Evans stays on
LONDON - Former New Zealand fly-half Nick Evans has ended speculation about his immediate future by signing a new three-year deal with English Premiership champions Harlequins, the London club said Thursday. Evans, capped 16 times by the All Blacks, had been linked with lucrative moves to French and Japanese clubs but instead the 32-year-old, a key figure in Quins' title triumph last season, will be staying at The Stoop until at least 2016 having joined from Otago four years ago.
Racism probe
LONDON - London's Metropolitan Police Force announced Thursday they had launched an investigation after a Chelsea supporter was photographed apparently making a racist gesture towards a black Manchester United player. The picture, published in several British newspapers, was taken during Chelsea's dramatic 5-4 League Cup win over Manchester United at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday and appeared to show a fan making a monkey gesture at striker Danny Welbeck.
Habana tops list
CAPE TOWN, South Africa - Springboks winger Bryan Habana was named South African Rugby Player of the Year on Thursday as he became only the second star ever to win the award more than twice. The 29-year-old, hampered by an injured knee, limped onto the stage with the help of crutches to accept the award for the third time after having also been voted number one by the rugby media in 2005 and 2007.
India tour
ISLAMABAD - Pakistan cricketers will tour India next month in their first series in five years. India officials on Thursday announced two Twenty20s and three one-day internationals beginning December 25. The last tour between the neighbours was a visit by Pakistan in November 2007. Ties were broken after the terror attack in Mumbai in 2008 when 166 people were killed and India blamed Pakistan.
ODI abandoned
PALLEKELE, Sri Lanka - The opening one-day international between Sri Lanka and New Zealand was called off without a ball being bowled due to rain in Pallekele on Thursday. Colombo will host the next two one-dayers of the five-match series on November 4 and 6 and Hambantota the last two on November 10 and 12. The one-off Twenty20 international between the teams was also abandoned due to rain in Pallekele on Tuesday. New Zealand and Sri Lanka will also play two Tests after the one-day series.
Fiorentina wins
GENOA, Italy - Fifth-place Fiorentina beat struggling Genoa 1-0 on Thursday to move into contention for the Champions League places in Serie A. Manuel Pasqual, the Tuscan club's captain, scored in the 14th minute with a lob over former Fiorentina goalkeeper Sebastien Frey in the 14th minute, following a perfectly placed long pass from defender Gonzalo Rodriguez. With 18 points, Fiorentina moved within one point of fourth-place Lazio. Defending champions Juventus lead with 28 points, followed by Inter Milan (24), Napoli (22) and Lazio (19).