Sports in 2 Minutes

Prosecutor wants probe of referee’s conduct in Suns playoff games

From The Associated Press

PHOENIX—Former NBA referee Tim Donaghy could face charges in Arizona’s most populous county if investigations by the league and FBI show that he deliberately miscalled two Phoenix Suns playoff games this year, authorities said.

In federal court Wednesday in New York, Donaghy pleaded guilty to two felony charges Wednesday in connection with an NBA betting scandal.

Donaghy faces a maximum of 25 years in prison when he’s sentenced for conspiracy to engage in wire fraud and transmitting waging information through interstate commerce.

Maricopa County Attorney Andrew Thomas has sent letters to NBA Commissioner David Stern and the head of the FBI in Washington, saying he wants to know whether Donaghy gambled on the two Suns road playoff games, provided inside information to gamblers or helped determine the outcome by making bad officiating calls.

Thomas said the games in question are the April 29 game against the Los Angeles Lakers and the May 12 game against the San Antonio Spurs.

The Suns beat the Lakers 113-110 in the April 29 game, but lost to the Spurs 108-101 on May 12 in Game 3 of the Western Conference semifinals.

Thomas said that if Donaghy “purposely failed to officiate the games properly and his conduct resulted in changing the outcome of the games, such conduct might have violated Arizona criminal statutes and could be the subject of criminal prosecution.”

Special Assistant County Attorney Barnett Lotstein said Arizona’s “long arm statute” allows the county to prosecute in such cases.

“If any element of the crime happened in our county, we have jurisdiction,” Lotstein said.

Among the possible felony charges are fraudulent schemes and artifices, which carry a possible prison sentence of 3 to 10 years; and bribery of participants in professional or amateur games, which carries a possible prison term of 1 to 3 3/4 years, according to Arizona authorities.

Giambi escapes

punishment from baseball

TORONTO—Jason Giambi escaped punishment from commissioner Bud Selig on Thursday because of the Yankee slugger’s charitable work and cooperation with baseball’s steroids investigator.

Selig, speaking on the second and final day of an owners meeting, called this an “appropriate decision.”

Giambi has acknowledged a “personal history regarding steroids.” He agreed to speak with former Sen. George Mitchell last month after Selig threatened to discipline him if he refused to cooperate.

“He’s doing a lot of public-service work, and I think that’s terribly important,” Selig said. “He was, I thought, very frank and candid with Sen. Mitchell, at least that was the senator’s conclusion. Given everything, this is an appropriate decision.”

A former American League MVP, Giambi missed more than two months this season with New York because of torn tissue in his left foot. He’s batting .270 with nine home runs and 26 RBIs in 51 games.

No deal yet in Vick dogfighting conspiracy case

RICHMOND, Va.—Michael Vick and his attorneys were still negotiating with federal prosecutors Thursday, hoping to strike a deal on a plea agreement, according to a lawyer familiar with the case.

The lawyer spoke on condition of anonymity to The Associated Press because of the ongoing discussions.

The Atlanta Falcons star quarterback pleaded not guilty to dogfighting conspiracy charges last month. But since then, one of his co-defendants has changed his plea to guilty and agreed to testify against Vick, and two others are scheduled to do likewise Friday.

Prosecutors, meantime, have said they will seek a superseding indictment this month. Legal experts say the growing parade of prosecution witnesses and the prospect of additional charges increases the pressure on Vick to negotiate a deal.

Collins R. Spencer III, spokesman for Vick’s five-member defense team, declined to comment. Vick is scheduled to go to trial Nov. 26.

Beckham gets first goal, assist for Galaxy

CARSON, Calif.—David Beckham put on a show in his first start for the Los Angeles Galaxy.

The English superstar scored his first goal on a free kick in the 27th minute and had an assist while playing 63 minutes of the Galaxy’s 2-0 victory over D.C. United in the SuperLiga semifinals Wednesday night.

“It’s very satisfying,” Beckham said. “I wanted to get off to a good start. I’m happy.”

And he became captain of his new team, with Landon Donovan turning over the armband to Beckham after their conversation a day earlier.

“He said he felt it would give the team a lift,” Beckham said. “I’m very honored.”

Beckham and Donovan teamed up on the Galaxy’s second goal in the 47th minute, with Beckham sending a long pass to a streaking Donovan, who scored on a breakaway.

“David makes a big difference in there, and it’s not just the goal,” Donovan said. “It was a big lift for everyone. We were all excited. It was nice.”

Beckham had played just 37 minutes in two previous games because of a nagging left ankle injury that didn’t allow him to practice with the Galaxy for the first time until Tuesday.

Kickoffs from 30-yard line could create more injuries

INDIANAPOLIS—NCAA officials expect more excitement—and perhaps more injuries—as kickoffs move back to the 30-yard line for this college football season.

The NCAA rules oversight panel’s decision in March to push the kickoff back from the 35-yard line to the NFL’s starting point was one of several offseason changes designed to keep the game moving and the energy level high.

Purdue coach Joe Tiller has been among the critics of moving the kickoff. He says it’s the most violent play in football, and the few extra returns won’t be worth it if injuries, such as concussions, increase.

“So now they’re moving back 5 yards so we can create more g-forces as these kids are running into each other,” he said. “I’m not in favor of moving it back 5 yards. I think about the health and safety of the players, first and foremost.

“It’s probably going to add a few more injuries that we didn’t have in the past. And maybe a few more kicks will be returned.”

Ron Courson, head trainer at Georgia and a member of the National Athletic Trainers association, said the NCAA will keep track of injuries and make changes in the future if necessary.