Swings at golfer who played on

Game goes on ... Alastair Forsyth of Scotland (C), talks to fellow golfers after has caddie Ian McGregor tragically died on the 9th Fairway during the final round of the Madeira Islands Open. Source: Mark Runnacles / Getty Images

SCOTLAND'S Alastair Forsyth has defended his decision to finish his round of golf after his caddie died of a heart attack on the 9th hole.

Forsyth was playing his final hole at the Madeira Islands Open when his caddie Iain McGregor suffered a fatal heart attack.

A suspension of play was announced but officials decided that the tournament should go on. England's Daniel Brooks beat Scotland's Scott Henry on the first playoff hole.

"Everybody is in shock," Forsyth said. "Myself and playing partners Adam (Gee) and Tano (Goya) met tournament officials and spoke to (European Tour chief executive) George O'Grady before taking the decision to play on, because we felt that was what Mac would have wanted. "He was a guy I've known for 15 years and was very popular among the caddies. My thoughts go to his family. For something like this to happen so suddenly is so sad," he said.

"He's was far too young for this to happen. He was the life and soul of the caddies' lounge and a nice guy who will be sorely missed. I'm absolutely numb."

A minutes silence is held on the putting green for caddie Ian McGregor who tragically died on the 9th Fairway at the Madeira Islands Open. Source: Getty Images

Players including Sweden's Joel Sjoholm and Spain's Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano said tournament organisers should be ashamed to allow play to continue.

The European Tour released a statement extending "our deepest sympathies to the friends and family of Iain at this time."

"Following consultation with the players and caddies involved, however, it has been decided that play should continue and the tournament should finish," the statement read. "A minute's silence has taken place at the clubhouse and play resumed at 6pm local time. All administration will be taken care of by The European Tour and we will help in any way possible."

Silence ... Golfers observe a minutes silence for Iain McGregor. Source: Getty Images

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Greenberg’s Tandy claim under cloud

Former Bulldogs boss Todd Greenberg. Source: News Corp Australia

THE contents of a sworn police statement have emerged which contradict NRL football boss Todd Greenberg's claims that he was not informed about Ryan Tandy's gambling on rugby league matches at a meeting with the late prop's betting agent in August 2010.

The NRL Integrity Unit has approached the two witnesses — Bulldogs football manager Alan Thompson and former racing reporter John Schell — who hold the key to Greenberg's survival, which hangs on an internal investigation into whether he lied about having knowledge of Tandy's bets on 2010 NRL games.

The latest probe into Greenberg's former role as Canterbury CEO focuses on an August 17, 2010 meeting with Thompson and Schell, who was placing bets on Tandy's behalf at the time.

Police witness statements and other documents relating to the Ryan Tandy match fixing investigation Source: Supplied

In both a sworn police statement and evidence before the NSW Local Court, Schell has testified that during that meeting he showed Greenberg and Thompson a betting ledger that recorded four separate wagers on NRL fixtures played in June 2010.

Over the next two months, Schell pursued Tandy for $30,370 worth of gambling debts, and met the Bulldogs pair at an Olympic Park cafe to personally express his grievance.

Tendered into evidence as part of the DPP case against Tandy, who was charged with four counts of lying to the NSW Crime Commission, Schell's hand-written ledger reveals $21,000 worth of rugby league bets.

Police witness statements and other documents relating to the Ryan Tandy match fixing investigation Source: Supplied

The issue was revisited in the wake of Tandy's recent death, with the ABC's 7:30 program last week approaching Greenberg and Thompson for response over why Canterbury never escalated Schell's allegations.

While Thompson declined to comment, Greenberg issued the program a categorical denial of being told about Tandy's NRL bets at the meeting.

''Mr Greenberg says at no stage during the meeting was there any suggestion or allegation of betting on rugby league matches,'' the spokesperson said.

''Mr Greenberg categorically dismisses any suggestion otherwise.''

Ex football player Ryan Tandy leaves the Sydney Police Centre. Source: News Limited

In Schell's police statement, sworn to detective senior constable Matthew Gibson on December 10, 2010, Schell contradicts Greenberg.

In Schell's police statement, sworn to detective senior constable Matthew Gibson on December 10, 2010, Schell recounts the meeting he had with the-then Bulldogs boss and Thompson at Raw café, adjacent to the team's former Sydney Olympic Park training base.

"I expressed my concerns over the debt that Tandy had to me and showed Greenberg and Thompson the betting ledger that I had kept and also my phone records which showed calls etc," Schell's police statement read.

Thompson's police statement, sworn to Gibson on 17 January 2011, also recalls the meeting, but is silent about the production of Schell's ledger.

"At this meeting Schell detailed the amount of money that Tandy owed him and also a number of bets that Tandy had been placing," Thompson's statement read.

Police witness statements and other documents relating to the Ryan Tandy match fixing investigation Source: Supplied

The two police statements concur that Schell did not wish to make a formal complaint at the time.

Instead it was agreed that he contact Tandy's agent, Sam Ayoub.

Concerned that he might jeopardise his chances of recouping the debt, Schell did not do so.

Schell's first contact with the Bulldogs came via Thompson, whom he had known socially for a year beforehand. The pair is still close and catch up frequently.

On Saturday the NRL announced it would pose questions in relation to the ABC report, which challenged Canterbury over its failure to properly escalate Schell's claims at the meeting.

It's understood the NRL administration at the time did not become aware of Tandy's bets on rugby league matches until some weeks later, when it hired veteran NSW Racing steward Ray Murrihy to investigate suspicious betting around the infamous Cowboys-Bulldogs match.

Former Bulldogs boss Todd Greenberg. Source: News Corp Australia

The Daily Telegraph can reveal both Thompson and Schell have received calls from the head of the NRL's Integrity Unit, commercial lawyer Nick Weeks.

Thompson refused to comment on Monday, while Schell said his ongoing co-operation would be determined by his initial meeting with Weeks.

Greenberg did not comment, while an NRL spokesperson said "the NRL takes such issues seriously and is making inquiries into the matter''.

Greenberg has already survived one internal probe since his appointment to League Central last August, with the Integrity Unit approving his handling of the Ben Barba drama over 12 months ago.

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Daniel Garb’s EPL team of the season

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WITH the EPL season run and won, it's time to look at the best performing stars of 2013-2014.

Fox Sports' Daniel Garb has picked his star performers from the year that was, and despite winning the title, just one Manchester City player makes his starting team.

Team of the year

Lloris

Coleman Terry Lovren Azipilicueta

Gerrard Toure

Lallana

Suarez Hazard

Sturridge

Bench: De Gea, Cahill, Jedinak, Henderson, Ramsey, Silva, Aguero

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Defence

Lloris is the best keeper in the league, pure and simple. And he performed in that fashion this season with little assistance from a very poor team. It's hard to oust the brilliant Pablo Zabaleta from the side but Coleman has become the best attacking full-back in the league, as his six goals have proven. John Terry was the best centre-back this season by the length of his rap sheet but picking his partner was the hardest task of all in this side. I've gone for Dejan Lovren over Gary Cahill as he didn't have the assistance of a great defender next to him.

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Southampton plays a risky, high defensive line and Lovren marshalled that superbly, especially early in the season. There may be some raised eyebrows at Leighton Baines's omission but having watched Chelsea on numerous occasions this season Cesar 'Dave' Azipilicueta did not get beaten. Ever. He has an incredible engine, amazing anticipation and he utilised those attributes on his less favoured left side. You have to be of the very highest class to keep Ashley Cole on the bench and he's now firming for a starting spot with Spain. A pure defender.

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Midfield

Let's be honest, it's a pretty easy central midfield pair to pick. Stevie G ran the show for the Reds, adapting to his new position, a super important role in Brendan Rodgers system. Add 13 goals to that including some high-pressure penalties and it's been a masterful season from the maestro in a role he is likely to excel in for a couple more years. Yaya Toure - 20 goals - only the second midfielder to hit that mark after Frank Lampard. The boss of all bosses bossed them to the title. Enough said, really. We all love Lallana, he's developed into England's best technical midfielder. My only concern is putting him in a central, free role, which means it puts to bed the superb Saints chant "He plays on the left, he plays on the riggghhhttt…Adam Lallana, makes Ronaldo look shite." But I'll live with it. Nine goals and ran the stylish Saints show.

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Attack

Eden Hazard faded a touch late, but when Chelsea launched their title challenge mid-season he was the catalyst. Fourteen goals is an excellent return for any winger and in a team bereft of dynamism in the final third on too many occasions, he carried them. If he worked a little harder he'd join the absolute elite of the game in pretty quick time. Suarez doesn't need any explaining, 31 goals for the season, only the seventh player to do so in EPL history. PFA and FWA player of the year. Sturridge makes my team off the back of his 21 goals but also because of his work with Suarez that elevated the Reds to title challengers. Premier League defences haven't seen a combination like it, and that's a fact. They are the first duo to finish first and second on the goalscoring charts from the same club in Premier League history.

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Bench

David De Gea's selection is similar to Lloris, he was flawless without much assistance from his teammates. Well deserved winner of United's player of the season. Cahill was super consistent this season and unlucky not to make the team. Ahh, it feels good to put an Aussie in there, but we all know Mile Jedinak deserves it. Led the league in interceptions and was the best pure defensive midfielder in the premiership.I always thought Jordan Henderson would come good, but not this good this quickly. Second only to Yaya Toure for chances created from central midfield, while his energy was the driving force for the Reds excellent season.

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It's a long season so it's easy to forget at times what happened in the first few months, but Aaron Ramsey was the best player in the league in that period and he gets in off the back of that. And finally the slick little City duo - David Silva is the ultimate linkman between midfield and attack, and while we expect so much from him now, he delivered again, perhaps more consistently than ever before. Seventeen goals from Sergio Aguero is a superb return in an injury-interrupted season. He'd have nudged the 30 mark without his troubles and much like Ramsey, lit the league up early to get City going under Manuel Pellegrini.

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Sterling finally sorry for ‘mistake’

One mistake ... Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald Sterling says he was baited to make racist comments. Source: Mark J. Terrill / AP

LA Clippers owner Donald Sterling, desperate to cling to his team, has finally apologised for racist comments he made to his girlfriend, saying he made "a terrible mistake."

"If I said anything wrong, I'm sorry,'' Sterling told CNN's Anderson Coope. "I'm a good [NBA] member who made a mistake, and I'm apologising and I'm asking for forgiveness.

"Am I entitled to one mistake, am I, after 35 years?'' Sterling, 80, asked said during the interview at his Beverly Hills home — his first since the scandal broke.

"I mean, I love my league, I love my partners. Am I entitled to one mistake? It's a terrible mistake, and I'll never do it again.

"When I listen to that tape, I don't even know how I can say words like that ... I don't know why the girl had me say those things," insisted the billionaire real-estate investor, who was caught on tape telling his then-gal pal, V. Stiviano, not to bring black people — including hoops great Magic Johnson — to Clippers games.

Hasn't done enough ... Donald Sterling says Earvin "Magic" Johnson, pictured with wife, Cookie, says the NBA legend hasn't done enough to help minorities. Source: Getty Images

Cooper then pressed Sterling: "You're saying you were set up?"

"Well, yes, I was baited," Sterling said. "I mean, that's not the way I talk ... I don't talk about people."

He said he didn't know who leaked the tape.

"I thought she liked me and really cared for me. I guess being 51 years older than her, I was deluding myself," he said.

"I just wish I could ask her why — and if she was just setting me up.

"I'm not a racist. I made a terrible, terrible mistake. And I'm here with you today to apologise and to ask for forgiveness for all the people that I've hurt."

Despite his alleged contrition, Sterling still blasted Johnson as a bad role model for kids.

"He's a good person. I mean, what am I going to say?'' Stirling told Cooper, before adding, "Has he done everything he can do to help minorities? I don't think so. But I'll say it, he's great.

But I don't think he's a good example for the children of Los Angeles."

In a separate interview, Sterling's estranged wife, Shelly, told ABC's Barbara Walters that she believes her husband suffers from the "onset of dementia."

Dementia ... Los Angeles Clippers owner Donald T. Sterling, right, sits with his wife Rochelle, who says her husband has early onset dementia. Source: AP

She said he told her after the tape surfaced, "I don't remember saying that. I don't remember ever saying those things.

"I said, 'Well, this is the tape,' " Shelly Sterling said.

"And he says, 'Hmm. I don't remember it.' That's when I thought he had dementia.

"I don't love him. I pity him and I feel sorry for him," she said.

Shelly Sterling said she backs NBA Commissioner Adam Silver's push to force her husband to sell the team — but insists that she should have the right to buy it.

"I don't know why I should be punished for what his actions were," she said.

Last week, a new tape surfaced in which Sterling told a pal that he made the racist comments because he was trying to get Stiviano into bed.

"I'm talking to a girl. I'm trying to have sex with her," Sterling said in the recent conversation, a tape of which was obtained by Radar Online.

"I'm trying to play with her. If you were trying to have sex with a girl and you're talking to her privately and you don't think anybody's there, you may say anything in the world!"

The NBA disagreed. It said in a statement that her interest in the team would be "terminated'' under the league's constitution if it forces her husband to sell.

Her lawyer, Pierce O'Donell, replied, "We do not agree with the league's self-serving interpretation of its constitution.''

And in any case, he added, "California law and the United States Constitution trump any such interpretation.''

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Eels win but Daley’s Blues lose Fifita

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HE must have laughed in between the tears on Monday night.

Jarryd Hayne's miracle try for Parramatta on Monday brought some rare joy to a terribly disrupted preparation for NSW coach Laurie Daley.

Parramatta's Jarryd Hayne on his way to scoring a great try. Source: News Corp Australia

The smile though disappeared when Daley realised he would be without giant Cronulla and Blues prop Andrew Fifita for six to eight weeks.

Fifita left the field in the 18th minute during last night's game at Pirtek Stadium with grade two syndesmosis.

He was at Westmead Hospital having an MRI scan before the match had even ended.

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Fifita will now miss the entire State of Origin series.

James Tamou, Paul Gallen, Trent Merrin and Aaron Woods would now be NSW's front-row contenders.

"I thought he (Fifita) rolled his ankle and hoped it wasn't too bad. I remember seeing him at halftime and he was on crutches. It wasn't a good sight," Hayne said.

Andrew Fifita leaves the field with an injured ankle. Source: News Corp Australia

In the end, Parramatta won the Johnny Mannah Cup 42-24 win over a disappointing Sharks side. Victory was special for Eels skipper Tim Mannah.

Parramatta looked a dangerous team at times. Good times lie ahead.

Andrew Fifita in the dressing sheds. Source: FoxSports

The night was lit-up by Hayne's dazzling first half try, where he beat four defenders in a scortching run to the tryline.

"The first one (try) was awesome. I have been doing a bit on my own to top up my speed," Hayne said.

Parramatta's Jarryd Hayne celebrates his try. Source: News Corp Australia

Hayne is a dead-set freak. After the try, Hayne, returning on Monday night from a shoulder injury, blessed himself, looked skyward and then did the Hayne Plane.

"It was a great try," said Eels coach Brad Arthur. "I was happy with his attack and his leadership qualities.

"He got the football and ran. Tonight's effort was the best I have seen from him in a long time because he played through an injury and played tough.

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"If we can complete our sets then we can put him in a position to do that more often."

Mannah added: "He (Hayne) is really putting his body on the line and doing the dirty stuff which his team-mates appreciate.

"He has really taken his game to another level this year. He is playing with a lot more urgency and energy."

Cronulla skipper Paul Gallen after copping an elbow to his throat. Source: News Corp Australia

It was Hayne's eighth try in his last nine matches against Cronulla. He scored a second run-away try last night nearing fulltime.

NSW desperately need Hayne at his attacking finest to beat Queensland. He did though finish the game in the sin-bin for a professional foul and missed a few one-on-one tackles.

Jarryd Hayne tries to make a break. Source: News Corp Australia

Hayne was bold, as was halfback Chris Sandow and centre Will Hopoate.

Rather than a minute's silence, fans before the game were asked to stand and applaud for a minute to honour Mannah, who passed away at the start of last season.

Parramatta's Chris Sandow dives over for a try. Source: News Corp Australia

The Sharks actually led 12-4 before Parramatta scored the next 24 points. Arthur was pleased with the win - but not with his team's defence.

"It wasn't good enough," he said. "Moving forward, if we want to be taken seriously then we have to improve our defence.

"We did some good things with the ball but we have to play for the 80 minutes."

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Sharks coach Peter Sharp lamented another loss, saying: "We made way too many errors to compete at this level."

Gallen added: "Individually we were poor tonight. There were some missed one-on-one tackles that werent good enough for first grade."

PARRAMATTA 42 (J Hayne 2 K Sio 2 W Hopoate S Radradra C Sandow W Tonga tries C Sandow 5 goals) bt CRONULLA 24 (I De Gois S Feki M Gordon W Graham tries M Gordon 4 goals) at Pirtek Stadium. Referee: Alan Shortall, Adam Devcich. Crowd: 12,541

Re-live the action in our blog below:

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