French against Benzema return
PARIS - Some 82% of French feel that Karim Benzema should no longer play for France after being charged in sex-tape blackmail case, according to a poll published on Thursday. The survey asked: "Do you believe Karim Benzema can continue to be called up for the French national team?" In total, 50% answered "no, not at all", while 32% responded "no, not really", giving a total of 82 percent who were against seeing the Real Madrid striker back in the blue. Of the 924 people aged 18 and over who were polled, only 18% responded favourably, with only 4% saying he "absolutely" should be recalled by coach Didier Deschamps. Later Benzema's club president spoke out in his favour. "Karim should benefit like all of us on the fundamental right of innocent until proven guilty," said Florentino Perez.–AFP

Lingmerth leads Australian PGA
GOLD COAST - Swede David Lingmerth mastered windy conditions to hold a one stroke lead at the halfway stage of the European Tour co-sanctioned Australian PGA Championship Friday. Lingmerth carded six birdies in his four-under 68 to lead a group of six golfers, including South African overnight leader Zander Lombard, after 36 holes. South African pair Dylan Frittelli and Lombard, Englishman Mark Foster, American Peter Uihlein, Spain's Pablo Martin Benavides and Australian Matthew Millar were one off the lead. The day's best performance came from US-based Australian Rhein Gibson, who fired a course record eight-under-par 64 to be two shots off the lead at one-under. "I know that I've won on the PGA Tour, probably the strongest tour in the world and I know I can do it," Lingmerth said.–AFP

Cazorla injury blow for Arsenal
LONDON - Arsene Wenger said on Friday that Santi Cazorla could be sidelined for up to four months after sustaining knee ligament damage in last weekend's draw at Norwich. The Spain international stayed on the pitch at Carrow Road after taking a heavy knock early in the second half of the game as Arsenal's injury woes continued. Laurent Koscielny had already been forced off with an early hip problem and Alexis Sanchez then pulled up with a hamstring injury. Those two players were substituted, but Cazorla played on - with Wenger now admitting he may be without the influential midfielder for up to four months. "It is possible," Wenger said when asked about reports the 30-year-old being sidelined until March. "Ideally you want them all to be with you, but we are prepared to deal with it.”–AFP

Khawaja Ruhail keen to be part of PSL
LAHORE - HBL’s strength and conditioning head Khawaja Ruhail Ali, who has been shortlisted for Pakistan Super League (PSL) probable trainers’ list, has said that he is keen to be part of the PSL and want to play his role during the first ever Pakistan T20 league. Ruhail has achieved the status of first ever Pakistani who got certification in Sports Performance Enhancement from National Academy of Sports Medicine, USA, which is the highest level of international S&C certification among top fitness professionals of world’s leading sports organisations. Besides Ruhail, the other shortlisted fitness professionals are Divid Dyer, Rajesh Cohan, Yasir Malik, Ibrahim Qureshi, Saboor Ahmad, Rashid Qureshi, Munawwar Hussain and Ibrar Ahmed and among them, five will be finalized soon by the PSL management.–Staff Reporter

Fazal Memorial CC beat P&T Gym
LAHORE – Fazal Memorial Cricket Club (CC) Lahore defeated P&T Gymkhana Cricket Club by 49 runs in a friendly fixture played here at the Aleem Dar Cricket Academy Ground. Fazal Memorial CC, batting first, posted 196 runs on the board losing seven wickets in the allotted 20 overs. M Irfan was top scorer with his significant 54 runs while Saif scored 43 runs, Fawad added 40 and Kamran Khan 25 runs. Haseeb and Qasim took one wicket each. P&T Gymkhana Cricket Club, in reply, were all out for 147 runs in 18 overs. Wahab scored 35 runs while Qasim added 27 runs and Haseeb 25. Kamran Khan and Qaiser clinched three wickets each for Fazal Memorial Cricket Club.–Staff Reporter