Saturday, October 12, 2002

ALLEGATION: Sir Alex Ferguson, Manchester United CAPE TOWN, South Africa -- Reuters reports police in South Africa are investigating a complaint against Manchester United manager Alex Ferguson of indecent assault.  But a lawyer representing Ferguson Friday described the complaint as "groundless," saying the manager hoped the episode would be over by the weekend. Ferguson, 60, flew to South Africa earlier in the week and Saturday is due to attend a football academy in Pretoria run by United's ex-keeper Gary Bailey. His lawyer Alex Abercrombie told Reuters: "Sir Alex is not concerned about the complaint at all. The complaint is groundless and there is no truth in it. "He denies any impropriety at all. He would be very surprised if there is any prosecution that follows." According to BBC, "The nature of the complaint is that, from information from the police, there is an allegation that Alex touched a female on the leg." 1:18:02 PM

NO CHARGES: Mike Tyson PHOENIX -- Reuters reports police said on Thursday there was insufficient evidence to pursue assault charges against former heavyweight champion Mike Tyson over a scuffle at a Phoenix topless bar with a dancer and her boyfriend. Tyson was accused of grabbing dancer Casey Paxton by the shoulder, spinning her around and head-butting her in the left eye as he verbally abused her inside the Hi-Liter Gentlemen's Club on April 7.  Paxton's companion Marcus Smith alleged he was knocked backward by a left to the chin from Tyson when he tried to intervene. Witnesses gave conflicting accounts of the events and police were unable to find any evidence of physical damage to either individual. 1:10:26 PM

SUSPENDED: Theo Fleury, Chicago Black Hawks NEW YORK -- Associated Press reports Chicago Blackhawks forward Theo Fleury was suspended indefinitely by the NHL on Tuesday for violation of his substance abuse aftercare program. The 34-year-old Fleury, who has struggled with substance-abuse and anger-management problems, signed a two-year, $8.5 million contract with the Blackhawks on Aug. 15. Under the terms of the program, Fleury will not be eligible for reinstatement until cleared by the supervising doctors. Fleury voluntarily entered the Substance Abuse and Behavioral Health Program on Feb. 28, 2001, while a member of the New York Rangers.  He was cleared to resume playing on Sept. 4, 2001. 12:14:06 PM

SANCTIONED: Colorado Football BOULDER, Colo. -- Associated Press reports Colorado's football team was placed on two years' probation by the NCAA  on Tuesday for recruiting violations, most of which occurred under former coach Rick Neuheisel. The NCAA cut the school's football scholarships and accepted Colorado's self-imposed recruiting limits, including reducing the number of visits by recruits. Neuheisel, now head coach at Washington, was barred from off-campus recruiting for the Huskies until May 31. 12:10:44 PM

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