The point-shaving case against Tulane center John...

The point-shaving case against Tulane center John (Hot Rod) Williams is a fabrication based on testimony by “drug addicts” said a lawyer representing the the basketball star.

Mike Green of Chicago, who recently joined Williams’ defense team, said his client will plead innocent.

“There’s nothing to plead guilty to,” he said. “The man gave his best effort in every game he played for Tulane.”

David Dominque, who is accused of shaving points along with Williams and Bobby Thompson, also will plead innocent to state gambling charges, his lawyer said.

Coach Allen Van Winkle knew nothing about under-the-table payments to Southern Illinois center Kenny Perry, according to an assistant coach who resigned after it was disclosed.

“I never told him,” Stafford Stephenson said. “The only reason I didn’t want him to know is in case anything ever did come up about it.”

Stephenson resigned after he told university officials that he was aware of cash payments Perry was getting from Carbondale chiropractor Roy S. White.

A special panel of three retired stewards will meet today at Hialeah Park in Florida to review the controversial decision to disqualify Chief’s Crown as the winner ot the 1985 Flamingo Stakes.

Also under review is a 10-day suspension handed jockey Donald Macbeth for “careless riding,” aboard Chief’s Crown and an appeal by the owner of Stephan’s Odyssey, who claims the declared winner of the race, Proud Truth, should have been disqualified for bumping his horse in the stretch.

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Juha Kankunnen of Finland drove a Toyota Celica turbo to victory in the 33rd Safari Rally in Nairobi, Kenya, taking the lead from Erwin Weber of West Germany 225 miles from the finish.