SPORTSPORT 24 METROSPORT Friday, December 4, 2009 D Certified Distribution October 5 to November 1, 2009: 60,200 Published by Fortunegreen Ltd, Embassy House, Herbert Park Lane, Dublin 4 Printed by The Irish Times at Citywest in Dublin Editorial: (01) 637 5900 Advertising: (01) 637 5989 Classified: (01) 637 5979 Distribution: (01) 637 5901 Books not closed on me Cusack Page 21 World Cup draw how it works Page 23 Parnevik: Ive lost all respect for Tiger Anger: Parnevik regrets introduction JEsPEr PArnEvIk last night reiterated his criticism of Tiger Woods and said he had lost all respect for the worlds no.1 golfer. Woods apologised on Wednesday on his official website for transgressions and personal sins and failings, while an American tabloid has published allegations of an affair between the married father-of-two and a Los Angeles cocktail waitress, with rumours of other affairs also circulating. Former European ryder Cup star Parnevik and his wife Mia introduced fellow swede Elin nordegren to her future husband in 2001 when the then 21- year-old was an au pair to Parneviks family. On Wednesday at the PGA Tour qualifying school in West Palm Beach, Florida, the 44-year-old became the first member of the golfing community to speak out against Woods. Parnevik said: Its always sad, and especially sad because me and my wife were at fault hooking her up with him and we probably thought he is a better guy than he is. I would probably need to apologise to her. Its a private thing of course but when you are the guy he is, the worlds best athlete, you should think more before you do stuff. And yesterday, after completing his round, Parnevik again spoke to reporters on the subject. I havent really talked to Tiger yet so I dont want to say too much but my heart goes out to her, the swedish golfer said. Theres nothing I regret [saying] and I stand by everything. Hes lost all my respect, I mean, all the respect I had for the guy is gone, thats pretty much all I can say. Parnevik added: Ive tried to get through to him through his managers and secretaries but its not easy but it doesnt really matter, whats done is done. It was also reported that Parnevik had said: Elin is having a very tough time. Tiger lover spurns media: News Page 3 Reds ready to unleash TorresBy DAviD keNNeDy FErnAnDO TOrrEs returned to full training with Liverpool yesterday and is in line for a comeback at Blackburn tomorrow with the An- field club hoping the spanish striker can breathe life back into their season. Torres has been undergoing three weeks of in- tense treatment on his serious groin injury and has only been involved in fitness work with the clubs physios until now. But yesterday at the Melwood training com- plex, Liverpools top scorer took part in a full session, and the club were more than happy to post a selection of pictures of Torres work-out on their website. The next time Liverpool fans are likely to see Torres is in the squad that travels to Ewood Park to face a Blackburn side boosted by their Carling Cup quarter-final success against Chelsea. The Blackburn match will be skipper steven Gerrards 500th game for the club, and Liverpool could have their feared attacking partnership back together for the first time in ten matches. Torres has not figured for the reds first team since the Champions League clash with Lyon on november 4 after picking up the problem on in- ternational duty. Boss rafael Benitez said: The position over Torres is very positive and he was feeling good. We will see how he is in the next train- ing sessions but it seems as though things are going well. Benitez expects to have something close to a fully-fit squad of players to choose from for the clash with sam Allardyces side. He said: It will be very close to a fully-fit squad. We have two or three players with knocks but hopefully they are small things. It is always very positive but there is a big dif- ference in players being available and being ready. When they are coming back from injuries, you have to be careful, but at least we will have options we didnt have before. Rovers return: Torres could feature for the first time in a month at ewood Park tomorrow Fifa chief proposes moral prize for Ireland FIFA president Sepp Blatter has ruled out any financial compensation for the Republic of Ireland in the aftermath of their World Cup play-off exit to France, but has again offered his sympathy to the team. The FAI will miss out on the 6million prize money guaranteed to the 32 participants in todays draw for the finals after Thierry Henrys handball helped Les Bleus edge their two- legged qualifying tie last month. Fifas executive committee held a meeting at Robben Island, after which Blatter (pictured) said: If you start to compensate teams which are not qualified, then you will have others coming to us. But you are right, when it comes to this, where all the world is watching this obvious foul play with the hands then there may be some moral compensation. I spoke about humanism earlier, so moral compensation can mean anything which comes from a compliment to a special award or to a prize. Its perhaps deserved. The FAI have already had requests for a replay of the game rejected, while their plea to be included as a 33rd team also fell on deaf ears. Blatter revealed they will be sitting down with the FAI next week to plot the way forward. He added: We will have a look at that [compensation] because when yesterday the Football Association of Ireland had withdrawn its demand to be qualified, they said we want to meet you. And so we will definitely do that next week. Meanwhile, the FAI have revealed talks aimed at bringing Brazil to Croke Park for a friendly in March are at a preliminary stage.Fergies rookie headache: Page 22 Picture:Getty index.html2.html3.html4.html5.html6.html7.html8.html9.html10.html11.html12.html13.html14.html15.html16.html17.html18.html19.html20.html21.html22.html23.html24.html25.html26.html27.html