WINCHESTER (England): Former Liverpool goalkeeper Bruce Grobbelaar walked out of Winchester Crown Court today after being cleared of corruptly accepting money to try and influence football matches.

After a week of deliberations, the jury told judge justice McCulloch that they were unable to reach a decision on a final count against Zimbabwean Grobbelaar. The prosecution offered no further evidence against Grobbelaar and the judge immediately ordered a verdict of not guilty.

Pele gets support

RIO DE JANEIRO:The escalating feud between soccer's greatest player and the sport's top official has moved into the presidential palace.

President Fernando Henrique Cardoso stepped up to defend Pele, now Brazil'sinister of Sports, in his war of words with Fifa president Joao Havelange. Congressional leaders also are jumping into the fray.

Pele's proposal for a radical restructuring of Brazilian soccer was sharply rebuffed by Havelange, who threatened to exclude Brazil from the 1998 World Cup.

Copyright © 1997 Indian Express Newspapers (Bombay) Ltd.