DOHA, Qatar - FIFA anti-racism adviser Tokyo Sexwale believes black players could boycott the 2018 World Cup and urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to demand tougher action against racism in football.Sexwale, who was an anti-apartheid campaigner and former political prisoner on Robben Island, is against a boycott but expressed concern in an interview with The Associated Press about the growing number of racist incidents in the Russian league.There is a threat black players will say they are not going to Russia (for the World Cup) — we cant have that, Sexwale said Tuesday on the sidelines of the Doha Goals conference. I am talking as a FIFA person and a citizen of the world — it cant go that far. ... Once these things start and you dont act as leaders, these things snowball.Although UEFA has punished Russian clubs for racism at Champions League matches in recent years, the national federation has appeared less willing to tackle abuse.Sexwale is urging his personal friend Putin to intervene.Show that leadership, be the Putin the world knows, be tough, said Sexwale, a former South African government minister who is an adviser to FIFAs anti-racism task force. Failure to do so, we could be talking something different about the 2018 World Cup ... you will have people saying they will not go to Russia.The Russian Football Union has been criticized for taking no action against FC Rostov coach Igor Gamula for saying last week he wouldnt sign a defender from Cameroon because the club has enough dark-skinned players, weve got six of the things. Gamula apologized after the agent of Rostov defender Siyanda Xulu, a South Africa international, said that five African players on the team threatened to sit out Mondays training.Sexwale said an apology alone wasnt enough, pointing to how the NBA forced Donald Sterling to sell the Los Angeles Clippers and banned him for life over racism.South African Football Association president Danny Jordaan wrote to FIFA President Sepp Blatter on Monday expressing concerns, according to Sexwale.For the Russian federation to be seen to be serious we need them to take stern action. The world took stern action against South Africa (over apartheid), it was expelled from FIFA, Sexwale said, stopping short of calling for Russia to face the same sanction.CSKA Moscow has been forced to play Champions League games without fans this season because of fan abuse toward black players, although Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko maintained last month that Russia has no major racism problem, saying: I dont know what there is to be frightened.But Sexwale said of Moscow: There are certain parts if you are my colour its unsafe ... people are scared of going to Moscow.Sexwale wrote to South Africas ambassador to Moscow on Monday to caution that this is very dangerous.If these ultra-ring elements have their way they are threatening the World Cup, Sexwale said. The authorities have got to come down on the perpetrators, otherwise the authority is now going to be boycotted by the victim because people will lose confidence in the Russian federation.Claudio Sulser, the head of FIFAs disciplinary committee, said in Doha that the organization would deal with any racism at the World Cup.Its very critical, Sulser said. This is a problem of the society.___Rob Harris can be followed at www.twitter.com/RobHarris David Justice Jersey .A caravan greeted the former Boston Red Sox pitcher at the airport and took him to a public park in Santo Domingo, where a crowd lined a 19-mile stretch of highway to catch a glimpse of him.Once at the park, Martinez went on stage accompanied by players David Ortiz and Robinson Cano as merengue music played and fireworks lit up the sky. 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Darren ODay Braves Jersey . - The Mavericks built a 12-point lead with 2:50 to play, gave away all but two points of it, and still managed to hang on.The San Antonio Spurs, the model for stability and sustained success in the modern NBA, were still a shaken team when they showed up for training camp in October, less than four months after a devastating loss to Miami in the NBA Finals. Some coaches would try to brush off the disappointment of letting a title slip through their fingers and refuse to acknowledge the elephant in the room. Gregg Popovich took it head on, embraced the heartache, and in a career full of masterful coaching performances, delivered perhaps his finest effort in season No. 18. "The way we lost in the finals wasnt an ordinary loss, it was pretty devastating," Popovich said on Tuesday after being named NBA coach of the year. "We decided that we needed to just face that right off the bat at the beginning of the season and get it out of the way. Dont blame it on the basketball gods or bad fortune or anything like that, the Miami Heat beat us and won the championship and thats that." Popovich joined Don Nelson and Pat Riley as the only coaches in league history to take home the Red Auerbach trophy three times in their career. "Theyre on the hood of my car," Popovich cracked. "One, two, three, right on the car, the way players do license plates. ... Ive got three of those right on the hood." Hes never liked the attention, never bought into the proclamations of his genius. When the accolades come his way, Popovich is quick to deflect them, giving the credit to his players, his assistant coaches, owner Peter Holt and general manager R.C. Buford. The humility in his voice on Tuesday was genuine, the challenge of putting the pieces back together after last seasons finish as daunting as ever. They showed up to training camp still stinging from that defeat, and Popovich had to get to know a new-look coaching staff after losing longtime assistants Brett Brown and Mike Budenholzer to head coaching jobs in Philadelphia and Atlanta. Then he led the Spurs to a league-best 62-20 record, which gives them home-court advantage throughout the playoffs. And he did it while deftly navigating a season filled with nagging injuries to several key players. Tim Duncan was the only starter to play in at least 70 games. No Spur averaged 30 minutes per game and Tony Parker led the team with a modest 16.7 points per game. Despite all of that, the Spurs won at least 50 games for the 15th straight season and topped 60 for the fourth time in that span. "Day after day, year after year, the energy that Pop provides our organization is truly unique," Buford said. The Spurs lead the Dallas Mavericks 1-0 in their best-of-seven series, with Game 2 on Wednesday night in San Antonio.dddddddddddd "Hes a gentleman," Spurs swingman Marco Belinelli said. "Everybody knows that hes the best coach in the league. So to say that is not really important. But maybe some people, they dont know hes really a great guy, a great gentleman. He really helps guys, helps each other. He wants to help everybody. Great person." When Miami topped San Antonio in that classic seven-game series, Popovichs reaction resonated deeply within some members of the Heat organization. Instead of showing his disappointment at the final buzzer, Popovich lingered on the court for a few minutes, sharing heartfelt embraces and words with Erik Spoelstra, Dwyane Wade and LeBron James, among others -- even smiling as he chatted with them and congratulated them on winning the title. And when told of Popovichs award Tuesday, James offered high praise to the Spurs coach. "Not surprised," James said. "Its well-awarded. I have the utmost respect for Gregg Popovich, man. Not only what hes been able to do for that team, but him just being able to always keep those guys motivated and always keep their best interests. ... From the outside looking in, it seems that he has their best interests and all he cares about is the teams success and nothing else matters. Thats big-time." Behind all his press conference bluster and the orneriness he directs toward the officials, there is a softer side that endears Popovich to those around him. That much was revealed during Game 1 against the Mavericks when he was interviewed by Craig Sager Jr., who was filling in for his father, a longtime sideline reporter who is being treated for leukemia. Popovichs curt demeanour and one-word answers to the elder Sagers questions have become appointment viewing, but this time the coach stopped in the middle of tense game, stared right into the camera and delivered a heart-felt message. "We miss you. Youve been an important part of all of us for a long time, doing a great job," he said. "We want your fanny back on the court, and I promise Ill be nice