World Sport Briefs Arsenal hand Wenger 70m transfer kitty

LONDON – Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has been promised an enormous 70 million pound (US$142 million) transfer kitty after Arsenal revealed themselves to be one of Europe’s richest clubs.

Figures unveiled on Monday show the Premiership leaders’ move to the Emirates Stadium has driven a near 50 percent increase in turnover to more than 200 million pounds for the year ending May 31, 2007. That sum means they are only edged into second place in the continent’s rich list by Real Madrid.But with operating profit of 51.2m, up 274 percent, the Gunners now have a level of profitability far in excess of Real.Wife says she’s ditched Warne – again SYDNEY – Australian cricket superstar Shane Warne’s ex-wife has accused him of ruining a reconciliation attempt by mistakenly sending her a text message meant for his lover.But the spin wizard hit back yesterday, claiming his wife fabricated stories to make money from the media.Simone Callahan, who divorced Warne last year over his notorious womanising – often discovered through indiscreet text messages – told the weekly magazine New Idea their relationship was “over forever now.”Munoz outpoints Aizawa for super fly title TOKYO – Alexander Munoz of Venezuela overwhelmed Japanese challenger Kuniyuki Aizawa for a unanimous decision victory to defend the World Boxing Association super flyweight title yesterday.It was the first defence of the title he wrested from Japan’s Nobuo Nashiro in May.He became the champion in March 2002 by beating another Japanese, Celes Kobayashi, with a technical knockout victory and defended three times.Munoz improved his record to 31 wins, including 27 KOs, against two defeats.Aizawa, also 28, saw his record reduced to 13 wins, including 10 KOs, against two defeats and a draw.Defiant Jol doesn’t fear the sack BOLTON – Tottenham manager Martin Jol has insisted Jose Mourinho will not be taking his job after seeing his team claim a 1-1 draw at fellow strugglers Bolton.Having taken the lead through Robbie Keane in the first-half, Spurs were denied a morale-boosting victory when Ivan Campo’s 39th minute header ensured a point for the home side.Dutchman Jol has been forced to endure speculation surrounding his position at Spurs ever since the club were linked with the Sevilla coach Juande Ramos at the start of this season.Nampa-Reuters, AFPThat sum means they are only edged into second place in the continent’s rich list by Real Madrid.But with operating profit of 51.2m, up 274 percent, the Gunners now have a level of profitability far in excess of Real.Wife says she’s ditched Warne – again SYDNEY – Australian cricket superstar Shane Warne’s ex-wife has accused him of ruining a reconciliation attempt by mistakenly sending her a text message meant for his lover.But the spin wizard hit back yesterday, claiming his wife fabricated stories to make money from the media.Simone Callahan, who divorced Warne last year over his notorious womanising – often discovered through indiscreet text messages – told the weekly magazine New Idea their relationship was “over forever now.”Munoz outpoints Aizawa for super fly title TOKYO – Alexander Munoz of Venezuela overwhelmed Japanese challenger Kuniyuki Aizawa for a unanimous decision victory to defend the World Boxing Association super flyweight title yesterday.It was the first defence of the title he wrested from Japan’s Nobuo Nashiro in May.He became the champion in March 2002 by beating another Japanese, Celes Kobayashi, with a technical knockout victory and defended three times.Munoz improved his record to 31 wins, including 27 KOs, against two defeats.Aizawa, also 28, saw his record reduced to 13 wins, including 10 KOs, against two defeats and a draw.Defiant Jol doesn’t fear the sack BOLTON – Tottenham manager Martin Jol has insisted Jose Mourinho will not be taking his job after seeing his team claim a 1-1 draw at fellow strugglers Bolton.Having taken the lead through Robbie Keane in the first-half, Spurs were denied a morale-boosting victory when Ivan Campo’s 39th minute header ensured a point for the home side.Dutchman Jol has been forced to endure speculation surrounding his position at Spurs ever since the club were linked with the Sevilla coach Juande Ramos at the start of this season.Nampa-Reuters, AFP