Supershorts: December 16

Bath flanker Guy Mercer had an uncomfortable moment inside the scrum when his side took on Leinster during a Heineken Cup match in Bath last weekend. Leinster won 18-13. Photo / Getty Images

Heroes of Hobart
Turns out the Black Caps might be worthy of some Windies-style cool nicknames after all. Certainly Doug Bracewell's heroics in Tasmania suggest an upgrade from Dougie. Of course, being down and hip with the kids, Supershorts knows nicknames are so last century. These days it's all about Twitter handles. Let's see if we can come up with something for our latest sporting hero. Shame there was no evidence of a Bollinger-style hair hat on hotspot or @RealDougTheRug would have been perfect. Hmm. He loves a big appeal and swings it prodigiously - @ScreamingBender? No, too equestrian. @SwingsBothWays? Same problem. Sigh. Got it - @GoOnPissOffYoureOut. Job done.

Hero of Mumbai
Former Australian cricketer Andrew Symonds is starring on India's version of the Big Brother reality TV show, Big Boss 5. The hard-hitting Symonds is a star in India thanks to his heroics for the Mumbai Indians in the T20 Indian Premier League. Before the show he said he intended to showcase Australian culture such as "barbecues and throwing people into the pool". On day 73 he was apparently seduced by another contestant, Canadian porn star Sunny Leone. "I've seen her in the industry," he admitted before entering the house.

Good sorts
A year on since its historic winning bid to host the 2022 World Cup, Qatar has donated $400,000 to Somali famine victims. "One year on from a historic day for our country, we announce this initiative for those in need," a bid spokesman said. The cost of building 12 air-conditioned stadiums in the desert to host the kickabout? $4 billion.

Serious about racism
Soccer has shown yet again it is deadly serious about kicking racism out of the sport. In October Italian club Cagliari was slammed with a whopping €5000 ($8685) fine after fans sang racist chants before and during their game against Napoli. Putting that fine in perspective, rival club Inter was this month fined €7000 after fans threw two cushions on to the pitch.

And homophobia
Reports from Romania say Steaua owner Gigi Becali "caught fire" after Dinamo mocked his past as a shepherd by putting images of him surrounded by sheep on their big screen. "You know who owns Dinamo? raged Becali. "A communist gypsy and a man who sleeps with men. Yes, sure, I was a shepherd, I milked the sheep, I like sheep, get over it. I'd rather milk sheep than do men."

And corruption
He may be 95 but former Fifa head honcho and IOC gravy train diner Joao Havelange hasn't lost the gift of timing. Last week he announced his retirement from the IOC three days before a possible suspension on corruption charges. The IOC said the retirement "due to ill health" meant its inquiry into claims he took up to $50 million in bribes while running Fifa was over - with all findings staying confidential because "Mr Havelange is now a private citizen".

Oldie but goody I
From our Brazilian football desk: Former Vitoria coach Vagner Benazzi has been fined $430 for delaying a kick-off by sending his players out dressed as referees. Officials said the resulting confusion caused a 10-minute delay, giving Benazzi a chance to monitor scores in other games.

Oldie but goody II
Moira Starkey of Herefordshire has become one of the first to be chosen to carry the Olympic torch for London 2012. The 83-year-old completed her first marathon last year with the aid of two walking sticks. She covered the distance by walking 1800 times around her village hall. "I don't know how I'm going to carry it on two sticks but I'll do [my best]," she said.