Sports in brief

AMATEUR SPORTSTwo accuse AAU head

of abuse in 1980s

Two former basketball players have accused Amateur Athletic Union president Robert "Bobby" Dodd of molesting them as children, according to an ESPN report. The network reported Friday that the AAU is investigating the claims, which date from the 1980s. One of the players, 43-year-old Ralph West, told ESPN's "Outside the Lines" he was assaulted in Memphis in 1984.

Both West and a second unidentified man said news reports about the Penn State child sex abuse case prompted them to independently confront Dodd in November. The player who spoke to ESPN on the condition of anonymity said he called Dodd on Nov. 11 and that Dodd apologized for the alleged abuse. ESPN confirmed an 8-minute call to Dodd by examining telephone records.

The AAU did not immediately return a call to its Orlando, Fla., headquarters seeking comment. ESPN quoted from an AAU statement that said it has opened an independent investigation into the allegations and has contacted local law enforcement in Memphis. The AAU also told ESPN the 63-year-old Dodd has colon cancer and will not return to his post. AAU first vice president Louis Stout will serve as interim president.

GOLFMcIlroy reveals fever

Rory McIlroy said the fatigue he's felt for the past several weeks may be the lingering effects of dengue fever. The No. 2-ranked McIlroy had two late bogeys Friday to finish with a 1-under 71 and 7 under at the Dubai World Championship. McIlroy is five shots behind Alvaro Quiros. He must win to have any chance of claiming the European money title ahead of Luke Donald. The U.S. Open champion believes he picked up a "mild case of dengue fever" when he was playing tournaments in South Korea or China in the late fall.

-- AP