Sports Shorts: Pak govt gives nod for bilateral hockey series with India

Keen to revive bilateral ties with India, the Pakistan Hockey Federation is planning to host the country for a Test series and has got the government's clearance for it even though the dates are yet to be finalised.

"The government has given us clearance for the series and also agreed to provide funds for the series," PHF President Akhtar Rasool said.

The PHF has planned a home and away bilateral hockey series with its Indian counterparts this year and Rasool said he was now awaiting a response from the Indian authorities.

"We are keen to have this series with India this year but now we are waiting to see the response from the Indian hockey federation as they also have to get clearance for the series," he added.

The PHF chief said it was necessary to bring more funds into the sport in Pakistan and also revive people's interest in hockey.

"That is why we see this planned series with India as very important. We are happy that our government is supporting us because. If this series goes through it will serve both purposes for us," he said. 

- ...

Real Madrid and Atletico Madrid are facing disciplinary action over their behaviour during the Champions League final in Lisbon, UEFA said on Tuesday.

Atletico coach Diego Simeone faces a hearing after he ran on to the pitch and was sent off by the referee near the end of extra time, the European governing body said in a statement.

Real midfielder Xabi Alonso, who could not play in the match because of suspension, has been charged with breaching general principles of conduct, UEFA added.

Simeone said he had been angry because Real's France defender Raphael Varane flicked the ball at him but the Argentine conceded he should not have acted as he did.

"At that point it was pointless for the player to create that situation," said Simeone.

Alonso's charge is understood to relate to his conduct at the edge of the pitch.

Both teams also face charges of "improper conduct of the team" after receiving five or more yellow cards each during Real's 4-1 win, while fans set off fireworks at the Stadium of Light.

UEFA said the disciplinary panel would hear the case on July 17.

- ...

Argentine Mauricio Pochettino became Tottenham Hotspur's 10th manager in the last 13 years when he was appointed on a five-year contract on Tuesday after leaving Premier League rivals Southampton.

The 42-year-old former international defender takes over from Tim Sherwood who was sacked by Spurs at the end of last season five months after replacing Andre Villas-Boas.

Pochettino, who had managed Southampton since January last year, is the second Argentine to hold the job at Spurs after World Cup winner Ossie Ardiles who was in charge 20 years ago.

His task is to bring back the domestic and European honours Tottenham won when Ardiles and his equally revered Argentine compatriot Ricky Villa played for the north London club in the 1980s, and to secure Champions League football.

"In Mauricio I believe we have a head coach who, with his high energy, attacking football, will embrace the style of play we associate with our club," Spurs chairman Daniel Levy said on the club's official website (www.tottenhamhotspur.com).

"He has a proven ability to develop each player as an individual, whilst building great team spirit and a winning mentality. We have a talented squad that Mauricio is excited to be coaching next season."

Pochettino added: "This is a club with tremendous history and prestige and I am honoured to have been given this opportunity to be its head coach.

"There is an abundance of top-class talent at the club and I am looking forward to starting work with the squad.

- ...

Indiana Pacers forward Paul George has been fined $25,000 for public criticism of the officiating during Monday's Game Four in Miami against the Heat, the league said on Tuesday.

George said his team had suffered from "home cooking" while speaking to reporters after the Pacers had been beaten 102-90 to trail 1-3 in the best-of-seven Eastern Conference finals.

"I thought we outplayed them," the 24-year-old, an NBA All-Star for the past two seasons, said after Monday's game at AmericanAirlines Arena.

"It's just demoralizing when a game is lopsided, I'm sorry to say but that was the case again. How rare is it that we shoot 50 percent, turn the ball over 14 times, out-rebound a team and lose?

"They (the Heat) made 30 free throws and that put them over the edge. I feel like we are just as aggressive as they are attacking the basket and making plays at the rim. Maybe this was just home cooking."

Miami, who rode a blistering 14-point third quarter from LeBron James on the way to victory, were given 34 free throws in Game Four, double Indiana's total.

The Heat will book their place in the NBA Finals for a fourth straight season if they win Game Five on Wednesday in Indiana.