Sport Line News

It seems that lady luck is not on the side of Pakistan fast bowler Shoaib Akhtar. The controversial fast bowler, who flew to London on Wednesday to play county cricket, was told by the authorities at the Heathrow Airport that a working visa was needed to play professional cricket in England and his tourist visa was not sufficient. Although the Pakistan Cricket Board had given Akhtar a No Objection Certificate (NOC), clearing the way for him to play in Surrey’s last three County Championship matches, the visa problems mean that the plan has been put on hold. Akhtar, who arrived back home on Thursday, is likely to complete his documents in two days and fly to London on Sunday or Monday.

Surrey look set for relegation from Division One as they are bottom of the County Championship table with 18 points with three matches to go. They recruited Akhtar for their last three matches. Akhtar is very disappointed after the incident. He was scheduled to play his first match for Surrey against Kent in Canterbury. “I was eagerly looking forward to play for Surrey and will now try again to go to London if the required documents are complete,” he told reporters on Thursday.

French midfielder Franck Ribéry took part in full training with Bayern Munich on Thursday for the first time since his Euro 2008 ankle injury and expects to play again by the end of September.

Having torn ankle ligaments in June, Ribery, 25, trained with his team-mates under new Bayern coach Jurgen Klinsmann in Munich watched by more than a thousand fans.

"He is working day after day with more energy, Franck is getting more and more confidence," said Klinsmann.

The Bayern boss expects Ribery to return for the German giants on September 27 for the Bundesliga match against Hanover.

The Frenchman damaged his ankle playing for his country in the 2-0 defeat at the hands of Italy on Tuesday June 17 during the Euro 2008 group stages and underwent surgery two days later.

Alan Curbishley's turbulent spell as West Ham manager came to an abrupt end on Wednesday when he quit, saying the club had sold players against his wishes.

Curbishley saved the east London club from relegation in the 2006-07 season but has had a lean time since. He becomes the first English Premier League manager to leave his job this season after the Hammers sold defender George McCartney to Sunderland.

Before the sacking, West Ham released a statement justifying the sale of McCartney and Anton Ferdinand.

But Curbishley responded with a televised interview in which he said McCartney had been sold to Sunderland despite him telling chief executive Scott Duxbury that he needed the full-back to cover injuries.

"It was the transfer of George McCartney which I was vehemently against," Curbishley said.

"Not just because he is such a good player — I happen to think he's one of the best full-backs in the Premier League — but the situation we found ourselves in with injuries to other players."

A club statement said: "We can confrim that we have accepted Alan Curbishley's resignation as we feel it is in the best interests of both parties. We wish Alan all the success in the future. A shortlist of candidates is being drawn up and an announcement will be made in due course about the new West Ham United manager."

West Ham put reserve team coach Kevin Keen in charge but Croatia manager Slaven Bilic is tipped for the permanent job.

News Courtsey: AP