UPI NewsTrack sports briefs

Rockets' Yao Ming out with toe surgery

HOUSTON, Dec. 20 (UPI) -- Rockets' center Yao Ming will be out "several weeks" because of toe surgery -- the latest woe for the injury-riddled team, the Houston Chronicle reported.

The Shanghai-born Yao, who has averaged a career-high 19.9 points and 9 rebounds per game this season, underwent surgery on his left "big" toe Monday. The procedure treated osteomyelitis, a bacterial bone infection, team officials said.

Yao's replacement, Dikembe Mutombo, dislocated and cut a finger and will miss at least two games.

That leaves the Rockets with six injured players.

However, Houston has won seven of its last nine contests with Tracy McGrady, who was out with a strained back, again in the lineup.

"If you have Tracy McGrady on your team and you play really hard and really smart, you can find a way to be in a game," Rockets Coach Jeff Van Gundy told the newspaper. "And if you can be in a game, you can win a game. We have no excuses. We don't want any."

Lawyer: Univ. of Texas players not charged

AUSTIN, Texas, Dec. 20 (UPI) -- A lawyer for two University of Texas football players says Austin, Texas, police plan no charges against Cedric Griffin and Ramonce Taylor, a report said.

Attorney Ken Oden told the San Antonio American-Statesman that police had completed their investigation of a Dec. 10 bar encounter between UT players and a group of men.

No charges would be filed unless new information develops in the case being reviewed by the district attorney, Oden said. However, police said the investigation is ongoing.

Oden said the "trash talking" incident would "not remotely resemble a felony of any type, assault, robbery, not even a misdemeanor," in an earlier interview with the Kansas City (Mo.) Star.

Griffin and Taylor cooperated with police also investigating a Sept. 4 handgun assault that Oden said did not involve UT players. It may have involved someone known by football team members, Oden said.

The Longhorns are preparing to face Southern California in the Jan. 4 Rose Bowl.

Soccer's Di Canio suspended for one game

ROME, Dec. 20 (UPI) -- Italy's soccer association has banned Paolo Di Canio for one game and fined him nearly $12,000 for allegedly making a fascist salute, reports Sky News.

The 37-year-old Lazio striker allegedly has made the gesture three times during matches.

In the latest incident, Di Canio was accused of making the gesture last weekend against Juventus.

Di Canio said it was not intended as a political statement and he would continue to acknowledge his fans in whatever way he chose.