Sports Briefs

SWIMMING

Phelps ready for rematch with German Biedermann

SHANGHAI — Michael Phelps is going after Paul Biedermann, and this time he’s got help.

Having been handed “a pretty good beatdown” by the German in the 200-meter freestyle two years ago in Rome, Phelps gets a long-awaited chance at revenge in the world championships.

Biedermann trounced Phelps and took away his world record in Rome, where everyone was wearing the high-tech bodysuits that are now banned.

This time, it should be a fair fight.

Phelps and Biedermann won’t be going one-on-one, though. They’ll be joined by what Phelps described as “a studly field” in Tuesday night’s final at the Oriental Sports Center.

Yannick Agnel of France was the fastest qualifier in the semifinals, with Biedermann second, American Ryan Lochte third, Park Tae-hwan of South Korea fourth and Phelps fifth.

“It’s going to be down to the last 50 [meters]” Phelps said. “There are some guys that have front-half speed and some guys that close extremey well.”

SOCCER

FIFA challenged to expand investigations into bribery

GENEVA — After banishing Mohamed bin Hammam for life in a bribery scandal, FIFA was challenged Monday to uphold its zero-tolerance fight against corruption by further examining a now-infamous meeting in Trinidad.

A wider inquiry must consider three more members of FIFA’s executive committee who accompanied the Qatari official on his presidential campaign visit and all the Caribbean soccer leaders allegedly receiving his $40,000 cash gifts, the Transparency International global watchdog said.

A request by FIFA for new investigations will keep the focus on corruption this week as Sepp Blatter and his organization gather in Brazil for the 2014 World Cup qualifying draw Saturday.

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