Baseball star Alex Rodriguez has been banned for alleged doping offences'

One of the highest paid sportsmen in the world, the New York Yankees player has been suspended for the whole of next season - a total of 211 games.

Rodriguez is among 13 players sanctioned after an investigation into the use of performance-enhancing drugs at a Florida-based clinic but he will appeal the decision. If he appeals the decision he could keep playing until a final verdict is made.

"I'm fighting for my life. I have to defend myself. If I don't defend myself, no one else will," he said after the league announced its decision.