Sports briefs for August 31, 2004

Tuesday, Aug. 31, 2004 | 9:59 a.m.

Philadelphia police investigating Barkley

Former NBA star Charles Barkley is under investigation for indecent assault, police in Philadelphia said Monday.

A woman reported she was assaulted by Barkley at the nightclub 32 Degrees, Cpl. Jim Pauley said.

"We want to stress that no charges have been filed," Pauley said. "This incident is under investigation."

Police received the report at 1:20 a.m. Friday, Pauley said. The investigation is being conducted by the department's Special Victims Unit, and police did not release any details of the allegation.

Attempts by the Associated Press to reach Barkley, now a basketball analyst, or his agent were unsuccessful.

Barkley was a nine-time All-Star and the league's MVP in 1993. He has been an analyst with cable network TNT since his retirement in 2000.

Finns beat Czechs

Miikka Kiprusoff stopped all 12 shots, and Saku Koivu and Niko Kapanen were among four goal scorers in Finland's 4-0 win against the Czech Republic in the World Cup of Hockey opener at Helsinki, Finland.

Arsenal making money

The holding company for English Premier league team Arsenal reported annual income doubling since the team won the league championship.

Players avoid jail

Suspended Tulsa football players Kedrick Alexander, a defensive back who led the team in tackles in 2003, and backup Terrance Thomas avoided prison when a judge in Tulsa sentenced them on felony burglary charges.

Brazilians to appeal

Brazilian sports officials blamed inadequate course security for a defrocked priest's bizarre attack on the Olympic marathon leader, Brazilian Vanderlei de Lima, and said they will appeal to world track authorities for a duplicate gold medal.