Robert still hopeful

PARIS: Laurent Robert said in an interview on Friday he’s still hopeful that his sparkling form for Newcastle United will earn him a recall to the French national team in time for Euro 2004. “It’s not because I haven’t been called up so far that I’m going to give up,” sports daily L’Equipe quoted Robert as saying. Robert won the last of his nine caps in June 2001, and continues to be overlooked by coach Jacques Santini despite being a major factor in Newcastle’s charge to the UEFA Cup semis. — AP

Pippen may retire

DEERFIELD: Scottie Pippen said he will probably retire after an injury-shortened season in his return to Chicago Bulls. But Michael Jordan’s old sidekick also hedged a bit, as he has all season. “This is probably it for me,” Pippen said, the day after the Bulls completed a 23-59 season — the first time in his 17-year career he has missed the playoffs. “I’d rather not make a 100 per cent commitment. But I’m quite sure that this is probably my last season.” — AP

Kallis, Ntini top nominees

JOHANNESBURG: South Africa’s world class all-rounder Jacques Kallis has been nominated in five categories and the team’s leading fast bowler Makhaya Ntini in four in the inaugural SA Cricket Awards. The awards are being hosted on April 22 by the United Cricket Board of South Africa (UCBSA). There are a total of 26 awards covering both professional and amateur cricket and recognising players at all levels of the game, from under-13 level through to the national team. Awards will also be given to those who work behind the scenes and the efforts of administrators, groundsmen, scorers and umpires will all be acknowledged. — IANS

Mosley seeking rematch

NEW YORK: Shane Mosley is invoking a contract clause for a rematch with Winky Wright. The unheralded Wright won a unanimous 12-round decision over Mosley last month to become the undisputed 154-pound champion. Mosley announced he is seeking another fight with Wright. “I want to let the public know that I intend to avenge my defeat,” Mosley said. Judd Burstein, Mosley’s lawyer, said he has been authorised to secure a date for the bout. — AP

Carl Lombe attacked

YEREVAN: Cameroon international Carl Lombe was stabbed in an attack following his match for Pyunik in the capital Yerevan, the Armenian Soccer Federation said. Lombe, 18, and three teammates were heading home on Wednesday after Pyunik beat crosstown rival Ararat 5-1 in a Premier League match. Lombe was standing outside a shop in the centre of the city when he was attacked by two men, who stabbed him twice. Lombe was taken to a hospital for treatment and released. — AP

South Korean coach quits

LISBON: South Korea’s Portuguese coach Humberto Coelho, under fire for the team’s embarrassing goalless draw with Maldives in a World Cup qualifier last month, has quit the national squad. Coelho was disappointed with a recent string of poor results and would return to Portugal shortly. The Korea Football Association has been under pressure to fire Coelho, whose contract runs until the end of the Asian Cup in August, after the national team’s poor result against Maldives on March 31. — AFP