Ancic ruled out

ZAGREB: Mario Ancic was ruled out of tennis for at least two months on Thursday after being diagnosed with mononucleosis. The 11th-ranked Croatian has a mild case of the virus, also known as glandular fever, and is expected to fully recover. He will miss tournaments in Indian Wells and Miami, but could return for the French Open which starts from May 27. — AP

Minister urges action

MADRID: Spain’s sports minister urged authorities to act with the “greatest rigor” after Sevilla coach Juande Ramos was knocked unconscious by a bottle thrown from the crowd, forcing the derby match with Real Betis to be abandoned. Ramos was released from a hospital, the morning after he was struck on the head during the Copa del Rey quarter-final second leg match.— AP

Former keeper dies

LISBON: Former Portugal goalkeeper Manuel Galrinho Bento, whose international career stretched from 1972 to 1992, died in hospital on Thursday. Bento won 63 caps and “was considered one of the best goalkeepers in the history of Portuguese football” said sports daily A Bola. Bento played in the 1986 World Cup and the 1984 European championships. — AFP