Best Admits Suicidal Urges
Former Manchester United star George Best admitted that he felt like committing suicide after a life-saving liver transplant six weeks ago.
In an interview with the Mail on Sunday in London, Best, who also played for the Los Angeles Aztecs of the defunct North American Soccer League, said he suffered terrible depressions in the weeks after the 10-hour operation at London’s Cromwell Hospital.
Best was discharged after 18 days, only to be readmitted almost immediately because of stomach pains.
“Some days I felt suicidal,” Best said. “It was horrendous. It wasn’t the pain or the extra days in the hospital.
“I felt useless and wished I were dead. I thought, ‘I can’t cope, is it all worth it?’ ”
His initial fear that his body was rejecting the new liver was unfounded, but he did have an infection caused by a leaking bile duct.
A Chivas Comeback
Chivas of Guadalajara used late goals by Omar Bravo and Ramon Morales for a 3-2 comeback victory over Celaya on Sunday, moving into first place in Group Four of the opening tournament in Mexico’s first division.
In a battle of Mexico City teams, America won for the 1,000th time in its history, easily defeating Pumas, 3-1, on Saturday to remain the only undefeated team (6-0-1) after eight weeks. The loss added to the recent misery of Pumas Coach Hugo Sanchez, who has been mentioned as a possible candidate to become Mexico’s national team coach.
European Roundup
In the Italian league, which began over the weekend after officials pushed back the start date for clubs to complete television contracts, Alessandro Del Piero scored twice in Juventus’ 3-0 victory against Atalanta.
The result helped kick-start the Turin club’s drive to defend the Serie A title it clinched on the last day of last season.
In the Premier League, Tottenham moved into second place, one point behind Arsenal after its dramatic 3-2 victory over West Ham as Anthony Gardner scored on a deflection off defender Gary Breen in the 89th minute. All five goals were scored in the last 28 minutes.
U.S. goalkeeper Brad Friedel, who starts for Blackburn, was on the wrong end of a comeback when he gave up two goals in the last 10 minutes in a 2-2 tie against Manchester City. French star Nicolas Anelka scored in the 80th minute. The tying goal was scored by Shaun Goater after his shot deflected off defender Lucas Neill and Friedel.
In Spain, five teams--Valencia, Sociedad, Celta, Malaga and Valladolid--share first place after two games.
On Saturday, Real Madrid’s game at Real Betis was suspended after 44 minutes because of a series of power outages. Betis was leading, 1-0, on a goal by midfielder Jesus “Capi” Capitan.
Ballack Could Be Out
Bayern Munich could be without star midfielder Michael Ballack in its European Champions League opener against Deportivo la Coruna on Wednesday.
Ballack, Germany’s player of the year, scored both goals in a 2-1 victory over Nuremberg that propelled Bayern to the top of the Bundesliga.
But Ballack also suffered a bruise on his left foot and had to miss Sunday’s practice.
“We’ll do everything to get him fit,” Coach Ottmar Hitzfeld said.
Ecuador Keeps Gomez
Hernan Dario Gomez has agreed to remain Ecuador’s national team coach through World Cup 2006. Gomez led Ecuador to its first World Cup appearance and also to its first victory this summer at Korea/Japan ’02.
“I am not just happy at remaining in charge, but also for being able to continue to live in Ecuador,” said Gomez, a Colombian. “I receive much affection here and intend to work to take our team to the next World Cup finals.”
New Chief in Iran
Iran has appointed a temporary soccer chief, Mohammad Dadkan, after the country’s poor recent play and failure to qualify for the 2002 World Cup forced the previous federation president, Mohsen Safai Farahani, to resign last week.
