Colleges
Gator linebacker can avoid charge if he behaves
GAINESVILLE — Florida linebacker Antonio Morrison, who was accused of punching a bouncer, will not be prosecuted if he remains out of trouble for six months, the Associated Press reported Friday.
The State Attorney's Office in Alachua County filed a deferred prosecution form Thursday in relation to the battery charge.
Morrison, 19, was identified by witnesses as having argued about the cover charge with a bouncer at the Kava Lounge in Gainesville on June 16, a Gainesville Police report says. Witnesses said Morrison shouted, "Do you know who I am? I am a UF football player. I am Antonio!"
Last season, Morrison appeared in 13 games (three starts) and had 34 tackles, one sack and one forced fumble in being named to the SEC coaches all-freshman team. He is projected to start this season.
Clemson: Micah Rogers, 18, of Pisgah Forest, N.C., was charged with vandalizing the school's beloved Howard's Rock. A protective case was damaged and a piece of the stone chipped away June 2. The piece has not been recovered. Police didn't say if Rogers is a Clemson fan. But they did reveal he had a Clemson tiger paw sticker on his truck and school memorabilia in his home.
Vandy: Four unidentified football players were suspended while police investigate if a sex crime occurred in a campus dorm.
Media: ESPN football analyst Kirk Herbstreit signed an extension through 2022. He is entering his 18th season with the network.
Soccer
FIFA vows to give at least $100M to Brazil
FIFA, soccer's governing body, pledged to give at least $100 million from profits of the 2014 World Cup back to host Brazil. This month's Confederations Cup has been marred by protesters denouncing the approximately $13.3 billion Brazil will spend to host the World Cup, money they say should go toward improving public services. FIFA gave South Africa $100 million after the 2010 World Cup in that country. Said FIFA president Sepp Blatter: "The aim is not to take profit out of the country but to put it into the country."
MLS: Kansas City midfielder Graham Zusi spurned offers from European clubs, including those in the English Premier League, for a four-year extension. Financial terms were not disclosed. Zusi, 26, a starter for the U.S. national team, was an MVP finalist last season after recording five goals and a league-high 15 assists. He has three goals and five assists this season.
ET CETERA
Swimming: Allison Schmitt, the U.S. record-holder and 2012 Olympic silver medalist in the 400-meter freestyle, was scratched from the event at the U.S. championships in Indianapolis and won't make the team for next month's world championships. She failed to make the finals in the 100 and 200 freestyle (she won the 2012 Olympic gold in the latter) at the U.S. meet. Missy Franklin, who won four golds and a bronze at the 2012 Olympics, won the 100 backstroke, her fourth title of the meet.
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Explore all your optionsWNBA: Tamika Catchings, who missed two games with a sore back, scored a season-high 28 as host Indiana beat Tulsa 80-69. The defending league champion had lost seven in a row.
Doping: Eight Turks were caught using banned substances, state media said. Eight Turkish weightlifters pulled out of the Mediterranean Games for doping this week.
Times wires