SPORTS briefs

MADRID. Real Madrid on Sunday announced a record $621 million budget aligned to a net debt of $481 million after a summer spending spree on greats like Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka. Real president Florentino Perez told the club's general assembly that the debt mountain would be cut by some $294 million by June 2010 thanks to a 14 percent increase in revenue on last season.

GUANGZHOU.Israel's Shahar Peer won her first WTA singles title in three years on Sunday, overcoming Italy's Alberta Brianti 6-3, 6-4 to claim the Guangzhou Open. Eighth seed Brianti, 29, was playing in her first ever Tour final.

WEYMOUTH. Sailing rivals BMW Oracle from the United States and America's Cup holders Alinghi have been locked in a legal fight lasting more than two years over the terms of the race, now scheduled to take place in February 2010 in the United Arab Emirate of Al-Khaimah. The sport's oldest international trophy is up in the air as the lawyers battle it out in the New York law courts.

LONDON.Martin Lel showed he is over the injury which kept him out of the World Athletics Championship as he stormed to victory in the Great North Run. The three-time winner of the London Marathon won in 59 minutes, 32 seconds ahead of fellow Kenyan Kiplimo Kimutai (59.44) and Jaouad Gharib (1.00:04).

JOHANNESBURG. South Africa's government has demanded that athletics chief Leonard Chuene be sacked after he admitted lying about runner Caster Semenya's gender tests.