Belle Lost $40,000 Gambling

Albert Belle of the Chicago White Sox, the slugger whose career has been tainted by temper outbursts, suspensions and fines, has admitted under oath that he recently lost as much as $40,000 gambling on sports.

Belle said Tuesday he bet on pro football and college basketball.

He answered the questions during a six-hour deposition at Cleveland in a civil lawsuit related to a confrontation he had with Halloween pranksters in 1995.

Kevin Hallinan, major league baseball’s security head, is investigating to determine whether Belle violated any of baseball’s rules. Baseball’s rules are clear: A player is prohibited from betting on major league games.

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Bernie Williams and the New York Yankees gave up for now on their attempt to negotiate a multiyear contract, agreeing to a one-year deal worth $5.25 million. . . . The New York Mets signed their last two players eligible for salary arbitration, giving reliever Greg McMichael a two-year deal worth $3,275,000 and starter Bobby Jones a one-year contract worth $1,925,000.

Track and Field

Hicham el Guerrouj of Morocco broke indoor track’s oldest record, winning the mile with a clocking of 3 minutes 48.45 seconds at the Flanders meet in Ghent, Belgium.

El Guerrouj broke the record set by Ireland’s Eamonn Coghlan 14 years ago this month in New York--3:49.78.

Jurisprudence

Two NBA referees, Henry Armstrong and George Toliver, were indicted in Norfolk, Va., by separate federal grand juries on tax evasion charges.

The two men, who each have nine years of experience as NBA referees, were relieved of their officiating duties as a result of the indictments, said Russ Granik, NBA deputy commissioner.

Dallas Cowboy star Erik Williams, falsely named with teammate Michael Irvin in a rape case, sued police in Dallas, accusing them of violating his civil rights. Williams also sued a TV station and one of its reporters for defaming him through its handling of the story.

Pro Football

One day after taking over the New York Jets, Bill Parcells made his first moves by cutting Nick Lowery, the NFL career leader in field goals, and safety Lonnie Young. . . . Anthony Johnson, who led the Carolina Panthers in rushing last season after stepping in for the injured Tshimanga Biakabutuka, has agreed to a three-year contract worth about $2.5 million.

Skiing

Michael Von Gruenigen of Switzerland won the giant slalom at the world championships in Sestriere, Italy.

Alberto Tomba, the defending champion, almost fell three times before going out just over a minute into the first run when he nearly missed a gate and stopped.

Miscellany

Italy and Argentina scored 1-0 soccer victories on the road in World Cup qualifying. The Italians sent England to its first home loss in World Cup qualifying, getting a 19th-minute goal from Gianfranco Zola, and Argentina defeated Colombia at Baranquilla.

James “Buster” Douglas, who shocked Mike Tyson in Tokyo seven years ago this week to win the heavyweight title, weighed 255 pounds in an easy decision over Dickie Ryan at New York.

In his first tennis match in nearly three months, Andre Agassi defeated Mark Knowles of the Bahamas, 6-4, 4-6, 6-2, at the Sybase Open in San Jose.

Olympic gold medalist Brooke Bennett won the 800-meter freestyle in 8 minutes 38.41 seconds at the U.S. National Swimming Championships in Buffalo, N.Y.

Greg Johnson was hired as football coach at Prairie View, which is in the midst of an NCAA-record 68-game losing streak.