Changing room chat: Loyal Hamann sees red over Rafa

The former Liverpool midfielder quickly leapt to the defence of Anfield manager Rafael Benitez after current Reds defender Albert Riera delivered a withering attack on the Spaniard.

Spain international Riera was quoted as telling Radio Marca of the "sinking ship" which is the Anfield club, while also claiming dialogue with Benitez is "practically nil".

However, Hamann, who won a Champions League winner's medal under Benitez with Liverpool in 2005, rode like a gallant knight to the Anfield manager's rescue. "I didn't read too much into the comments because he's a player who has not played too much football over the last six to eight months," said the former Germany international.

"He is clearly frustrated but you have to say since he signed for Liverpool (in September 2008] he has not done enough to really have an opinion on the manager.

"You have players these days who complain about managers and I think they should look at themselves.

It happens too often with players who can't get in the team and the first thing they do is blame the manager."

Miami sign NFL's dirtiest player

THE Miami Dolphins have signed infamous former St Louis Rams and Buffalo Bills offensive lineman Richie Incognito.

Incognito, voted the dirtiest player in the NFL, was fined $50,000 in December after head-butting an opponent after the completion of a play.

After his sixth unnecessary roughness charge of the season, the Rams released him and he was picked up from waivers by the Bills.

Incognito, who went to college in Nebraska, weighs in at an astounding 324lbs and has played 47 games during his five-year career in the NFL.

Pacquiao concert proves a flop

A PROMOTER says poor ticket sales have forced the cancellation of the upcoming 'Manny Pacquiao Live In Hawaii Concert Celebration' on Sunday in Waikiki.

Ryan Chang of Island Fire Productions said on Tuesday he stood to lose about $50,000 on the concert, even with late sales and walk-ups.

Only 603 tickets had been sold for the show at the Waikiki Shell just days after more than 45,000 people – the largest crowd to see a fight in the US in 17 years – watched Filipino boxer Pacquiao retain his welterweight title against Joshua Clottey in Texas.