Lehmann warns manager Wenger
Germany goalkeeper Jens Lehmann warned Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger that it would be dangerous to ‘humiliate’ him by leaving him on the bench much longer. “It's possible that some day, I'll feel like talking about the whole issue,” Lehmann said.

Lehmann was left out of the Arsenal squad in the Premier League against Bolton last Saturday. “But at the moment, I'm just swallowing it all as part of the humiliation. That's something one has to take in. But I think -- and this is aimed at my dear manager -- one shouldn't humiliate players for too long. I'm an Arsenal player and I won't just fade away quietly.”

Irish sack for Staunton
Ireland have terminated the contract of national coach Steve Staunton by mutual consent, the Football Association of Ireland (FAI) said.

Staunton, the former Ireland, Liverpool and Aston Villa defender, had come under renewed pressure after last week's 1-1 draw with Cyprus ended hopes of qualifying for Euro 2008.

“I think we came to what I would call a mutual consent arrangement whereby everybody thought the best way forward... at this stage was that we would look for a change of manager and that Stephen would step aside," FAI Chief Executive John Delaney said.

Sun hopes to   rise again
Chinese distance runner Sun Yingjie is back in training and aiming to compete at next year's Beijing Olympics after completing a two-year doping ban, her coach has said. Sun, 10,000M bronze medallist at the 2003 World Championships, tested positive for the steroid androsterone at China's National Games in 2005 and her ban ended on October 19.

The 28-year-old from Liaoning is best known for her marathon exploits but after missing last weekend's Beijing Marathon, she cannot now qualify for the Beijing Games in that event.
Coach Tao Shaoming said, “She has not started competing and is not in good form... Presently she is at only 80 percent of her best at most," he said.

Dope trial relief for Museeuw
A Belgian court suspended the doping trial of former world champion Johan Museeuw and 10 others and sought guidance on whether athletes punished by their sports can also face criminal sanctions.

The court in the western town of Kortrijk had been due to deliver a verdict on Tuesday, but presiding judge Baudouin Devriendt adjourned proceedings until September 23, 2008, pending a ruling from the Constitutional Court on the point of law.