England striker Michael Owen will not make a decision about his future with Newcastle United until the end of the season, a statement released by his agent said today. While that means Owen, 29, will stay with Newcastle through the January transfer window, his long-term future. . . .

DIEGO Maradona joins an exclusive club of stars who have played for, and managed, their national teams. Michel Platini, Franz Beckenbauer, Marco van Basten, Mario Zagallo and Kevin Keegan are big names who have swapped the field for the bench. Platini engineered France’s. . . .

DIEGO Maradona joins an exclusive club of stars who have played for, and managed, their national teams. Michel Platini, Franz Beckenbauer, Marco van Basten, Mario Zagallo and Kevin Keegan are big names who have swapped the field for the bench. Platini engineered France’s. . . .

Paraguay streaked six points clear in the South American World Cup qualifying standings with a goal claimed by both Edgar Benitez and Oscar Cardozo enough to edge Peru 1-0 at the Estadio Defensores del Chaco. Benitez got the crucial touch with his left foot for a strike which. . . .

Urges PSL to create body to protect coaches Owen da Gama, the former coach of Orlando Pirates and Free State Stars, says he will consider job offers made by PSL clubs while he enhances his coaching credentials in Brazil and Spain. Da Gama has reportedly been made an offer by. . . .

Free State Stars’ new coach, Themba Sithole, says he welcomes the challenge of trying to turn things around at the Bethlehem-based Premier League club. Sithole took over from Owen Da Gama, when the latter left the club last week. Stars are ninth in the league after getting. . . .