The Guardian from London, Greater London, England • 26

26 I SPORTS NEWS The Thursday May 15 1997 TtMinis Sports Politics The resignation of the Lord UK Sports Council chairman will hasten radical changes in a body that oversees policy. Nick Vartoy reports Sport beats the sack Henman fades into the night FUNDAMENTAL overhaul of the Ay structure of sports administration was mhastened last night by the resignation of Lord MacLaurin as chairman of the United Kingdom Sports Council. The multi-millionaire former Tesco chairman's decision to step down had been widely forecast since he put his name to an eve-of-election letter warning on its role only at the start of the year. At the very least Its functions and operations will be radically changed, possibly with Banks taking a hands-on role. Last night he thanked Lord MacLaurin for his work, though welcoming his resignation as a prelude to the review of the sports councils' workings.

"Given the fact that we are looking at the UK ment of the national Olympic academy, but on a budget of only 12 million. It was inevitably overshadowed by the national sports councils, particularly the English one, which is responsible for distributing 300 million of National Lottery money. Lord MacLaurin was known to resent the role-reversal, denouncing the situation as Howard Wells, chief exec Sports Council and the national sports councils, it seems he's made it easier for us. Where there is room for improvement we will make improvements." The UKSC was established after a review of the widely criticised sports council structure just over two years ago. It was charged with overseeing overall sports policy, including issues such as drug testing and the establish utive of the UKSC.

said: "Sport owes a great debt to Lord MacLaurin for the way he approached a difficult task and got the UKSC up and running." Me is to be replaced, for the moment, by Sir Rodney Walker, chairman of the English Sports Council, who said: "I am pleased to accept the invitation to step in on a temporary basis until we've had time to review the whole structure European Cup Winners' Cup final Barcelona i Paris St-Germain 0 Ronaldo hits high spot IN THE end the sides were separated only by Ronal-do's 37th-minute penalty, but Paris St-Germain, though showing attacking intent from the start, could never match the menace of Barcelona's counter-attacks geared to the World Footballer of the Year's pace, strength and abundant self-belief. At times, notably at the start of each half, Paris showed the creativity they had produced in crushing Liverpool in the semi-final first leg. But the cutting edge was missing, despite Loko's and Leonardo's efforts, a critical defect against a side of such single mindedness. Paris were fresher, after an 11-day break, and willing but could not find a way back after their fortunes fluctuated wildly in the space of 11 first-half minutes. First the French club were lucky to escape when Couto's header from Guardiola's corner curled over Lama, only for the German referee to puzzle the entire stadium by disallowing it.

A rough justice soon followed, N'Gotty catching Ronaldo' legs as he surged on to Figo's pass in the area; the Brazilian's marker clearly BI)Tl0y lii Rome) TIM HENMAN. after easily winning the first set against the Italian qualifier Da vide Scala under the moth-clouded night skies, trailed away forlornly there after to lose his second-round match in the Italian Open 1-6, 6-4. He broke Scala's serve in the opening game of the second set but then his rhythm almost totally de serted him. Scala, ranked No. 210 in the world, did not really have to exert himself.

True, he flashed the occasional blistering backhand winner but Henman. having played only one competitive match since his elbow operation in March, faded to the point of anonymity. The British No. 1 had been fortunate to defeat Roberto Carretero in Tuesday's first- round match when the Spaniard defaulted. The right elbow has not recovered its full strength and it was swathed in ice afterwards but Henman pronounced it "absolutely Clearly Henman lack ot competitive play, combined with an obvious lack of clay- court experience, were key factors but he really should have won with some ease, for Scala was a very ordinary opponent.

Earlier in the day the red- clay dust bowls of the Foro Italico continued to be a barren desert for the world's lead iny players. On Tuesday the top two seeds, Pete Sampras and Michael Chang, were wrung dry in their opening matches, and yesterday Thomas Muster, until this year the King of Clay, went out 7-6, 5-7, 7-5 in the second round to Australia's Scott Draper. Henman was due to play the winner. Muster's sudden decline on his favourite surface, on which he has won 40 of his 44 titles, has been startling. Between 1995 and last year the iron-hard Austrian compiled a remarkable record of 111 victories and only five defeats on clay.

This year, in five clay tournaments, he has failed to get past the second round in any. and he went out at the first time of asking in Monte Carlo where, as here, he was defending the title. Yesterday there were extenuating circumstances, with the No. 3 seed and current world No. 3 suffering from stomach problems which left him totally drained of energy and required medical treatment.

Muster, who has won this tournament three times, has a new long-bodied racket which has increased his power of serve, yet now he seems incapable of readjusting to clay. Cocaine ban forWilander THE former world No. 1 Mats Wilander and the Czech Karel Novacek were yesterday banned for three months after withdrawing their appeals against cocaine-positive drug tests taken at the 1995 French Open. The pair, both aged 32, must also forfeit all ATP world- ranking points and prize-money earned since then some 180,000 for the Swede and 116,000 for Novacek though each has now effectively retired. Both still protest their inno cence, claiming that any cocaine detected was unknow ingly consumed, but now accept that the tests were valid.

The game ruling body. the International Tennis Federation, said: "The ITF is satis fied that its anti-doping procedures have been vindicated." In January, Spain's Ignacio Truyol became the first player to be suspended for drug use, testing positive for a steroid and a stimulant. Counties update aflK Mi 1m -f afa Bradford in bid for Beardsley of the danger of a Labour government. The new sports minister Tony Banks even said of the administrator last weekend in the Observer: "Let's say we'll have an interesting relationship. But I think it will be a short one." But the resignation for "personal according to the UKSC will also hasten a revolutionary reappraisal of an organisation which formally took made illegal contact, but Ronaldo made the most of the challenge.

His penalty was little better than his feeble attempt against Real Madrid on Saturday, but Lama conveniently moved the wrong way. Rai drove powerfully over as a curt reminder that Barcelona could not relax. The early stages of the second half offered rising French resistance, but two equalising chances rapidly passed Paris by. Cauet saw a shot turned away by Baia for a corner before, in the 57th minute, an even better opportunity was squandered; Loko. aiming deliberately, drove against the base of a post, the rebound eluded one team-mate before falling to another, Leonardo, and the striker struck fiercely but wildly.

Barcelona should have put the game beyond reach when Figo chipped against the bar five minutes from the end. That conjured new but vain French hope, as Leonardo pursued an inviting header in the final seconds only to drag the ball wide. Sfemlwiai Bata. Ferrer, Couto. Abelardo, Sergl, Figo.

Guardiola. Popescu (Amor, tv-t), Luie Enrique (Pizri 89ntin); De la Pena (StoKhkov. 84). Ronaldo. Paris Sl-Atrmalm Lama; Fournler (Algenno.

58). N'Gotty. Le Guen. Doml. Leroy.

Guenn (Dely Veldea. 66), Rai, Cauet. Leonardo. Loko (Bouget. 7B) Mark Germany) Blackburn are poised to sign Borussia Dortmund's Swiss international forward Stephane Chapuisat, who will cost about 4 million.

England will be without Gary Pallister for the summer. The Manchester United defender is to have exploratory surgery on his right knee tomorrow and it is feared the cartilage may have to be removed. England's coach Glenn Hod-die will probably call up Liverpool's Dominic Matteo to replace Pallister. However, Hoddle is unlikely to have the services of Matteo's club-mates Steve McManaman and Robbie Fowler. McManaman is expected to enter hospital shortly for an operation on his left knee, and Fowler needs surgery on his nose.

The Manchester United defender Denis Irwin is out of the Republic of Ireland squad for next Wednesday's World Cup qualifier against Liechtenstein at Lansdowne Road because of a groin injury. Brazil's coach Mario Za-gallo has left Middlesbrough's Juninho out of his squad for June's four-team tournament in France and the Copa America in Bolivia. His place will go to the Palmeiras midfielder Djalminha when the home-based players are selected. CABLE A WIRELESS 'mil. r.ir, mimulwmdl tslli Sin-jrir jll i ivnIMt frr 4mt nmr ji 1 tp f' MacLaurin other roles of the sports councils." Lord MacLaurin will remain a high-profile figure as chairman of the England and Wales Cricket Board and an organiser of golfs Ryder Cup at Valder-rama this year.

on the night to restore their two-goal aggregate lead when Hopkin capitalised on a misplaced pass by Bull, flicked the ball over Williams and raced in tin goal before scoring with a low shot into the corner. Wolverhampton eYanoererei Stuwell Smith Thomas Atkins rt.lliams Curte Goodman Ferguson Bu" RnhmU Oaborn (Foley 77mmi Cryetai Peleoei Nash tdnrthy Gordon Roberts, Tuttlo Linighan Hopkin Muscat Sliicpt ity Ftodgsr I Wilkes (lilouceston Chester, after the first game had ended 0-0, was marred by a serious injury to Steve Jones. He broke his leg in a tackle, causing the first half to be held up for 10 minutes. The Swans will meet Northampton, who beat Cardiff 3-2 for a 4-2 aggregate to reach Wembley in their centenary year. Montreel 7.

San Diego 3 Atlanta 5 Florida 11. New York 4. Houston 3. Chicago J. Lot Angeles 1 ABMMCAII LSAOMMi Milwaukee I.

Senile 2. Oakland 3 Baltimore 7 Detroit 4. Toronto 0. Kansas City 9 Boston 0. Minne-aota 2.

New Voik 1 1 Texas 3 Cleveland 7, Anaheim 8. Chicago 7 Choss CSMIPS (Pula Cro Germany 2 England IX (Short X. Adams II Speelman 0 Sadler K). Croatia IX. Armenia 2X Russia 3X Belarus aw England 22X (gold).

Rosna 22 (silver). Armenia 22 Ibronzel WeseMM Georgia 1. Lithuania 1 Romania IX. Hungary X. England IX (Lalic X.

Hunt 11 Oar-many e4esji Georgia 13 (gold). Romania 12 fsilver) England 12 Ibronzel Fixtures (7 30 unless stated) Soccr PA VOUTM CMAIIWIQa CUPl Pkaaa, sees Crystal Palace Leeds Rugby LagiM Bramlty PrKol Bradford Warrington. FsMthartton Hull KR. Hull St Helens IM Iwlllmi Wakf.ld York liMwi DMatMi HiKktari.id Blackpool Rochdale Ooncaalar Ipswich Town 2 Sheffield United 2 Blades scrape through -at. hwr nwtcninfjs HOWARD KENDALL has lost count of how often he has taken teams to Wembley, but he will return there on Bank Holiday Monday with Sheffield United who, after a scoreless extra-time, earned a play-off final against Crystal Palace by virtue of more away goals.

"How many times have I been to Wembley?" said the relieved manager after United had weathered a battering at Portman Road. "Maybe seven or eight. Put it this way, I know the route." United had survived for nigh-on two hours with a stricken goalkeeper and for the last 10 minutes with 10 men after Nicky Henry petulantly aimed a stamp at a prone Mauricio Taricco, his second bookable offence. "It's a terrible habit to be successful and I desperately want it for this club," added Kendall. "We knew we had to score tonight and I'm absolutely delighted, but it's not done until May 26.

That's when we'll celebrate." Kendall had every reason to thank his goalkeeper Alan Kelly after a lOth-minute clash with Niklas Gudmunds-son left the Ireland player nursing a bandaged right knee for the rest of the night. Kelly's injury- ceitainly contributed to the ease with which Jamie Scowcroft headed Ipswich level in the 32nd minute, after United's Belarussian striker Petr Kat chouro had scored on eight minutes with a rising drive that slammed against the bar and, according to the linesman, crossed the goal-line. Kelly's woes seemed to galvanise Ipswich as they surged forward with menace and vigour. But they did not manage to beat the goalkeeper until the 73rd minute when Gud-mundsson squeezed home Mick Stockwell's cross, and their lead lasted only four minutes before the second-half substitute Andy Walker marked his return from injury with United's second. ssewleli Tenants Wright.

Swailea Dyer. 91min). Sedgley. Vaughan. Uhlenbeek.

Stockwell. Williams. Maaon. Taricco. Scowcroft.

Gudmundaaon IQregorv. 85) SUseffteM UnHeeli Kelly. Short. Tiler. Holdearorth.

Senator d. White (Hutchison. S3). Henry. Ward.

Whitehouse Katchouro Walker 68, Niisen no: Fiortolt Heilbron (County Durham) Crewe hand out CREWE gave away two soft goals at Kenilworth Road last night and then summoned a response brimming with verve to hand Darlo Gradi, the longest-serving manager in League soccer, a deserved Wembley reward for bis faith in the game's finer arts, writes Trevor Hay left. Rugby Union England pick Redman 1GEL REDMAN, who won the last of his 18 caps in South Africa three years ago, has been recalled by England. The 32-year-old Bath lock was last night drafted Into the squad for the tour which leaves for Argentina on Sunday. He replaces the injured Garath Archer. In Argentina Redman may be up against German Uanes, the lock who has recently displaced him at Bath, where Redman has been helping coach the club's forwards.

Leicester's Matt Poole, another possible replacement, was unable to take any part in yesterday's training session because of a wrist injury. Tingle tangle Ipswich's Chris Swailes is reined in by Jan-Aage Fjortoft in last night's second-leg nailbiter gary prior Wolverhampton Wanderers 2, Crystal Palace 1 (agg: 3-4) Palace survive Wolves' all-out attack Polar VJMta CRYSTAL PALACE kept alive their hopes of a return to Premiership football after a two-season break when they secured a play-off final place last night. But Palace, beaten in the play-off final by Leicester a year ago, had to withstand tremendous pressure from Wolves. Adrian Williams Ian Ross i RADFORD City have Peter Beardsley 'the opportunity to take a first step towards a career in management. The First Division club have invited the 36-year-old Newcastle forward to move to Valley Parade this summer as player-coach.

Bradford's manager Chris Kamara has contacted Kenny Dalglish about Beardslev's availability and Bradford hope to tempt him with the most generous financial terms in their history. Leeds have rekindled their interest in Nottingham Forest's 2 million-rated Norwegian international midfielder Alf Inge Haaland, who is expected to leave the City Ground this summer. Slaven Bilic completed his 4.5 million move from West Ham to Everton and then recommended that his new club should buy two more Croatian internationals, the Real Madrid striker Davor Suker and the Milan midfielder Zvonimir Boban. Suker would cost at least 4 million should Madrid decide to release him less than 12 months after his arrival from Seville, but Boban will soon be available on a free transfer under the Bosman ruling. Mancunv gifts at Kenilworth Road but recover to be present at Wembley Palace's defences were breached.

Then the former Palace midfielder Geoff Thomas threaded a clever through-pass of 40 yards to Mark Atkins, who had advanced from midfield. Atkins controlled the ball and turned before hitting a low left-foot shot through the legs of Carlo Nash and into the net. Palace showed more urgency as the gamp progressed and they levelled the scores for a 4-3 aggregate win At Griffin Park, Brentford came from behind to complete a 4-2 aggregate win over Bristol City. Barnard had levelled the tie for the visitors in the 49th minute, but goals by Taylor and Bent saw the Bees home. In the Third Division.

Swansea's 3-0 win over 6-4 4-2 mi. Wleener I Aut) bt Neiiand (Lai) 7-6. 6-1: 1 tJaie (Cro) bt Gorrocha-tegui lArg) 6-3. 7-5 Santa ICr) bt Ft'dner iGer) 6-4. 2 7- 5.

A Ki iRuS) bt A Qarai (Co 6-0. 6-3. ISp) bl Biaukl Undo) 6-3 5-7. 6-3. Taiiaaal (Fr) bt Marlincova (Czl 6-4.

6-2 TMre) raumti Oral (Ger) bl Dragomir (Rom) 6-3. 6-2 (Cardift) Pkrej rami Pi III) btK-A Quae (Aua) 7-5. 6 2 CT Veler ISp) bt Chladkova (CD 34. 6-4. 6-1.

Cilalaa (Cz) bt 1 roahidi (Japan) 5-7 c-3. 6 2. A Oetiawne-BaOe (Fr) bt Richtarova (Cz) 7-5. 6-0. I Bel) bl Tu IUSI 6-3.

6-3 I iCz) bt A Qavaldon (Men 6-3. 6-3. tetaei IO() bt iViUrti (US), a Zru-bakaiia (Slovakia) bl Maretinek (Gen 6-1 7-6. Piptll (Aut) bt Smith UK) 6-2. 6-2.

Swam Pannal ISp) bl A Ell- wood (Aua) 3-6 7-6 7-6. I miaul (II) bt Gaufiardi (Switzl 1-6. 6-2. 7-6. A man (US) bt Cecchlni (It) 6-4 6-2.

lmaa (Hath) bl Marulka (Aut) 6-4. 2-6. 6-3. WIlUMlnei i IUS) bl Pana ISp) 6-0. 6-0.

PMwenkl (Fr bt Leon Garcia (Sp) 6-3. 6-2. A (Swe) bl Pullin (UK) 6-4. 6-1 Baskatball Houeton 94. Seattle 100 Houaton lead aarlea 3-2) Baataam Chicago 107.

Ananta HZ (Chicago wm aenea e-ti Philadelphia 3 St Louie 2. Cincinnati 1 San Franciaco 4 gave the Midlanders renewed hope with a headed winner five minutes from time but it was not enough to overcome a 3 -1 deficit from the first leg. The Wolves manager Mark McGhee gambled by including Don Goodman, who had missed the previous three games with a calf injury, and played him in attack from the start alongside Steve Bull and Iwan Roberts. It was half an hour before However, Crewe retrieved the overall deficit immediately when Fcucr could only push out Adebola's cross half-heartedly and Little headed home, and Feuer was at fault just past the hour when he failed to gather Westwood's nod across goal, leaving the full-back Smith to equalise Rugby Lagu AUIANca CMAaWtONSMPi Leeds 32 Oldham 24. Wigan 44.

Halilan 20 Tnnis ITA SMUtM SATtLLrra (Cardift) Be a ami raune'i lami ma (Fri cMNeumullerlAut)6-1 9-4, Bail (Neth) bt I Milligan (OB) 6-2. V7, 6-4. atari (Gar) bl Roditi lUS) 6-3. 7-5 Over-larCHilei CTiMUhi (Fr) bt Sapatord (GBl 6-3. 5 6 6-2.

A BeJefcraMhi Aua) bl Lee (GBl 7-5. 6-4 ATP ITALIAN OPIM iRume) Pilot raw aViepwra (So) bt Gumy I Aral 6- 1, 6-4. Ceyrtei (US) bt A Porua ISp) 7- 6. 6-2. Lwann ISwel bl Johanaaon tS, 7-6.

6-3. A CeneAte (Spi bl A Boetach (Fr) 6- 2 6-3. Piaaii (Aua) bt Mutter Aut r-. w. r-s, ICro) bl Ruud (Nor) 6-2.

6-2. A (Sp) bt Siemormk INoth) 6 4. 6 2. BH( fluSnlr (Gar) bt Ft Kraiicek (Neth) 7-6. 7-6 A areata Ml (Sp) bt Rafter (Aua) 3-6 6-4 7-5 AbmhI (Morj bl Woodruff (US) 6-0 6-4 Maee (Chile) bt Santoro (Fr) 6-2.

6-2 KataMke (flue) bt Haarhun INeth) 7-6. 3-6. 6-3. e)eeer (Geo bl Piolme (Fr) 6-4. 7-i PVaeeaH (Sw.U) bt Alvarez (Sp) 7-5.

6-7. 6-3. Maya) (Sp) bt Haaa (Geo 6-4. 6-2. Seeaa (It) bt Herman (GB) 6-1.

3-6. 6-4 WTA OaPJMM) OPBM (Berlin) I reimai aiml (Bell bt Schulu-McCarthy (Neth) 1-0 efter Sehultr-McCar-thy withdrew. TeaM (Fr) bt Davenport (US) 7-6. 7-6. A Caatjai ISA) bt studenikova Slovak I 6-0 6-0: (Fr) bt Kleinova (Cl) 6-3.

2-6. 6-2, (it) bl Habiudova (Slovak) HONG KONG ANP SINGAPORE CHOP CHOP Crewe's defence took risks rather than using the big boot, and after 20 min utes Unsworth's mistake gave Showier the chance to set up Oldfield, cancelling out Crewe's 2-1 lead from the first leg. Then Westwood was caught dreaming and Oldfield provided a razor-sharp finish. Results Soccr NATK IHAV- ids MMrffUtemi i Scowcroft 32 Katchouro 9 Oudfnundiaon 73 Waiker 77 21,467 aet. agg 3-3 Shaft Utd win on away goala) Witariielaa mi Pilau (0) 1 Amine 30.

wimama Hopkin so 28 03 agg 3-41 (01 a ClOl 1 Taylor 67 Bent 79 agg 4-2) la 12) a OKNield 20. 31 g.ise Barnard 49 9.496 mi a ille 32. Smith 62 lael. agg 34) Mnajiiaaalia I'l CeaflU) Samoa on 23 Fowlor 36. Haworth 00 Warburton 7,302 Oale 77 lagg 4-2) Iwiiii (2i a Ctaaam 10) Thomat 39.

Torpey 43 10.027 Hegga 64 (agg 3-0) BUaOPBAN CUP WINNaaS CUPl Mtab Barcelona 1. Pane St Germain 0 Derbyshire 31 Mlddsmi 40 Durham 32 Northerns 41 Essex 33 Nottnghem 42 Glamorgan 34 Somerset 43 Qloucs 35 Surrey 44 Hampshire 36 Susses 45 Kent 37 Warwickt 46 Lanes 38 Worcester 47 Leics 39 Yorkshire 48 26r PER MINUTE ON 13th JULY This should create a stir. Call Hon); Kong and Singapore on (he I3lh July, talk for 5 minutes or more and all it will cost is 26p per minute. And remember, we rr still at least 20 cheaper for international calls weekday evenings and all weekend. For details FraaCall 0500 500 366 ami quota if rsgdnsw.

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