In brief - 2004-10-13

Latvia was soundly beaten by Slovakia 4-1 in their Oct. 9 World Cup qualifier. Latvia started well with Maris Verpakovskis scoring in the fourth minute and remained in the lead until shortly after the break, when Slovakia scored two in quick succession. Slovakia dominated the game throughout and scored again in the 55th and 87th minute.

The Spanish national soccer coach Luis Aragones told The Mirror newspaper that he may fly to London and personally apologize to Arsenal's French striker Thierry Henry after calling him a "black shit." Aragones insists that he was only trying to motivate Henry's Arsenal teammate Jose Reyes during a training session with the Spanish national side. Aragones is one of Spain's most experienced coaches but his remarks have caused outrage, especially in France and the U.K.

Jaguar's future in Formula One is hanging in the balance after Ford withdrew its backing and decided to sell the team at the end of the season. The Red Bull soft drink company has emerged as a potential buyer but Jaguar's F1 managing director David Pitchforth said no deal was imminent. Jaguar has until Nov. 15 to find a buyer and submit its entry to the sport's governing body, the FIA, if it's to take its place on the grid next season.

Belgian tennis star Justine Henin-Hardenne has announced that she will not play again for the rest of the year as she struggles to recover from a debilitating virus. Hardenne won the gold medal at the Athens Olympics but hasn't competed since she lost her number one spot in September, when she crashed out of the fourth round of the U.S. open. The 22-year-old began the year well winning the Australian Open.