Knight ordered to clean up act

Bob Knight, the best known college coach in America - famous for his violent and abusive behaviour as much as his sporting prowess - will live to fight another day after being given a reprieve by his University's president.

Bob Knight, the best known college coach in America - famous for his violent and abusive behaviour as much as his sporting prowess - will live to fight another day after being given a reprieve by his University's president.

However, Knight, who has been hugely responsible for the success of the Indiana University team, was told that his aggressive behaviour must be controlled. He will be suspended for three games next season, and has been fined $30,000 (£18,000), said Myles Brand, the University president. Knight must adhere to a supervised code of conduct and he will be fired immediately if he has physical contact with any player or University employee in the future.

The punishment is little more than a reprimand for Knight, who is a hero to many in the college as he has won three National Championships for them. The discipline is probably lenient because Knight is so important to the success of the team.

Brand said that he wanted to send a "clear message" that "abusive and embarrassing behaviour will not be tolerated," calling the punishment a "zero tolerance" policy. "He has given me his word that he will take extraordinary steps to change behaviour," he said.