Infozone Breaking World News

A marathon runner has had his medal taken away from him after it emerged that he caught a bus in the middle of the run. Rob Sloan, who came third in the Kielder Marathon initially denied cheating, but then admitted to catching a bus at the 20 mile mark before re-joining the run in the leading pack.

Suspicions were raised after a number of runners stated that they had not seen Sloan pass them in the race and other witnesses also reported that he was hiding behind a tree before joining the race in third place. The 31 year old now faces a ban from his local running club and could also be banned from entering any future competitions.

Former Olympian Steve Cram who organised the event said, “He was the only runner in the whole of the race who ran the second half quicker than the first half”.

Prison inmates are threatening to sue the Government in a bid to get more Sky Sports channels on their cell TV’s. Prisoners in the South Wales jail already have access to Sky Sports 1, but have lodged a formal complaint to get all of the Sky Sports channels.

The limited channel options for inmates has meant that they missed the Carling Cup match between Brighton and Liverpool and the Premier league match which saw Manchester City beat Everton, because they were shown on other Sky Sports channels.

An officer at the prison complained, “They can spend all day watching Sky Sports 1. But they’re hacked off because they don’t have Sky Sports 2 and 3. They’ve been moaning it is a breach of their human rights”. Adding, “Some have even talked about taking it to the courts and the taxpayers may have to pay their legal aid bills.”

The Jails warden also commented on the situation saying, “To hear them moan and whinge about how hard life is for them drives me mad. They’ve been locked up because they are criminals.”

Sky Sports and the Football League have signed a new deal worth £65 million per year for three seasons. This is a 26% drop from the previous deal signed between the two parties, which is due to run out at the end of next season.

Sky Sports will exclusively broadcast 75 Npower League matches a year as well as play-off games. The new deal also permits exclusive coverage of the Carling Cup and will show 15 matches including all of the semi-final games and the Final at Wembley.

Football League chairman Greg Clake released a statement which read, “Sky Sports is a highly valued partner of The Football League and we are delighted to extend our relationship for a further three seasons. They are a class act and our clubs will welcome their continued support.

“This has been a challenging climate in which to negotiate television rights, given the state of the economy and the lack of competitive tension in the sports broadcasting market.

“I am confident that our clubs will take heart from seeing such a significant ongoing investment in their competitions, despite a reduced level of broadcasting income, as it provides financial certainty in uncertain times.”

The Football League highlights show, which is currently owned by ITV is still up for grabs.

Rene Higuita, a former Columbian goalkeeper has announced that he intends to stand for mayor of a municipality near Medellin. The maverick goal keeper is perhaps most famous for inventing the ‘Scorpion Kick’, which he used to save a goal in a friendly against England at Wembley.

It has now been 14 months since Higuita hung up his gloves after a 24 year career, but now he wants to help his local community and run as an independent candidate for mayor in the municipality of Guarne. He told El Tiempo, a Columbian newspaper, “You only need around 4,500 votes to become mayor,” and added, “but I hope to get 10,000!”

Stockport police have asked a Manchester United fan to remove an offensive sticker from her car after a complaint was made. 39 year old Sarah Webb-Lee had a sticker that read, “On the first day God created United then completely [expletive] up and created City.” On her car, but was asked to remove it or the offensive word as infringed Section 5 of the Public Order Act.

Initially Mrs Webb-Lee refused to remove the sticker, but later agreed to have the word removed, she said: “I couldn’t believe it when they told me,” adding that, “I see sexist stickers and slogans which offend me and which are much worse than swearing but no way would I phone the police”.

Her husband Graham, who is a Manchester City fan said: “It’s just a bit of banter between fans,” adding, “I’m a City fan and you hear much worse at the match.”

Picture courtesy of edwin.11

The opening race of the 2011 Formula One Championship in Bahrain has been postponed after anti-government protests in the country. The race, which was due to on March 13th was in doubt for weeks because of protests and civil unrest and the Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa said, “We must focus on immediate issues of national interest and leave the hosting to a later date”.

He also added, “After the events of the past week, our nation’s priority is on overcoming tragedy, healing divisions and rediscovering the fabric that draws this country together; reminding the world of the very best that Bahrain is capable of as a nation once again united”.

The race could be scheduled for later on in the season, but race organisers released a statement that a decision hadn’t been reached yet. F1 boss Bernie Ecclestone commented on the situation by saying, “It is sad that Bahrain has had to withdraw from the race, we wish the whole nation well as they begin to heal their country,”

Adding, “The hospitality and warmth of the people of Bahrain is a hallmark of the race there, as anyone who has been at a Bahrain Grand Prix will testify. We look forward to being back in Bahrain soon”.

The opening race of the season will now be the Australian Grand Prix between the 25th and 27th March.

Christina Aguilera sang the wrong word to the American national anthem during the opening of the Super Bowl in Texas it has emerged. The 30 year old singer sang the words “What so proudly we watched at the twilight’s last gleaming” instead of “O’er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming” during her performance of the Star-Spangled banner in front of hundreds of millions of viewers worldwide.

The singer’s mistake was quickly picked up by social networks including Twitter and Facebook as fans were left shocked by the mistake.

The Green Bay Packers eventually won the Super Bowl by beating the Pittsburgh Steelers by 31 points to 25, but Christina Aguilera’s fluffed lines has grabbed much of the headlines.

Only last week Michael Schumacher stated that he would be returning to F1 to fill in for injured Massa Ferrari’s 2nd driver.

After undergoing intense testing Michael Schumacher will not be returning to F1 due to a neck injury that happened during a bike accident.

Luca Badoer is now the stand in for Massa and has vowed to do all he can to help Ferrari.

Massa’s injury was sustained after a lose spring broke free from a Brawn GP car only moments earlier on the same lap.

This morning Sir Bobby Robson lost his long battle with cancer.
A family statement released this morning said

“”It is with great sadness that it has been announced today that Sir Bobby Robson has lost his long and courageous battle with cancer.”

He sadly passed away peacefully this morning at his home in the north east.

Aged 76, bobby has been fighting cancer since 1991, he has managed some great football teams over his career including Porto, Barcelona and of course England, when he took them to the 1990 World Cup semi-final where they famously lost on penaties.

Michael Schumacher is set for a dramatic Formula 1 return to temporarily replace the injured Felipe Massa.
Massa was injured by a spring on the race track that had fallen from Rubens Barrichello’s Brawn GP car, only minutes earlier.

Earlier this week Schumacher’s agent said he was 200% sure that he wouldn’t be getting back into the Ferrari car to race in F1 again.

Schumacher is now 40 and will be the oldest driver on the track. He is set to undergo a special training program to prove that he is still fit enough to compete in Formula 1.

He will be set for a comeback for the GP of Europe at Valencia, it will be interesting to see how he copes with tracks that he hasn’t raced on before  and the evening race in Singapore.