Truth & Rumors: March 9, 2005

About 15,000 tickets have sold for the outdoor charity game scheduled for Ivor Wynne Stadium in Hamilton, Ontario on April 2. Steve Staios, Ryan Smyth and Eric Brewer of the Oilers have committed to the game, which will benefit the Tsunami Relief Fund for the Canadian Red Cross and Camp Trillium, a camp for families of children with cancer and an organization in which Staios is involved. Staios and ex-NHLer Doug Gilmour are co-captains of the event. Curtis Joseph, Todd Bertuzzi, Martin Brodeur and Mats Sundin have said they'll play in the game, which will be televised nationally in Canada. -- Edmonton Sun

Chelsea today strongly denied claims of racist abuse by Barcelona's star striker Samuel Eto'o in the latest controversy between the two clubs. Eto'o told the Spanish media he was racially abused by staff at Stamford Bridge stadium after last night's European Champions League encounter. The Cameroon striker said he was called a "monkey" by a Stamford Bridge steward in the aftermath of the 4-2 Chelsea victory which saw Jose Mourinho's men qualify for the last eight of the Champions League. -- The Press Association

A spokesman for the English Premiership leaders said: " Chelsea utterly refutes any racist comments were made by any of its permanent or matchday staff. Chelsea has an excellent record of supporting anti-racism campaigns and condemns all forms of racism." -- The Press Association

English Premier League side Fulham will play a Major League Soccer (MLS) All-Star team in Columbus, Ohio on July 30. The London club's American striker Brian McBride spent eight seasons with Columbus Crew while compatriot and team mate Carlos Bocanegra played for Chicago Fire. "The All-Star Game celebrates the league's 10th season and the lasting impact made by MLS in the U.S. and around the soccer world," MLS Commissioner Don Garber said. -- Reuters

Bayern Munich midfielder Owen Hargreaves will be on display tonight when his team plays Arsenal in a Champions League match. Hargreaves would like to play in England. Spurs were the latest side to test the water with Bayern Munich in the January transfer window and Middlesbrough were strong suitors last summer. Hargreaves said: "I'm desperate to impress. I've made no secret of wanting to play in the Premiership one day and football can change quickly. Who's to say what will happen in the future?" -- The Mirror ( UK

Patrick Kluivert has little more than two months to earn a contract extension at Newcastle United. The Dutch striker, whose current deal expires in June, when Graeme Souness must decide whether to take up the option of a two-year extension, Kluivert has largely proved a disappointment since his arrival from Barcelona last summer. "Patrick's a striker and he's going to be judged on how many goals he scores and how many games he plays but he's not done it for us yet," admitted Souness, the Newcastle manager, who has become frustrated by the 28-year-old's persistent lack of fitness. -- The Guardian ( UK

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