Brian Urlacher(Getty Images) LAKE FOREST, Ill. (AP)—Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher(notes) has left the team following the death of his mother. Urlacher’s mother, Lavoyda, died unexpectedly at her home in Texas, the team said Wednesday in releasing a statement from their veteran leader.
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Mancini: Balotelli will have to wait his chance
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini says that Mario Balotelli will have to wait for his chance as he juggles four top class strikers at the club.GettyImagesMario Balotell: Joined City from Inter• Mancini: We can cope with pressure • Champions League guide• PLAY Champions League fantasy• Champions League Pick 'emBalotelli, 21, has only played in one game so far this season (coming off the bench) and is suspended for the club's Champions League debut against Napoli as he was sent off at the end of City's Europa League campaign last season.But Mancini insists that Balotelli will have to wait his turn when he comes back.''I count myself very lucky to rely on four strikers, especially in a situation where the team needs to play every three
Chung Mung-Joon: Sepp Blatter is a little brat
Former vice-president of FIFA, Chung Mung-Joon, has slammed Sepp Blatter, claiming in his memoirs that the current FIFA chief is like a dictator and a ''little brat''.GettyImagesSepp Blatter and Chung Mong-joon (R)• Blatter considering stepping down • Bin Hammam: FIFA won't act against EuropeansMung-Joon, 59, has been a vocal critic of Blatter and considered challenging him in the recent presidency election and has aimed his latest barb in his memoirs My Challenge, My Enthusiasm released in Korea."President Blatter is fluent in five languages, has a good way with words and is intelligent... but I think he is not an international gentleman and he is like a little brat,'' he wrote.Many media outlets have made the comparison between Blatter and a dictator, and Mung-Joon
Four changes in Ireland team for Australia
by Brendan Cole Declan Kidney has made four changes to the Ireland team to face Australia in Ireland's crucial Pool C clash in Auckland on Saturday morning. Watch Ireland v Australia live on RTÉ 2 and RTÉ.ie/sport from 9am, listen on RTÉ Radio or follow live tracking on RTÉ.ie/sport (kick-off 9.30am). Ireland beat the USA 22-10 in their Pool C opener on Saturday with a performance that had some calling on the coach to make radical calls. But, with two of the four changes announced expected prior even to the USA game, he has settled for minor surgery. As expected, Sean O'Brien and Cian Healy return to the pack after sitting out last weekend. O'Brien was not risked against the USA as he
Notts County hold Juventus in stadium opener
Juventus 1-1 Notts County Italian giants Juventus brought the curtain up on their new 41,000 capacity Juventus Arena with a 1-1 draw against English minnows Notts County, the team who inspired their famous black-and-white striped shirts.GettyImagesNotts County - the club that inspired Juve's kit - were the first visitors to the Juventus Arena • First XI: Kitted out• PLAY Champions League fantasyLuca Toni scored the first goal in the new stadium early in the second half on the rebound after Fabio Quagliarella's penalty had been saved by County keeper Rob Burch.But Martin Allen's League One side ensured their evening became even more memorable when Lee Hughes equalised with a close-range effort three minutes from full-time.The Magpies had travelled to Turin for the once-in-a-lifetime
Balotelli quizzed in Italy over links to the Mafia
Mario Balotelli's turbulent Manchester City career has taken another unsteady turn with the striker ordered by Italian police to explain his links to the country's Mafia.GettyImagesMario Balotell: Joined City from Inter• PLAY Champions League fantasyBalotelli, who has courted controversy since making a £24 million switch from Inter Milan last summer, has been called as a witness by prosecutors in Naples for an anti-Mafia investigation that is going to trial next week. The forward was given a guided tour of a notorious crime-ridden district of Naples by Mario Iorio, a catering entrepreneur who has been charged with money laundering as part of an ongoing crime investigation. Balotelli will face stiff questioning on his links to Iorio and regarding his visit to the
Mancini explains reasons for Hargreaves move
Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini has revealed he was eager to sign either Roma's Daniele de Rossi or Real Madrid's Fernando Gago - but financial fair play led to the signing of Owen Hargreaves.PA PhotosRoberto Mancini: Spending limits• Hargreaves joins Man City• PLAY Champions League fantasyWith expensive signings such as Emmanuel Adebayor and Roque Santa Cruz only leaving the club on loan, City have been unable to balance the books with Sergio Aguero, Samir Nasri, Gael Clichy, Costel Pantilimon and Stefan Savic all arriving over the summer.So despite interest in more high profile names, Mancini was forced to take a gamble on injury ravaged former Manchester United player Hargreaves.Mancini told the Independent: "Gago is a player we liked a lot. We couldn't spend