Changing room chat

Published on Wednesday 7 January 2009 22:40

Speed skater Song hits bum note

TO the uninitiated, speed skating does not seem like the kind of sport where competitor-spectator interaction is commonplace. However, Chinese speed skater Song Xingyu has been banned for one year after raising his middle finger to fans from a rival province.

Song was racing for the northeastern province of Heilongjiang when supporters from Jilin began roaring on the terracing – if speed skating has such a thing – in protest at him skating out of his lane in the 10,000 metre event.

The 20-year-old has been banned from all training and competition until next January, according to the Heilongjiang sports committee, who sent him away with a flea in his ear.

"During the sanction period, Song should meditate on his mistake deeply and write a self-criticism," the committee said, hopefully providing a template for the SFA's disciplinary committee.

Provincial speed skating in China is a dirty world, it seems. So the audience at the new series of Dancing on Ice have been warned what to expect should they start heckling the 'stars'.

Pollard slated for broken door

WEST Indies batsman Kieron Pollard, 21, was reprimanded by the International Cricket Council for damaging a dressing-room door after his dismissal in yesterday's limited-overs loss to New Zealand in Dubai.

"Pollard damaged the door glass in the dressing room with his bat after he returned to the pavilion," ICC match referee Javagal Srinath said.

Srinath added Pollard had apologised to New Zealand Cricket officials for breaching the code of conduct relating to "abuse of cricket equipment or fixtures and fittings".

Clough dynasty gets short odds

FOLLOWNG in your father's footsteps is never easy but Nigel Clough's decision to accept the manager's job at Derby County will ensure continual comparisons.

His father Brian's turbulent but successful reign at the Rams lasted for more than six years, from May 1967 until October 1973, but Ladbrokes are betting Clough junior won't last as long – their 4-1 price on his doing so compares with their offer of 1-7 that he won't. Nigel spent the last ten years at Burton Albion, he's obviously a stayer, and might fancy a long-term flutter.

TALES FROM THE TABS

ATLETICO IN FOR BORUC

IT WAS not a good morning to be a Rangers fan yesterday with Kris Boyd's imminent departure dominating the back pages, though there was also some potential bad news for Celtic supporters, with the Sun reporting that Atletico Madrid are ready to make a 9million move for goalkeeper Artur Boruc.

The Spanish side have apparently watched the Poland international eight times this season and, despite some erratic displays at times, Boruc, right, has been given a glowing report from scouts reporting to coach Javier Aguirre.

On the plus side for Celtic was the Daily Record's report that the club are close to a kit deal with Nike that could raise up to 29million. The clothing company have been supplying Celtic for the past five years, and another five-year deal would begin in July.

Back to Rangers, and both the Record and the Daily Express report that Barry Ferguson is also part of the Ibrox sale, with one paper plumping for a 2.5million price tag on the current captain, who is a target for Newcastle United.