Maradona blasts FIFA as 'corrupt'
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates, June 4 (UPI) -- Argentine soccer legend Diego Maradona Saturday blasted FIFA for "corruption" and accused its leaders of becoming "millionaires" off the sport.
Speaking at his first news conference as coach of the Dubai club Al Wasl, the 1986 World Cup winner took the opportunity to lambast the sport's world governing body, CNN reported.
FIFA last month suspended two top officials in a bribery probe, including the only challenger to the presidency of Joseph "Sepp" Blatter, who ended up running for the top spot unopposed.
Maradona, who in 1994 was sent home from the World Cup for using drugs, asserted world soccer should be run by former players rather than its current bureaucracy, the broadcaster reported.
"There is a lot of corruption involving FIFA officials and they are all millionaires because of football," he said. "I wonder if Blatter has ever kicked a football in his life, and yet we have been under the control of such people who have refused to give up power in FIFA."
Maradona added, "I don't support corrupt people and I will never be on their side. I have always been asked by them to support the FIFA family. But what family are they talking about?"
Shackleford gets green light for Belmont
BELMONT, N.Y., June 4 (UPI) -- Preakness winner Shackleford threw his hat in the ring for the Belmont Stakes Saturday with a solid workout on Long Island.
Trainer Dale Romans said his 3-year-old horse was ready for a rematch with Kentucky Derby champ Animal Kingdom following Shackleford's five-furlong work in 1 minute, 00.30 seconds at Belmont Park.
"I am excited he's doing so well and coming into the race the right way," Romans said. "I think he's going to be very competitive."
The New York Racing Authority said in a written statement the June 11 race will mark the 22nd time in the history of the Triple Crown that the winners of the Derby and Preakness have met in the Belmont, the last and longest race in the venerable series.
Shackleford edged Animal Kingdom in the stretch of the Preakness after placing fourth in the Derby.
Exercise rider Tammy Fox took Shackleford on the main track with times of 12.41 seconds for the first eight, 36.26 for three furlongs and 1:00.33 for five. He galloped out in 1:14.21.
"I thought he went around there really well and it looked like he did everything the way he was supposed to," said Romans, who said Saturday's run was a normal workout for Shackleford.
Posey condemns threats against Cousins
SAN FRANCISCO, June 4 (UPI) -- San Francisco Giants catcher Buster Posey said Saturday he "doesn't condone" condemnations of Florida Marlins rookie outfielder Scott Cousins.
Cousins' collision with Posey in a May 25 game resulted in leg and ankle ligament injuries to the Giants' receiver that will keep him out for the rest of the year.
A backlash against Cousins intensified this week when Giants General Manager Brian Sabean said on a local radio show, "If I never hear from Cousins again, or he doesn't play another day in the big leagues, I think we'll all be happy."
Cousins has said he has received death threats in the wake of the incident.
Posey reiterated in a statement Saturday he doesn't blame Cousins and wishes everyone would "move on."
"I appreciate the continued support of Giants fans and others as I begin the process of working my way back. But in no way do I condone threats of any kind against Scott Cousins or his family," Posey said.
The catcher said he hadn't talked to Cousins but was aware "he made the effort to reach out to me on the night of the play."
Winnipeg NHL team sells out season tix
WINNIPEG, Manitoba, June 4 (UPI) -- Season tickets for the prospective Winnipeg, Canada, NHL franchise sold out minutes after they were put on sale Saturday, team officials said.
The one-time Atlanta Thrashers are awaiting approval from the league's board of governors to approve their sale to True North Sports and Entertainment and subsequent relocation to the Canadian city.
The board is set to vote June 21, and True North in the meantime launched a drive to sell 13,000 season tickets to demonstrate the city's commitment to a new NHL franchise.
Fans responded by snapping them all up shortly after they were put on sale Saturday afternoon, the team said.
"It was an extraordinarily impressive statement by the fans in Winnipeg that they are ready to embrace NHL hockey," NHL Deputy Commissioner Bill Daly told the Winnipeg Sun. "I'm sure our board of governors will certainly take note."
"Holy smokes, that's unbelievable," added Thrashers goalie Chris Mason. "I really can't wait to experience the excitement of playing in front of a sold-out, enthusiastic crowd. It's just going to be crazy."
