Crows may have breached cap

Adelaide Crows ... winning games, not convincing everybody. Source: Simon Cross / News Limited

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Adelaide Crows' no-longer secret "exit clause" with forward Kurt Tippett may be the least of their problems as the AFL investigation turns to allegations of undisclosed third-party payments.

If proven, these claims - that relate to Tippett and his brother Joel who plays with SANFL club West Adelaide - could subject the Crows to heavy sanctions for salary cap breaches.

AFL salary cap investigator Ken Wood has taken to investigating how the Crows may have paid Joel Tippett to move from Gold Coast to Adelaide to ease Kurt's unease.

Adelaide chief executive Steven Trigg on Friday handed to the AFL a letter of agreement reached outside the Crows' contract dealings with Tippett in 2009.

That letter has at least three clauses - the exit demand to trade Tippett to any AFL club of his choice when he chose to leave Adelaide and two deals that could breach the AFL salary cap rules.

Adelaide face harsher penalties for the alleged third-party arrangements than the exit clause written in the 2009 letter between Crows football operations chief John Reid and Tippett's Brisbane-based manager Peter Blucher.

If Wood and AFL integrity officer Brett Clothier find the Crows should have detailed the third-party deals in Tippett's contract, Adelaide will be subject to penalties ranging from fines to losing draft picks.

Trigg's decision to hand the document to the AFL on Friday appears to have been triggered, in part, by rivals Gold Coast Suns becoming aware of Tippett's letter of arrangement with the Crows and seeking AFL scrutiny of the 2009 document.

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Also, Wood had taken interest - before Trigg's declaration - in an interview in The Advertiser earlier this month when Crows chairman Rob Chapman spoke of Joel's move to Adelaide.

Earlier, Crows chairman Rob Chapman insisted the club had nothing to hide after initiating an AFL probe into Tippett's out-of-contract terms at West Lakes.

Chapman also has opened the Adelaide player files to AFL investigator Ken Wood as the special letter between Tippett and the Crows from 2009 brings into question how the club has signed up their squad.

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"We have nothing to hide - and we have opened all the books to the AFL without condition," Chapman said.

"I can give a gold-plated commitment the AFL will find nothing."

Chapman defended his club's officials who allowed Tippett to have a letter detailing the terms by which he was to be traded from Adelaide if he chose to leave the Crows at the end of his three-year contract - as he has asked with a trade to Sydney Swans.

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"Our intent was never to break any rules," Chapman said.

"And we have a history of compliance, no record of any misdemeanours, but if we have now got this wrong, we need to know before the trade is done and we will have to abide by any penalty."

The AFL investigation now puts in question if Tippett can be traded before Friday's 2pm (EDT) deadline - and what happens to his football career if he is suspended for breaching league rules.

Adelaide are understood to have agreed after closing contract talks with Tippett in 2009 to release him at a "minimal cost", supposedly a second-round draft pick.

"Remember three years ago everyone in this state wanted our club to re-sign Kurt Tippett," said Chapman.

"At that time, our people negotiating the deal believed what they were doing was right."

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LeMond urges McQuaid to quit

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Scandal ... UCI president Pat McQuaid is resisting calls to step down. Source: Salvatore Di Nolfi / AP

Three-time Tour de France winner Greg LeMond has urged Pat McQuaid to quit as head of world cycling's governing body the UCI in the wake of the Lance Armstrong doping affair.

"I want to tell the world of cycling to please join me in telling Pat McQuaid to resign,'' LeMond said on his Facebook page.

''... resign Pat if you love cycling. Resign even if you hate the sport.

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"Pat McQuaid, you know damn well what has been going on in cycling, and if you want to deny it, then even more reasons why those who love cycling need to demand that you resign.''

LeMond, who won the Tour in 1986, 1989 and 1990, said McQuaid and his predecessor as UCI chief, Hein Verbruggen, "have destroyed the sport''.

"It is time to walk away. Walk away if you love cycling.''

McQuaid this week warned against blaming the sport's authorities for doping scandals after Armstrong was banned for life and stripped of his seven Tour de France wins.

Verbruggen has come under scrutiny for his role in the Armstrong affair as he was at the helm at the time of the shamed US rider's consecutive wins in cycling's most gruelling race between 1999 and 2005.

In particular, Verbruggen has been accused of shielding the Texan amid claims he and US Postal Service teammates were tipped off about the arrival of dope testers and the UCI received a donation from Armstrong allegedly to cover up a positive test, but Verbruggen has denied the claims.

In his Facebook entry, LeMond also issued a supportive call for funds for Irish journalist Paul Kimmage's legal battle with the UCI, the latter accusing the former professional cyclist of defamation after accusations of corruption.

UCI and Kimmage, who used to work for Britain's Sunday Times, have a court date in Switzerland on December 12.

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Tiger, Chalmers charge in Malaysia

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Hot streak ... Tiger Woods fired five birdies on the back nine in Malaysia. Source: Mohd Rasfan / AFP

Tiger Woods wowed huge crowds at the CIMB Classic in Malaysia as he ripped five birdies over his last nine holes to join Australian Greg Chalmers at three shots off the lead following the first round on Thursday.

The 14-time Major-winner, who has surged back to world No.2 after a damaging sex scandal and injury, dropped shots on eight and nine but recovered to card 66 on the par-71 course, trailing leader Troy Matteson.

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On a hot, humid and low-scoring day, Matteson's scorching 63 was only good enough for a one-shot leadover Brian Harman, Jeff Overton and Robert Garrigus, with Gaganjeet Bhullar and Tom Gillis one more back on six-under.

Woods and Chalmers were among six players tied on five-under at Kuala Lumpur's Mines Resort and Golf Club, where the American lifted golf's World Cup with Mark O'Meara on his previous visit way back in 1999.

His round appeared headed for mediocrity after consecutive lip-out bogeys on eight and nine, but after turning at level par a 20-foot birdie putt on the 10th sparked a sudden change in fortunes.

Another birdie at 11, near-misses at 13 and 14 and three birdies in a row from 15 to 17 put the American great firmly in contention in the no-cut, $US6.1 million ($A5.92 million) event, and delighted his hundreds of following fans.

"Turning at even par, I felt like I got run over there,'' Woods said. ``It felt like I had to shoot at least three or four under par on that back nine and I happened to get one more which was nice.

"It's going to take something 20-plus (under par) this week to win the tournament, so you've got to be aggressive and got to go and get it.''

A giant gallery of about 1,000 spectators had crammed the hillside and pathway at the first tee and roared with appreciation as Woods began his first tournament in Asia in two years.

In punishing midday heat, the 36-year-old solidly parred the first two holes and then went one under on the par-five third with a 250-yard approach shot to just off the green, followed by a chip to two feet.

Woods passed up a nine-foot birdie putt on the next hole, but a precision 120-yard pitch to within two feet put him two under par on the par-four fifth.

As Australian playing partner Marcus Fraser (70) struggled to bogey with two botched iron shots on the sixth, Woods grimaced with frustration as he dropped a short pitch 12 feet from the pin and then left his putt short.

A 15-foot birdie putt on the par-three seventh trickled just wide, and after driving left of the fairway on the eighth a valiant shot over a high overhanging tree left him in a grassy hollow just off the green.

A sizzling chip missed by a matter of inches, but Woods was staggered when his three-foot par putt lipped out for his first bogey.

And it was deja vu on the ninth as Woods bunkered his approach, escaped to within three feet but then lipped out again to drop back to even par in front of a packed clubhouse gallery.

But a rolling, 20-foot putt for birdie on 10 revved up his round.

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Donaldson outshines stars in China

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Course record ... Jamie Donaldson takes the lead after the first round in China. Source: Eugene Hoshiko / AP

Four of the world's top five golfers including No.1 Rory McIlroy are at Lake Malaren this week, but it was world No.51 Jamie Donaldson who outshone all the stars on Thursday.

The Welshman shot a course-record 10-under-par 62 to lead the BMW Masters by four shots after the first round.
Donaldson won his first tour title at the Irish Open at Royal Portrush earlier this season after 10 years and 255 tournaments of trying.

He would be wise not to look over his shoulder when he tees off in the final group on Friday.

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If he does he will see a world-class chasing pack headed by Ryder Cup stars Peter Hanson and Francesco Molinari at six-under bearing down on him.

More ominously, US PGA champion McIlroy, who won on this course last year when the tournament was an invitational event, lurks just one shot further back after a birdie on 18 gave the Northern Irishman a 67.

Ryder Cup captain Jose Maria Olazabal, pleased to get his clubs back in his hands after guiding his team to an emotional victory at Medinah less than four weeks ago, also shot a sublime bogey-free 67 to be five off the lead.

And McIlroy said it was good to see his skipper's name alongside his.

"Yeah, Ollie's name on the board there was nice to see,'' said McIlroy.

"A few weeks ago 12 individuals came together as part of the team and now we're back playing and trying to beat one another.''

McIlroy said the benign, windless conditions made good scoring possible, but was still mightily impressed by Donaldson's round.

"Jamie has shot 10-under, which is phenomenal scoring, and I was just happy to stay somewhere within touching distance.''

He did that with "my best two shots of the day'', a driver in the 18th followed by a nine-iron from 144 yards to within four feet for a birdie three.

"It was definitely a nice way to finish and puts me in a good position,'' said McIlroy.

Far from out of the picture, with 54 holes still to play on the long and demanding Jack Nicklaus-designed 7,607-yard course, are world number five Justin Rose (four-under), number three Luke Donald and number four Lee Westwood (both on two-under).

But it was Donaldson who sparkled in Shanghai, and he rated the bogey-free 62 as one of the rounds of his life despite having twice shot 61 in previous tour events.

"Yeah it's up there with the best rounds I've ever shot. The golf course is harder than the other two I played, the other low scores," said Donaldson.

"The golf course is no pushover by any stretch of the imagination,".

Donaldson's round contained 10 birdies, five each on front and back nines, and eight pars. And so flawless was his golf he never had to scramble to keep a bogey off his card.

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Valencia chasing Terry: report

On the way out? ... according to FIFA agent Francois Gallardo, Terry asked to leave Chelsea. Source: Efrem Lukatsky / AAP

Former England captain John Terry could be on his way out of Chelsea and heading for Spanish club Valencia in the January transfer window, according to a report from the UK.

Terry is serving a four-match Football Association ban for racially abusing Queens Park Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand and Chelsea have slapped a fine on the player into the bargain.

The Daiily Mirror reported that FIFA agent Francois Gallardo has claimed Terry has been offered the chance to relaunch his career in the Spanish top-flight.

Valencia are reportedly ready to offer the 31-year-old defender an 18-month contract, with an option for another year.

Gallardo told Radio Intereconomia: "Valencia are negotiating, and I am involved in person, with the signing in the winter transfer market.

"The offer is on his table. The player is out of contract in June and will not renew there for several reasons at Chelsea and he wants to come to Spain."

Gallardo added: "Terry has problems. They are insulting him and he is not taking it anymore. He asked to leave, not us.

"It's real. This has been going on for 15 days and two meetings have already taken place. The deal is already on his table - a year and a half plus one. I think he will accept."

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Disgraced Malik wants to coach

Return ... Salim Malik wants to return to cricket and be the Pakistan batting coach. Source: AP

Disgraced former Pakistan captain Salim Malik on Thursday said he has applied for the job of national batting coach, insisting he is not barred after a court lifted his life ban four years ago.

Malik, 49, was banned by Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) in 2000 after a judicial inquiry conducted by Justice Malik Mohammad Qayyum found him guilty of offering bribes to Australian players to lose.

Australian trio Shane Warne, Tim May and Mark Waugh alleged Malik offered them huge sums to underperform during their team's tour to Pakistan in 1994.

Malik, who always pleaded his innocence, was also named in an inquiry conducted by India's Central Bureau of Investigation, which led to life bans on their captain Mohammad Azharuddin and Ajay Sharma.

The ban on Malik was lifted by a court in Lahore in October 2008, but the decision has not been endorsed by the International Cricket Council (ICC), which reportedly blocked his appointment to the PCB academy in Lahore in 2008.

Malik, a stylish batsman in his day, now claims that he is cleared of all fixing charges.

"I am cleared and my life ban was lifted four years ago,'' Malik told reporters after submitting his application with the PCB.

"I am cleared by the PCB and the ICC so I can now be involved in any cricket related activity.''

PCB earlier this month advertised the post of batting coach in an attempt to overcome the national team's frailties, which let them down in major events like the 2011 World Cup and World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka this month.

During an illustrious career, Malik scored 5768 runs in 103 Tests and 7170 runs in 283 one-day internationals and said he could help improve Pakistan's batting.

The fact he does not have a level III coaching qualification, as required by the PCB, has not put him off.

"A Test cricketer like me doesn't need any coaching course or any certificate,'' he insisted.

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Chooks, Bunnies set to open season

Blockbuster ... the Roosters and Rabbitohs are likely to open the 2013 season. Source: Gregg Porteous / News Limited

The NRL is planning another blockbuster to kick-off the 2013 season on a Thursday night, but Canterbury-Bankstown boss Todd Greenberg looks unlikely to be granted his wish of a season-opening grudge match against a Sydney Roosters side containing Sonny Bill Williams.

Following a meeting of club chief executives on Thursday, the NRL announced it would kick-off the first four rounds of the season with a Thursday night fixture.

The 2013 NRL draw, including the days and times of each match for the first 20 rounds won't be finalised until mid-November, but a Roosters v South Sydney round one Thursday night showdown before a bumper crowd is looming as the ideal way to kick off the new broadcasting deal.

The two matches between the Roosters and Rabbitohs this year were among the most memorable games of the season, with both clashes between the bitter rivals being decided in the final seconds of play.

Matches between the foundation clubs have been a tradition feature of the NRL's opening round for a number of seasons now and it is understood Channel Nine and both the Roosters and the Rabbitohs are keen to continue that on the opening day of the year at Allianz Stadium.

The 2011 season began on a Friday night with another epic contest between the Rabbitohs and the Roosters, while this year started on a Thursday night with a Wayne-Bennett coached Newcastle coming up against his former club St George-Illawarra.

Greenberg had been keen for Canterbury to host an opening round match against a side containing former Bulldog Williams - who is yet to be confirmed as a Roosters signing for 2013.

Williams controversially walked out on the Bulldogs midway through the 2008 season to play rugby union in France.

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But it is increasingly unlikely to happen with the Roosters and Rabbitohs eyeing off the round one opener, in what would be a mouth-watering start to the new season.

The match is sure to be afforded star billing given the Rabbitohs fantastic season this year, and the hype surrounding Williams' probable signing with the Roosters and the acquisition at Bondi Junction of rookie coach Trent Robinson.

It is the Roosters turn to host the round one match.

New Roosters chief operating officer commercial Ted Helliar was reluctant to be drawn on a Thursday night start between the arch enemies until the draw was finalised.

But he did say: "Obviously it is the desire of both clubs to play against each other in round one as has been the case for a number of years.

"And it would be a great opportunity for the members, sponsors, players and staff of both the Roosters and the Rabbitohs to be involved in the first game of the season, no better way to kick off 2013."

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Wallabies must avoid McCaw: Kafe

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Tackle-machine ... All Blacks captain Richie McCaw has been a wreaking ball against the Wallabies. Source: William West / News Limited

All Blacks captain Richie McCaw has always been known as a danger around the breakdown but during The Rugby Championship he has become a tackling machine.

McCaw has attempted 80 tackles during the tournament and made a staggering 78 of them and Fox Sports rugby analyst Rod Kafer has implored the Wallabies to avoid the champion flanker.

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Speaking on Fox Sports' The Rugby Club, Kafer said the Wallabies had targeted McCaw on several occasions in recent Tests and been punished for it.

"The Wallabies have often attacked through a narrow channel - right at Richie McCaw," he said.

"They've got to think about not taking the ball at McCaw because he's not going to miss the tackle, they've got to get it out to the guys a little wider."

Kafer said McCaw dominated the breakdown through his tackling and physicality.

"He's a player who's redefined how you play the game at the breakdown," he said.

"He's so physical, he wins the collision, he knocks you down behind the game line, then he's a chance to steal the ball and we know how good a pilferer of the ball he is."

The Wallabies will attempt to break New Zealand's 17-Test winning streak when the rivals meet at Suncorp Stadium this Saturday.

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Watch the Wallabies take on the All Blacks LIVE from 8pm (EDT) on Saturday on Fox Sports 3HD.

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Earlier in the night, Australia No.8 Wycliff Palu was The Rugby Club's special guest and said it would be a tough challenge against the All Blacks.

"They're a really good side at the moment but we just have to worry about ourselves and get ourselves right," he said.

"Hopefully that will make us play well on the weekend."

"I think stopping their momentum (is key). They like to get over the advantage line, so if we can stop that it will make our job a lot easier.

"It's going to be won and lost up front and this week is no different. All the boys have talked about it and come Saturday we'll see what happens."

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Chalmers looms large in Perth

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Contender ... Greg Chalmers is well placed after the first round of the Perth International. Source: Daniel Wilkins / News Limited

Kiwi Michael Hendry and Spain's Alejandro Canizares took the opening day honours at the Perth International, but Australian Greg Chalmers and England's Paul Casey loom as the danger men at the $2 million event.

Hendry and Canizares shot seven-under 65s to set the early standard, with 20-year-old Argentinean Emiliano Grillo one shot further behind.

Big guns Jason Dufner and Charl Schwartzel failed to live up to their reputations with one-under rounds, but former world No.3 Casey is well placed at five-under after a bogey-free round.

World No.24 Bo Van Pelt finished at two-under.

Chalmers, the defending Australian Open and PGA Championship winner, shot a solid round of four-under 68 to be just three shots off the pace.

In an ominous warning to his rivals, the world No.58 is confident he will improve over the coming days as he acclimatises to the conditions.

"Look, two days ago I was in Dallas, Texas,'' Chalmers said.

"I made a couple soft bogeys just purely out of my brain feeling a little like a mashed potato.

"But I did really well after bogeying the 10th hole and birdied four of the next five and really had some nice momentum going.

"I'm happy to get in at four-under; really pleased. I'm getting better every day.''

Hendry, the world No.574, missed five straight cuts after winning the NZ PGA Pro-Am Championship earlier this year.

But after taking some time off during winter, Hendry feels his form is slowly returning, especially after last week's seventh-placed finish at the China Masters.

"My form had been a bit rough but I saw a few glimpses last week in China and it's just nice to carry on,'' Hendry said.

"When you're playing bad and you're spending lots of money to get to events and not getting a lot of return on that investment, it does put a lot of pressure on you to play well.

"But you just keep working hard and hoping it turns the corner at some stage, and it has the last couple of weeks.''

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Terry won't fight racism ban

Ban ... Chelsea's John Terry has apologised for his racist comments to Anton Ferdinand. Source: Ian Kington / AFP

Chelsea defender John Terry said on Thursday that he had decided not to appeal against a four-match ban and fine of 270,000 euro ($A344,000) for racially abusing Queens Park Rangers defender Anton Ferdinand.

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The former England captain was handed a ban by the Football Association (FA) in September despite being cleared of racism charges in a court of law earlier in the year.

Terry said in a statement: "After careful consideration, I have decided not to appeal against the FA judgment."

"I want to take this opportunity to apologise to everyone for the language I used in the game against Queens Park Rangers last October.

"Although I'm disappointed with the FA judgment, I accept that the language I used, regardless of the context, is not acceptable on the football field or indeed in any walk of life.''

He added: "As I stated in the criminal case, with the benefit of hindsight my language was clearly not an appropriate reaction to the situation for someone in my position."

"My response was below the level expected by Chelsea Football Club, and by me, and it will not happen again.''

He added that he would "continue to do my part in assisting the club to remove all types of discriminatory behaviour from football.''

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