Sports briefs for November 26, 2004

Friday, Nov. 26, 2004 | 10:35 a.m.

Sharapova's dad causes Russian rift

French Open champion Anastasia Myskina says she will quit Russia's Fed Cup team if Maria Sharapova joins the squad next year because she does not like Sharapova's father, Yuri.

"I feel his behavior is totally incorrect, simply rude. I don't want to be around people like him," Myskina said at the Fed Cup semifinals, where Russia eliminated Austria on Thursday.

Russian captain Shamil Tarpischev said Sharapova agreed to play Fed Cup next season and added that "those players who will be in better condition" will be on the team.

"As far as Myskina's statement is concerned, she's in conflict with (Sharapova's) father, not with Maria," Tarpischev said. "Yes, her father is an emotional person. But in my team captain career in both men's and women's squads, there have been many conflicts, so it's my job to solve them."

Myskina won her first three matchups with Sharapova this year, then lost to her this month in the WTA Championships semifinals in Los Angeles. After that match, Myskina accused Yuri of illegally coaching his daughter from the stands.

"He was just yelling and screaming instructions to her, and I thought he just might jump right on the court at one point in the match," she said.

Sharapova was assessed a code violation for being coached by her father during her victory over Serena Williams in the final.

"If she joins our team next season, you won't see me there for sure," Myskina said. "I do not want to be on a team with people who do not respect me."

Olowokandi arrested

Minnesota Timberwolves center Michael Olowokandi was arrested in Indianapolis after police used a stun gun to subdue him when he refused to leave a club. Olowokandi, 29, was taken into custody about 3 a.m. on Thursday after he refused to leave Tiki Bob's. He was charged with disorderly conduct and criminal trespassing, both misdemeanors, and then suspended by the team for its game Thursday against the Indiana Pacers.

Kendall deal close

Barring complications in the players' medical exams, the Pittsburgh Pirates will trade All-Star catcher Jason Kendall to the Oakland Athletics for left-handed pitchers Mark Redman and Arthur Rhodes.

Bowe won't fight

A shoulder injury has forced former heavyweight champion Riddick Bowe to withdraw from his bout Saturday against Kenny Craven, which was to have been the main event on a seven-fight car at Louisville, Ky. Promoter Chris Webb said Bowe was injured either Monday or Tuesday and that he had an MRI on Wednesday.

Dodd leads in China

Stephen Dodd of Wales shot a 2-under-par 70 today to take a three-stroke lead after two rounds of the China Open at Shanghai, the first event of the 2005 PGA European Tour schedule.

IOC wants him out

The IOC today recommended that Bulgaria's top Olympic official, Ivan Slavkov, be expelled from the organization in the wake of his role in corrupt city bidding practices.