Republic, 7-6 (7-5), 6-4.
Anne-Gaelle Sidot of France upset countrywoman Julie Halard Decugis, 4-6, 6-3, 6-0, in the opening round of the Luxembourg Seat Open. Katarina Studenikova of Slovakia edged Germany’s Elena Wagner, 1-6, 7-5, 7-6 (8-6).
Winter Sports
World and Olympic ski champion Alberto Tomba fell during a training run on the Tonale glacier at Passo del Tonale, Italy, bruising his left knee and spraining a wrist.
Tomba was examined by doctors in his hometown of Bologna, and the skier’s father, Franco Tomba, said his son did not have any broken bones nor knee ligament damage, the Italian news agency ANSA reported.
Tomba should be back on the slopes in a month, ANSA reported.
Oksana Grischuk and Evgeny Platov, the Olympic and world ice dance champions, have withdrawn from the Skate Canada meet next month because of Platov’s recurring knee injury. Anna Semenovich and Vladimir Fedorov will replace Grischuk and Platov.
Miscellany
Heavyweight boxer Tommy Morrison trained as lawyers prepared waivers for a Nov. 3 fight in Japan that promoters said will take place if some remaining contract issues are resolved.
Morrison awaited a deposit that would seal his return to the ring after his retirement, prompted by his testing positive for the virus that causes AIDS.
“He’s planning on doing the fight as of now,” promoter Tony Holden said. “I’m not confirming the fight. I’ve seen deals like this fall through. But he’s training right now.”
Lawyers were working on contract details for the fight against an opponent yet to be selected on the undercard of the George Foreman-Crawford Grimsley bout near Tokyo. The contract includes waivers acknowledging risks posed by Morrison’s HIV status.
Jack Rose, track coach at Long Beach State from 1956-73, died Monday night at his home. He was 66. Funeral services are pending. . . Allie White, a member of TCU’s national champion football team in 1938, died Monday at Fort Worth, Texas. He was 81. . . . The Orix Bluewave defeated the Yomiuri Giants, 5-2, at Kobe, Japan and moved to within one game of winning their first Japan Series. . . . A news conference is scheduled today at Oklahoma State, where reports said baseball Coach Gary Ward is resigning because of health concerns. . . . The Ocean Course at Kiawah Island, S.C., has been chosen as the site of next year’s World Cup of Golf.
