? Rashard Mendenhall questions what happened on 9/11
? And is subsequently dropped by sponsors, Champion
The death of Osama bin Laden has been greeted with almost universal joy by America's sporting establishment, so the thoughts of running back Rashard Mendenhall have stood out.
The Pittsburgh Steelers star began by tweeting "What kind of person celebrates death? It's amazing how people can HATE a man they have never even heard speak. We've only heard one side ..." A sentiment that may have been defensible, but when followed with conspiracy theory ramblings was always bound to land him in hot water. "We'll never know what really happened [on 9/11]. I just have a hard time believing a plane could take a skyscraper down demolition style," read Mendenhall's subsequent missive to followers.
Amid a storm of public and media backlash the Steelers were quick to distance themselves from their player, issuing a statement that "the entire Steelers' organisation is very proud of the job our military personnel have done". But it's Mendenhall's bank balance that will be hit hardest, with USA Today reporting that sponsors Champion have dropped the star with immediate effect, as he can no longer "appropriately represent Champion".
New Zealand: Waihopai not over the moon at penalty decision
Sir Alex Ferguson may have got all in a lather last weekend over Chris Foy's failure to award a penalty to Manchester United, but he should count himself lucky he needn't rely on the officials of the Southland Premier league. The Southland Times has reported on a penalty howler from referee Phil Bulling's in a match between Queens Park and Waihopai.
Bulling awarded Queens Park a last minute spot-kick to level the game, changed his mind after protests from the Waihopai before blowing for full time and allowing the "victorious" Waihopai team to leave the pitch. Only then did he reverse his decision for a second time and allow Queens Park to score a penalty into an empty net.
Understandably, Waihopai are unhappy with events, having seen a 1-0 win transform into a 1-1 draw while they were in the changing room celebrating, and called Bulling's actions "one of the most bizarre refereeing decisions this side of the moon". Queens Park's manager, Scott Morton, was equally bemused. "It's probably the weirdest thing I've ever seen ... it was a schoolboy error," he said.
Waihopai have put in a complaint, but are declining to comment further, while Morton is understandably hoping the result will stand after the Southland Premier league completes its investigation to establish "the full truth of what happened". However, with Bulling also in charge of recruiting and developing new refs for the division more questionable decisions are to be expected.
Canada: No fun in NHL as killjoys ban handstands
The NHL has come under fire from Toronto's Globe and Mail for removing the 'fun' from ice hockey after banning the Vancouver Canucks's "Green Men" fans from their usual antics. The pair, known only as Force and Sully, dress-up in all-in-one green body suits and perform pranks by the visiting team's penalty box. Now the league has asked the duo to cut down on their act and "stop touching the glass and doing handstands". Whether the ban will be enforceable remains to be seen, with the pair enjoying huge support from both home and visiting fans.
Natasha Bedingfield Audrina Patridge Simone Mütherthies Carrie Underwood Rosario Dawson
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