SPORTS briefs

FLORHAM PARK. New York Jets general manager Mike Tannenbaum admitted Thursday the team should have disclosed Brett Favre's torn biceps tendon on mandatory weekly injury reports over the final third of last season. Favre, now with the Minnesota Vikings, said earlier this week he thought he was hurting the Jets because of the injury and discussed it with the coaches and the front office.

LONDON. Croatia striker Ivan Klasnic has accused England captain John Terry of punching him in the kidneys during Wednesday's World Cup qualifier. Terry claimed Klasnic spat at him during the closing stages of England's 5-1 win at Wembley and the Croatian has responded with an allegation of his own. Klasnic had a double kidney transplant in 2007 and the forward, currently on loan at Bolton from Nantes, feels Terry was deliberately trying to cause damage to that area.

BIRMINGHAM. Aston Villa starlet Shane Lowry has pledged his international allegiance to Australia despite having represented the Republic of Ireland at under-19 and under-21 level. Lowry, who was born in Perth to Irish parents, advised the Football Assocation of Ireland of his decision this week.

WASHINGTON. President Barack Obama welcomed the 2009 Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins to the House on Thursday and celebrated the hockey team for its performance on and off the ice. The Penguins won the best-of-seven series in June, defeating the defending champion Detroit Red Wings. They then took the cup on a road trip to thank their fans, "They took it on fishing trips and stopped by neighborhood barbecues. They visited elementary schools and hospitals," President Obama said.

LIVERPOOL. Rafa Benitez believes Liverpool will benefit from the feel-good factor generated by his stars' World Cup success. Benitez's squad contains 16 players fighting to reach next year's finals, with those from England, Spain, Holland and Brazil already looking forward to South Africa after clinching qualification.