Sports Briefs

Sammy, Samuels for final?

LAHORE, Pakistan (CMC):

Media reports here say West Indies players Darren Sammy and Marlon Samuels have confirmed their participation for the Pakistan Super League final once their side, Peshawar Zalmi, qualify for the championship game.

Sammy, who captains Zalmi, and Samuels, who also represents the franchise, have reportedly told management of their availability, despite the exodus of foreign players due to security concerns surrounding the game set to be staged here Sunday.

Zalmi take on Chris Gayle and Kieron Pollard's Karachi Kings in today's second qualifier for the chance to face Quetta Gladiators in the final set to be held in the violence-plagued Pakistani city.

Neither Gayle nor Pollard is expected to play if Kings advance, with Sri Lankan teammate Mahela Jayawardene also set to be unavailable.

Bolivia challenges FIFA

LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) says the Bolivian Soccer federation has appealed against FIFA orders to forfeit two World Cup qualifying matches for fielding an ineligible player.

CAS detailed a timetable yesterday that should take several months to reach a verdict.

FIFA imposed 3-0 losses against Bolivia for a 0-0 draw with Chile and 2-0 win over Peru last September. The amended results have lifted Chile over Argentina into an automatic World Cup qualifying place in the 10-team South American group.

In both disputed games, Bolivia fielded Paraguay-born defender Nelson Cabrera as a late substitute. FIFA said he was not qualified to represent his adopted country.

Celtic great Gemmell dies at 73

GLASGOW, Scotland (AP): Tommy Gemmell, the Celtic great who scored one of the goals that helped the Scottish club win the European Cup in 1967, has died after a long illness. He was 73.

Celtic announced the death of Gemmell yesterday, saying the full back was a "true legend".

Gemmell scored the equaliser and played a key part in Stevie Chalmers' winning goal as Celtic beat Inter Milan 2-1 in Lisbon to become the first British team to win the European Cup. He also scored in Celtic's 2-1 loss to Feyenoord in the European Cup final in 1970.

Gemmell played for Celtic from 1961-71, making 418 appearances and scoring 63 goals. He won six Scottish league titles and seven domestic cups with Celtic, and played 18 times for Scotland.