The National Rugby League "has refuted suggestions" that former Canberra winger SANDOR EARL "has had all charges of trafficking peptides dropped." The NRL said that Earl "was still facing multiple anti-doping breaches including allegations of using and trafficking several banned substances" (SYDNEY MORNING HERALD, 6/3). ... VIRAT KOHLI won the "Cricketer of the Year" honors at the Ceat awards function on Monday. R. ASHWIN "received the ‘Indian Player of the Year' award from batting maestro" V.V.S. LAXMAN. A former India wicketkeeper and a member of the 1983 World Cup-winning team, SYED KIRMANI, "was given the ‘Lifetime Achievement’ award" (THE HINDU, 6/3). ... Former ManU midfielder ROY KEANE has decided "not to travel to Brazil as a pundit for ITV in order to focus on his coaching ambitions." Keane's parting with the broadcaster is "understood to be amicable." ITV "have left the door open for Keane to return to the punditry sofa" (London GUARDIAN, 6/3). ... Retired cricketer SACHIN TENDULKAR said that he is "savouring the opportunity" to pair up with West Indies' BRIAN LARA at Lord’s for an exhibition match marking its 200th anniversary. Tendulkar said that he and Lara "played together" in '94 in Toronto in the Sky Dome. Tendulkar: “We played for the same team and we had a wonderful partnership. So I’m hoping for another one this time” (AFP, 6/3). ... DAVID BECKHAM "has hinted" he may resume his career by playing for the Major League Soccer club he is trying to launch in Miami. Beckham said, "There's never been a player-owner but maybe?" Beckham admitted he had "a tough time" after retiring as a player but has gone through "a stage of enjoying the rest" and is tempted to come out of retirement (BBC, 6/3).
