Sports briefs for December 22, 2004

Wednesday, Dec. 22, 2004 | 10:50 a.m.

Guilty plea will let Bertuzzi avoid jail

Todd Bertuzzi planned to plead guilty today, according to CBC News, and thus avoid jail for his assault on former Colorado Avalanche center Steve Moore.

Bertuzzi, a winger with the Vancouver Canucks, was charged with assault causing bodily harm after the attack in the March 8 game at Vancouver. Moore has not played since the incident and continues to struggle with post-concussion symptoms, according to his agent.

The CBC News report said Bertuzzi was to receive a conditional discharge at a hearing today in Vancouver, which means he will have no criminal record but will be required to do community service.

When the NHL suspended Bertuzzi for the remainder of the regular season and playoffs after the incident, commissioner Gary Bettman and director of hockey operations Colin Campbell suggested Bertuzzi's reinstatement would be tied to Moore's recovery. With Moore slow to improve, Bertuzzi's suspension might have been extended had the 2004-05 season started on time. Bertuzzi was barred from playing in Europe on Friday by the International Ice Hockey Federation. He did play in a charity game in Vancouver this month and got a standing ovation.

O'Neal suspension cut

Jermaine O'Neal won a 10-game reduction Wednesday in his suspension for fighting with fans during the Nov. 19 Pacers-Pistons brawl, but an arbitrator upheld NBA commissioner David Stern's bans on Ron Artest and two other Indiana players.

Wrigley worries

Chicago Building Commissioner Stan Kaderbek said a better solution that netting to catch falling concrete must be found to solve the safety issues at Wrigley Field. While Kaderbek called for "more substantial and lasting repairs," the team maintains that its protective barrier system -- the netting -- solves the problem. At least three instances of falling concrete were reported last season at the park, which was built in 1914.

Snub in Canada

The 2005 World Swimming Championships might be moved from Montreal after Canada's federal government rejected a request to put more money into the event. The championships are being billed as the largest sporting event in Montreal since the 1976 Olympics.

F-1 sponsor clocks in

Swatch Group AG, the world's largest watchmaker, announced an agreement today to sponsor the Sauber Petronas Formula One racing team.

Fines for racist chants

FIFA fined Spain's national federation $87,000 for racist taunting aimed at England's black players in the Spaniards' 1-0 victory Nov. 17 at Madrid.