Real sign Sneijder

Madrid: Real Madrid signed Wesley Sneijder from Ajax for $37 million on Monday, the second Dutchman to join the Spanish champions in five days. The 23-year-old Netherlands midfielder agreed to a five-year deal. “Right now, this is a dream come true. I couldn’t ask for more,” Sneijder said. Sneijder had attracted interest from Valencia, but Madrid closed the deal two days after Ajax had rejected its initial offer of $33 million. A product of Ajax’s youth academy, the attacking midfielder and free-kick specialist scored 57 goals in 180 matches at the club. Sneijder has also scored six goals in 35 games for the Dutch national team. — AP

Akhtar’s appeal

Lahore: Pakistan paceman Shoaib Akhtar said on Monday he had appealed against a $5,000 dollars fine imposed by the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) after he walked out of a training camp. “I have appealed against the fine because I think I was not given the chance to give my version” of events, Akhtar said. The cricketer was fined for leaving a training camp in Karachi earlier this month, and for snubbing a subsequent disciplinary hearing. — AFP