LONDON -- The English Football Association charged two players on Tuesday with racially-aggravated misconduct for tweets about a gesture considered anti-Semitic. Hull striker Yannick Sagbo and Queens Park Rangers loan defender Benoit Assou-Ekotto posted comments on Twitter backing Nicolas Anelka for performing the arm gesture, known in France as a "quenelle," while celebrating a goal for West Bromwich Albion in December. Anelka was fired by West Brom last month after being banned for five matches by the FA, the minimum sanction for discrimination cases. Sagbo and Assou-Ekotto might only face financial penalties as there is no minimum punishment for social media postings. Assou-Ekotto congratulated Anelka via Twitter for performing the "quenelle," which was popularized by French comedian Dieudonne MBala MBala and has been described as an "inverted Nazi salute." Sagbo called Anelka a "legend" alongside a picture of the French striker. Manchester City midfielder Samir Nasri, who had previously been pictured online in the "quenelle" pose, has been given a formal warning by the FA. Liverpool defender Mamadou Sakho, who was also pictured on Twitter performing the gesture, was "reminded of his responsibilities as a participant," the FA said. Wholesale Custom Jerseys .FIFA said its appeals panel ruled the case not admissible.The former U.S. Attorney had objected to ethics judge Joachim Eckerts summary of the World Cup bid investigation, claiming numerous materially incomplete and erroneous representations of his work. Custom Dallas Cowboys Jerseys . 4 jersey of former defenseman Rob Blake this coming season. The ceremony will take place prior to the Kings January 17 game against Anaheim. http://www.jerseyscustom.us/ . Fielder has been out with a herniated disk in his neck, and surgery was recommended after a follow-up exam and another scan Thursday with Dr. Cheap Custom Jerseys China . The Nevada Athletic Commission voted unanimously in Las Vegas to quit granting therapeutic use exemptions for fighters undergoing the so-called TRT. Custom Jerseys From China . When a game is in the balance, however, they still have the personnel and the experience to end up with the two points.TORONTO - As Dwane Casey reflected on some of his teams most pleasant surprises nearly halfway through the campaign, his eyes widened and a big smile came over his face as he mentioned the name James Johnson, a player that used to elicit a very different reaction from the Raptors head coach. Nearly three years ago, Johnson - in his first stint with Toronto - was pulled from the Raptors starting lineup after getting into a verbal altercation with Casey during practice. Now, with the 27-year-old forward turning the page as both a player and as a man, Casey has given serious thought to reinstalling him as a permanent member of the first unit. Johnson, one of the teams most consistent two-way performers through 38 games, had made seven starts in place of the injured DeMar DeRozan, averaging 11.1 points, 6.0 rebounds, 1.1 blocks, 1.0 steal on 63 per cent shooting, before returning to the bench in DeRozans return on Wednesday. With DeRozan healthy again, its no surprise to see Casey go back to his original lineups. Its the right move, at least for now. The Raptors have had all kinds of success with their starting group of DeRozan, Lowry, Ross, Valanciunas and Amir Johnson. That unit has won more games together than any other starting lineup in team history, going 29-21 last season and opening this year with a record of 11-2 before DeRozans injury, adding another victory after the 100-84 win over Philadelphia. Last season they outscored opponents by a team-best 43 points in 717 minutes together, each of them averaging career-highs in scoring and minutes played. This year, they were a plus-31 entering Wednesdays game. Torontos only five-man lineup with a higher point differential (plus-46) is its original second unit - Vasquez, Williams, Patterson, Hansbrough and James Johnson - a group Casey is just as motivated to keep together. Its been one of the leagues best off the bench. So, Johnson goes back to the bench in the hopes that DeRozans return will help spark the teams ailing defence and restore a sense of normalcy in Caseys rotation. But, in light of Johnsons improved all-around play, expect the leash to be shorter than it has been in the past, especially on the slumping Terrence Ross. Ross shooting and focus on defence has been up and down in his third NBA season. After averaging 36 minutes a night over the final five games of December, the 23-year-old has logged under 30 minutes in each of the first six contests in January, playing less than Johnson in three of the past four. Is there anything Johnson could do to supersede Ross in the starting lineup? Continue to play the way hes playing, Casey said in response. I mean theres nothing etched in stone. I really just think that [Johnson] being that wild card off the bench really kind of sets the tone for us, for that second unit. But never say never. I dont want to put myself in a corner and say its never going to happen. Its possible Casey may be trying to light a fire underneath Ross. When hes locked in as a defender at his position and hitting shots from the corners Ross is a crucial cog in the first unit, spacing the floor and opening up driving lanes for DeRozan and Lowry.dddddddddddd In 213 minutes together this season, theyre shooting 49 per cent from he field and 43 per cent from three-point range while getting to the line at an impressive rate. Even on Wednesday, as DeRozan returned, Ross continued to struggle. He made one of four shots in just 18 minutes after getting the hook early in the third quarter and sitting out the rest of the second half. Of greater concern to Casey, he missed a number of defensive assignments and seemed a step behind for most of the night. Instead of Johnson, who logged just 15 minutes in his return to the bench, Lou Williams was the biggest beneficiary of Ross second-half benching. Williams played 23 minutes, scoring 19 to lead Torontos second unit. Every young player goes through it, Casey said after the game. You’d have to ask him what he’s going through but I just felt that Lou had it going, DeMar coming back in the picture and it’s just hard getting all those guys back in there and we’ve got to go with the guys that are producing on the defensive end. Changing up the two units, starting Johnson for Ross, would require a leap of faith on Caseys part. That group - Lowry, DeRozan, Valanciunas and the two Johnsons - has logged just five minutes together this season, hitting four of 10 shots, missing their only three-point attempts and holding opponents to 2-of-9 from the field. The sample size is far too small to read into its results. One thing is for certain, the Raptors would lose some floor spacing by making the switch, a legitimate concern with DeRozan and Lowry requiring room to operate on the perimeter. However, as long as the teams defence and rebounding continue to suffer and Ross remains erratic, the lack of outside shooting may be a risk Casey is willing to take. After all, Johnson has become more than just a defender and rebounder. Casey has raved about his improved offensive discipline, decision making, and passing, even out of the double teams he has seen recently. I just think hes more in a facilitating role when hes with the first group, Williams said of Johnson. With the second group we expect him to be a lot more aggressive, take more chances on the offensive and defensive end to anchor us. And on the first group I just feel like hes one of the guys. Obviously thats a group where Kyle leads and James just plays more of a defensive role on that group [He brings] everything, Lowry said. The intangibles, shot-blocking, big body, a playmaker. James can make plays. If people don’t notice, he can pass the ball. He can get to the basket. He can finish. He covers a lot of ground for our mistakes. For now, its Ross job to lose but whether or not he loses it may have more to do with the teams overall performance than his own. As long as the team is winning and the defence improves with DeRozan back, Casey will likely opt for status quo, perhaps continuing to cut Ross minutes if his slide persists. Altering the rotation all together is a risk that may only be worth taking if DeRozans return doesnt turn out to be the cure to their recent ailments. ' ' 'in 31 games this season after a bone chip in his ankle cost him a month. Thats ninth among Russian-born NHL forwards, though the 27-year-old is much better known for his defensive prowess. "Hes top guy," Ovechkin said of Kulemin earlier this season. "He can play physical game, he can make big hits, good defensive player. Hes very skilled (on) offence too." Ovechkin is the face of the Olympics, so any praise from him cant hurt. "Thank him to say that," Kulemin said. "I would be happy to make the team and help the team in any position I would play for. Well see." One benefit Kulemin would bring is the ability to play on either wing. Thats especially valuable if Ovechkin reverts back to the left side he played his whole life until Washington Capitals coach movedd him to right wing, igniting an MVP campaign.dddddddddddd Ovechkins place isnt in question. But theres no certainty that Kulemin will join Leafs teammates Phil Kessel and James van Riemsdyk -- who were named to the U.S. team -- in Sochi. "I think thatd be great for him," van Riemsdyk said. "You see how hard he works day in and day out and what he brings to our team as far as just every shift hes out there hes 110 per cent. You know what to expect from him. He brings a lot to the table for us out there, so I think theyd be lucky to have him on their team, too." Perhaps the Leafs would feel luckier if Kulemin didnt make the cut. Asked Saturday morning about the impact of Kessel and van Riemsdyk making the U.S. team on Toronto, coach Randy Carlyle pointed to a negative aspect of NHL participation in the Olympics. "From my experience with it in Anaheim, we had seven players go to the (2010) Olympics and we had (Ryan) Getzlaf, (Corey) Perry and Scott Niedermayer come back and they didnt have any emotion left when they got back," Carlyle said. "They participated in winning a gold medal, and it was difficult to get those guys back to the level that we needed them at that time, and its understandable." The Chicago Blackhawks had nine players at those Olympics, including Canadians Jonathan Toews, Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook, and went on to win the Stanley Cup. But the concern over the let-down is legitimate. "Its two or three weeks of high emotion, and the last thing on their mind is where they came from," Carlyle said. "Theyre playing for their country." This is especially true in the case of the Russians, who will be facing immense pressure to win gold on home ice. Kulemin, a native of Magnitogorsk, a 35-hour drive northeast from Sochi, would love to join in that quest. He has been waiting in nervous anticipation of the roster announcement. "Well see if I make the team," Kulemin said. "Id be so happy. But you never know." ' ' '