The Sports Matrix: Wednesday 11 May 2011

Triesman makes 2018 bribes claim

The former FA Chairman Lord Triesman yesterday alleged that four Fifa members wanted bribes in return for backing England’s failed bid to host the World Cup. It was also alleged that two other Fifa members received nearly £1m to vote for Qatar’s bid. MORE

Blanc cleared in race quota row

Laurent Blanc is expected to remain as the France coach after being officially cleared of making “racist” remarks during a discussion on racial quotas last year. French Sports minister Chantal Jouanno found no laws on discrimination were broken. MORE

Americans absent from world top 10

After this week’s updated world rankings, for the first time in history there are no Americans – male or female – in the top 10. “I think we’re kind of a victim of our own success over the years,” US player Andy Roddick said. MORE

Neil turns his Back on Leeds role

Neil Back yesterday resigned as head coach of Leeds after finishing bottom of the Premiership. Back said he had taken the team “as far as I can”. However, Leeds will only be relegated if Worcester beat Cornish Pirates in the Championship play-off final. MORE

Widnes to keep Betts in charge

Despite indications that Widnes were keen to recruit an experienced coach from overseas to take them into Super League, they are instead sticking with Denis Betts, with the club’s director Paul Cullen “confident” in him. MORE

Dalglish to get Reds job ‘in ten days’

Kenny Dalglish is set to be confirmed as Liverpool manager on a permanent basis within the next ten days. Negotiations are not yet complete between FSG and the Scot, though an announcement is expected to be made before the final game of the season. MORE

Fruitful return for England players

England players Stuart Broad and Graeme Swann took four wickets between them as they returned for Nottinghamshire at Hove yesterday. Matt Prior and Michael Yardy featured for Sussex, who were all out for 304. Notts closed on 5 for 1. MORE

Adams sacked by Sheffield United

Sheffield United last night parted company with manager Micky Adams and his assistant, Alan Cork, after the Blades suffered relegation to League One. The club have won just four league games since Adams took over in December last year.

Stage tribute for tragic Weylandt

Stage four of the Giro d’Italia was “neutralised” in honour of Wouter Weylandt, who tragically died during stage three on Monday. In a moving tribute to the fallen cyclist, each team rode together slowly before his team Leopard Trek finished the stage. MORE

Opinion: James Lawton

Kenny Dalglish has not only checked years of drift, of eroding belief on the field and the terraces, but achieved a full blown reinstatement of what the best of Liverpool football has always been about. MORE

Champions League awaits for City

Manchester City last night secured qualification to the Champions League play-offs next season after defeating Tottenham 1-0 at Eastlands. It was Peter Crouch who again scored the only goal of the game – ironically at the same end where he sealed Spurs’ qualification for Europe’s elite competition nearly a year ago to the day – but this time it was an own goal after he deflected in James Milner’s low cross. Another reason for the FA Cup finalists to celebrate was the return of Carlos Tevez from a hamstring injury with seven minutes remaining. Roberto Mancini’s side are now just two points behind third-placed Arsenal, while Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp, who has spoken of the unwanted burden of playing in the Europa League next season, may get his wish. Spurs remain in sixth. MORE

Rangers on cusp of league title

Rangers will be crowned champions tonight if Hearts defeat Celtic after Walter Smith’s side beat Dundee 2-0 at Ibrox last night. At the other end of the table, Hamilton have been relegated to the First Division after a 1-0 loss at St Johnstone. MORE

Greek sprinters guilty of lying

Greek sprinters Kostas Kenteris and Katerina Thanou have been found guilty of fabricating a motorcycle incident in order to miss a drugs test on the eve of the 2004 Olympics. They have subsequently been handed 31-month suspended sentences. MORE