Auto Racing

Force India, Sauber team up in F1 complaint to EU

BRUSSELS – In a challenge to Formula One’s status quo, Force India and Sauber have lodged a complaint with the European Union charging that the sport’s rule-making and revenue-sharing mechanisms are unlawful, unfair and harmful.

An EU spokesman, Ricardo Cardoso, said “we have received a complaint and will assess it.”

The move, long expected, represents a challenge to the dominance of F1’s major players and teams. It gives voice to smaller teams’ assertions that they cannot compete effectively because they don’t have an equal say or equal revenue.

In a statement confirming that it is one of two teams that submitted the complaint, Force India said: “The system of dividing revenues and determining how Formula One’s rules are set is both unfair and unlawful.”

Basketball

Bulls’ Rose heading back to the operating table

CHICAGO – Chicago Bulls star Derrick Rose will have surgery on his left eye after being elbowed in the face during the first day of practice.

The Bulls said the 2011 NBA MVP sustained a left orbital fracture on the first day of practice. He is scheduled for surgery Wednesday, and a timetable for his return will be determined after the operation.

The injury is the latest in a long line for Rose and is the last thing the Bulls needed with a new head coach in Fred Hoiberg.

Rose missed all of the 2012-13 season after tearing his left anterior cruciate ligament during the first round of the 2012 playoffs, and played only 10 games two years ago after tearing the meniscus in his right knee. He also had a minor procedure on the right knee late last season.

Griner disciplined by country after domestic violence

USA Basketball suspended Brittney Griner for the start of its European training camp that will begin this week.

The penalty stems from Griner’s domestic violence arrest in April. The 6-foot-8 Phoenix Mercury star was banned by the WNBA for the first seven games of the season, which amounts to the same percentage that she’ll miss of the USA training camp.

Griner is about finished with her 26 weeks of court-ordered counseling. Once completed, all charges will be dismissed.

The Americans, who have already qualified for next year’s Olympics in Rio, will be playing games in Spain and the Czech Republic.

Cycling

Cavendish couples with a new squad for 2016

JOHANNESBURG – Former world cycling champion Mark Cavendish joined South African team Dimension Data.

The British rider signed a three-year deal with the Pro Continental team, which is currently named MTN-Qhubeka but has secured a new sponsorship deal from 2016.

The team also announced the arrival of Cavendish allies Mark Resnshaw and Bernhard Eisel.

Cavendish, the 2011 world champion, recently underwent surgery on his left shoulder following a crash that ruled him out of the road cycling world championships in the United States.

Cavendish, who has won 26 Tour de France stages and rode for Belgium’s Etixx-Quick Step the past three years, was out of contract at the end of the season and decided to make a change

MTN-Qhubeka became the first African team to compete in the Tour de France this year.

Associated Press