TEHERAN: Iran's football star Mehdi Mahdavi-Kia was exempted from military service for scoring during the World Cup match in France against The United States, branded in Iran as the Great Satan, an Iranian daily has reported.

The Etelaat reported that Mahdavi-Kia was exempted from the obligatory two-year service due to the second goal he scored that gave Iran their 2-1 win on June 21 in Lyon. That victory is regarded as one of the most prestigious sports victories in Iran's post-revolution era. After the match millions of Iranians celebrated until the early morning hours.

Tie put off as cricketers hurt

TIMARU (NEW ZEALAND): Two Pakistan A batsmen suffered broken bones leading to the abandonment of its tour match on Thursday because of a dangerous wicket. Opener Wajahatullaha Wasti suffered fractured ribs and middle order batsman Taimur Khan had a broken thumb when batting against Northern Conference.

Swimmers: Only one falsestart

LAUSANNE: One false start and you're out. That's the new rule adopted by the International Swimming Federation (Fina) for the 2000 Sydney Olympics. The rule, eliminating the one false start, will also be used in the 25-meter World Championships in April in Hong Kong and the 25m Worlds in Athens in 2000.

In previous international events, swimmers were allowed one false start and were disqualified after two.

ATP unaffected by rebel Becker

BONN: The ATP tour has said it was ``unconcerned'' by talk of rival tours after a Germany weekly magazine said Boris Becker was working on plans to launch a breakaway tennis circuit from 2000.

Sport Bild reported that Becker, now semi-retired as a player and involved in the tennis business, has approached tournament directors, suggesting they break their ties with the ATP tour and start a new series.