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Pel blames Maradona for spreading worldwide rumours that the Brazilian had a homosexual affair with a coach - and claims the reason was jealousy. The spat between the world's two most famous footballers emerges in a new book to be published next week in Britain.

A referee who told a New Jersey high school wrestler to cut his dreadlocks or forfeit a match last year was suspended by the state for two seasons Wednesday, and officials also announced mandatory bias training for all referees and coaches involved in high school athletics.

The Guardians correspondent chooses books from Goethe to Michael Dibdin which reveal an eternally deceptive country Italy may seem like the most European of countries. Its capital was that of an empire that encompassed all but the remotest corners of the continent. Italy gave us the Renaissance and the foundations of modern western culture. Rome

The latest chapter of the cold case thriller sees evidence pile up as exemplary witnesses spell trouble for the Ford Granada Four He was silent for 30 years, but now you cant shut him up. Clive Walsh may be a crappy brother, but hes a great witness. Thanks to him, we know all five plods

Charlie Brooks, the racehorse trainer and husband of former News of the World editor Rebekah Brooks, has been cleared on the charge of conspiracy to pervert thecourse of justice in the phone hacking trial at the Old Bailey. Here are 10 things we learned about him in the process: