Sports briefs

COLLEGE FOOTBALLFiesta Bowl in question after CEO fired

The Fiesta Bowl will be asked to justify its inclusion in the BCS after organizers for the Arizona game fired president and CEO John Junker for "an apparent scheme" to reimburse employees for political contributions and "an apparent conspiracy" to cover it up. The Fiesta Bowl released a scathing internal report. The reimbursements, listed as at least $46,539, are an apparent violation of state campaign finance laws and the charter that allows the Fiesta Bowl its nonprofit status. The Arizona attorney general's office is conducting a probe. The BCS reacted swiftly, saying it would undertake an investigation of its own to "consider whether the Fiesta Bowl should remain a BCS bowl game or other appropriate sanctions."

SOCCER

Ochocinco gets a KC reserve slot

After a five-day tryout proved that he was a good teammate who lacked enough soccer skills, NFL star Chad Ochocinco got what he was hoping for -- a spot on the reserve team for Sporting Kansas City. He'll work out a couple of times a week with the MLS team's reserve squad. As an honorary member of Sporting KC who plays for the reserve team, the six-time Pro Bowl wide receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals will not be given a contract or be paid. Ochocinco was looking for way to stay in shape until owners and players work out their differences and the NFL lockout is lifted.BASEBALLLidge could be out up to six weeks

Phillies closer Brad Lidge is expected to miss three to six weeks while recovering from shoulder trouble. Philadelphia general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. said that the righthanded reliever will not need surgery.TENNISLone American Fish beats Del Potro

Mardy Fish reached the quarterfinals at the Sony Ericsson Open for the first time in his 12-year career by beating Juan Martin del Potro 7-5, 7-6 (5). Fish is the lone U.S. player in the quarterfinals. At 29, he'll overtake Andy Roddick and become the top-ranked American for the first time if he defeats No. 6 David Ferrer next. Kim Clijsters overcame a big third-set deficit to beat Ana Ivanovic in the fourth round. Clijsters trailed 5-1 in the final set then swept the next five games.

NFLBucs' Talib wanted in shooting incident

Police in the Dallas suburb of Garland issued an arrest warrant for Tampa Bay Buccaneers cornerback Aqib Talib, accusing him of firing a gun at his sister's boyfriend on March 21. Police said Aqib Talib is set to turn himself in later this week.

HORSE RACINGZenyatta suffers miscarriage

Horse of the Year Zenyatta is no longer in foal. Zenyatta's racing manager Dottie Ingordo Shirreffs wrote on Zenyatta's Web site that a recheck by officials at Lane's End, where she is stabled, revealed she had a miscarriage. The 7-year-old mare bred with Bernardini in February. -- AP