FOOTBALL

JETS STICK ABRAHAM WITH FRANCHISE TAG The Jets designated defensive end John Abraham as their franchise player yesterday, as expected. Abraham was the team’s franchise player last year and was unhappy with the situation. He waited until the end of training camp to sign his one-year tender, then played in all 16 games and had 10.5 sacks.

Because he played an entire year without getting hurt, Abraham hoped the team would give him the long-term deal he wanted. Instead, the team opted for the franchise tag again at a cost of $8.33 million for 2006, nearly $2 million more than last year. However, his chances of being on the team are up in the air. Because the Jets are going to be so far over the salary cap, they will explore the option of trading Abraham. If he stays with the team, Abraham will sit out the off-season and camp once again.Abraham, a three-time Pro Bowl selection in six seasons, has 53.5 sacks, fourth on the team’s all-time list.

SOCCER

HENRY LEADS ARSENAL OVER REAL MADRID IN CHAMPIONS LEAGUE Thierry Henry scored in the 47th minute, eluding four defenders to beat goalkeeper Iker Casillas, and Arsenal defeated Real Madrid 1-0 last night in the European Champions League for its first win at Santiago Bernabeu Stadium. The second leg of the second-round, total-goals series will be in London on March 8.

As Europe’s top club competition resumed after a 2 1 /2 -month break, AC Milan rallied for a 1-1 tie at Bayern Munich, ending the German club’s 15-game home winning streak. Michael Ballack scored for the home team in the 23rd minute, but Andriy Shevchenko converted a penalty kick in the 58th minute after Valerien Ismael was called for a hand ball. Defending champion Liverpool lost 1-0 at Benfica when Luisao scored with six minutes left, heading in a free kick by Armando Petit.At Eindhoven, Lyon’s Juninho scored on a free kick in the 65th minute, a shot that goalkeeper Gomes misjudged and allowed to bounce in off his thigh, as Lyon topped the home team 1-0.

Today’s schedule has Barcelona at Chelsea, Juventus at Werder Bremen,Villarreal at Glasgow Rangers, and Inter-Milan at Ajax.

GOLF

SORENSTAM TOPS FIRST WORLD RANKING The Women’s World Golf Ranking finally made its debut yesterday with Annika Sorenstam far atop the list based on her 21 victories worldwide and three major titles during the last two years. Such is her dominance that Sorenstam’s lead was nearly double that of Paula Creamer at no. 2.

The only surprise was Michelle Wie. The 16-year-old from Hawaii, who turned pro in October, checked in at no. 3 and could move ahead of Creamer depending on what happens in the Fields Open in Hawaii this week on the LPGA Tour.

Yuri Fudoh of Japan had 7.37 points and was at no. 4, followed by Cristie Kerr at 6.94.Rounding out the top 10 wereAi Miyazato, Lorena Ochoa, Jeong Jang, Hee-Won Han, and Juli Inkster.

– Associated Press