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General Sports News

Clark ends Woods' comeback

Author: Rose Young
Date: 27/02/2009

World number one Tiger Woods was content with his return to action, despite being knocked out in the second round of the WGC Accenture Match Play Championship in Tuscon, Arizona.

Woods had been sidelined for around eight months after undergoing knee surgery but, despite being golf betting favourite for the tournament, was unable to make a perfect return as he lost 4&2 to South Africa's Tim Clark.

Clark admitted afterwards: "I had to try and forget who I was playing, but I was a little nervous on the first tee.

"He may have been a little rusty, but he was still going to be able to play some shots that I couldn't."

In football, Premier League club Liverpool have confirmed that chief executive Rick Parry will leave Anfield at the end of the season.

The 54-year-old has been with the Reds since 1997, but speculation about his position had been rife since boss Rafa Benitez indicated he wanted greater control over transfers in his protracted talks over a new contract.

Parry has endured a strained relationship with Benitez and American co-owner Tom Hicks and had been linked with the chief executive's post as part of the FA's 2018 World Cup bid at the end of last year.

Meanwhile, Manchester United teenager Rafael faces a month on the sidelines after it was revealed that he has suffered a fractured ankle.

The 18-year-old sustained the injury in last weekend's victory over Blackburn Rovers and will play no part in Sunday's Carling Cup Final against Tottenham Hotspur.

AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti shouldered the blame for his side's shock UEFA Cup exit at the hands of Werder Bremen.

The Rossoneri had been favourites to win the trophy, but surrendered a two-goal lead in the San Siro to leave the tie locked at 3-3, with the Germans qualifying for the last 16 on away goals.

Ancelotti admitted: "Werder Bremen deserved to qualify, despite the fact that we led for most of the tie. I, as the coach, am the most responsible for the result, so I cannot hide."

In cricket, England all-rounder Andrew Flintoff will fly home for treatment on his hip injury, meaning he will definitely miss the fifth Test against the West Indies.

The 31-year-old has already been forced to sit out the fourth Test in the Caribbean, having sustained a torn muscle in the third game of the series in Antigua.

Hugh Morris, the managing director of England Cricket, confirmed the news, but remains hopeful that Flintoff will return for the upcoming one-day series and a Twenty20 international.

In rugby union, Bath's England prop forward Matt Stevens has been handed a two-year suspension for failing a routine drugs test.

The 26-year-old tested positive for cocaine following December's Heineken Cup clash with Glasgow.

Bath have announced that they will hold their own internal hearing into Stevens' future with the Guinness Premiership club.

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