The Guardian from London, Greater London, England • 18

THE -GUARDIAN Wednesday January 11 1989 Soccer Sports Politics Southampton 1, Derby County 2 (aet) Callaghan 's little bit extra New hurcflDe for Nebiolo 18 SPORTS NEWS MIka Henderson JohnRodda the other net, as Derby broke through McMinn, but the referee had already blown for a handling offence. When Wright was booked after 16 minutes for tripping Danny Wallace, it appeared to be an unheroic return. The Derby captain had been greeted by boos and those which followed that mucky little foul-were fully deserved. Otherwise, the first half brought few direct threats to Shilton. Southampton looked far sharper on the resumption.

Rodney Wallace and Le Tissier both wasted chances before McMinn put Derby ahead in the 58th minute. Saunders had made the opening with a ball across the box which found the marksman unmarked. Within two Saints had drawn level. Derby's defenders failed to clear theii lines under renewed pressure and Forrest, the right-back up for the crack, beat Shilton from 15 yards his first goal of the season. Shilton, tested repeatedly, was not to be beaten again Derby, who were lucky to be afloat at full-time, promptlj went ahead for the second time and defended their advantage zealously.

Southampton! Burridge; Forrest. Slatham Blake, Moore. Ray Wallace. Le Tissier. Case Wallace, Baker.

Rodney Wallace. Derby County! Shilton; Blades, Forsyth Williams, Wright. Hindmarsh, McMinn Saunders, Gee. Hebberd. Callaghan.

Refer! Milford (Bristol). "My mistake was stayed so long with Fidal. I should have quit a few years ago. I could not run bothrlAAF and Fidal properly, as I hoped, and my enemies have taken advantage of insignificant to wage full-scale war against Fidal to hit me. But now I must live up to my IAAF commitments and devote myself full-time to them," he said.

Some members of the Council will not agree with that, and when they meet 4tr the end of the month in Singapore they will need a full explanation of the Italian There will be those who 'feel that in the interest of the.spbrt, and their own personal standing, Nebiolo should face motion of no confidence. But others, who may regard hiaital-ian activities as having no bearing on his presidency pKthe IAAF, will want to see.Uhe result of the judicial inquiries before taking any further action. It is, though, difficult for many to appreciate his protestations of innocence when two men who have been closest to him in the affairs of Italian' athletics, Lucian Barra, as Fidal's secretary general, employed by Coni, and Enzo Rossi, the Italian head coach, have been sacked as a result of the long-jump affair, while Barra' is under judicial investigation over the links with the sports promotion agency. ERBY COUNTY, field- line three men wno once wore Southampton colours, reached the FA Cup fourth round for only the second time in live seasons. After surviving fierce second-half pressure from the home side, Callaghan struck in extra-time to earn an away tie at Watford or Newcastle.

Southampton will be kicking themselves. After levelling Derby's first goal within two minutes of conceding it, they enjoyed much the better of the second period, when the Wallace brothers, Danny and Rodney, threatened every time they ran at the Derby defence. But the winner remained out of reach, as Shilton, returning to The Dell along with Wright and Hebberd, defied them stylishly. Gaining confidence from Shil-ton's steadiness, Derby rode out the storm and proved the stronger side in extra-time. Six of the final 30 minutes had been played, when Saunders rolled a pass into the path of Callaghan, 25 yards out.

Without breaking stride, the left-winger drove a right-footed shot along the carpet, comprehensively beating Burridge. After that, Derby's only alarm came from a close-range header from Danny Wallace. Saunders did get the ball into NEBIOLO, who I LJJ resigned as president I iof the Italian Athletic Federation (Fidal) three days ago after 20 years in office, came under another cloud yesterday when the executive board of the Italian Olympic Committee (Coni) announced they had decided to pass to public prosecutors the results of their inquiry into the relationship between Fidal and a track-building consortium. In November, at Coni's request, a judicial inquiry was started into Fidal's links with a sports promotion agency. Legal sources have indicated that Ne-biolo, the president of the International Amateur Athletic Federation, could face charges as a result of this investigation.

Just before yesterday's announcement, Nebiolo, who has remained largely silent throughout the scandals surrounding the fixing of the long-jump result in the world championships at Rome in 1987, and these latest events, asked to be interviewed by the Associated Press news agency the largest in the world. He said that he was the victim of a "personal and political feud" by Italian sports officials who were envious of the sensational development of track and field which he has promoted over the past 10 years. Samaranch sides with Palmer Swindon Town 2, Portsmouth 0 Foley's late repeat No Watford gap Nigel Gibbs stops Newcastle's John Hendrie in his tracks at Vicarage Road photograph: frank baron Watford 2, Newcastle United 2 (aet) Newcastle caught on slide JUAN Antonio Samaranch, the president of the International Olympic Committee, has snubbed the British Olympic Association by appointing Charles Palmer to one of the IOC's important working groups. Samaranch was upset when Palmer was ousted as Snooker Tennents call well, their newcomer from Newcastle, looked a genuine asset. His probing long ball down the left had Knight chasing beyond his penalty area, and later an overhead kick from the midfielder flashed just wide.

Portsmouth's earliest attack produced a stray drive from Kuhl, while an intelligent push down the right by Dillon and Neill came to nothing when Hockaday pounced to concede a corner. Five minutes before half-time, Hockaday hobbled off to be replaced by McLougWin. A game largely bereft of artistry gradually improved in tempo and pattern, but Home was robbed by King when Pom-pey looked like finding some elusive attacking style. Swindon in turn were denied when Knight pulled off a superb save from Jones. The ball was worked to the industrious defender, whose ferocious 25-yard drive was turned round the post by the leaping 'keeper.

Swindon Towns Dioby; Hockaday, King. Jones. Calderwood. White, Foley. Cornwell.

Shearer, Maclaren. Geddis. Portsmouth! Knight; Neill. Sandford, Maguire. Hogg, Ball.

Oillon. Home. Quinn, Kuhl. Fillery. Refrs Lewis (Surrey).

dipped over the head of Beasant before bouncing on and over the bar. Redfearn's two goals, the second from the harsher of the evening's two penalties, kept alive Watford's hopes of extending a 10-year-old record in the FA Cup during which they have always progressed beyond the third round. Yet Watford often looked what they were, a recently relegated side who have swiftly acquired the ingenuous look of the Second Division. That may be Newcastle's lot next season. Defensive weaknesses added to a failure to score goals with any regularity have kept them at or near the bottom of the First Division and both shortcomings were in evidence last night: Yet until he was forced off in the 76th minute Mirandinha looked capable of winning the match for Newcastle on his own and in some style for Watford's defenders had no answer to the little Brazilian's sudden changes of pace and direction.

While he wasted two opportunities before half-time Mirandinha was best equipped to exploit Watford's slowness at the back. For all that, it took Newcastle almost the whole of the first half to get into the game. They fell behind after 90 seconds when Beasant was penalised for taking the ball outside the penalty area and Redfearn curled the free-kick into the top right-hand corner of the net. Newcastle spent all but the last minute of the half forcing corners and missing chances and then Brock, arguably their most effective all-round player over the two hours, equalised after swerving past Miller on the right. Seven minutes into the second half Gibbs handled a centre from Hendrie and Mir- United rule out a rapid Robson return time on Cllve Everton TENNENTS have ended their sponsorship of the UK Open, second in status to the world championships, even though this year's final at Preston attracted a television audience of 13.2 million for the last session of Doug Mountjoy's victory over Stephen Hendry.

we remain committed to snooker as a sport," said the company's official statement. inaeed, we have over zu snooker clubs of our own trading under the name of Coral Snooker. But we feel that we have achieved the maximum benefit from sponsoring the UK Open." It added, however, that we are reviewing tne wnoie pattern of our sponsorship pro gramme and this could include further opportunities in snooner. The inference may be drawn, though, that these will not be in partnership with the World Griffiths tumbles MILLIE THORNE, No. 13 in the world rankings.

produced his best performance of the season to beat Terry Griffiths, the Welsh champion, 5-1 to reach the quarter-finals of the Mercantile Classic in Blackpool yesterday, writes Clive Everton. Boxing Marsh offering chairman of the British Olympic Association last year. The BOC then stripped him of all his European Olympic posts. By appointing Palmer to the commission which examines the the Olympic programme, Samaranch has shown how much he values Palmer. Open Professional and Snooker Association unlike Preston Guild Hall and the leisure services department of Preston Borough Council, were not thanked in the statement for "the willing help that they have given Tennents and the WPBSA did not enjoy the warmest of relationships.

What may have been the last straw was the WPBSA's announcement that they had banned Barry Hearn from their Press room, which Tennents, in fact, run. Tennents, minutes later, insisted icily that Hearn was perfectly welcome. With the threat looming of further restrictions on drink advertising on television, Tennents will not lightly have foregone substantial television exposure through sponsorship. Meanwhile, the WPBSA must seek a replacement for a ranking event second in status and seniority only to the Embassy World Championship. Tennents contributed a 400,000 prize fund in November.

out to Thome Two rising young players reached their first ranking event quarter-final. Paddy Browne, a 23-year-old from Dublin, beat Tony Chappel 5-1; and Martin Clark, a 20-year-old Midlander, beat the former world champion Joe Johnson 5-3. new evidence; said he will provide mqre, which we have not-' 'yet received," said John Morris, the board's secretary. "I am sure that if there is further evidence, our medical officers will want time to study it." The board, ever conscious of the medical arguments regularly marshalled by the anti-boxing lobby, is unlikely to be content with evidence which merely refutes the original diagnosis. It will want to see detailed evidence which gives a convincing alternative explanation of why Marsh collapsed three times after fights.

Marsh says these attacks, which he concealed from everyone in boxing at the time, were caused by eating a large' number of chocolate bars quickly, which increased his sugar level and weight. When Marsh was forced to give up boxing he also gave up his job as a fireman. He then took out a licence to promote. If the board does grant him a licence, there could still be complications about his comeback fight if Frank Warren considers that the remnants of his managerial contract with Marsh are still valid. David Foot TWO GOALS in the last 10 minutes sunk a lack-lustre Portsmouth side and earned Swindon a lucrative home tie in the fourth round of the FA Cup.

They are sure of First Division opposition in the shape of Arsenal or West Ham, who replay tonight. Steve Foley, whose late goal had earned a draw on Saturday, broke the deadlock of a scrappy match after 82 minutes with a deflected goal from 25 yards. minutes from the end Duncan Shearer put the issue beyond doubt with a diving header from a David Geddis free-kick. Portsmouth spent much of the first half creating difficulties for themselves. Their defensive play was nervous and lacking in coordination.

Corners were conceded needlessly, clearances were intercepted and it was as well for them that Knight was well positioned to block a shot from Shearer. In this climate of defensive confusion, Swindon soon gained confidence and Corn- Round-up Cooke double is Kettering's winning recipe fXETTERING last night en- sured mere win oe two nonieague clubs in the FA Cup fourth round after Robbie Cooke scored twice in the 3-2 win at Halifax in their replay, writes Russell Thomas. Cooke, who struck the two goals in the previous round that knocked out Bristol Rovers, repeated the feat to earn the GM Vauxhall Conference team a tie at Charlton on January 28. The former Millwall striker, 31, scored in a 12- minute spell either side of the interval. Russell Lewis gave Kettering a fourth-minute lead after sloppy home covering, but John Bramhall (17min) and Billy Barr (29) put Halifax in front.

But Cooke had the final word, forcing in a Richard Brown free-kick (38) and then an Ernie Moss pass (50) to delight Kettering's 1,500 fans. Peter Morris's side Join Sutton in the last 32, but the manager said: "We have five or six games more important to us than Charlton before we go there." Promotion to the Fourth Division is his priority. At Griffin Park, Brentford reached the fourth round for the first time since 1971 through the sole 62nd-min-ute goal from their midfielder Cockram against Walsall. It earned his side a home tie with Manchester City. Walsall's full-back Mower was carried off after a tackle by Seeley for which he was lucky to receive only a booking.

Crystal Palace's striker Bright hit his second hat-trick in eight days with three in the first half of the 4-1 Simod Cup win over Luton. His latest treble came in the 24th, 29th and 41st minutes. Three goals in extra-time took Nottingham Forest to a 4-1 win at Chelsea. Brian dough's team meet Ipswich in the last eight David Lacey AD Watford and Newcastle United spent a couple of hours at Vicarage Road belabour ing each other with wet mops the results would have been much the same entertaining in places, messy in others, and ultimately inconsequential. After drawing their FA Cup third-round replay 2-2 the teams will meet at St James' Park on Monday in a further attempt to find out who entertains Derby County on January 28.

On the evidence of last night Derby need not feel too concerned either way. On chances created Newcastle should have had the game comfortably won within 90 minutes. As it was they nearly went out of the Cup three minutes from the end of extra-time when a lob from Redfearn Ferguson said: "We did not want to risk Bryan's health even though it is an important tie. He will join the party, but won't play. We have been guided by advice from the neurologist, who told us it was too early for him to return after sustaining concussion last Saturday." With Robson out, 20-year-old David Wilson may retain the place he filled briefly as his replacement on Saturday.

Lee Sharpe is fit again. Ferguson refused to comment on Paul McGrath out of the squad although the PFA secretary, Gordon Taylor, who joined United officials for Monday's talks with the player, confirmed that his medical condi Results Soccer FA CUP Third-round replay a Brentford (0) 1 Walsall 10) Cockram 8,163 (Brentlord at home to Man City) Halifax 12) 2 Kettering (2) 3 Bramhall Lewis Barr Cooke 2 5,632 (Kettering away to Charlton) Southampton (0) 1 Derby (0) 2 Forrest McMinn 16,323 Callaghan (aet; 1-1 at 90mm) (Derby away to Newcastle or Watford) Swindon (0) 2 Portsmouth (0) Foley 11.457 Shearer (Swindon at home to West Ham or Arsenal) Warlord (I) 2 Newcasno (1) 2 Redfearn 2 (1 pen) Brock 16.431 Mirandinha (pen) (ael. 2-2 at 90mm) (Winners at home to Derby) SIMOD CUP Third round Chelsea (0) Nottm Forest 10) 4 Dixon Chapman. Gaynor 8.457 Pearce (pen) Parker (aet; 1-1 90mln) (Nottm Forest away to Ipswich) Crystal Palace (3) 4 Luton (1) 1 Bright 3 Dowle Wright 5.842 Ipswich (1) 1 Blackburn 10) Stockwell 8,155 (Ipswich at home to Nottm Forest) BARCLAYS LEAGUE Third Division Wolverhampton (2) 2 Cardiff 10) Mutch 14.870 Bull Fourth Division Doncaster (0) 1 Carllsl (1) 3 Cobson Gorman 3 2.128 SHERPA VAN TROPHY Southern preliminary round AMarshot 10) 1 Uyton Orient (2) 3 Stewart O'Shea 1,313 Ward, Jones AC DILCO CUP. TOroWound replay! Harrow Borough 2.

Kingsbury Tn 3. VAUXKALL-OPSL LMAOim, PiTalar andhina's penalty put Newcastle ahead but after 63 minutes Holden drove the ball against Ranson, another penalty was given, and Redfearn brought the scores level once more. In the second half of extra-time Coton pushed a shot from Hendrie against the near post but Redfearn came closer than anyone to eliding the suspense suchasitwaSi Watford! Coton; Gibbs, Porter. Sherwood. Miller.

McClelland. Redfearn. Wilkinson. Thompson. Falconer, Hotden.

Newcastle United! Beasant; Ransan. San-som. McCreery. Scott, Roeder. Hendrie, O'Brien.

Mirandinha. Wharton, Brock. Hefereei Dilkes (Mossley). Newcastle's manager, Jim Smith, said last night that a offer from Leeds for the winger John Hendrie would be rejected. "It will be considered and turned down," said Smith, who is likely to pay 260,000 for a Danish striker, Frank Pingel, a move that would further threaten Miran-dinha's future at the club.

against Aberdeen at Pittodrie last October. Ironically, the SFA criticised Thow even more tangibly on Monday when they barred him from handling Scottish Cup ties this season because they thought he had been too lenient in the match. Bournemouth have paid 50,000 for Weymouth's England semi-professional international centre-back Shaun Teale, while Reading's midfielder Les Taylor has joined Colchester for 20,000. Tottenham's Paul Moran has gone to Portsmouth on a month's loan, with Vaughan Ryan of Wimbledon going to Sheffield United for the same period. (Nor) 2 4596 Leading standings: 1 equal.

Zurbriggen. Nierltch 45pts. 3. Ozman 22: 4 equal. Mayer (Aul).

Slrolz (Aut) 17. 6 equal. Tomba. Enn (Aut) 15. Overall World Cup standings: 1.

Zurbriggen 160pts: 2. Gir-ardelli 112: 3. Tomba 78; 4. Hoeflehner (Aul) 77: 5. A Bittner IWG) 69: 6.

Strolz 68. Leading Nationa' Cup standings: 1. Austria 1.05lpts: 2. Switzerland 831; 3. West Germany 421; 4.

France 229; 5. Italy 166. Ice Hockey NATIONAL LEAOUfc Oelroil 3. Montreal New Jersey 5, NY Rangers Toronto 3. Vancouver 0.

Fixtures (7 30 unless stated) Soccer FA CUP. Third-round replays: Arsenal West Ham (7.45). Everton WBA: Oxlord Sunderland: QPR Manchester utd 17 45): Reading Tranmere (8.0). SIMOD CUP. Third round! Middlesbrough Coventry.

BEAZER HOMES LEAOUE Mkttand Division: Mile Oak Rovers Dudley Tn. CENTRAL LEAGUE First Division: Blackburn Derby (7.0); Hudderslield Aston Villa Nottm Forest Sunderland (7.0): Sheffield Uld Sheffield Wed. Second DrV-raioni Bolton Mansfield (7.0); Doncaster Scunthorpe; Wigan Preston (7.0); York Darlington (7.0). OVENDEN PAPERS COMBINATION Brighton Watlord (7.15); Swindon Charlton (2 0). Rugby Union CLUB MATCHES.

Glamorgan Wndrs Ebbw Vale (7 15): Pontypridd Aberhllery (7 15): RAF Civil Service (2 15) Rugby League STONES BITTER CHAMPIONSHIP Wigan Hull (7.45) Hockey BUTTEMUN INDOOR LEAQUE Bromley Southgate: East Grinslaad Tulsa Hill (Crystal Palace). today to support a comeback' tion and discipline had been discussed. United will face a new-look QPR strike-force, with Stein set to partner Coney. The changes are forced by injuries to the player-manager, Trevor Francis, and Falco, who have scored two-thirds of the club's goals this season. Dennis may return in defence, although Francis remains uncommitted about the left-back's future.

Everton will test their injured central defenders Watson and Ratcliffe before the replay with West Bromwich, who replace the injured Anderson with Bradley. Arsenal switch O'Leary to his normal central defensive position against West Ham because lltord 1. Dutwich 0 HPS LOAHS LEAGUE. Premier Division: Buxton 3. Shepshed 3: Southport 3.

Fleetwood Stalybridge Celtic 0. Barrow 4. WESTOATE INSURANCE CUP. Third round, second leg: Merlhyr 7. Bromsgrove 0 (ago 8-1).

BEAZER HOMES LEAOUE-Prermar Division: Ashford 2. Crawley 2. Bedworth 0. Dover Dorchester 3. Worcester Moor Green I.Dartford 1, Cambridge 5.

Midland Division! Rushden' Tn 0, Grantham Tn 3. Southern Division! Graves-end Northfleet 1. Hastings Tn 0. CENTRAL LEAGUE. Second Division! Blackpool 2.

Notts Co Bradford 4. Rottier-ham 2: Grimsby 1. Oldham 2. OVENDEN PAPERS COMBINATION Ful-ham 0. Southampton Millwall 3, QPR 0: Norwich 3.

Wimbledon 3 IRISH LEAOUE Ballymena 3. Ards 2. Tennis AUCKLAND OP. First round! A Mans-dorf (Is) bt Oosling (Nelh) 6-4. 6-4.

Chambertln (US) bl Schapers (Nelh) 8-4. 6-4: Evernden (NZ) bt Guy NZ) 6-1. 6-7. 6-1: Reneberfl (US) bt Marcelino (Br) 6-3. 4-6.

8-3: Westphal WG) bt Pridham (Can) 6-7. 7-6. 7-5; Smith (Bah) bt Lewis (NZ) 6-3, 7-6; VYheaton (US) bt Cunha-Silva (Por) 8-2. 7-6; Svantasson (Sweden) bt A Lobb (NZ) Wekesa (Ken) bt Matsuoka (Jap) 7-6, 6-2: Rig-towakl IWG) bt Matuszewski (US) 6-2; do la Pana (Arg) bt Pozzi (It) 6-3. 3- 6.

6-2; Kriahnan (India) bt Kures (US) 6-1. 7-8; Mlchlbata (Can) bt Brod Dyke (US) 6-2. 6-7. 6-4. NSW OPEN (Sydnoy) Men, First round: Stoltanboro (Aus) bt Frawley (Aus) 7-5.

4- 8. 8-2; Nemeoek (Cz) bt Gunnarsson (Swe) 3-6. 6-4. 6-3: Lundgrwi (Swe) bl Leconte (Fr) 6-4. 6-3; ftiva (US) bt Ooo-han (Aus) 6-4.

7-8: Davis (US) bt Layen-decker (US) 6-4, 7-6: A Volkov (USSR) bl Talbot ISA) 6-2. 6-3: C-U Steeb IWG) bl Cahlll (Aus) 6-3. 4-6. 6-1: Quatatsaon (Swe) bt A Mronz (WG 6-2. 6-2.

Women, First round: Wlesner (Aul) bt McQuillan (Aus) 4-6. 7-6. 7-6. Mandlikova (Aus) bl Oune (GB) 3-6. 7-5.

7-8; van Rensbura (SA) bt Schultz (Nelh 6-2. 7-5; A Oiaea-man (US) bt Hetherington (Can) 7-5, 6-2. Second round! IMaeM (Swe) bt Field (Aus) 6-3, 7-6; O. Migan (US) bt Mlnter u) 6-8. mmt St flh (US) of Bould's injury last Sunday, and restore Dixon to right-back after recovery from a virus.

John Lyall's team will see Gale return to the back four if his calf injury mends in time. Tottenham's hopes of playing France in a White Hart Lane friendly on February 14 depend on FA permission. Spurs are "strongly considering" meeting Michel Platini's team, and their reunion with Hoddle will go ahead next Tuesday when they entertain Monaco. Graeme Souness, the Rangers player-manager, has been fined 100 and warned about his future conduct by the Scottish FA. He was found guilty of publicly criticising the referee Louis Thow after the match 6-4.

6-2. Inou (Japan) bt Provis (Aus) 6-1. 6-4: Phelps (US) bl Herr (US) 6-2. 4-8, 6-4: Sukosa (Cz) bt Smylie (Aus) 6-2. 6-1: A Frailer (US) bt Paradis (FrP Paradis (Fr) 6-3.

3-6. 6-2. Wlesnar (Aul) bt Benjamin (US) 7-5 6-2. Cricket WORLD SERIES CUP (Melbourne). Australia 258-4.

43 overs IG Marsh 125 no. A Border 60). Pakistan 108-7, 19 overs (I Khan 42) Australia won on faster run rate. Standings! 1. West Indies P7.

PIS10); 2. Australia (7-8); 3. Pakistan (8-41 Basketball NATIONAL ASSOCIATION. Boston 119. LA Clippers 84; Ulah 114, Charlotte 92; Philadelphia 121.

Dallas 103: Seattle 105. Cleveland 103; Golden State 130. Phoenix 124. MEN'S NATIONAL CUP. Ouarter-finaJi Manchester 123.

Oxford 59. Darts EMBASSY WORLD PROFESSIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP (Frimley Green) Second round: Low (Eng) bt Lim (Sing) 3-2: Hlckling (Eng) bt (X) Stewart (Aus) 3-4 Evison (Eng) bt Karlssan (Swe) 3-0. Drlitow (Engl bl Gillins (Eng) 3-0. Motor Sport PARIS-DAKAP-TaeHth atag ISIguirl to Mamou. 501km): 1, Ke ShinozukalH Magna (JapanFr) Mitsubishi 6hr 21min 15sec; 2, FrequelinFenouil (Fr) Peugeot at 7min 59sec; 3, WambergueiA Guehennec (Fr) Peugeot 8:48.

Overall standings: 1. Vatan-enBerglund 21hr 45mln Isec; 2. IckxTarin at 7rmn 14sec; 3. TambayLemoyne 3:54.01. Snooker MERCANTILE CREDIT CLASSIC (Blackpool) Filth round! Thome (Eng) bt Grillilhs (Wall 5-1: MounUoy (Wales) bt Knowles (Eng) 5-4: Clark (Eng) bl Johnson (Eng) 5-3.

Brown (Ire) bt Chappel (Wal) 5-1. Alpine Skiing WORLD CUP OlAHT SLALOM (Kilch-berg). Men: 1, Nlerlich (Aul) 2min 44.72SOC; 2. Zurbriggen (SwiK) 2445.10: 3. A Tomba (It) 245J26; 4, Clzman (Yug) 245.55; i.

WranJelli (Lur) 24.74; 8. 0 Furuaesh Russell Thomas RYAN ROBSON'S appeal make one of the most dramatic returns of his career was overruled last night when the Manchester United captain was pulled out of tonight's FA Cup third-round replay at Queen's Park Rangers. United's manager, Alex Ferguson, had left the way open for a rapid comeback by naming Robson in a 15-man squad, but a neurologist's advice forced a turnabout and the announcement that the midfielder would not return until the League match at West Ham on Saturday week, at the earliest. Sport in brief Sailing Mike Mclntyre and Bryn Vaile, Olympic gold medal winners in the Star class, were awarded the Yachtsman of the Year Trophy at the International Boat Show at Earls Court yesterday, writes Bob Fisher. Squash Del Harris, recently recovered from a virus infection, was beaten 9-5, 9-3, 9-1 in 55 minutes by Chris Robertson, the world No.

5 from Australia, in the American Express Premier League last night, writes Richard Jago. The England No. 1 plays a challenge series against the world champion, Jahangir Khan, ir- a fortnight's time. Basketball Alan Cunningham of Rangers, voted Britain's favourite player, will turn out in the AH-Star game at Leicester next Wednesday between North and South, writes Robert Pryce. NORTH.

Pans' ehotc (in order ot popularity): Cunningham, Davis, Hay (all Rangers). Way (Livingston). Irish (Manchester). Fleming (Livingston). Moor (Rangers).

Collier (Livingston), Clark (Rangers). Vaughan (Sunderland). Coachi Cadle (Rangers). Coach's choice! Saunders (Sunderland). Qardner (Manchester).

SOUTH Fans' choice! Kllybrw (Brack- Smith (Solent). Roberta, Scanty bury, Po- Ml fall V- I ,1 "woracmiBui, Hnan (tiemei Thomas (Han), IBtasdn (Laics). John Rodda TERRY MARSH, the former world light-welterweight champion, intends to return to the ring in March. Eighteen months ago he retired as undefeated holder of the International Boxing Federation title and returned his box er's licence after being diag nosed as an epileptic. Marsn now Believes mat tnis diagnosis was mistaken, and intends to provide fresh medical evidence to support his applica tion tor a licence to tignt again.

rne uritisn Boxing Board ot Control will consider his plea this afternoon, but it will not be rushed into a judgment iust be cause Marsh has already ar ranged a ngtit whicn ne will promote at Basildon on the second anniversary of the day he won the world title. "I will be boxins for a title on March 4." Marsh said yester day, an unequivocal declaration which sounds like the sort of hustling the board does not like, particularly when dealing with medical matters. We have some medical evi dence from Terry and he has.