Basketball: Shaq loses pay over obscene language

Shaquille O'Neal was suspended without pay by the National Basketball Association yesterday, a day after using obscene language and publicly criticising officials during a television interview.

The suspension was announced just hours after the Los Angeles star issued a statement apologising for the comments he made after the Lakers' 84-83 victory over the Toronto Raptors.

O'Neal served the suspension yesterday, sitting out a game against the Eastern Conference-leading Indiana Pacers. It cost him nearly US$295,000 ($444,000).