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General Sports News

Redknapp reveals torment

Author: Craig Williams
Date: 10/05/2009

Tottenham Hotspur boss Harry Redknapp confirmed that Saturday's goalless draw with Everton had been overshadowed by a family tragedy involving Wilson Palacios.

The Honduras midfielder missed the game at Goodison Park after being granted compassionate leave following the apparent death of his teenage brother, who had been kidnapped in 2007 and subsequently held to ransom.

"The lad had heard from his family at about one in the morning what had happened and his brothers I believe have identified the body," revealed Redknapp at full-time.

"But he sat around the hotel lobby with his case packed until 7am because he didn't want to wake me.

"I'm amazed with him but we organised for him to be driven back to London so he could get a flight home.

"Things like that bring everything into focus. I believe the boy had been kidnapped and a ransom had been paid but he had not been released.

"Football is not really that important after this."

Spurs' off-field problems continued in the early hours of Sunday morning when Ledley King was reportedly arrested over an alleged assault outside a London nightclub.

Striker Carlos Tevez has admitted that he expects to leave Manchester United at the end of the season when his two-season loan deal comes to a close.

The 25-year-old Argentina international has scored 32 goals in 95 appearances for the football betting favourites for the Premier League.

He told The News of the World: "I am very sad about this, but I guess what I'm saying is goodbye. I don't think I'll be a United player next season.

"I've done everything I possibly can, but they have never made me an offer or given me a contract.

"I have not been treated as a member of the family. The fans treat me like family, but United have not signed me, so they don't respect me as a footballer."

Meanwhile, Celtic central defender Gary Caldwell has been named as the Scottish Football Writers' Player of the Year.

The 27-year-old completes a superb double for the Bhoys, with Scott Brown having won the SPFA Player of the Year award.

In rugby union Former England captain Martin Corry has announced his decision to retire at the end of the soon-to-be completed season.

Corry, 35, will see club side Leicester Tigers bring the curtain down on their campaign with Guinness Premiership and Heineken Cup finals in the coming weeks.

Thee veteran number eight will play no part as he is currently sidelined with a knee injury and has revealed that he won't be part of the Tigers squad next season.

In cricket, Ian Bell and Ryan Sidebottom have been named in the England squad for the second Test with West Indies.

Middle-order batsman Bell and left-arm seamer Sidebottom have been included in a 13-man party for the Durham Test, with Monty Panesar omitted from the squad named for the first Test win at Lord's.

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