Fulham sign Gera

LONDON: Fulham signed Hungary midfielder Zoltan Gera on a free transfer from West Bromwich Albion on Wednesday, making him Roy Hodgson’s third signing since the end of the season. Gera, 29, rejected an offer to remain at newly promoted West Brom and passed a medical on Wednesday to complete a move to Fulham. Gera, who scored 25 goals in 155 games for West Brom, including 10 last season, has played 53 times for Hungary. Hodgson has already signed Australian goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer from Middlesbrough and David Stockdale from League Two club Darlington. — AP

Ivanovic pulls out

LONDON: World number one Ana Ivanovic on Wednesday withdrew from the International Women’s Open at Eastbourne next week due to a muscle injury. Ivanovic, who moved top of the rankings on her way to winning the French Open last week, has pulled out of the Wimbledon warm-up event because of a right abductor problem. The 20-year-old Serb also said that she would like a break after her exertions at Roland Garros. — AFP

Cisse files complaint

MARSEILLE: Marseille attacker Djibril Cisse has started legal proceedings here after falling victim to an attempted extortion bid, a police source said on Tuesday. The 26-year-old presented himself at a police station in Marseille on Thursday, after receiving a series of phone calls demanding $230,000, according to the newspaper La Provence. The money was intended to prevent a potentially damaging video clip featuring the French international from being transmitted on the internet, the police source said. A number of people have been questioned over the affair but there have been no arrests. — AFP