American Football/Vick jailed for dog-fighting:Atlanta quarterback Michael Vick was sentenced to 23 months in prison for plotting to run an interstate dog-fighting ring.
US district court judge Henry Hudson gave the suspended National Football League player less than half the maximum five-year penalty for his role in buying, training and killing dogs while funding gambling on fights held on his property in Surry County, Virginia. Vick also received three years probation.
"You were instrumental in organising and promoting this activity," Hudson said from the bench in Richmond, Virginia. "I'm convinced it wasn't a momentary lapse. You were at least a full partner. I'm not sure you've taken full responsibility for your role in this activity."
In imposing a sentence toward the top of the 18 to 24 month guideline for the crime, Hudson pointed to Vick's testing positive for marijuana use after his plea agreement, and that the quarterback wasn't forthcoming with prosecutors.
Rugby/Welsh players in the docks: Gavin Henson will deny behaving in a disorderly manner when he is summoned to appear in court next month, his club have said. Ospreys and Wales international Henson (25), is due to appear before Cardiff magistrates on January 14th in connection with allegations of drunken antics on a train between London and Cardiff.
A spokesman for the Ospreys said Henson denied disorderly conduct and would not be facing disciplinary action from the club.
Meanwhile, two Newport Gwent Dragons players were given two- and four-month suspended sentences after being involved in a fracas at a Treviso night club early on Sunday.
Police said centre Rhodri Gomer-Davies and Wales prop Rhys Thomas were charged with resisting arrest, assaulting a public official, violence, threatening behaviour and theft.
The pair also paid for damages after headbutting a police car windscreen.
Equestrian/Kürten hearing set for February: Jessica Kürten, who enjoyed a very successful few days at the five-star show in Geneva last weekend, has been scheduled to appear before a Federation Equestre Internationale tribunal on February 28th, writes Margie McLoone.
The German-based rider has accused the FEI of "gross procedural errors" with regard to the medication case concerning her horse Castle Forbes Maike who returned a positive result to the drug Etoricoxib when tested at La Baule in May. According to her public relations manager Martina Brueske, Kürten is pleased that a date has been set for the hearing but is more concerned at present with her competitive career with the World Cup show at Olympia next on her agenda
The Breeders' Cup championships will feature three new races in 2008. The new races will be the $1 million Turf Sprint, the $1 million Juvenile Fillies Turf and the $500,000 Dirt Marathon.
Snooker/Higgins crashes out:World champion and number one John Higgins is out of this year's Maplin UK Championship after a surprise defeat to Stoke's Jamie Cope.
Higgins trailed 5-3 before the concluding session of the pair's best-of-17-frame clash at the Telford International Centre.
But despite his best efforts, the Scot saw his 22-year-old opponent win four frames in under an hour to make sure of his place in the second round.
"It was funny because I was quite pleased to be 5-3 down the way the match had gone, but looking back on it last night I missed a good chance to level at 3-3," reflected Higgins.
"I saw Stephen Hendry say it after he got beaten, but I do feel as though I'm hitting the ball well - and I'm coming up against guys like Jamie.
"I don't know whether it's a compliment but maybe they're raising their games because they know they're playing the world champion."
