Ribery comeback

MUNICH, Germany (AP):

Bayern Munich says France winger Franck Ribery may make his comeback from a knee injury this weekend in the last league match before the winter break.

The 26-year-old has been sidelined for much of the season by a persistent left knee problem. But coach Louis Van Gaal said yesterday that "he is doing better than ever, because he can train without pain".

Bayern host the Bundesliga's bottom club, Hertha Berlin, on Saturday. Van Gaal said he thinks Ribery could be brought on as a substitute "perhaps for a few minutes".

Thanou contests medal snub

LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP):

Greek sprinter Katerina Thanou's lawyers have sent a letter to the International Olympics Committee (IOC) contesting the decision to deny her Marion Jones' 100-metre gold medal from the 2000 Sydney Olympics. The IOC said yesterday that a letter has been received by the IOC ethics commission. No details were released.

Last week, the IOC executive board reallocated the 200 gold medal and long jump bronze stripped from Jones for doping but declined to upgrade Thanou from silver to gold in the 100. The IOC said Thanou did not deserve the gold because she evaded drug tests before the 2004 Athens Olympics.

Hardy doping case in March

LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP):

American swimmer Jessica Hardy will face a court hearing next year that could exclude her from the 2012 London Olympics. The Court of Arbitration for Sport yesterday fixed a March 12 date to hear the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) appeal against the United States agency and Hardy. She served a one-year ban after testing positive for the anabolic agent clenbuterol before the Beijing Games.

WADA wants Hardy banned for two years and ruled ineligible for London under International Olympic Committee doping rules.

Hardy has set several breaststroke world records since her ban expired last July.

Pakistan recall Sami

ISLAMABAD (AP):

Pakistan cricket selectors have recalled fast bowler Mohammad Sami after two years, for the three-Test series in Australia.

"On the request of the team management, the selection committee has agreed to send Mohammad Sami as a reinforcement player to join the Pakistan team in Australia," the Pakistan Cricket Board said in a statement yesterday.

Sami, 28, last played a Test match against India two years ago in Bangalore before he joined the unauthorised Indian Cricket League and was barred from playing international cricket. He severed his ties with the ICL earlier this year and took 30 wickets while representing Karachi Whites in nine first-class matches this season.

The first Test begins in Melbourne on December 26 and the series continues in Sydney from January 3-7, before finishing Jan. 14-18 at Hobart.

Ribery

Sami