SPORTS BRIEFS

Clinton bid

NEW YORK (AP):

Former United States President, Bill Clinton, will take part in the final presentation of the US World Cup bid to FIFA's executive committee on December 1. Clinton became honorary chairman of the US bid committee in May and travelled to South Africa, where he attended two US matches and met several executive committee members. The United States held the tournament in 1994 and hopes to host the 2022 tournament. FIFA votes December 2 on the 2018 and 2022 hosts.

"I am committed to this effort because I have seen first-hand the powerful unifying force of the FIFA World Cup - bringing together people of all ages, backgrounds and beliefs," Clinton said in a statement.

Qatar, Australia, Japan and South Korea also are bidding for 2022. England, Russia, Spain-Portugal and Belgium-Holland are competing to host in 2018.

Ronaldo settles

LONDON (AP):

Portugal winger Cristiano Ronaldo has settled his libel case against a British newspaper that claimed he was putting his recovery from an ankle injury at risk by partying in a Hollywood nightclub.

Ronaldo's attorney, Allan Dunlavy, told London's High Court that the Daily Telegraph story in July 2008 caused embarrassment, offence and distress to the player, who was then playing for Manchester United. It was unclear how much Ronaldo received in the settlement, but Dunlavy says the newspaper has apologised and will pay substantial damages and the player's legal costs.

Ronaldo, who moved to Real Madrid the following year, was not in court yesterday.

Borel fined

LOUISVILLE, Ky (AP):

Jockey Calvin Borel has been fined and fellow rider Javier Castellano has been fined and suspended for six days following a fight in the winner's circle last Friday at Churchill Downs. The Kentucky Board of Stewards fined Borel $5,000 and Castellano $2,500 for their fight following the conclusion of the Breeders' Cup Marathon.

Castellano was also banned from riding November 11-14 and November 16-17 for causing interference aboard Prince Will I Am during the race that nearly sent fellow rider Martin Garcia tumbling and blunted Borel's momentum aboard A.U. Miner.

Borel approached Castellano shortly after the race, setting off a chaotic scene in which the two riders traded blows and Borel had to be restrained by several security officials. He later apologised.

Edberg on top

GRAND CAYMAN, Cayman Islands (AP):

Stefan Edberg won his first Champions Series title on Sunday, beating Marat Safin 7-6 (5), 2-6, 10-8 (Champions tie-breaker) in windy conditions in the Grand Cayman Legends Championships. The 44-year-old Swede, a two-time Wimbledon champion, earned $45,000 in the clay-court event.

"We ended up with a pretty good tiebreaker, so it was a good end to the match," Edberg said. "I was the lucky one today. It's always a point or two that makes a difference. I think he could have won easily."

Safin, the 2000 US Open champion, is 30.

Dent retires

BRADENTON, Florida (AP):

Former top-25 player Taylor Dent is retiring from professional tennis. The 29-year-old American was one of a handful of current pros with a serve-and-volley style. Once ranked as high as 21st, Dent had three back operations in 2006 and 2007 that derailed his career, then made a comeback and climbed back into the top 100 in 2009.

In a statement released yesterday by his agent, Dent says he wants to stay active in the sport and "explore opportunities ... that my full tournament scheduled never allowed".