Sports Digest, February 9, 2013

Beitar Jerusalem HQ set alight by arsonists

Arsonists yesterday torched the offices of Beitar Jerusalem soccer club, which is embroiled in a conflict with some racist supporters of the side over the signing of two Muslim players from Chechnya. The attack took place hours after prosecutors filed charges against four Beitar supporters accused of racist chants aimed at the Muslim players during a match and a training session. "The offices were torched in the early hours of the morning and we have opened an investigation," Jerusalem police spokesman Shmulik Ben Ruby said, adding that no suspects had been identified. The fire caused irreversible damage to the club's collection of memorabilia, said its curator, Meir Harush. Last month, Beitar signed Zaur Sadaev and Dzhabrail Kadaev from Russian club Terek Grozny. Both players are Muslims. AFP

Ankle injury forces Li out of Qatar Open

Chin's top tennis player, Li Na, has pulled out of next week's US$2.3-million Qatar Open after failing to recover from the ankle injury she suffered during her defeat by Victoria Azarenka in the final of the Australian Open last month. The Qatar Open starts on Monday. AFP

Australia cruise to victory over Windies

Australia maintained their dominance over the West Indies, cruising to a five-wicket victory in Sydney and taking a 4-0 lead in their series of one-day cricket internationals. Only an unbeaten century from man of the match Kieron Pollard gave the West Indies a respectable score of 220, after they were 55 for six at one stage. But it was easily run down by the Australians, who will now go after a series clean sweep in Melbourne tomorrow. If not for Pollard's 109 off 136 balls, it would have been an even more emphatic victory for Michael Clarke's team. AFP