Soccer
REAL CUTS PLAYER: Real Salt Lake released midfielder Kevin Ara over the weekend. The MLS expansion team acquired the former D.C. United player in last November's expansion draft, but coach John Ellinger was disappointed with his performance at training camp.
Ara's departure leaves the team with 29 players on the roster, one more than the league maximum of 28.
Ellinger said he's planning on trimming the roster to 28 before the team heads to Portugal this Thursday for two and a half more weeks of training camp.
FEDERATION SEEKS BAN: The German soccer federation has asked for a lifetime ban and a hefty fine for the referee who admitted fixing games.
The federation (DFB) filed charges in its sports court Monday against Robert Hoyzer, who admitted he was paid more than $65,000 to manipulate games in the biggest German soccer corruption scandal in more than 30 years.
Hoyzer was arrested, along with three Croatian brothers suspected of masterminding the scam. Berlin prosecutors are investigating 25 people, including 14 players and four referees, suspected of rigging at least 10 games, mostly in lower divisions.
Basketball
SNOWBEARS IN PLAYOFFS: The ABA Western Division Champion Utah Snowbears have announced that home playoff games will be played March 7 and March 14 at Salt Lake Community College. The opponent (to be determined) will be based upon ABA Power Rankings. Utah (25-1) is currently the No. 1 seed and likely to face the league's 16th seed. For single or group tickets, please call (801) 533-2327 (BEAR).