Briefly

NFLPA penalizes Giants’ coach

On Friday, the NFL Players Association and Management Council got tough with the New York Giants coach Tom Coughlin.

NFLPA executive director Gene Upshaw and NFL executive vice president Harold Henderson determined that the findings of an investigation into how Coughlin ran his offseason conditioning program warranted the forfeiture of two days of organized team activities (OTAs).

While the punishment wasn’t as stringent as the week of OTAs the St. Louis Rams were docked last year for going 11 on 11 during on-field workouts, it amounted to more than an embarrassing slap on the wrist.

It does, however, come at the low end of a list that has the loss of a fourth-round draft choice as its toughest sanction.

Though he was investigated in Jacksonville, this marked the no-nonsense Coughlin’s first go-around at league penance.

Coughlin said in a statement released by the Giants Friday that “We did not intentionally violate any rules,” and that the issues found in violation of rules of the Collective Bargaining Agreement “will be corrected.”

• Quarterback Tim Couch has filed a grievance against the Cleveland Browns, who have banned him from working out with them even though he is still under contract.

• Baltimore Ravens backup quarterback Anthony Wright will undergo surgery on his right shoulder next week, a procedure that could force him to miss most of the season.

Also Thursday, the Ravens reached agreement on a one-year deal with cornerback Dale Carter.

Soccer

Blatter backs WADA

FIFA president Sepp Blatter signed a declaration supporting the World Anti-Doping Code, a move which should ensure soccer’s continued status as an Olympic sport.

Blatter, speaking at a FIFA congress in Paris, agreed to accept most of the World Anti-Doping Agency’s terms after expressing doubts earlier this week.

But he stopped short of signing the code itself. Instead, Blatter signed a declaration binding FIFA to the principles of the code. FIFA spokesman Andreas Herren said the actual signing of the code should be a formality.

• Cameroon’s six-point penalty for wearing one-piece uniforms during the African Cup of Nations was lifted by soccer’s governing body. The penalty would have presented Cameroon with a serious obstacle in its attempt to qualify for the 2006 World Cup.

• Freddy Adu, the 14-year-old D.C. United forward, graduated from the Edison Academy high school in Bradenton, Fla.,

Hockey

Danton remains jailed

The relationship between St. Louis Blues player Mike Danton and his agent was a top through hours of jailhouse conversations after Danton’s arrest in an alleged plot to kill the agent, an FBI agent testified.

In fact, the federal judge overseeing Danton’s detention hearing in East St. Louis, Ill., indicated the agent, David Frost, himself could face charges of obstructing justice for trying to coach Danton through an insanity defense.

Danton, a 23-year-old forward for the Blues, is accused of persuading acquaintance Katie Wolfmeyer to hire a hitman to kill Frost. The would-be hitman instead went to authorities.

• Pittsburgh Penguins assistant coach Lorne Molleken resigned to become coach and general manager of the Saskatoon Blades of the Western Hockey League.

College Football

CU linked to escorts

A Denver grand jury convened to hear evidence in the University of Colorado recruiting scandal, hearing closed-door testimony from a former escort service employee who says a Colorado recruiting aide handed over $2,000 to her agency.

It is the first indication criminal charges may be filed in a case that has led to sweeping changes in the football program and could cost some university officials their jobs.

Tennis

Davenport in final

Lindsay Davenport routed defending champion Silvia Farina Elia 6-2, 6-0 to reach the Strasbourg (France) Open final. The top- seeded Davenport will play Claudine Schaul for the title today. Schaul eliminated fourth-seeded Emilie Loit 6-4, 6-1.

• Second-seeded Anna Smashnova-Pistolesi downed fifth-seeded Amy Frazier 7-5, 6-2, and will meet Alicia Molik in the Vienna (Austria) Grand Prix final. Molik, seeded sixth, beat eighth- seeded Jelena Kostanic 6-4, 6-3.

Basketball

Shaq’s maid killed

Housekeeper Alice Williams, 37, was stabbed to death at a suburban Houston home in Sugar Land, Texas, owned by Los Angeles Lakers star Shaquille O’Neal. The woman’s 18-year-old son, Tristan Williams, was taken into custody by police a few blocks away. He was charged with murder.