American football

George Seifert, who coached the San Francisco 49ers to two Super Bowl titles in 1989 and 1994, is retiring. He is succeeded by Steve Mariucci, the California coach who was an assitant at Green Bay for four years.

The New York Giants yesterday appointed Jim Fassel, the Arizona Cardinals assistant, as their new head coach.

A woman who accused Michael Irvin and Erik Williams, who both play for Dallas Cowboys, of sexually assaulting her at gunpoint has been charged with filing a false police report. Nina Shahravan, 23, faces up to six months in jail and a $2,000 (pounds 1,200) fine if convicted.