Rogge praises Henry handball admission

Republic of Ireland defender Richard Dunne said he felt “cheated” of a World Cup place after his team’s 2-1 aggregate loss to France in Paris.

French striker Thierry Henry handled the ball in the build up to William Gallas’s decisive extra-time goal earning a 1-1 draw on the night.

Dunne said: “Henry admitted afterwards he handled it, but it doesn’t make me feel any better. We were cheated.”

Henry added: “I will be honest it was a handball but I’m not the referee.”

Remarkably, Henry sat down on the pitch with Dunne after the final whistle and said afterwards he admitted the handball to the Irish defender.

“I told Dunne,” Henry said. “He said the same to me, ‘you’re not the ref’. That’s why the players did not come to me, that’s why they went to the referee.

“You can clearly see the opportunity. Sebastien Squillaci went to jump for the ball with two Irish players and I’m behind him. The next thing I know the ball hit my hand, my arm even. It was right in front of me, I played it.

“The ref allowed it and that’s a question you should ask him.”

The Barcelona striker clearly handled the ball to stop it going out of play and then prodded it across goal for Gallas to nod home in the 104th minute. That left Ireland little time to reply having taken an early lead through Robbie Keane’s strike after 33 minutes.

Giovanni Trapattoni’s side carved out a number of chances but survived an appeal for a France penalty when Nicolas Anelka appeared to be tripped by Irish keeper Shay Given.

The Swedish referee Martin Hansson denied the hosts but he, nor the linesman, spotted the Henry handball in a crowded penalty area.

“Fifa will probably be happy,” added Dunne. “Yet again the big decisions have gone for the bigger team.

“There has to be a case for matches of this importance for a fourth official to look at replays and get the calls right.”

Captain Robbie Keane told BBC Radio 5 live: “Henry nearly caught it, so it’s a bit of a killer. When you see the reaction of the players, Shay especially, he’s two yards away from it and you don’t get a reaction like that if he’s not sure it’s a handball.

“He almost caught it and ran into the net with it.

“Henry is a top player and has been for a long time but it was a clear handball he dragged it in from going out. He nearly caught it. I wouldn’t expect it from anyone.”

Manager Trapattoni said it was sickening to go out of the World Cup in such a manner: “We are angry. It is a bitter evening for me.

“I would prefer to have gone out on penalties.

“The referee had time to ask the linesman and then after to ask Henry.

“It would not have been the first time a player would have asked and it would not have been out of turn.

“I am upset for fair play. We talk many times about fair play, I go to schools and talk to young children about the importance of fair play, and this happens.

“I spoke to the referee and I told him he may have made a great mistake.

“Everybody saw the game. You know what happened.

“We played a great game. We deserved to win.”

France coach Raymond Domenech said: “I am sorry for Ireland and in a way disappointed they have gone out.

“We would loved to have won by two or three goals, but it was not to be.

“It was hard, laborious and indeed miraculous. I was sure we would make it though. We are happy, like the whole of France football.

“I knew we were going to make a 1-1 draw and we are just happy to be going to South Africa.”

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Record start for Great North Run (Use this Code 5XXXUKRA, and get 5% of all canvas art)

A record number of entrants have set off on the the 29th annual Great North Run on Tyneside.

Up to 54,000 people are taking part in the half-marathon between Newcastle and South Shields.

About 30,000 spectators are lining the route to cheer the participants to the finish line on Sunday.

Musician Sting and Ashes-winning England cricketer Steve Harmison sounded the starting gun for this year’s race.

Sting said: “It is so exciting to be here and the atmosphere is incredible.

“It is a perfect day with blue skies and everybody is smiling.”

Celebrity runners this year include chef Gordon Ramsey, EastEnders actors Kara Tointon and Joe Swash, and Hull City manager Phil Brown.

Sir Bobby Robson’s son Mark, who is running to raise funds for his late father’s cancer foundation, said: “He was the honorary starter for the race twice and I always remember him saying that his hand nearly fell off because he shook so many hands.

“He loved doing it and it is a great event”.

The event started with the elite wheelchair athletes at 1010 BST, followed by the elite women at 1015 BST, and the mass runners set off with the elite men at 1040 BST.

The first Great North Run took place in June 1981 with 12,770 runners.

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Flintoff wants England domination (Use this Code 5XXXUKRA, and get 5% of all canvas art)

Andrew Flintoff has challenged the England players to prove they are the best in the world after retiring from Test cricket with an Ashes victory.

England defeated Australia at The Oval to seal a 2-1 series win and ensured Flintoff ended his career on a high.

“There is no reason they cannot be the best. They have got a fantastic captain and (are) a talented team,” he said.

“If there’s any lesson to learn from 2005 now, it’s to go for domination, try to get to number one in the world.”

The 31-year-old continued: “We’ve got the talent, we’ve got the side to do it. It’s just a case of believing it and putting it into practice.

“One comforting thing is, having seen the past five Test matches, is that I’ll disappear and the England side will be in good hands.

“The likes of Jonathan Trott coming in and everybody’s forgetting about Kevin Pietersen. Our best player has not played the bulk of this Test series. So the future of the side is in good hands.”

Flintoff, who played 78 Tests in an 11-year career, taking 225 wickets and scoring 3,816 runs, was also a key member of the triumphant 2005 team and he said: “I loved playing Test cricket – it feels strange talking about it in the past tense.

“It’s one of those things you don’t want to end – but like all things it comes to an end at some point and I couldn’t ask for a better way for it to finish.

“To win the Ashes twice is everything. I’m proud to be English and represent my country and I feel very fortunate to do it on and off for the last 10, 11 years or so.”

Flintoff’s Test career was undermined by a series of injuries and he visibly struggled through the recently completed Ashes series. He was left out of the fourth Test at Headingley and bowled at well below full pace at The Oval.

He categorically ruled out any possibility of a return to the Test arena in the future.

“I have made my decision, or rather the decision has been made for me,” added Flintoff.

“I have had all these operations – bowling and Test cricket do not seem to match. Now I am setting my sights on being the best one-day player in the world.”

Flintoff was the Man of the Series in 2005 as England defeated Australia 2-1, a result that sparked huge celebrations.

Television shots the day after the victory was clinched showed the all-rounder looking visibly worse for wear, but he was keen to stress his enjoyment had been more low key in 2009.

“I remember 2005 – contrary to popular belief – 2005 was fantastic, it almost snuck up on us,” said Flintoff.

“I lived for the moment then and celebrated hard. But this time it was something which I savoured.

“It was quite nice – all the families came over. I sat with my wife and my kids, my dad who has done so much for me throughout my career.

“I was able to have a beer with my dad. It was very different but in a lot of ways far more enjoyable.”

Stuart Broad won the Man of the Match award in the decisive final Test following a destructive spell of 5-37 as Australia were bowled out for 160 in their first innings.

The Nottinghamshire player also scored 37 and 29 batting at number eight – prompting suggestions that he could fill Flintoff’s role as England’s all-rounder.

“He’s better than me in a lot of ways,” said Flintoff of Broad.

“He’s only 23 and he’s performing at the highest level. Broady has a lot of potential but he’s already showing it. Changing the course of the game at such a young age is very special.

“We have also seen signs of what he can do with the bat. He’s not the finished article but he has huge potential. He could bat at number three in the future.”

Flintoff’s close friend Steve Harmison took 3-54 in the second innings on Sunday as England won by 197 – and afterwards the Durham bowler said he was unsure about his Test future.

However, Flintoff is confident that Harmison can go on to become one of his country’s all-time leading wicket takers.

“If I was Steve Harmison and could bowl like that I would keep going,” he added.

“If you ask any batsman in the world ‘who do you not want to face’ it would be Steve Harmison.

“He could end up being one of the greats for England. He could go on to be our leading wicket-taker of all time. If he wants to, there is still a lot more to come.”

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England hope Flintoff will be fit (Use this Code 5XXXUKRA, and get 5% of all canvas art)

England coach Andy Flower is hopeful all-rounder Andrew Flintoff will be fit to play in the fourth Ashes Test, which starts at Headingley on Friday.

Flintoff has relied on injections in his right knee in the last two Tests and was clearly hampered during the drawn third Test at Edgbaston.

“He is determined to play but he and the experts can make a considered decision,” said Flower.

England, who lead the series 1-0, name their squad at 1400 BST on Tuesday.

Flintoff is certain to be included but with only three days between Monday’s drawn contest at Edgbaston and the penultimate match of the campaign at Headingley, he will spend the time resting and putting ice on his knee.

Flower conceded after the Edgbaston Test that Flintoff “looked a little sore in that final session”.

The 31-year-old Lancashire all-rounder was England’s match-winner with the ball at Lord’s, a result that gave the hosts the advantage in the series, and he enjoyed a return to form with the bat in Birmingham.

He could not follow his 74 with a single wicket, however, as Australia closed out the final day on 375-5, thanks to Michael Clarke’s 12th Test ton.

Flintoff bowled only 11 overs and none in the final session and laboured somewhat in the field.

However, England captain Andrew Strauss said he was “optimistic” Flintoff would be available for Headingley.

“There is obviously some soreness there but I don’t think there’s anything that has deteriorated massively over the course of the game,” stated Strauss.

“He needs to rest up well because back-to-back Tests are hard for any bowlers and we’ll see how he is on Thursday.

“We want to play our best team in every game we play but we’ve got to be conscious that if he’s not fit enough to do his job then he won’t play. We’ve had to play without him plenty of times over the last two years so it wouldn’t be anything new to us.

“Generally the bowlers have stepped up when he hasn’t played but at the moment he’s in great nick with both ball and bat so we don’t want to play without him, if we can help it.”

If Flintoff is unable to play, then Durham paceman Steve Harmison, who has taken 46 first-class wickets this season, is likely to replace him.

Harmison, who took 3-68 to wrap up a win for Durham against Sussex in the County Championship on Monday, has blistered feet but Durham coach Geoff Cook said he should be ready if England need him.

“Bowlers’ feet are never pretty at the best of the times but Steve has bowled a lot of overs for us this season and during this game he really struggled, they just gave way,” added Cook.

“But he’s got four days to heal and it’s a fast bowler’s lot to battle away with bad knees and ankles and shins and feet. I’m sure he’s used to it.”

If Flintoff is sidelined then Stuart Broad, who has taken only six wickets from three Ashes Tests so far, will probably retain his place because he provides extra batting strength down the order.

However, if Flintoff declares himself fit, then Harmison could come in for Broad, although Broad’s Nottinghamshire team-mate Ryan Sidebottom may also be considered.

Sidebottom, who has played 21 Tests for England and taken 77 wickets, recently took a five-wicket haul at Taunton, traditionally a fast bowler’s graveyard.

And with Headingley traditionally favouring swing rather than bounce, left-arm seamer Sidebottom would appear to be an ideal fit.

Australia have selectorial dilemmas of their own, not least whether or not to risk paceman Brett Lee, who has missed the first three Tests with a side strain.

On Sunday, Lee declared himself “80-85%” fit but the New South Wales man, who has 310 Test scalps, does not have a chance to prove himself before Friday and the selectors may consider him to be too much of a gamble.

Stuart Clark, chief tormentor of England in the 2006-07 Ashes series, which Australia won 5-0, could come in for Peter Siddle, with Mitchell Johnson likely to keep his place, despite an inconsistent series so far.

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BMW to quit F1 at end of season (Use this Code 5XXXUKRA, and get 5% of all canvas art)

BMW will withdraw from Formula 1 at the end of this season.

The German car manufacturer, who took over Sauber in 2005, have cited “current developments in motor sport” as the reason for their pull-out.

BMW are the second major manufacturer to leave the sport in eight months after Honda’s withdrawal in December.

F1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone said BMW had given themselves three years to win the world championship, but they have only amassed eight points this season.

“It’s not quite been like that so perhaps that’s why they’ve [decided] to stop,” he told BBC Radio 5 Live.

“When you consider how much money they’ve spent and the results they’ve got, it’s probably not such a good investment.

“They were quite sure that they were going to win the championship within three years, and I was hoping they would.”

BMW held a meeting on Tuesday where they made the decision to quit the sport.

They will instead devote resources to the ‘development of new drive technologies and projects in the field of sustainability’.

“Of course, this was a difficult decision for us, but it’s a resolute step in view of our company’s strategic realignment,” said Dr Norbert Reithofer, chairman of the Board of Management of BMW.

“Premium will be increasingly defined in terms of sustainability and environmental compatibility. This is an area in which we want to remain in the lead.

 

“We are continually reviewing all projects and initiatives to check them for future viability and sustainability.

“Our Formula One campaign is thus less a key promoter for us.”

BMW’s takeover of Sauber in 2005 saw them enter their own team in 2006 and in their debut season they were fifth in the constructor’s championship before being promoted to second in 2007 after the exclusion of McLaren-Mercedes.

They put up a strong challenge in 2008 but ended up third behind Ferrari and McLaren-Mercedes.

Their only grand prix win as BMW Sauber came when Polish driver Robert Kubica won in Canada in 2008, while he also achieved the team’s only pole position with his qualifying effort in Bahrain in 2008.

BMW motorsport director Dr. Mario Theissen added: “Of course, we, the employees in Hinwil and Munich, would all have liked to continue this ambitious campaign and show that this season was just a hiccup following three successful years.

“But I can understand why this decision was made from a corporate perspective. We will now focus sharply on the remaining races and demonstrate our fighting spirit and put in a good result as we bid farewell to Formula One racing.”

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Hamilton seals first win of 2009

Lewis Hamilton won the Hungarian Grand Prix to take his first victory since October last year and complete a remarkable turnaround for McLaren.

The Englishman took the lead after pole-sitter Fernando Alonso’s Renault made an early pit stop and dominated ahead of Ferrari’s Kimi Raikkonen.

Red Bull’s Mark Webber was third with Brawn’s Jenson Button down in seventh.

The Australian replaces team-mate Sebastian Vettel, who retired, in second place in the world championship.

Vettel, who suffered a front suspension failure while running eighth on lap 27 of 70, slips to 23 points behind the Englishman with seven races remaining and a maximum of 70 points available.

Nico Rosberg was fourth for Williams ahead of Hamilton’s team-mate Heikki Kovalainen, Toyota’s Timo Glock, Button and the second Toyota of Jarno Trulli.

Raikkonen’s second place was a big boost for Ferrari who had gone into the race with only one driver following Felipe Massa’s high-speed crash in qualifying, which resulted in the Brazilian undergoing emergency surgery in Hungary.

“Maybe I can speak for all of us, but today was a sad day given what happened with Felipe,” said Hamilton.

“We miss him, wish him well and we all wish him a speedy recovery.”

Raikkonen is being investigated by race stewards following a coming together with Vettel at the start of the race.

Red Bull, who dominated the last two races in Britain and Germany, put in a surprisingly uncompetitive performance but they were in much better shape than Button.

The Englishman qualified eighth, but was starting on a heavy fuel load and was optimistic he would have a strong race. Instead, he was unable to make any impression on the cars at the front.

For the first time this season, that meant McLaren, whose form here confirmed that the revised aerodynamics they introduced in Germany two weeks ago have transformed the car.

“It’s an incredible feeling to be back here after what feels like such a long time away, and such a struggle with me and my team. I’m just so proud of the guys,” said Hamilton.

Red Bull, who dominated the last two races in Britain and Germany, put in a surprisingly uncompetitive performance but they were in much better shape than Button.

The Englishman qualified eighth, but was starting on a heavy fuel load and was optimistic he would have a strong race. Instead, he was unable to make any impression on the cars at the front.

For the first time this season, that meant McLaren, whose form here confirmed that the revised aerodynamics they introduced in Germany two weeks ago have transformed the car.

“It’s an incredible feeling to be back here after what feels like such a long time away, and such a struggle with me and my team. I’m just so proud of the guys,” said Hamilton.

“After four laps my tyres were destroyed. I had rear graining and couldn’t keep up with the cars in front.

“Our car is not what it was to drive a few races ago. It’s not like it was at the start of the season, there is obviously an issue.”

Alonso got a good start from pole position and retained first place but Hamilton briefly got up into second place at the first corner before being re-passed by Webber.

The Red Bull was expected to be the strongest car in the race but, while Alonso initially built a small gap, Webber found himself under pressure from Hamilton, who passed him on lap five and proceeded to pull away and close on the Renault.

Alonso, who had planned to do a three-stop strategy in contrast to the two stops of most of the rest of the field, pulled in for his pit stop on lap 11.

He was released a fraction too early before the right front wheel was fully attached and it parted company with the car part way around the lap and was forced to retire with the consequent damage and a fuel pump problem.

By the time all the front-runners had done their stops, Hamilton had a six-second lead over Raikkonen and he was able to control the race from the front.

Webber slipped behind Raikkonen after a problem with a front wheel at his pit stop and he was also passed by Toyota’s Timo Glock as he rejoined.

The Red Bulls lacked their recent pace but Webber drove consistently well to take the final podium position and make it a good race for him from a championship point of view.

By contrast, his team-mate Vettel had a disastrous weekend, making a poor start from second on the grid and running eighth in the early laps.

He was running behind Rosberg when he suffered a front suspension failure on lap 27 and was forced to retire.

Toyota, both of whose drivers qualified outside the top 10, used a long first stint to put themselves in contention for the minor points places.

Button finally showed some pace in the closing laps once the track was coated in rubber and he was back on the softer tyres after using the harder ones in the middle stint.

That lifted him to seventh from eighth, but he will still be concerned at a third consecutive uncompetitive race.

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Steven Gerrard cheered by fans as he’s cleared of affray in bar brawl court case

Steven Gerrard was cheered by supporters as he left court a free man yesterday, after being cleared of attacking a man in a bar brawl.

The England star admitted punching Marcus McGee three times but a jury took 75 minutes to find him not guilty of affray.

With his hands clasped behind his back, the Liverpool captain, who has scored more than 100 goals for the Reds, stood alone in the dock as the verdict was announced.

Gerrard, 29, showed no emotion as he learned he had been cleared.

The Judge, Henry Globe QC, the Recorder of Liverpool, told him: “You can walk away from this court with your reputation intact.”

A relieved-looking Gerrard emerged from Liverpool crown court to cheers, applause and shouts of, “Come on, Rocky.”

He told the fans: “Can I just say how pleased I am with today’s verdict. I would like to put this case behind me.

“I am really looking forward to the season ahead and concentrating on football now.

“I would just like to say a big thank you to my legal team, my friends and family and everyone at Liverpool Football Club for supporting me. Thank you.”

Club manager Rafa Benitez echoed his relief yesterday.

Benitez, who is in Singapore for Liverpool’s pre-season match there on Sunday, said: “We are really pleased. Now he can just concentrate on playing football.”

And Gerrard wasted no time getting back on the pitch. He played for Liverpool XI against Tranmere Rovers last night, scoring in their 2-2 draw. He had not joined the rest of the first team squad in Singapore because of his trial.

But his team-mates heard the verdict during a training session at the Singapore National Stadium. Led by Jamie Carragher, the squad linked arms and danced as fans started chanting Gerrard’s name.

Gerrard always maintained he was acting in self-defence when he clashed with Mr McGee in the Lounge Inn bar in Southport, Merseyside, on December 29 last year. But Mr McGee spoke of his fury last night at the verdict.

He said: “I can’t believe this. What message does this give to any young lad who goes into a pub at the weekend?”

Gerrard and a group of friends had gone to the Lounge Inn following Liverpool’s 5-1 victory over Newcastle United, during which he had scored twice. CCTV footage showed his party drinking beer, dancing and singing football songs.

But after Gerrard argued with McGee over the music a fight broke out. CCTV footage showed him landing three uppercuts at Mr McGee, before being dragged away.

The fight continued without him and later a second brawl broke out, not involving Gerrard.

Mr McGee, 34, lost a front crown and needed stitches to a head wound as a result of his injuries.

Five of Gerrard’s pals admitted affray earlier this week and a sixth admitted threatening behaviour.

But Gerrard always insisted he was trying to resolve the dispute and that he only lashed out at Mr McGee in self-defence.

He told the jury: “I am sorry about the whole incident.” The judge had reminded the jury to put aside their football loyalties while considering the evidence.

After the verdict, he told Gerrard: “With hindsight you may agree it was unwise of you to have approached Marcus McGee in an attempt to speak to him about your earlier trivial disagreement .

“However, that is far cry from saying you were criminally responsible for the violence which thereafter erupted.”

He said that CCTV proved it was his pal John Doran who had launched the initial assault.

Gerrard’s friends Ian Smith, 19, Doran, 29, Paul McGrattan, 31, and Accrington Stanley footballers Robert Grant, 19, and Ian Dunbavin, 28, all admitted affray.

Another friend John McGrattan, 34, admitted threatening behaviour. They will be sentenced next month.

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Eric Cantona joins Jonathan Ross

Jonathan Ross welcomed Eric Cantona to this week’s Friday Night With Jonathan Ross on BBC One.

The footballing legend said he’s interested in managing Manchester United: “I had a great time here, the best time of my life was when I was in Manchester.”

He admitted his infamous “seagulls” quote meant nothing and that he doesn’t regret his controversial past: “[Being banned] was difficult, maybe I deserved it, gave me time to think. You have to come back even better… I don’t have any regrets, I just wanted to play the game.”

He also rejected adulation, saying: “The only thing I’m sure about is my doubts.”

Hollywood star Dustin Hoffman also joined Jonathan and says he wants Eric Cantona to be the next James Bond.

He told how he never made it up with [Kramer v Kramer co-star] Meryl Streep: “She was pi**ed off, I don’t think she’s forgiven me.”

He also discussed ageism in movies: “At my age they don’t write leads but women have it much worse.”

He says that he looks forward to making the next Fockers movie and that he rates fellow guest Hugh Laurie in House: “The best American accent that I’ve heard that isn’t by an American; it’s the money.”

Hugh Laurie said he wants Stephen Fry to join the cast of House: “It could happen one day.”

And revealed he could never perform live because of stage-fright: “I couldn’t do it again, I really thought I was losing my marbles.”

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Man Utd celebrate Premier League title win

Manchester United sealed a third successive Premier League title by getting the point they needed against Arsenal – but the Old Trafford celebrations only started after an afternoon gripped by tension.

Sir Alex Ferguson’s side knew a draw would ensure they equalled Liverpool’s long-time record of 18 titles, but Arsenal ensured they did not earn their prize without a fight.

Robin van Persie and Cesc Fabregas both wasted opportunities to drag the title race into its final week and leave United with more work to do at Hull City on the last day of the season as nerves jangled in the closing stages.

But United’s defence, so often the bedrock of their success this season, delivered another clean sheet when Ferguson needed it most and Old Trafford erupted in ecstasy at the final whistle as an 11th Premier League success was confirmed.

Wayne Rooney missed United’s best chance with a first-half header, and there was an intriguing cameo when Old Trafford voiced its resounding disapproval when the popular Carlos Tevez was substituted in what could prove to be his final home appearance.

But nothing could overshadow United’s achievement – or the joy of players, fans and management – as the presentations were made after the final whistle with club captain Gary Neville lifting the Barclays Premier League trophy.

United saw off a stirring challenge from an improving Liverpool this season to once again set the standards their rivals must meet, despite a stumble when defeats against Rafael Benitez’s side and Fulham threatened to undermine their challenge.

And as so often during this campaign, United got the result they needed when not at their most fluent, with the industry of Darren Fletcher and the defensive solidity of Nemanja Vidic taking centre stage as Arsenal kept Rooney and Cristiano Ronaldo on the margins.

United’s squad were introduced individually as the presentations began, but the biggest ovation of all was reserved for Ferguson, whose hunger, drive and desire have again been the inspiration for this triumph.

And as the pyrotechnics flashed around Old Trafford, Ferguson could start the preparations for further glory as he attempts to make United the first club to successfully defend the Champions League when they meet Barcelona in the final in Rome.

Tevez’s spectacular equaliser at Wigan earned him a starting place ahead of Dimitar Berbatov – with Ferguson clearly unmoved by continued speculation surrounding the Argentine’s future.

Andrey Arshavin was restored to Arsenal’s side after illness, and he saw plenty of possession in a first 45 minutes that saw Arsene Wenger’s side acquit themselves far better than when the pressure was on in the recent Champions League semi-final against United.

Formula 1

McLaren have been given a suspended three-race ban for misleading stewards at the Australian Grand Prix by motor sport’s governing body, the FIA. The British team admitted five charges of breaching Formula One rules at a special inquiry on Wednesday in Paris. The penalty will only be enforced upon Lewis Hamilton’s team if “further facts emerge” about this incident or if there is a “further breach” of the rules. McLaren described the World Motor Sport Council hearing as “very fair”. The FIA said the approach of McLaren team boss Martin Whitmarsh in dealing with the incident once the full details had emerged, helped in earning them a suspension to the penalty they have received. “Having regard to the open and honest way in which McLaren team principal, Mr Martin Whitmarsh, addressed the WMSC and the change in culture which he made clear has taken place in his organisation, the WMSC decided to suspend the application of the penalty it deems appropriate,” read a World Motor Sport Council statement.

“This will only be applied if further facts emerge regarding the case or if, in the next 12 months, there is a further breach by the team of article 151 c of the International Sporting Code.”

Speaking after the hearing, FIA president Max Mosley said the WMSC’s decision was “entirely fair.”

He added: “McLaren have demonstrated there is a complete culture change, that it’s all different to what it was.

“In those circumstances it looks better to put the whole thing behind us, so unless there is something similar in the future, that is the end of the matter.”

F1 commercial rights holder Bernie Ecclestone told BBC Sport that he felt McLaren may have escaped a harsher punishment.

“It was good. Fair and honest and straightforward verdict. I thought Martin was happy with that. They knew they did something wrong so they got a slap.”

When asked if they got off lightly, he added: “Probably, yes.”

The incident occurred towards the end of the season-opening race in Melbourne where world champion Hamilton finished fourth behind Jarno Trulli’s Toyota.

Following the race, McLaren accused the Italian of breaking F1 rules by overtaking while the field was under the control of the safety car.

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