Afridi to continue

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan star batsman Shahid Afridi has reversed his decision to temporarily retire from Test cricket. “Chairman of PCB (Shaharyar Khan) has persuaded Afridi to withdraw his decision,” PCBdirector of operations Abbas Zaidi said. Afridi decided to quit Test cricket earlier this month to concentrate on the cricket World Cup at the West Indies. Afridi will now be available for selection for July’s tour of England, which will include four Tests. — AP

Johansson may stay

STOCKHOLM: UEFA president Lennart Johansson is reconsidering his decision to step down next year, saying his colleagues and FIFA officials want him to stay for another four-year term. “The people I work with, both within FIFA and UEFA, are asking me to stay to ensure continuity,” he said. Johansson, who has served as Europe’s top soccer official since 1990, said earlier this year he would not run for re-election when his term expires in 2007. — AP

Madrid prez resigns

MADRID: Real Madrid president Fernando Martin resigned after two months in charge, forcing the Spanish club to hold an election. Martin stepped down after he failed to get the minimum of five board-member votes he needed to defer a poll of club members. The election is expected to be held after the season ends in May. “It was a serene meeting and there was a wide debate, and the decision was reached,” Martin said. — AP