This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/7267697.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Baseball star in perjury inquiry Baseball star faces FBI inquiry
(1 day later)
A Congress committee has asked the US Justice Department to investigate whether baseball star Roger Clemens lied to Congress about his drug use. The FBI has announced it will investigate whether baseball star Roger Clemens lied to the US Congress about using performance-enhancing drugs.
Mr Clemens denied allegations made by former trainer Brian McNamee of drug abuse in the House Oversight Committee. It made the announcement a day after a congressional committee asked the justice department for an inquiry.
Both men testified under oath and either could face up to five years in jail if they are found to have committed perjury. Mr Clemens denied allegations by former trainer Brian McNamee of drug abuse when they both appeared before the House Oversight Committee this month.
Committee chairman Henry Waxman said further investigation was needed. Either man could face up to five years in jail if convicted of perjury.
"The request to open an investigation into the congressional testimony of Roger Clemens has been turned over to the FBI and will receive appropriate investigative action by the FBI's Washington field office," FBI spokesman Richard Kolko said on Thursday.
ContradictionsContradictions
"We believe that his testimony ... that he never used anabolic steroids or human growth hormone warrants further investigation," Mr Waxman and ranking Republican Tom Davis wrote in a letter to the Justice Department. Mr Clemens testified to Congress in a sworn deposition on 5 February, then at a hearing on 13 February, that he had never used anabolic steroids or human growth hormone.
Clemens was one of the best-known figures in the gameClemens was one of the best-known figures in the game
Mr Clemens' testimony was contradicted by the sworn testimony of Brian McNamee. Mr Clemens's testimony was contradicted by the sworn testimony of Mr McNamee.
In their letter to the justice department, House Oversight Committee chairman Henry Waxman and the committee's most senior Republican, Tom Davis, said that further investigation was needed.
The hearing followed the publication of the Mitchell report in December, which named more than 80 Major League players in connection with doping.The hearing followed the publication of the Mitchell report in December, which named more than 80 Major League players in connection with doping.
Mr Clemens - who won 354 games during his 24-year career, and is regarded as one of the sport's all-time great pitchers - was one of the biggest names in the report.Mr Clemens - who won 354 games during his 24-year career, and is regarded as one of the sport's all-time great pitchers - was one of the biggest names in the report.
Mr McNamee told the committee he had "injected those drugs into the body of Roger Clemens at his direction" at least 16 times between 1998 and 2001.Mr McNamee told the committee he had "injected those drugs into the body of Roger Clemens at his direction" at least 16 times between 1998 and 2001.
His former teammate and close friend Andy Pettitte - also under investigation for doping - has backed the claims, saying Mr Clemens admitted his drug use to him.His former teammate and close friend Andy Pettitte - also under investigation for doping - has backed the claims, saying Mr Clemens admitted his drug use to him.
'Incompatible' 'Tainted'
The charges were repeatedly denied by Mr Clemens, who says he was injected, but with vitamin B12 and the painkiller licodaine, both of which are legal.The charges were repeatedly denied by Mr Clemens, who says he was injected, but with vitamin B12 and the painkiller licodaine, both of which are legal.
"I've never used steroids, human growth hormone or any other type of illegal performance-enhancing drugs," he told lawmakers."I've never used steroids, human growth hormone or any other type of illegal performance-enhancing drugs," he told lawmakers.
"The suggestion I'd use steroids or other illegal drugs is totally incompatible with who I am or what I stand for.""The suggestion I'd use steroids or other illegal drugs is totally incompatible with who I am or what I stand for."
But Mr Clemens, who mispronounced names and stumbled over words at times during the four-and-a-half-hour testimony, failed to convince all of his interrogators.But Mr Clemens, who mispronounced names and stumbled over words at times during the four-and-a-half-hour testimony, failed to convince all of his interrogators.
Mr McNamee, meanwhile, offered an apology for his conduct, saying he had "helped taint our national pastime".Mr McNamee, meanwhile, offered an apology for his conduct, saying he had "helped taint our national pastime".