Uefa right Sir: Far be it for me to defend Dennis Wise whose appalling disciplinary record speaks for itself but Uefa

Uefa right

Sir: Far be it for me to defend Dennis Wise, whose appalling disciplinary record speaks for itself, but Uefa have surely made the proper decision by dismissing the “biting” charge against him.
It was quite clear from the television that the Real Mallorca defender was “raking” his fingers on Wise’s neck and equally obvious that the Chelsea captain bit nothing but fresh air.The incident was yet another example of a player being tried and found guilty by television and the lower forms of the press.. A PHOTO shoot in the heart of London to launch a limited-edition Jordan Honda Civic road car and a Jordan Honda motorbike, both in the distinctive yellow livery of the Formula One car, could have been a million miles from a grand prix circuit, let alone the spectre of the sport’s darkest weekend in recent times, but the memories inexorably closed in on Damon Hill yesterday. The weekend after this, the former world champion will be at Imola for the San Marino Grand Prix, an event that will mark the fifth anniversary of the deaths of Ayrton Senna and Roland Ratzenberger.
Hill, who was Senna’s team-mate at Williams, has since been a leading agitator for improved safety standards in Formula One and is adamant that complacency must never divert the drivers or the sport’s governing body, the FIA, from the campaign to save lives.”The history will be on people’s minds,” Hill said. “It was a dark weekend and mercifully things have been good for us, and the safety of cars and circuits have improved since then. There was some concern of over-reacting immediately after that race, but I think we are now getting the balance right between the thrills and excitement and the safety.”The important thing is we still have lively discussion between the Grand Prix Drivers’ Association and the FIA, and that must be continued to respect the memories of Ayrton and Roland, and any other driver who has lost his life in Formula One.”Nothing must be brushed under the carpet It is not acceptable if people are hurt. I keep suggesting things and little by little, cars have become safer.”If there were unacceptable dangers we wouldn’t race, but there are still places that are riskier than we would like and we hope something will be done about that. I don’t want to be specific, but usually they are the faster circuits.”The risk should not be your life That’s not an acceptable approach now The fear and bravery should be about performing better.

Failure should be no more than embarrassment, spinning into the gravel trap and not ending up in hospital.”Hill will be concerned also about registering his first finish and first points of the season at Imola. He has been forced out of the opening two races in skirmishes with other cars, while his Jordan-Mugen-Honda team- mate, Heinz-Harald Frentzen, has finished second and third.”I’ve been out for a duck so far, so I’m aiming for points next week,” the 38-year-old Englishman said. “But the car is good and quick, so the opportunity is there and I’m sure it will get better through the season.”Heinz-Harald has surprised me He seems to have dropped on the ground running. I don’t understand why that form was not apparent when he was with Williams. But Jordan is quite a different environment.”The fact he’s started so well is not a burden for me It just sets the target for me.

There’s always rivalry between drivers but we’re not fighting for the championship There’s no grudge We are fighting for the team. I’m optimistic things will go well and we’ll be at the front.”McLaren-Mercedes and Ferrari emerged as one and two in Brazil earlier this month but Hill does not accept third place must be the limit of Jordan’s aspirations this season.He said: “There’s no reason why we shouldn’t push for better than third. I think McLaren will take some beating but we could move ourselves into a position to be second I would be disappointed if I didn’t win this year. You should always aim as high as you can.”I’m not thinking beyond this season, about retirement or anything like that I’ve trained very hard for this year Perhaps because I’m 38 and the ramp is working against me I’ve trained harder to resist the natural gravity. I should be in good form and look forward to the chance of a full race.”My contract runs out this season so I’m aware there is a performance aspect as to what I do in the future You can never sit back and wait for it to come to you.”. GRAHAM FORD, the former local provincial second XI cricketer, was named as successor to the high-profile Bob Woolmer as the South African national coach yesterday. The 38-year-old has agreed a three-year contract, ending weeks of speculation following Woolmer’s decision to stand down after the World Cup in England ends in June.
“He is youthful, enthusiastic and committed,” Ali Bacher, the United Cricket Board of South Africa’s managing director, said yesterday.

“He is a good organiser, has good people skills and has a professional approach.”Ford captained Natal B for several seasons in the 1980s but never played in top flight South African cricket His record as a coach, however, has been outstanding. He guided Natal to a rare South African league and cup double in 1995-96 and has twice coached the South African A side on tour. He also proved popular with the players when he was assistant to Woolmer for the recent tour of New Zealand. Woolmer, a former England Test opener, has been linked with the job as England coach in succession to David Lloyd who has also said he will step down after the World Cup.”I’m honoured to be following in Bob’s shoes and continuing the good work he has done, although it is a huge challenge,” Ford said.Shaun Pollock, South Africa’s vice-captain and fast bowler, has played most of his first-class career at Natal under Ford’s guidance and the captaincy for some years of the West Indian, Malcolm Marhall.

“Fordy and Malcolm took a young, inexperienced team and turned us into something special,” Pollock said. “He did a brilliant job and I’m pretty certain he’ll do an excellent job in charge of the national team.”The Western Province coach, Duncan Fletcher, who has a three-year contract with Glamorgan, was believed to be the UCB’s first choice, but his County Championship commitments ruled him out. The former South African players, Hylton Ackerman and Peter Kirsten, both coaching at provincial level, were also considered for a post which Ford had initially said he did not want as he feared it would take him away from his family too frequently.”We are only out of the country for five months in the next two years and the schedule isn’t as bad as I thought,” said Ford.Pollock said: “Because he never played Test cricket he doesn’t have any ideas that are set in stone. He listens to every problem with an open mind.”Talk Radio wins rights to England’s winter tourPage 10. THE ROSES match of last August proved a notable success for Lancashire in their valiant but ultimately vain attempt to catch Leicestershire at the top of the Championship table But it was memorable for more than that. John Crawley’s 180 in the first innings equalled the fourth-highest score by a Lancashire player in Roses matches; and when the 12th man, Richard Green, walked out to bat in the second innings it became the first occasion that 12 different players had batted for Lancashire in a Championship fixture. The cause of this apparent conundrum was the surprise call-up of Ian Austin to the England side to play Sri Lanka in a one-day international at Lord’s.