October 02nd 2010
Sports Bites

FIFA will use a new online monitoring system for international soccer transfers in a bid to stamp out money laundering and corruption in the $1 billion transfer market. "This is a historic moment for football," FIFA president Sepp Blatter said Wednesday. The new monitoring system becomes a requirement for 3,500 professional soccer clubs in nearly 150 nations on Friday. It's an attempt to offset decades of poor oversight that has led to rogue agents controlling their clients, illegal payments between clubs and companies, and money laundering through transfers of fictitious players. Clubs are required to match the details of any international player transactions and upload proof of payment, identification of agents and documents to confirm a player's new employer.

David Beckham was set to claim $7.9 million in damages from the prostitute who alleged he had a threesome with her and another escort, The Sun reported Friday. The soccer superstar was believed to have ordered a global hunt for 26-year-old Irma Nici so she can be served with a writ. Beckham acted after her claims were published in U.S. gossip magazine In Touch. His lawyers, who include top U.S. trial lawyer Bert Deixler, will also demand a front-cover apology from the magazine.

Carmelo Anthony is focused on hoops, not the hoopla surrounding his future in Denver. Anthony joined his Nuggets teammates on the first day of training camp Tuesday, calling the court his "safe haven," a place where he doesn't have to "deal with all the other stuff." For now, Anthony remains a member of the Nuggets after a person with knowledge of the discussions said a four-way deal that would have sent Anthony to New Jersey was "dead." The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because he wasn't authorized to speak publicly about the trade. Still, Anthony's days in Denver could very well be numbered. Anthony's powder blue jersey, soaked in sweat after a more than two-hour practice, was proof of an honest day's work Tuesday.

An Australian sports star was attacked by his cousin with a samurai sword during a family dispute, The (Sydney) Daily Telegraph reported Wednesday. Jamal Idris, who plays for National Rugby League (NRL) club the Canterbury Bulldogs, was struck in the neck with the sword around 2 a.m. Saturday morning at a family reunion in the town of Forster, New South Wales. Police were called at 10 a.m. and arrested Idris' cousin, Beau Currie, 20. Currie had attacked Idris, also 20, with the sword, causing swelling and bruising around his neck. He was not seriously hurt.

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