UPI NewsTrack Sports

Hearing for former NBA star postponed

NEWARK, N.J., Nov. 20 (UPI) -- A hearing for former NBA star Jayson Williams concerning the death a limo driver has been indefinitely postponed, the office of a New Jersey judge says.

Superior Court Judge Edward Coleman ordered the postponement Friday on the day Williams was expected to accept a plea deal that called for him to serve at least 18 months in jail, The Newark (N.J.) Star-Ledger reports.

Longtime friend Akhtar Farzaie says Williams never finalized the deal and is still in South Carolina where he buried his father Saturday.

Williams was expected to admit playing a role in the death of Costas "Gus" Christofi, who died of a gunshot wound to the chest at Williams' home in 2002.

Williams has insisted Christofi's death was an accident but the state of New Jersey accused him of recklessly handling the gun that fired, killing Christofi.

The 6-foot-10 Williams played for the New Jersey Nets and Philadelphia 76ers before retiring in 2000.

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Violence erupts over soccer loss in Egypt

CAIRO, Nov. 20 (UPI) -- Thirty-five people were hurt Friday before riot police quelled a violent protest after Egypt's World Cup loss to Algeria, the Egyptian Interior Ministry said.

The BBC reported the demonstration, which involved people overturning a police van and throwing firebombs, took place in Cairo hours after nearly 1,000 Egyptians set Algerian flags ablaze near the Algerian Embassy.

The protests stemmed from reports that Egyptian fans were attacked after leaving the World Cup qualifying match in Sudan. The incidents prompted Thursday night's flag burnings, which escalated into Friday morning's protest.

The ministry said 11 police officers were among those injured. Fifteen cars were damaged.

Algeria's 1-0 soccer tournament qualifying victory over Egypt Wednesday also prompted harsh words from Alaa Mubarak, son of Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.

"When you insult my dignity ... I will beat you on the head," the younger Mubarak said regarding Algeria.

The BBC said Algeria earned the last African spot in the 2010 World Cup finals with its victory over Egypt.

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Arrests made in European match-fixing ring

BOCHUM, Germany, Nov. 20 (UPI) -- Law enforcement officials in Germany said Friday that 17 people were arrested for allegedly taking part in a major match-fixing ring in European soccer.

The New York Times said the 15 people arrested in Germany and two individuals detained in Switzerland are accused of trying to fix the results of nearly 200 soccer games, including three games in Europe's professional Champions League.

The alleged attempts to manipulate game results in nine different countries involved efforts to bribe soccer officials ranging from players to referees. Authorities allege the suspects were also involved with an international gambling ring that had clients in Europe and Asia.

Both authorities and Union of European Football Associations

officials refused to offer specific details regarding the matches and suspects at the center of the match-fixing scandal, the Times said.

"Without question, this is the biggest betting fraud in the history of U.E.F.A.," the European soccer organization's head of anti-fraud operations, Peter Limacher, said.

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Johnson signs contract extension

HOMESTEAD, Fla., Nov. 20 (UPI) -- Standout NASCAR driver

Jimmie Johnson signed a five-year contract extension Friday to remain with Hendrick Motorsports through the 2015 season.

The deal was made two days before Johnson attempts to claim an unprecedented fourth straight Sprint Cup title at Sunday's season-ending Ford 400 at the Homestead-Miami Speedway in Homestead, Fla.

He needs to finish 25th or better to beat Mark Martin for the 2009 Sprint Cup championship.

"Jimmie is charting new territory in our sport, and that's due to a combination of natural talent and unsurpassed work ethic," team owner Rick Hendrick said. "There's no question that he's one of the great champions in all of sports, and he's not done yet."

Also Friday, Lowe's, the primary sponsor of Johnson's No. 48 Chevrolet, signed a contract extension through 2013.

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