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General Sports News

Reds suspend Itandje

Author: Rose Young
Date: 18/04/2009

Liverpool goalkeeper Charles Itandje has been suspended for two weeks after the club decided that his behaviour during Wednesday's Hillsborough Memorial Service was unbecoming.

The 26-year-old Frenchman was told by Reds boss Rafa Benitez not to attend training on Friday after smiling and nudging a team-mate during the service.

Meanwhile, captain Steven Gerrard faces at least another week on the sidelines. The 28-year-old England midfielder is struggling to recover from the groin problem he picked up earlier this month.

He was forced to miss the midweek Champions League clash at Chelsea and will play no part in Tuesday's Premier League fixture with Arsenal.

Gerrard is also a doubt for next weekend's game against relegation-threatened Hull City as Liverpool look to keep up the pressure on sportsbook favourites Manchester United.

Aston Villa manager Martin O'Neill has refused to comment on reports suggesting Martin Laursen's career is over.

The 30-year-old Denmark international has a long history of knee problems and has returned to his homeland after being told that the latest injury which has kept him sidelined since January has ended his season.

In cricket, the England selectors have delayed naming the squad for the first Test against West Indies until later this month.

The squad was due to be announced on Monday but has now been postponed until April 29.

Earlier in the week Ian Bell, after scoring 172 for Warwickshire against Somerset in the opening County Championship game of the season, spoke of his surprise at the decision to name the squad so early in the campaign.

The squad for the ICC World Twenty20 will be announced on 1 May.

The International Cricket Council have confirmed that no games at the 2011 World Cup will be played in Pakistan due to ongoing security concerns.

The move had been expected for some time, with the situation in Pakistan having reached the state where gunmen attacked the touring Sri Lankans' team bus in March.

In rugby union, Leicester Tigers have confirmed the appointment of Richard Cockerill as their new permanent head coach.

The former England front-rower stepped in following Heyneke Meyer's departure at Christmas and has quickly impressed at the club where he made his name as a player.

Harlequins could be in hot water after the controversial substitution involving Nick Evans in last weekend's Heineken Cup defeat to Leinster.

ERC, the organisers of the competition, have begun an investigation into the circumstances surrounding Quins' move to re-introduce Evans after earlier substituting him during the quarter-final.

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