SPORTS briefs

MELBOURNE. World number one Roger Federer has yet to decide if he will use the Kooyong Classic in January to fine tune his Australian Open preparations, organizers said Wednesday. Tournament director Colin Stubs said Federer had not finalized his plans for the season-opening Grand Slam due to the birth last July of his twin daughters Myla and Charlene.

LONDON. Arsenal will study UEFA's justification for handing Eduardo a two-match European ban for diving before deciding whether to appeal against the verdict. European football's governing body opened disciplinary proceedings against the Croatia international for "deceiving the referee" after he tumbled theatrically to win a penalty in last week's Champions League play-off against Celtic.

TOKYO. Masanori Murakami, Japan's first export to Major League Baseball, has some career advice for aspiring Japanese players: Forget loyalty, baseball is business. Murakami was pitching for the San Francisco Giants before the likes of Hideo Nomo and Daisuke Matsuzakawere even born. And on the 45th anniversary of his US pro debut, the 65-year-old was adamant that the Major Leagues should be the target for all Japanese players looking to make the breakthrough.

SANTA ROSA. Levi Leipheimer inked a two-year deal with Lance Armstrong's new RadioShack team, the US cyclist confirmed. Seven-time Tour de France winner Armstrong announced the new team during the Tour de France. He finished third overall in the Tour while racing for Astana, his first participation in the race since securing his seventh yellow jersey in 2005, after which he retired.

BARCELONA. Ricky Rubio wants to keep playing basketball in Spain, saying a move to the Minnesota Timberwolves would be too risky and complicate his life. The 19-year-old point guard was sent from DKV Joventut to Barcelona on Tuesday after the Catalan club paid Rubio's $5 million buyout clause.

BIRMINGHAM. Aston Villa finally completed the signing of Republic of Ireland defender Richard Dunne from Manchester City on Wednesday.Dunne, who cost Villa a reported six $9.6 million becomes O'Neill's second defensive signing.