SPORTS BRIEFS

Rider killed

MISANO ADRIATICO, Italy (AP):

Japanese rider Shoya Tomizawa has died from injuries suffered in an accident during the Moto2 race at the San Marino Grand Prix yesterday, the MotoGP has confirmed. The 19-year-old Tomizawa lost control of his bike and was hit by two other riders at full speed. Video footage shows Tomizawa hitting his head on the track as his bike flipped over. While on the track, he was then hit by Alex De Angelis and Scott Redding.

A statement on the MotoGP Web site said Tomizawa died of subsequent cranial, thoracic and abdominal trauma. His death was announced at 2:30 p.m. local time. ANSA reported that Tomizawa was already in a coma when he was flown by helicopter to one hospital and then to the Riccione hospital on the Adriatic coast.

Despite Tomizawa's death, the races continued even though some riders were reluctant to compete.

Domenech fired

PARIS (AP):

News reports say former France coach Raymond Domenech has been fired from his last remaining job with the French Football Federation for his role in the team's disastrous World Cup. France-3 TV says Domenech was fired from his post on the federation's technical advisory board for making a "grave error" in three ways.

The report yesterday said they were his handling of the expulsion of Nicolas Anelka from the World Cup and the subsequent strike by the squad from a practice session. It also cited his refusal to shake the hand of the South Africa coach Carlos Alberto Parreira after France's 2-1 loss in the group stage. The report said Domenech received a letter about his firing last Thursday. His contract as coach ran out after the World Cup.

Jimenez wins

CRANS-SUR-SIERRE, Switzerland (AP):

Miguel Angel Jimenez shot a four-under 67 to reach 21-under and win the European Masters. It was the third European Tour victory of 2010 for the Spaniard after wins in Dubai and France. Italian Edoardo Molinari shot a 67 to finish second, three shots back. Fellow Italian Matteo Manassero, who finished third after a 68, was another two shots back.

Vettori supports life bans

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP):

New Zealand captain Daniel Vettori says life bans should be imposed on players found to have fixed cricket matches, saying extreme steps must be taken to defend "the spirit of the game". In his first public statement on allegations facing Pakistan cricket players, Vettori told the Sunday Star-Times newspaper that fans would question the validity of all results unless cricket quickly attacked corruption. Vetorri said "if you're caught, you have to be banned for life". He said the allegations that Pakistan players bowled no-balls at predetermined times had undermined cricket's credibility.

"That's the only way that you are going to stamp it out and if these allegations are proven to be true there has to be a precedent set," Vettori added. "We're talking about the game's integrity and if you're willing to subvert part of it, then is there any reason why you wouldn't go a step further?"

He hoped the current allegations against Pakistan players Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir were untrue.

"But if not, if a clean up can come from it, then hopefully it will make cricket as squeaky clean as it can possibly be."