HomeLatest XML Feed Soccer-Locatelli, Berardi start as Italy open Euro 2020 against Turkey Italy picked Sassuolo midfielder Manuel Locatelli in their team to face Turkey in the opening game of Euro 2020 on Friday, as neither coach sprang any major surprises. UK PM Johnson backs Tokyo Olympics, Japan wants more G7 support CARBIS BAY, England: British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Friday (Jun 11) gave the Tokyo Olympics a show of public support at a meeting with Japan's Yoshihide Suga and welcomed efforts to ensure the Games can take place safely. The Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, which were postponed last year due to ... Cricket-Conway and Young put NZ in charge against England at Edgbaston REUTERS: Devon Conway and Will Young scored half-centuries as New Zealand finished the second day on 229-3, 74 runs behind England's first innings score in the second and final Test against at Edgbaston on Friday. Left-handed batsman Conway, fresh from his brilliant double hundred on debut at ... Motor racing-Extreme E cancels South American races due to COVID-19 LONDON: The new Extreme E electric off-road series has cancelled races in Brazil's Amazon and Argentina's Patagonia regions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with Scotland now a possible alternative, it said in a statement on Friday. The Amazon round was scheduled for Oct. 23-24 with the Glacier ... Ukraine reaches compromise with UEFA on soccer jersey slogan KYIV: Ukraine has reached an agreement with Europe's governing soccer body UEFA which had banned the slogan "glory to the heroes" on the Ukrainian national team's jerseys, the head of Ukraine's football association said on Friday (Jun 11). Andriy Pavelko said the agreement involved another slogan ... Tennis-Pavlyuchenkova or Krejcikova to write final act in tale of the unexpected PARIS: After one of the most wildly unpredictable women's singles draws in French Open history, Russia's Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova stands on the threshold of finally delivering the title long predicted since she was a precocious teenager. It has been a protracted journey for the 29-year-old ... Tennis: Tsitsipas overcomes Zverev fightback to reach first major final Greek fifth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas staved off a fightback from German Alexander Zverev to win 6-3 6-3 4-6 4-6 6-3 in a scintillating French Open clash on Friday and book a maiden Grand Slam final spot. Soccer-Pukki set to start against Denmark as Finns feel football fever Striker Teemo Pukki raised the fever of Finnish fans a notch by declaring has himself fit to lead the line against Denmark in their opening Euro 2020 Group B clash at the Parken Stadium on Saturday. Soccer-Belgium not worried about COVID-19 case in Russia camp BRUSSELS: There are no concerns in the Belgium camp about a COVID-19 outbreak in the Russia team who they face in St Petersburg on Saturday at the start of their European Championship campaign, goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has said. Midfielder Andrei Mostovoy tested positive for the novel ... Nearly two thirds of Brazilians oppose hosting Copa America amid pandemic - poll RIO DE JANEIRO: Nearly two thirds of Brazilians oppose the country hosting the upcoming Copa America soccer tournament, a poll showed on Friday, amid concerns over the country's dire COVID-19 outbreak. The South American Football Confederation last week unexpectedly relocated the tournament ... Motor racing-After land and water, electric pioneer Agag has eye on the sky LONDON: After launching three all-electric racing series on land and water, Spanish entrepreneur Alejandro Agag is considering a reach for the sky. The founder of city-based Formula E and off-road Extreme E, with a new Saudi-backed E1 powerboat championship in the works for 2023, said on ... Soccer-Many questions hang over England ahead of Croatia clash MANCHESTER, England: One of the few certainties about the England lineup ahead of their Euro 2020 opener against Croatia on Sunday is that they will take the knee before kickoff. However, the formation, tactical approach and personnel that manager Gareth Southgate will utilise after that anti ... Football: Denmark will 'dare to dream' of '92 repeat, says Hjulmand Kasper Hjulmand said on Friday that his Denmark team will "dream big" as they prepare for their Euro 2020 opener against Finland with one eye on a repeat of their unexpected triumph in 1992. Football: 'Career highlight' for captain Bale ahead of Wales' Euro return Wales and Gareth Bale head into their second straight European Championship with aspirations kept in check after their surprising run to the semi-finals in 2016. Soccer-Wales will be awkward opponent, predicts Swiss coach BAKU: Switzerland expect an awkward encounter against Wales when they open their European Championship campaign in Baku on Saturday, Swiss coach Vladimir Petkovic said. The two countries kick off their Group A campaign in the Azerbaijan capital with Petkovic admitting he was unsure whether his ... Amazon, Canal+ win main TV rights for French soccer League 1 - media PARIS: U.S. online giant Amazon and France's Canal+ television group have won main TV rights for French League 1 soccer until 2024 for 663 million euros (US$802.23 million), French media reported on Friday. French radio RMC reported earlier on its website that Amazon had made a bid for the TV ... Football: Danes relishing 'dark horse' tag ahead of Finland Euro clash Denmark are relishing their status as Euro 2020 dark horses ahead of their opening Group B clash with Finland on Saturday, the first of three home games at the Parken Stadium for the Danes. Soccer-Anti-racism knee gesture casts controversy over Euros MANCHESTER, England: Soccer's European Championship kicks off on Friday with the 24 teams' battle for glory accompanied by off-field conflict over the anti-racism gesture of "taking the knee". England were booed by some of their fans in two friendlies while Ireland were jeered in Hungary for ... Football: Italy and Turkey get ball rolling as Euro 2020 begins under COVID-19 cloud PARIS: An in-form Italy face Turkey in Rome on Friday (Jun 11) as Euro 2020 finally gets underway a year behind schedule and with the coronavirus pandemic casting a shadow over the tournament. Postponed 12 months ago because of the pandemic, the European Championship - with Cristiano Ronaldo's ... Soccer-Belgium have a great squad even without De Bruyne, says Russia coach SAINT PETERSBURG: Belgium may be without key midfielders for their Group B opener in the European Championship but Russia manager Stanislav Cherchesov said Roberto Martinez still has a formidable squad to pick from. Kevin De Bruyne did not travel for Belgium's first match, against Russia in St ... Soccer-Fatigue no factor for super fit Dutch midfielder De Jong AMSTERDAM: Frenkie de Jong might have played in an energy-sapping 51 games for Barcelona over the last season but the Netherlands midfielder says he is raring to go for the European Championship. The 24-year-old was a key player for his club over the last nine months, featuring in all but one ... UK PM Johnson offers Tokyo Olympics some big power support CARBIS BAY, England: British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Friday (Jun 11) gave the Tokyo Olympics a show of public support at a meeting with Japan's Yoshihide Suga and welcomed efforts to ensure the Games can take place safely. The Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, which were postponed last year due to ... Tennis-It's 'go time' for Federer, 39, with favoured grasscourt season about to begin REUTERS: Roger Federer says he has seen "improvement and no setbacks" since returning to the Tour in March after over a year out due to two knee operations and with his grasscourt season kicking off in Halle next week, it's "go time". Federer initially eyed a return at this year's Australian ... Italian soccer player arrested over rape accusation - source FLORENCE, Italy: Italian footballer Manolo Portanova of Serie A team Genoa has been placed under house arrest along with two other people on rape charges, a judicial source said on Friday. Neither his lawyer Gabriele Bordoni, Italian police or the club were able to comment immediately on the ... Soccer-Spain players receive vaccines amid fears of side effects MADRID: Spain's players were vaccinated against COVID-19 on Friday at their training centre, bringing an end to a long saga but provoking fears of potential side effects before kicking off their Euro 2020 campaign against Sweden on Monday. Members of the Spanish army administered the vaccines ... Soccer-De Bruyne to miss Belgium's Euro opener against Russia BRUSSELS: Kevin de Bruyne will miss Belgium's first European Championship match against Russia on Saturday, the Belgian team confirmed on Friday. De Bruyne fractured his eye socket and nose in the Champions League final and had minor surgery last week, only joining up with his Belgian team ... Motor racing-McLaren to enter Extreme E electric SUV series in 2022 McLaren will enter a team in Extreme E next year in what organisers hailed as a major step forward for the all-electric off-road series after its debut in 2021. PREVIEW-Soccer-Austria looking for maiden Euros win against North Macedonia BUCHAREST: Austria may be awash with Bundesliga talent but they will be under pressure from the start against underdogs North Macedonia on Sunday as they look for their first ever win at the European Championships. Austria are the favourites in their Euro Group C opener against the Balkan ... Soccer-Back again, Dutch seek to restore past reputation AMSTERDAM: The Netherlands will be looking to make up for lost time when they begin their European Championship campaign at home against Ukraine in Amsterdam on Sunday, hoping a sea of orange will spur them on to the perfect start. It is a return to a major tournament for the first time since ... Russia replace Mostovoy with Yevgenyev for Euro 2020, citing COVID-19 MOSCOW: Russia have replaced midfielder Andrei Mostovoy with defender Roman Yevgenyev in their Euro 2020 lineup after the former's latest coronavirus test came back with "unfavourable results", the team said on Friday. Sports Minister Oleg Matitsyn was quoted by Russian news agency TASS as ... Rugby-Wiese's star on the rise as Springboks sweat on Vermeulen CAPE TOWN: South Africa face an anxious wait over the fitness of powerful number eight Duane Vermeulen following his ankle surgery this week, but could have a ready-made replacement in uncapped Leicester Tigers back rower Jasper Wiese. Vermeulen is in a race to be fit for the first test ... Rugby-Hurricanes keep slim Super final hopes alive with Reds rout REUTERS: The Wellington Hurricanes remain in the hunt for a spot in the Super Rugby Trans-Tasman final after claiming a record 43-14 home win over the Queensland Reds on Friday. The Hurricanes' bonus-point win at Wellington Regional Stadium put them top of the table on 21 points, but they must ... Tokyo to vaccinate 18,000 Olympics workers, volunteers TOKYO: About 18,000 Tokyo Olympics workers including referees and volunteers will be vaccinated from next week, organisers said Friday (Jun 11), as they try to build confidence that the Games will be safe. With just six weeks until the pandemic-postponed Games open, officials are still battling ... Rugby-SA Rugby seek to allay Lions fears after Rainbow Cup match cancelled CAPE TOWN: South Africa’s Lions franchise have been forced to cancel their final fixture in the Rainbow Cup due to COVID-19 infections in their squad, just three weeks before they host the British & Irish Lions in Johannesburg. The side were due to play the Stormers at the Cape Town Stadium on ... Tokyo Games should be held without spectators, says Japanese Olympic Committee executive TOKYO: One of Japan's sporting legends and an executive of the country's Olympic committee said on Friday (Jun 11) the Tokyo Games should be held without spectators to ensure the safety of the public and accused the organisers of using a "double standard". The Japanese Olympic Committee (JOC) ... Cricket-Hundred experience will boost India women's World Cup hopes - BCCI NEW DELHI: India's cricket board (BCCI) said the participation of its top women players in The Hundred in England will give them much needed experience and exposure to elite opposition ahead of the 50-overs World Cup in New Zealand next year. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) ... Olympics: Tokyo tickets on the line in Adelaide swim-off ADELAIDE: Australia's top swimmers are gearing up for an Olympics like no other in Tokyo next month but first they have to secure their spots on the team at this week's highly competitive trials. Six days of intense competition begin at the South Australia Aquatic Centre on Saturday (Jun 12) with ... Olympics: Japan may keep some virus curbs until Games start - paper TOKYO: The Japanese government is considering ending a state of emergency in Tokyo and several other prefectures as scheduled on June 20, but keeping some curbs such as on restaurant hours until the Olympics start in July, the Mainichi daily reported. New coronavirus infections in Olympics ... Olympics: Swimming Australia urges Groves to provide details after 'perverts' complaint MELBOURNE: Swimming Australia (SA) have urged Madeline Groves to engage with them about her complaint of "misogynistic perverts" in the sport following her sensational withdrawal from the country's Olympic trials. Twice Olympic silver medallist Groves rocked the sport on Thursday (Jun 10), saying ... Soccer-Ukraine says will make 'political' slogans its official soccer symbol Ukraine's national football association will convene an emergency meeting of its executives to approve UEFA-banned slogans as the country's official soccer symbols, the head of the association said. Olympics-BOA won't set Tokyo medal target for Team GB due to pandemic REUTERS: British Olympic Association Chef de Mission Mark England said they will not set a medal target for Team GB at the Tokyo Games as the COVID-19 pandemic wiped out too many competitions to get an accurate picture of athlete competitiveness. UK Sport, the body responsible for investing in ... Olympics-NZ name world champions Gowler, Prendergast in rowing team for Tokyo REUTERS: New Zealand have named 11 world champions, including Kerri Gowler and Grace Prendergast, among its 32 rowers heading to Tokyo for the Summer Games, the country's Olympic committee (NZOC) said on Friday. Gowler and Prendergast were included in the women's pair event and women's eight ... Olympics-Brisbane 2032 not a done deal yet, says Coates Australia's top Olympic official John Coates said on Friday that Brisbane winning the right to host the 2032 Summer Games was not a done deal, despite the International Olympic Committee's executive board approving the bid. Soccer-Premier League to use 'thicker' VAR lines next season: The Times REUTERS: The Premier League will use 'thicker lines' when using the video assistant referee (VAR) next season to eliminate marginal offside decisions, The Times reported. The decision, taken at Thursday's Premier League shareholders meeting, comes amid widespread frustration with the system ... Olympics-Tokyo crowds decision to be part of wider ruling on sport: Coates Senior Olympic official John Coates says a decision on whether spectators will be allowed at the Tokyo Games will be made at the end of June as part of a more general ruling for all sports events in Japan, the Australian said on Friday. Cricket-Australia's Warner, Stoinis pull out of The Hundred Australia batsman David Warner and all-rounder Marcus Stoinis have withdrawn from the inaugural season of The Hundred due to complications related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said. Olympics: Japan may keep some COVID-19 curbs until Games start The Japanese government is considering ending a state of emergency in Tokyo and several other prefectures as scheduled on June 20, but keeping a downgraded "quasi-emergency" state until the Olympics start in July, the Mainichi daily reported. It’s still game on: COVID-19 a boon for a Singapore-based e-sports platform SINGAPORE: While many industries have taken a beating from the COVID-19 pandemic, e-sports is one of the few that are thriving as people seek various entertainment options while spending more time at home. E-sports Players League (ESPL), a Singapore-based e-sports tournament platform, said it has ... Commentary: Euro 2020 - France stands in the way of Ronaldo’s swan song Helping Portugal defend the trophy would be a great cap to a sterling football career for Cristiano Ronaldo and provide the perfect opportunity to announce his international retirement, says CNA’s Malminderjit Singh. Tennis: Krejcikova overcomes wrong call on match point to reach French Open final For a brief moment, Barbora Krejcikova thought she had booked her place in the French Open final and she raised her arms in celebration, but she quickly realised that she had to do it all over again - after a wrong line call went against her. Door is open for YouTube's Paul brothers in MMA, says Bellator president Logan and Jake Paul would make great Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighters, Bellator president Scott Coker has said as he targets exhibition matches featuring the YouTube personalities such as the former's boxing bout against Floyd Mayweather. Football: Premier League wants clubs to sign Owners’ Charter REUTERS: Premier League teams have agreed in principle to an Owners’ Charter that will "reaffirm the values and expectations placed on clubs and their owners" in a bid to stop any future English involvement in a European Super League project. It was one of a number of decisions taken at the ... Football: Belgium veterans tip England and France for Euro 2020 success Jan Vertonghen and Dries Mertens, two of Belgium’s most experienced players, said their top-ranked team is not among the favourites for Euro 2020. Football: Turkey's Calhanoglu hopes to meet Italy again in Euro 2020 final Turkey midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu and his coach Senol Gunes said before their opening Euro 2020 game against Italy that they hoped to progress from Group A with the Italians and face them again in the final. Tennis: Krejcikova beats Sakkari in dramatic French Open semi-final Czech Barbora Krejcikova reached the French Open final as she beat Greek 17th seed Maria Sakkari 7-5 4-6 9-7 in a nail-biting, see-saw contest on Thursday . Athletics: Coe awarded keys to Florence 40 years after 800m world record Briton Sebastian Coe was awarded the keys to the city of Florence on Thursday to mark the 40th anniversary of his 800 metres world record run in the Italian city. Cricket: Burns, Lawrence keep England afloat against New Zealand England batsmen Rory Burns and Dan Lawrence scored battling half-centuries as the hosts recovered from a mid-innings wobble to reach 258-7 against New Zealand on the opening day of the second and final test on Thursday. Diageo pulls out of sponsoring Copa America football tournament Alcoholic beverage company Diageo on Thursday joined other major sponsors pulling out of the Copa America after players criticised organisers for moving the soccer tournament to Brazil despite one of the world's worst COVID-19 outbreaks. Tennis: Let battle commence, says Djokovic ahead of Nadal showdown Novak Djokovic and Rafa Nadal will add another chapter to their rivalry when they face off in a much-anticipated clash on Friday but there will be more at stake than just a spot in the French Open final. Cricket: Dhawan to lead second-string India on Sri Lanka tour Opening batsman Shikhar Dhawan will lead a second-string India team in their limited-overs tour of Sri Lanka next month with pace bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar named as his deputy, the country's cricket board (BCCI) said on Thursday. Football: France striker Benzema should be fit to face Germany France forward Karim Benzema, who sustained a knee injury during a friendly on Tuesday, is expected to take part in his team's Euro 2020 Group F opener against Germany, the French federation (FFF) said on Thursday. Olympics: IOC's Bach scraps plans for quick visit, will be in Tokyo in mid-July International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach will arrive in Tokyo in the middle of July ahead of the Olympic Games and will not visit before, he said on Thursday. Olympics: IOC executive board proposes Brisbane as hosts of 2032 Olympics The International Olympic Committee's executive board proposed the Australian city of Brisbane on Thursday to host the 2032 summer Olympics and the choice will be put to a vote next month. Football: Scotland to stand rather than kneel in anti-racism gesture Scotland players will take a stand in an anti-racism gesture ahead of their three Euro 2020 group matches rather than taking the knee, the Scottish Football Association (SFA) announced on Thursday. Tennis-Patient Pavlyuchenkova rewarded as she reaches French Open final in 52nd major PARIS :Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova held steady to beat an erratic Tamara Zidansek in straight sets on Thursday and reach the French Open final at her 50th Grand Slam tournament. Tennis: Pavlyuchenkova reaches first Grand Slam final at French Open on 52nd attempt Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova beat world number 85 Tamara Zidansek of Slovenia 7-5, 6-3 to reach a first Grand Slam final at a record 52nd attempt at the French Open on Thursday. Football: Europol ready for 'important security challenges' of scattered Euros Staging the European Championship in 10 different countries during a pandemic poses serious security risks for police officers across Europe, police agency Europol said on Thursday. Rugby: Bok Kriel eager to take on Lions, who his great grandfather played for South Africa centre Jesse Kriel will follow in the footsteps of his great grandfather John Hodgson in the British & Irish Lions series starting next month, except he will be on the opposite side and seeking to tame the tourists in the three-match series. Soccer-Most European fans back players kneeling against racism A majority of football supporters around nine European nations support professional players taking a knee ahead of matches as an anti-racism gesture, according to a new survey. Cricket-West Indies win the toss and bat in first test vs South Africa REUTERS: West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite won the toss and elected to bat in the first test of a two-match series against South Africa that starts at a windy Daren Sammy Cricket Ground in Saint Lucia on Thursday. The home side have handed a debut to 19-year-old fast bowler Jayden Seales ... Soccer-Page's youthful Wales face wily Swiss REUTERS: Wales were the surprise packages of the 2016 European Championship but they kick off their Group A campaign against Switzerland in Baku on Saturday with a very different team. Five years ago, under Chris Coleman, the Welsh, playing in their first major tournament for 58 years, reached ... Football: Another Copa, another chance for Argentina to end drought This year's Copa America gives Argentina another chance to break a 28-year trophy drought, which has been made even harder by a venue switch from home turf to that of arch-rivals Brazil. Football: Brazil seek to forget troubles, focus on a Copa America like no other A Brazil team playing in the Copa America at home on the back of a seven-game winning streak would normally be hot favourites to triumph, but this is no ordinary year and no ordinary Copa. Football: Chaotic organisation makes this year's Copa America unique Sports events have been cancelled or disrupted by a myriad of complications over the years, including war, plague, economic uncertainty and political boycotts, but the series of events that have beset this year's Copa America takes some beating. Soccer-CAS reduces Ajax keeper Onana's ban to nine months Ajax Amsterdam goalkeeper Andre Onana's year-long ban by European soccer's governing body UEFA for violating doping rules has been reduced to nine months after an appeal, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) said in a statement https://www.tas-cas.org/fileadmin/user_upload ... Football: Euro 2020 finally set for lift-off under COVID-19 cloud The delayed Euro 2020 tournament will finally get under way on Friday (Jun 11), a year behind schedule, with COVID-19 still set to cast a shadow over the event. French President Macron urges soccer star Mbappe to stay at PSG French President Emmanuel Macron urged the country's star soccer striker Kylian Mbappe on Thursday to stay at Paris Saint Germain (PSG) and to remain within the French domestic league. Soccer-PSG sign Dutch midfielder Wijnaldum from Liverpool Netherlands midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum will join Paris St Germain from Premier League side Liverpool on a three-year deal, the French Ligue 1 side announced on Thursday. Hungary's Orban 'agrees' with fans booing kneeling Irish footballers BUDAPEST: Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban on Thursday (Jun 10) defended his country's football fans who booed the Ireland team as they took a knee before a Euro 2020 warm-up game in Budapest. Before the game on Tuesday, sections of the crowd at the Szusza Ferenc Stadium in the Hungarian ... Soccer-Oldest, youngest, most capped - all the numbers for Euro 2020 Belgium not only take their top ranking into the European Championship but they will also be the most experienced of the campaigners at the tournament, which kicks off on Friday. Tennis-Salisbury ends Britain's 39-year wait for French Open success PARIS: Joe Salisbury ended Britain's 39-year wait for a main draw title at the French Open when he combined with American Desirae Krawczyk to win the mixed doubles at Roland Garros on Thursday. Krawczyk and Salisbury rallied from a set down to beat the Russian pair of Elena Vesnina and Aslan ... India's Olympic team to be fully vaccinated: Sports chief India's Olympic contingent will be fully vaccinated by early July ahead of their journey to Tokyo for the Games, the country's top sports official Narinder Batra told AFP. Soccer-Sky-high player values may start to deflate after excitement of Euros FRANKFURT: The price tag of football players taking part in this year's European Championship has nearly doubled since the last edition, but this broadcasting rights-fuelled bubble is showing signs of deflating. The value of the average player has risen by 82per cent since the 2016 Euros ... Football: Croatia's Petkovic hoping for deja vu against England Bruno Petkovic is hopeful that Dinamo Zagreb's stunning Europa League win over Tottenham Hotspur in March can inspire a carbon copy when Croatia take on England in their opening Euro 2020 Group D clash at Wembley on Sunday. Rugby-England's youngsters get chance to impress Jones Eddie Jones has included 21 uncapped players in his initial 34-man squad for Tests against the United States and Canada, giving them an opportunity to make their mark in the absence of a host of unavailable regulars. Soccer-Spain's Llorente poised to return after negative COVID-19 test Spain defender Diego Llorente is set to return to the squad's Euro 2020 training camp after showing negative for COVID-19 in the last two round of tests, the team said on Thursday. Soccer-Danes hope fans will lift them over Finns in Euro opener Denmark hope having thousands of passionate fans back in the stands in Copenhagen on Saturday will help them to victory over a Finnish side making a first appearance at a major tournament finals. Hong Kong watchdog slams Beijing loyalists over Gay Games criticism Hong Kong's anti-discrimination watchdog slammed two prominent pro-Beijing politicians on Thursday (Jun 10) for recent comments warning that next year's Gay Games would "divide the city" and bring "dirty money". Cricket: England bat against New Zealand in second Test as Anderson sets record England captain Joe Root won the toss and elected to bat against New Zealand in the second and final Test at Edgbaston on Thursday as James Anderson became their most-capped player of all time. Football: UEFA tells Ukraine to remove 'political' slogan from kit ahead of Euros European soccer governing body UEFA has ordered Ukraine to remove the phrase "Glory to the heroes" from the inside of its new national team shirt ahead of the European Championship for political reasons, after a complaint from Russia. Football: Norwich end kit sponsor deal with BK8 after backlash from fans Premier League club Norwich City on Thursday ended their partnership with kit sponsor BK8 following supporters' criticism of the Asian betting company's provocative marketing material online. Soccer-Italy midfielder Pellegrini injured on eve of Euro 2020 Italy have asked UEFA for permission to replace Lorenzo Pellegrini with Fiorentina's Gaetano Castrovilli in their Euro 2020 squad after the Roma midfielder picked up an injury, the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) said on Thursday. Football: Pellegrini joins Italy's Euro 2020 injury list Lorenzo Pellegrini on Thursday joined Italy's injury list on the eve of their Euro 2020 opener against Turkey, the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) confirmed. Olympics: Australian swimmer Groves pulls out of Games trials, citing 'perverts' Double Olympic silver medallist Madeline Groves has pulled out of Australia's swimming trials for the Tokyo Games, citing "misogynistic perverts in sport". Football: Celtic appoint former Australia coach Postecoglou as new manager Celtic have appointed former Australia coach Ange Postecoglou as their new manager following the exit of Neil Lennon, the Scottish Premiership club announced on Thursday. Football: Former Roma coach Fonseca in talks with Spurs Former AS Roma coach Paulo Fonseca is in talks with Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur to be their next manager, according to British media reports. Olympics-NZ women's soccer coach Sermanni to leave after Tokyo Games New Zealand women's soccer coach Tom Sermanni will step down after the Tokyo Olympics, the country's governing body (NZF) said on Thursday. Half of UK fans betting on French victory in Euro 2020, says gaming firm Entain Almost half of British soccer fans have joined peers across Europe in placing wagers on France to lift the Euro 2020 trophy, Entain said on Thursday, as the sports betting firm gears up for over three million bets on the delayed tournament. Tokyo vaccination centre to offer shots to younger people as Olympics loom A mass vaccination centre in Tokyo will begin booking COVID-19 shots for people under 65 years old from Saturday, the Sankei Newspaper reported on Thursday, as Japan ramps up efforts to inoculate people before the 2020 Olympics open next month. Soccer-Inter Miami co-owner 'optimistic' Messi will join in future Jorge Mas, the co-owner of Major League Soccer team Inter Miami, said he is confident Lionel Messi will join them if he decides to leave Barcelona.

Soccer-Locatelli, Berardi start as Italy open Euro 2020 against Turkey Italy picked Sassuolo midfielder Manuel Locatelli in their team to face Turkey in the opening game of Euro 2020 on Friday, as neither coach sprang any major surprises. UK PM Johnson backs Tokyo Olympics, Japan wants more G7 support CARBIS BAY, England: British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Friday (Jun 11) gave the Tokyo Olympics a show of public support at a meeting with Japan's Yoshihide Suga and welcomed efforts to ensure the Games can take place safely. The Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, which were postponed last year due to ... Cricket-Conway and Young put NZ in charge against England at Edgbaston REUTERS: Devon Conway and Will Young scored half-centuries as New Zealand finished the second day on 229-3, 74 runs behind England's first innings score in the second and final Test against at Edgbaston on Friday. Left-handed batsman Conway, fresh from his brilliant double hundred on debut at ... Motor racing-Extreme E cancels South American races due to COVID-19 LONDON: The new Extreme E electric off-road series has cancelled races in Brazil's Amazon and Argentina's Patagonia regions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with Scotland now a possible alternative, it said in a statement on Friday. The Amazon round was scheduled for Oct. 23-24 with the Glacier ... Ukraine reaches compromise with UEFA on soccer jersey slogan KYIV: Ukraine has reached an agreement with Europe's governing soccer body UEFA which had banned the slogan "glory to the heroes" on the Ukrainian national team's jerseys, the head of Ukraine's football association said on Friday (Jun 11). Andriy Pavelko said the agreement involved another slogan ... Tennis-Pavlyuchenkova or Krejcikova to write final act in tale of the unexpected PARIS: After one of the most wildly unpredictable women's singles draws in French Open history, Russia's Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova stands on the threshold of finally delivering the title long predicted since she was a precocious teenager. It has been a protracted journey for the 29-year-old ... Tennis: Tsitsipas overcomes Zverev fightback to reach first major final Greek fifth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas staved off a fightback from German Alexander Zverev to win 6-3 6-3 4-6 4-6 6-3 in a scintillating French Open clash on Friday and book a maiden Grand Slam final spot. Soccer-Pukki set to start against Denmark as Finns feel football fever Striker Teemo Pukki raised the fever of Finnish fans a notch by declaring has himself fit to lead the line against Denmark in their opening Euro 2020 Group B clash at the Parken Stadium on Saturday. Soccer-Belgium not worried about COVID-19 case in Russia camp BRUSSELS: There are no concerns in the Belgium camp about a COVID-19 outbreak in the Russia team who they face in St Petersburg on Saturday at the start of their European Championship campaign, goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has said. Midfielder Andrei Mostovoy tested positive for the novel ... Nearly two thirds of Brazilians oppose hosting Copa America amid pandemic - poll RIO DE JANEIRO: Nearly two thirds of Brazilians oppose the country hosting the upcoming Copa America soccer tournament, a poll showed on Friday, amid concerns over the country's dire COVID-19 outbreak. The South American Football Confederation last week unexpectedly relocated the tournament ... Motor racing-After land and water, electric pioneer Agag has eye on the sky LONDON: After launching three all-electric racing series on land and water, Spanish entrepreneur Alejandro Agag is considering a reach for the sky. The founder of city-based Formula E and off-road Extreme E, with a new Saudi-backed E1 powerboat championship in the works for 2023, said on ... Soccer-Many questions hang over England ahead of Croatia clash MANCHESTER, England: One of the few certainties about the England lineup ahead of their Euro 2020 opener against Croatia on Sunday is that they will take the knee before kickoff. However, the formation, tactical approach and personnel that manager Gareth Southgate will utilise after that anti ... Football: Denmark will 'dare to dream' of '92 repeat, says Hjulmand Kasper Hjulmand said on Friday that his Denmark team will "dream big" as they prepare for their Euro 2020 opener against Finland with one eye on a repeat of their unexpected triumph in 1992. Football: 'Career highlight' for captain Bale ahead of Wales' Euro return Wales and Gareth Bale head into their second straight European Championship with aspirations kept in check after their surprising run to the semi-finals in 2016. Soccer-Wales will be awkward opponent, predicts Swiss coach BAKU: Switzerland expect an awkward encounter against Wales when they open their European Championship campaign in Baku on Saturday, Swiss coach Vladimir Petkovic said. The two countries kick off their Group A campaign in the Azerbaijan capital with Petkovic admitting he was unsure whether his ... Amazon, Canal+ win main TV rights for French soccer League 1 - media PARIS: U.S. online giant Amazon and France's Canal+ television group have won main TV rights for French League 1 soccer until 2024 for 663 million euros (US$802.23 million), French media reported on Friday. French radio RMC reported earlier on its website that Amazon had made a bid for the TV ... Football: Danes relishing 'dark horse' tag ahead of Finland Euro clash Denmark are relishing their status as Euro 2020 dark horses ahead of their opening Group B clash with Finland on Saturday, the first of three home games at the Parken Stadium for the Danes. Soccer-Anti-racism knee gesture casts controversy over Euros MANCHESTER, England: Soccer's European Championship kicks off on Friday with the 24 teams' battle for glory accompanied by off-field conflict over the anti-racism gesture of "taking the knee". England were booed by some of their fans in two friendlies while Ireland were jeered in Hungary for ... Football: Italy and Turkey get ball rolling as Euro 2020 begins under COVID-19 cloud PARIS: An in-form Italy face Turkey in Rome on Friday (Jun 11) as Euro 2020 finally gets underway a year behind schedule and with the coronavirus pandemic casting a shadow over the tournament. Postponed 12 months ago because of the pandemic, the European Championship - with Cristiano Ronaldo's ... Soccer-Belgium have a great squad even without De Bruyne, says Russia coach SAINT PETERSBURG: Belgium may be without key midfielders for their Group B opener in the European Championship but Russia manager Stanislav Cherchesov said Roberto Martinez still has a formidable squad to pick from. Kevin De Bruyne did not travel for Belgium's first match, against Russia in St ... Soccer-Fatigue no factor for super fit Dutch midfielder De Jong AMSTERDAM: Frenkie de Jong might have played in an energy-sapping 51 games for Barcelona over the last season but the Netherlands midfielder says he is raring to go for the European Championship. The 24-year-old was a key player for his club over the last nine months, featuring in all but one ... UK PM Johnson offers Tokyo Olympics some big power support CARBIS BAY, England: British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Friday (Jun 11) gave the Tokyo Olympics a show of public support at a meeting with Japan's Yoshihide Suga and welcomed efforts to ensure the Games can take place safely. The Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, which were postponed last year due to ... Tennis-It's 'go time' for Federer, 39, with favoured grasscourt season about to begin REUTERS: Roger Federer says he has seen "improvement and no setbacks" since returning to the Tour in March after over a year out due to two knee operations and with his grasscourt season kicking off in Halle next week, it's "go time". Federer initially eyed a return at this year's Australian ... Italian soccer player arrested over rape accusation - source FLORENCE, Italy: Italian footballer Manolo Portanova of Serie A team Genoa has been placed under house arrest along with two other people on rape charges, a judicial source said on Friday. Neither his lawyer Gabriele Bordoni, Italian police or the club were able to comment immediately on the ... Soccer-Spain players receive vaccines amid fears of side effects MADRID: Spain's players were vaccinated against COVID-19 on Friday at their training centre, bringing an end to a long saga but provoking fears of potential side effects before kicking off their Euro 2020 campaign against Sweden on Monday. Members of the Spanish army administered the vaccines ... Soccer-De Bruyne to miss Belgium's Euro opener against Russia BRUSSELS: Kevin de Bruyne will miss Belgium's first European Championship match against Russia on Saturday, the Belgian team confirmed on Friday. De Bruyne fractured his eye socket and nose in the Champions League final and had minor surgery last week, only joining up with his Belgian team ... Motor racing-McLaren to enter Extreme E electric SUV series in 2022 McLaren will enter a team in Extreme E next year in what organisers hailed as a major step forward for the all-electric off-road series after its debut in 2021. PREVIEW-Soccer-Austria looking for maiden Euros win against North Macedonia BUCHAREST: Austria may be awash with Bundesliga talent but they will be under pressure from the start against underdogs North Macedonia on Sunday as they look for their first ever win at the European Championships. Austria are the favourites in their Euro Group C opener against the Balkan ... Soccer-Back again, Dutch seek to restore past reputation AMSTERDAM: The Netherlands will be looking to make up for lost time when they begin their European Championship campaign at home against Ukraine in Amsterdam on Sunday, hoping a sea of orange will spur them on to the perfect start. It is a return to a major tournament for the first time since ... Russia replace Mostovoy with Yevgenyev for Euro 2020, citing COVID-19 MOSCOW: Russia have replaced midfielder Andrei Mostovoy with defender Roman Yevgenyev in their Euro 2020 lineup after the former's latest coronavirus test came back with "unfavourable results", the team said on Friday. Sports Minister Oleg Matitsyn was quoted by Russian news agency TASS as ... Rugby-Wiese's star on the rise as Springboks sweat on Vermeulen CAPE TOWN: South Africa face an anxious wait over the fitness of powerful number eight Duane Vermeulen following his ankle surgery this week, but could have a ready-made replacement in uncapped Leicester Tigers back rower Jasper Wiese. Vermeulen is in a race to be fit for the first test ... Rugby-Hurricanes keep slim Super final hopes alive with Reds rout REUTERS: The Wellington Hurricanes remain in the hunt for a spot in the Super Rugby Trans-Tasman final after claiming a record 43-14 home win over the Queensland Reds on Friday. The Hurricanes' bonus-point win at Wellington Regional Stadium put them top of the table on 21 points, but they must ... Tokyo to vaccinate 18,000 Olympics workers, volunteers TOKYO: About 18,000 Tokyo Olympics workers including referees and volunteers will be vaccinated from next week, organisers said Friday (Jun 11), as they try to build confidence that the Games will be safe. With just six weeks until the pandemic-postponed Games open, officials are still battling ... Rugby-SA Rugby seek to allay Lions fears after Rainbow Cup match cancelled CAPE TOWN: South Africa’s Lions franchise have been forced to cancel their final fixture in the Rainbow Cup due to COVID-19 infections in their squad, just three weeks before they host the British & Irish Lions in Johannesburg. The side were due to play the Stormers at the Cape Town Stadium on ... Tokyo Games should be held without spectators, says Japanese Olympic Committee executive TOKYO: One of Japan's sporting legends and an executive of the country's Olympic committee said on Friday (Jun 11) the Tokyo Games should be held without spectators to ensure the safety of the public and accused the organisers of using a "double standard". The Japanese Olympic Committee (JOC) ... Cricket-Hundred experience will boost India women's World Cup hopes - BCCI NEW DELHI: India's cricket board (BCCI) said the participation of its top women players in The Hundred in England will give them much needed experience and exposure to elite opposition ahead of the 50-overs World Cup in New Zealand next year. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) ... Olympics: Tokyo tickets on the line in Adelaide swim-off ADELAIDE: Australia's top swimmers are gearing up for an Olympics like no other in Tokyo next month but first they have to secure their spots on the team at this week's highly competitive trials. Six days of intense competition begin at the South Australia Aquatic Centre on Saturday (Jun 12) with ... Olympics: Japan may keep some virus curbs until Games start - paper TOKYO: The Japanese government is considering ending a state of emergency in Tokyo and several other prefectures as scheduled on June 20, but keeping some curbs such as on restaurant hours until the Olympics start in July, the Mainichi daily reported. New coronavirus infections in Olympics ... Olympics: Swimming Australia urges Groves to provide details after 'perverts' complaint MELBOURNE: Swimming Australia (SA) have urged Madeline Groves to engage with them about her complaint of "misogynistic perverts" in the sport following her sensational withdrawal from the country's Olympic trials. Twice Olympic silver medallist Groves rocked the sport on Thursday (Jun 10), saying ... Soccer-Ukraine says will make 'political' slogans its official soccer symbol Ukraine's national football association will convene an emergency meeting of its executives to approve UEFA-banned slogans as the country's official soccer symbols, the head of the association said. Olympics-BOA won't set Tokyo medal target for Team GB due to pandemic REUTERS: British Olympic Association Chef de Mission Mark England said they will not set a medal target for Team GB at the Tokyo Games as the COVID-19 pandemic wiped out too many competitions to get an accurate picture of athlete competitiveness. UK Sport, the body responsible for investing in ... Olympics-NZ name world champions Gowler, Prendergast in rowing team for Tokyo REUTERS: New Zealand have named 11 world champions, including Kerri Gowler and Grace Prendergast, among its 32 rowers heading to Tokyo for the Summer Games, the country's Olympic committee (NZOC) said on Friday. Gowler and Prendergast were included in the women's pair event and women's eight ... Olympics-Brisbane 2032 not a done deal yet, says Coates Australia's top Olympic official John Coates said on Friday that Brisbane winning the right to host the 2032 Summer Games was not a done deal, despite the International Olympic Committee's executive board approving the bid. Soccer-Premier League to use 'thicker' VAR lines next season: The Times REUTERS: The Premier League will use 'thicker lines' when using the video assistant referee (VAR) next season to eliminate marginal offside decisions, The Times reported. The decision, taken at Thursday's Premier League shareholders meeting, comes amid widespread frustration with the system ... Olympics-Tokyo crowds decision to be part of wider ruling on sport: Coates Senior Olympic official John Coates says a decision on whether spectators will be allowed at the Tokyo Games will be made at the end of June as part of a more general ruling for all sports events in Japan, the Australian said on Friday. Cricket-Australia's Warner, Stoinis pull out of The Hundred Australia batsman David Warner and all-rounder Marcus Stoinis have withdrawn from the inaugural season of The Hundred due to complications related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said. Olympics: Japan may keep some COVID-19 curbs until Games start The Japanese government is considering ending a state of emergency in Tokyo and several other prefectures as scheduled on June 20, but keeping a downgraded "quasi-emergency" state until the Olympics start in July, the Mainichi daily reported. It’s still game on: COVID-19 a boon for a Singapore-based e-sports platform SINGAPORE: While many industries have taken a beating from the COVID-19 pandemic, e-sports is one of the few that are thriving as people seek various entertainment options while spending more time at home. E-sports Players League (ESPL), a Singapore-based e-sports tournament platform, said it has ... Commentary: Euro 2020 - France stands in the way of Ronaldo’s swan song Helping Portugal defend the trophy would be a great cap to a sterling football career for Cristiano Ronaldo and provide the perfect opportunity to announce his international retirement, says CNA’s Malminderjit Singh. Tennis: Krejcikova overcomes wrong call on match point to reach French Open final For a brief moment, Barbora Krejcikova thought she had booked her place in the French Open final and she raised her arms in celebration, but she quickly realised that she had to do it all over again - after a wrong line call went against her. Door is open for YouTube's Paul brothers in MMA, says Bellator president Logan and Jake Paul would make great Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighters, Bellator president Scott Coker has said as he targets exhibition matches featuring the YouTube personalities such as the former's boxing bout against Floyd Mayweather. Football: Premier League wants clubs to sign Owners’ Charter REUTERS: Premier League teams have agreed in principle to an Owners’ Charter that will "reaffirm the values and expectations placed on clubs and their owners" in a bid to stop any future English involvement in a European Super League project. It was one of a number of decisions taken at the ... Football: Belgium veterans tip England and France for Euro 2020 success Jan Vertonghen and Dries Mertens, two of Belgium’s most experienced players, said their top-ranked team is not among the favourites for Euro 2020. Football: Turkey's Calhanoglu hopes to meet Italy again in Euro 2020 final Turkey midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu and his coach Senol Gunes said before their opening Euro 2020 game against Italy that they hoped to progress from Group A with the Italians and face them again in the final. Tennis: Krejcikova beats Sakkari in dramatic French Open semi-final Czech Barbora Krejcikova reached the French Open final as she beat Greek 17th seed Maria Sakkari 7-5 4-6 9-7 in a nail-biting, see-saw contest on Thursday . Athletics: Coe awarded keys to Florence 40 years after 800m world record Briton Sebastian Coe was awarded the keys to the city of Florence on Thursday to mark the 40th anniversary of his 800 metres world record run in the Italian city. Cricket: Burns, Lawrence keep England afloat against New Zealand England batsmen Rory Burns and Dan Lawrence scored battling half-centuries as the hosts recovered from a mid-innings wobble to reach 258-7 against New Zealand on the opening day of the second and final test on Thursday. Diageo pulls out of sponsoring Copa America football tournament Alcoholic beverage company Diageo on Thursday joined other major sponsors pulling out of the Copa America after players criticised organisers for moving the soccer tournament to Brazil despite one of the world's worst COVID-19 outbreaks. Tennis: Let battle commence, says Djokovic ahead of Nadal showdown Novak Djokovic and Rafa Nadal will add another chapter to their rivalry when they face off in a much-anticipated clash on Friday but there will be more at stake than just a spot in the French Open final. Cricket: Dhawan to lead second-string India on Sri Lanka tour Opening batsman Shikhar Dhawan will lead a second-string India team in their limited-overs tour of Sri Lanka next month with pace bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar named as his deputy, the country's cricket board (BCCI) said on Thursday. Football: France striker Benzema should be fit to face Germany France forward Karim Benzema, who sustained a knee injury during a friendly on Tuesday, is expected to take part in his team's Euro 2020 Group F opener against Germany, the French federation (FFF) said on Thursday. Olympics: IOC's Bach scraps plans for quick visit, will be in Tokyo in mid-July International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach will arrive in Tokyo in the middle of July ahead of the Olympic Games and will not visit before, he said on Thursday. Olympics: IOC executive board proposes Brisbane as hosts of 2032 Olympics The International Olympic Committee's executive board proposed the Australian city of Brisbane on Thursday to host the 2032 summer Olympics and the choice will be put to a vote next month. Football: Scotland to stand rather than kneel in anti-racism gesture Scotland players will take a stand in an anti-racism gesture ahead of their three Euro 2020 group matches rather than taking the knee, the Scottish Football Association (SFA) announced on Thursday. Tennis-Patient Pavlyuchenkova rewarded as she reaches French Open final in 52nd major PARIS :Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova held steady to beat an erratic Tamara Zidansek in straight sets on Thursday and reach the French Open final at her 50th Grand Slam tournament. Tennis: Pavlyuchenkova reaches first Grand Slam final at French Open on 52nd attempt Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova beat world number 85 Tamara Zidansek of Slovenia 7-5, 6-3 to reach a first Grand Slam final at a record 52nd attempt at the French Open on Thursday. Football: Europol ready for 'important security challenges' of scattered Euros Staging the European Championship in 10 different countries during a pandemic poses serious security risks for police officers across Europe, police agency Europol said on Thursday. Rugby: Bok Kriel eager to take on Lions, who his great grandfather played for South Africa centre Jesse Kriel will follow in the footsteps of his great grandfather John Hodgson in the British & Irish Lions series starting next month, except he will be on the opposite side and seeking to tame the tourists in the three-match series. Soccer-Most European fans back players kneeling against racism A majority of football supporters around nine European nations support professional players taking a knee ahead of matches as an anti-racism gesture, according to a new survey. Cricket-West Indies win the toss and bat in first test vs South Africa REUTERS: West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite won the toss and elected to bat in the first test of a two-match series against South Africa that starts at a windy Daren Sammy Cricket Ground in Saint Lucia on Thursday. The home side have handed a debut to 19-year-old fast bowler Jayden Seales ... Soccer-Page's youthful Wales face wily Swiss REUTERS: Wales were the surprise packages of the 2016 European Championship but they kick off their Group A campaign against Switzerland in Baku on Saturday with a very different team. Five years ago, under Chris Coleman, the Welsh, playing in their first major tournament for 58 years, reached ... Football: Another Copa, another chance for Argentina to end drought This year's Copa America gives Argentina another chance to break a 28-year trophy drought, which has been made even harder by a venue switch from home turf to that of arch-rivals Brazil. Football: Brazil seek to forget troubles, focus on a Copa America like no other A Brazil team playing in the Copa America at home on the back of a seven-game winning streak would normally be hot favourites to triumph, but this is no ordinary year and no ordinary Copa. Football: Chaotic organisation makes this year's Copa America unique Sports events have been cancelled or disrupted by a myriad of complications over the years, including war, plague, economic uncertainty and political boycotts, but the series of events that have beset this year's Copa America takes some beating. Soccer-CAS reduces Ajax keeper Onana's ban to nine months Ajax Amsterdam goalkeeper Andre Onana's year-long ban by European soccer's governing body UEFA for violating doping rules has been reduced to nine months after an appeal, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) said in a statement https://www.tas-cas.org/fileadmin/user_upload ... Football: Euro 2020 finally set for lift-off under COVID-19 cloud The delayed Euro 2020 tournament will finally get under way on Friday (Jun 11), a year behind schedule, with COVID-19 still set to cast a shadow over the event. French President Macron urges soccer star Mbappe to stay at PSG French President Emmanuel Macron urged the country's star soccer striker Kylian Mbappe on Thursday to stay at Paris Saint Germain (PSG) and to remain within the French domestic league. Soccer-PSG sign Dutch midfielder Wijnaldum from Liverpool Netherlands midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum will join Paris St Germain from Premier League side Liverpool on a three-year deal, the French Ligue 1 side announced on Thursday. Hungary's Orban 'agrees' with fans booing kneeling Irish footballers BUDAPEST: Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban on Thursday (Jun 10) defended his country's football fans who booed the Ireland team as they took a knee before a Euro 2020 warm-up game in Budapest. Before the game on Tuesday, sections of the crowd at the Szusza Ferenc Stadium in the Hungarian ... Soccer-Oldest, youngest, most capped - all the numbers for Euro 2020 Belgium not only take their top ranking into the European Championship but they will also be the most experienced of the campaigners at the tournament, which kicks off on Friday. Tennis-Salisbury ends Britain's 39-year wait for French Open success PARIS: Joe Salisbury ended Britain's 39-year wait for a main draw title at the French Open when he combined with American Desirae Krawczyk to win the mixed doubles at Roland Garros on Thursday. Krawczyk and Salisbury rallied from a set down to beat the Russian pair of Elena Vesnina and Aslan ... India's Olympic team to be fully vaccinated: Sports chief India's Olympic contingent will be fully vaccinated by early July ahead of their journey to Tokyo for the Games, the country's top sports official Narinder Batra told AFP. Soccer-Sky-high player values may start to deflate after excitement of Euros FRANKFURT: The price tag of football players taking part in this year's European Championship has nearly doubled since the last edition, but this broadcasting rights-fuelled bubble is showing signs of deflating. The value of the average player has risen by 82per cent since the 2016 Euros ... Football: Croatia's Petkovic hoping for deja vu against England Bruno Petkovic is hopeful that Dinamo Zagreb's stunning Europa League win over Tottenham Hotspur in March can inspire a carbon copy when Croatia take on England in their opening Euro 2020 Group D clash at Wembley on Sunday. Rugby-England's youngsters get chance to impress Jones Eddie Jones has included 21 uncapped players in his initial 34-man squad for Tests against the United States and Canada, giving them an opportunity to make their mark in the absence of a host of unavailable regulars. Soccer-Spain's Llorente poised to return after negative COVID-19 test Spain defender Diego Llorente is set to return to the squad's Euro 2020 training camp after showing negative for COVID-19 in the last two round of tests, the team said on Thursday. Soccer-Danes hope fans will lift them over Finns in Euro opener Denmark hope having thousands of passionate fans back in the stands in Copenhagen on Saturday will help them to victory over a Finnish side making a first appearance at a major tournament finals. Hong Kong watchdog slams Beijing loyalists over Gay Games criticism Hong Kong's anti-discrimination watchdog slammed two prominent pro-Beijing politicians on Thursday (Jun 10) for recent comments warning that next year's Gay Games would "divide the city" and bring "dirty money". Cricket: England bat against New Zealand in second Test as Anderson sets record England captain Joe Root won the toss and elected to bat against New Zealand in the second and final Test at Edgbaston on Thursday as James Anderson became their most-capped player of all time. Football: UEFA tells Ukraine to remove 'political' slogan from kit ahead of Euros European soccer governing body UEFA has ordered Ukraine to remove the phrase "Glory to the heroes" from the inside of its new national team shirt ahead of the European Championship for political reasons, after a complaint from Russia. Football: Norwich end kit sponsor deal with BK8 after backlash from fans Premier League club Norwich City on Thursday ended their partnership with kit sponsor BK8 following supporters' criticism of the Asian betting company's provocative marketing material online. Soccer-Italy midfielder Pellegrini injured on eve of Euro 2020 Italy have asked UEFA for permission to replace Lorenzo Pellegrini with Fiorentina's Gaetano Castrovilli in their Euro 2020 squad after the Roma midfielder picked up an injury, the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) said on Thursday. Football: Pellegrini joins Italy's Euro 2020 injury list Lorenzo Pellegrini on Thursday joined Italy's injury list on the eve of their Euro 2020 opener against Turkey, the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) confirmed. Olympics: Australian swimmer Groves pulls out of Games trials, citing 'perverts' Double Olympic silver medallist Madeline Groves has pulled out of Australia's swimming trials for the Tokyo Games, citing "misogynistic perverts in sport". Football: Celtic appoint former Australia coach Postecoglou as new manager Celtic have appointed former Australia coach Ange Postecoglou as their new manager following the exit of Neil Lennon, the Scottish Premiership club announced on Thursday. Football: Former Roma coach Fonseca in talks with Spurs Former AS Roma coach Paulo Fonseca is in talks with Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur to be their next manager, according to British media reports. Olympics-NZ women's soccer coach Sermanni to leave after Tokyo Games New Zealand women's soccer coach Tom Sermanni will step down after the Tokyo Olympics, the country's governing body (NZF) said on Thursday. Half of UK fans betting on French victory in Euro 2020, says gaming firm Entain Almost half of British soccer fans have joined peers across Europe in placing wagers on France to lift the Euro 2020 trophy, Entain said on Thursday, as the sports betting firm gears up for over three million bets on the delayed tournament. Tokyo vaccination centre to offer shots to younger people as Olympics loom A mass vaccination centre in Tokyo will begin booking COVID-19 shots for people under 65 years old from Saturday, the Sankei Newspaper reported on Thursday, as Japan ramps up efforts to inoculate people before the 2020 Olympics open next month. Soccer-Inter Miami co-owner 'optimistic' Messi will join in future Jorge Mas, the co-owner of Major League Soccer team Inter Miami, said he is confident Lionel Messi will join them if he decides to leave Barcelona.

bymanash June 12, 2021

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Soccer-Locatelli, Berardi start as Italy open Euro 2020 against Turkey

Italy picked Sassuolo midfielder Manuel Locatelli in their team to face Turkey in the opening game of Euro 2020 on Friday, as neither coach sprang any major surprises.

UK PM Johnson backs Tokyo Olympics, Japan wants more G7 support

CARBIS BAY, England: British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Friday (Jun 11) gave the Tokyo Olympics a show of public support at a meeting with Japan's Yoshihide Suga and welcomed efforts to ensure the Games can take place safely. The Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, which were postponed last year due to ...

Cricket-Conway and Young put NZ in charge against England at Edgbaston

REUTERS: Devon Conway and Will Young scored half-centuries as New Zealand finished the second day on 229-3, 74 runs behind England's first innings score in the second and final Test against at Edgbaston on Friday. Left-handed batsman Conway, fresh from his brilliant double hundred on debut at ...

Motor racing-Extreme E cancels South American races due to COVID-19

LONDON: The new Extreme E electric off-road series has cancelled races in Brazil's Amazon and Argentina's Patagonia regions due to the COVID-19 pandemic, with Scotland now a possible alternative, it said in a statement on Friday. The Amazon round was scheduled for Oct. 23-24 with the Glacier ...

Ukraine reaches compromise with UEFA on soccer jersey slogan

KYIV: Ukraine has reached an agreement with Europe's governing soccer body UEFA which had banned the slogan "glory to the heroes" on the Ukrainian national team's jerseys, the head of Ukraine's football association said on Friday (Jun 11). Andriy Pavelko said the agreement involved another slogan ...

Tennis-Pavlyuchenkova or Krejcikova to write final act in tale of the unexpected

PARIS: After one of the most wildly unpredictable women's singles draws in French Open history, Russia's Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova stands on the threshold of finally delivering the title long predicted since she was a precocious teenager. It has been a protracted journey for the 29-year-old ...

Tennis: Tsitsipas overcomes Zverev fightback to reach first major final

Greek fifth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas staved off a fightback from German Alexander Zverev to win 6-3 6-3 4-6 4-6 6-3 in a scintillating French Open clash on Friday and book a maiden Grand Slam final spot.

Soccer-Pukki set to start against Denmark as Finns feel football fever

Striker Teemo Pukki raised the fever of Finnish fans a notch by declaring has himself fit to lead the line against Denmark in their opening Euro 2020 Group B clash at the Parken Stadium on Saturday.

Soccer-Belgium not worried about COVID-19 case in Russia camp

BRUSSELS: There are no concerns in the Belgium camp about a COVID-19 outbreak in the Russia team who they face in St Petersburg on Saturday at the start of their European Championship campaign, goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has said. Midfielder Andrei Mostovoy tested positive for the novel ...

Nearly two thirds of Brazilians oppose hosting Copa America amid pandemic - poll

RIO DE JANEIRO: Nearly two thirds of Brazilians oppose the country hosting the upcoming Copa America soccer tournament, a poll showed on Friday, amid concerns over the country's dire COVID-19 outbreak. The South American Football Confederation last week unexpectedly relocated the tournament ...

Motor racing-After land and water, electric pioneer Agag has eye on the sky

LONDON: After launching three all-electric racing series on land and water, Spanish entrepreneur Alejandro Agag is considering a reach for the sky. The founder of city-based Formula E and off-road Extreme E, with a new Saudi-backed E1 powerboat championship in the works for 2023, said on ...

Soccer-Many questions hang over England ahead of Croatia clash

MANCHESTER, England: One of the few certainties about the England lineup ahead of their Euro 2020 opener against Croatia on Sunday is that they will take the knee before kickoff. However, the formation, tactical approach and personnel that manager Gareth Southgate will utilise after that anti ...

Football: Denmark will 'dare to dream' of '92 repeat, says Hjulmand

Kasper Hjulmand said on Friday that his Denmark team will "dream big" as they prepare for their Euro 2020 opener against Finland with one eye on a repeat of their unexpected triumph in 1992.

Football: 'Career highlight' for captain Bale ahead of Wales' Euro return

Wales and Gareth Bale head into their second straight European Championship with aspirations kept in check after their surprising run to the semi-finals in 2016.

Soccer-Wales will be awkward opponent, predicts Swiss coach

BAKU: Switzerland expect an awkward encounter against Wales when they open their European Championship campaign in Baku on Saturday, Swiss coach Vladimir Petkovic said. The two countries kick off their Group A campaign in the Azerbaijan capital with Petkovic admitting he was unsure whether his ...

Amazon, Canal+ win main TV rights for French soccer League 1 - media

PARIS: U.S. online giant Amazon and France's Canal+ television group have won main TV rights for French League 1 soccer until 2024 for 663 million euros (US$802.23 million), French media reported on Friday. French radio RMC reported earlier on its website that Amazon had made a bid for the TV ...

Football: Danes relishing 'dark horse' tag ahead of Finland Euro clash

Denmark are relishing their status as Euro 2020 dark horses ahead of their opening Group B clash with Finland on Saturday, the first of three home games at the Parken Stadium for the Danes.

Soccer-Anti-racism knee gesture casts controversy over Euros

MANCHESTER, England: Soccer's European Championship kicks off on Friday with the 24 teams' battle for glory accompanied by off-field conflict over the anti-racism gesture of "taking the knee". England were booed by some of their fans in two friendlies while Ireland were jeered in Hungary for ...

Football: Italy and Turkey get ball rolling as Euro 2020 begins under COVID-19 cloud

PARIS: An in-form Italy face Turkey in Rome on Friday (Jun 11) as Euro 2020 finally gets underway a year behind schedule and with the coronavirus pandemic casting a shadow over the tournament. Postponed 12 months ago because of the pandemic, the European Championship - with Cristiano Ronaldo's ...

Soccer-Belgium have a great squad even without De Bruyne, says Russia coach

SAINT PETERSBURG: Belgium may be without key midfielders for their Group B opener in the European Championship but Russia manager Stanislav Cherchesov said Roberto Martinez still has a formidable squad to pick from. Kevin De Bruyne did not travel for Belgium's first match, against Russia in St ...

Soccer-Fatigue no factor for super fit Dutch midfielder De Jong

AMSTERDAM: Frenkie de Jong might have played in an energy-sapping 51 games for Barcelona over the last season but the Netherlands midfielder says he is raring to go for the European Championship. The 24-year-old was a key player for his club over the last nine months, featuring in all but one ...

UK PM Johnson offers Tokyo Olympics some big power support

CARBIS BAY, England: British Prime Minister Boris Johnson on Friday (Jun 11) gave the Tokyo Olympics a show of public support at a meeting with Japan's Yoshihide Suga and welcomed efforts to ensure the Games can take place safely. The Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, which were postponed last year due to ...

Tennis-It's 'go time' for Federer, 39, with favoured grasscourt season about to begin

REUTERS: Roger Federer says he has seen "improvement and no setbacks" since returning to the Tour in March after over a year out due to two knee operations and with his grasscourt season kicking off in Halle next week, it's "go time". Federer initially eyed a return at this year's Australian ...

Italian soccer player arrested over rape accusation - source

FLORENCE, Italy: Italian footballer Manolo Portanova of Serie A team Genoa has been placed under house arrest along with two other people on rape charges, a judicial source said on Friday. Neither his lawyer Gabriele Bordoni, Italian police or the club were able to comment immediately on the ...

Soccer-Spain players receive vaccines amid fears of side effects

MADRID: Spain's players were vaccinated against COVID-19 on Friday at their training centre, bringing an end to a long saga but provoking fears of potential side effects before kicking off their Euro 2020 campaign against Sweden on Monday. Members of the Spanish army administered the vaccines ...

Soccer-De Bruyne to miss Belgium's Euro opener against Russia

BRUSSELS: Kevin de Bruyne will miss Belgium's first European Championship match against Russia on Saturday, the Belgian team confirmed on Friday. De Bruyne fractured his eye socket and nose in the Champions League final and had minor surgery last week, only joining up with his Belgian team ...

Motor racing-McLaren to enter Extreme E electric SUV series in 2022

McLaren will enter a team in Extreme E next year in what organisers hailed as a major step forward for the all-electric off-road series after its debut in 2021.

PREVIEW-Soccer-Austria looking for maiden Euros win against North Macedonia

BUCHAREST: Austria may be awash with Bundesliga talent but they will be under pressure from the start against underdogs North Macedonia on Sunday as they look for their first ever win at the European Championships. Austria are the favourites in their Euro Group C opener against the Balkan ...

Soccer-Back again, Dutch seek to restore past reputation

AMSTERDAM: The Netherlands will be looking to make up for lost time when they begin their European Championship campaign at home against Ukraine in Amsterdam on Sunday, hoping a sea of orange will spur them on to the perfect start. It is a return to a major tournament for the first time since ...

Russia replace Mostovoy with Yevgenyev for Euro 2020, citing COVID-19

MOSCOW: Russia have replaced midfielder Andrei Mostovoy with defender Roman Yevgenyev in their Euro 2020 lineup after the former's latest coronavirus test came back with "unfavourable results", the team said on Friday. Sports Minister Oleg Matitsyn was quoted by Russian news agency TASS as ...

Rugby-Wiese's star on the rise as Springboks sweat on Vermeulen

CAPE TOWN: South Africa face an anxious wait over the fitness of powerful number eight Duane Vermeulen following his ankle surgery this week, but could have a ready-made replacement in uncapped Leicester Tigers back rower Jasper Wiese. Vermeulen is in a race to be fit for the first test ...

Rugby-Hurricanes keep slim Super final hopes alive with Reds rout

REUTERS: The Wellington Hurricanes remain in the hunt for a spot in the Super Rugby Trans-Tasman final after claiming a record 43-14 home win over the Queensland Reds on Friday. The Hurricanes' bonus-point win at Wellington Regional Stadium put them top of the table on 21 points, but they must ...

Tokyo to vaccinate 18,000 Olympics workers, volunteers

TOKYO: About 18,000 Tokyo Olympics workers including referees and volunteers will be vaccinated from next week, organisers said Friday (Jun 11), as they try to build confidence that the Games will be safe. With just six weeks until the pandemic-postponed Games open, officials are still battling ...

Rugby-SA Rugby seek to allay Lions fears after Rainbow Cup match cancelled

CAPE TOWN: South Africa’s Lions franchise have been forced to cancel their final fixture in the Rainbow Cup due to COVID-19 infections in their squad, just three weeks before they host the British & Irish Lions in Johannesburg. The side were due to play the Stormers at the Cape Town Stadium on ...

Tokyo Games should be held without spectators, says Japanese Olympic Committee executive

TOKYO: One of Japan's sporting legends and an executive of the country's Olympic committee said on Friday (Jun 11) the Tokyo Games should be held without spectators to ensure the safety of the public and accused the organisers of using a "double standard". The Japanese Olympic Committee (JOC) ...

Cricket-Hundred experience will boost India women's World Cup hopes - BCCI

NEW DELHI: India's cricket board (BCCI) said the participation of its top women players in The Hundred in England will give them much needed experience and exposure to elite opposition ahead of the 50-overs World Cup in New Zealand next year. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) ...

Olympics: Tokyo tickets on the line in Adelaide swim-off

ADELAIDE: Australia's top swimmers are gearing up for an Olympics like no other in Tokyo next month but first they have to secure their spots on the team at this week's highly competitive trials. Six days of intense competition begin at the South Australia Aquatic Centre on Saturday (Jun 12) with ...

Olympics: Japan may keep some virus curbs until Games start - paper

TOKYO: The Japanese government is considering ending a state of emergency in Tokyo and several other prefectures as scheduled on June 20, but keeping some curbs such as on restaurant hours until the Olympics start in July, the Mainichi daily reported. New coronavirus infections in Olympics ...

Olympics: Swimming Australia urges Groves to provide details after 'perverts' complaint

MELBOURNE: Swimming Australia (SA) have urged Madeline Groves to engage with them about her complaint of "misogynistic perverts" in the sport following her sensational withdrawal from the country's Olympic trials. Twice Olympic silver medallist Groves rocked the sport on Thursday (Jun 10), saying ...

Soccer-Ukraine says will make 'political' slogans its official soccer symbol

Ukraine's national football association will convene an emergency meeting of its executives to approve UEFA-banned slogans as the country's official soccer symbols, the head of the association said.

Olympics-BOA won't set Tokyo medal target for Team GB due to pandemic

REUTERS: British Olympic Association Chef de Mission Mark England said they will not set a medal target for Team GB at the Tokyo Games as the COVID-19 pandemic wiped out too many competitions to get an accurate picture of athlete competitiveness. UK Sport, the body responsible for investing in ...

Olympics-NZ name world champions Gowler, Prendergast in rowing team for Tokyo

REUTERS: New Zealand have named 11 world champions, including Kerri Gowler and Grace Prendergast, among its 32 rowers heading to Tokyo for the Summer Games, the country's Olympic committee (NZOC) said on Friday. Gowler and Prendergast were included in the women's pair event and women's eight ...

Olympics-Brisbane 2032 not a done deal yet, says Coates

Australia's top Olympic official John Coates said on Friday that Brisbane winning the right to host the 2032 Summer Games was not a done deal, despite the International Olympic Committee's executive board approving the bid.

Soccer-Premier League to use 'thicker' VAR lines next season: The Times

REUTERS: The Premier League will use 'thicker lines' when using the video assistant referee (VAR) next season to eliminate marginal offside decisions, The Times reported. The decision, taken at Thursday's Premier League shareholders meeting, comes amid widespread frustration with the system ...

Olympics-Tokyo crowds decision to be part of wider ruling on sport: Coates

Senior Olympic official John Coates says a decision on whether spectators will be allowed at the Tokyo Games will be made at the end of June as part of a more general ruling for all sports events in Japan, the Australian said on Friday.

Cricket-Australia's Warner, Stoinis pull out of The Hundred

Australia batsman David Warner and all-rounder Marcus Stoinis have withdrawn from the inaugural season of The Hundred due to complications related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) said.

Olympics: Japan may keep some COVID-19 curbs until Games start

The Japanese government is considering ending a state of emergency in Tokyo and several other prefectures as scheduled on June 20, but keeping a downgraded "quasi-emergency" state until the Olympics start in July, the Mainichi daily reported.

It’s still game on: COVID-19 a boon for a Singapore-based e-sports platform

SINGAPORE: While many industries have taken a beating from the COVID-19 pandemic, e-sports is one of the few that are thriving as people seek various entertainment options while spending more time at home. E-sports Players League (ESPL), a Singapore-based e-sports tournament platform, said it has ...

Commentary: Euro 2020 - France stands in the way of Ronaldo’s swan song

Helping Portugal defend the trophy would be a great cap to a sterling football career for Cristiano Ronaldo and provide the perfect opportunity to announce his international retirement, says CNA’s Malminderjit Singh.

Tennis: Krejcikova overcomes wrong call on match point to reach French Open final

For a brief moment, Barbora Krejcikova thought she had booked her place in the French Open final and she raised her arms in celebration, but she quickly realised that she had to do it all over again - after a wrong line call went against her.

Door is open for YouTube's Paul brothers in MMA, says Bellator president

Logan and Jake Paul would make great Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighters, Bellator president Scott Coker has said as he targets exhibition matches featuring the YouTube personalities such as the former's boxing bout against Floyd Mayweather.

Football: Premier League wants clubs to sign Owners’ Charter

REUTERS: Premier League teams have agreed in principle to an Owners’ Charter that will "reaffirm the values and expectations placed on clubs and their owners" in a bid to stop any future English involvement in a European Super League project. It was one of a number of decisions taken at the ...

Football: Belgium veterans tip England and France for Euro 2020 success

Jan Vertonghen and Dries Mertens, two of Belgium’s most experienced players, said their top-ranked team is not among the favourites for Euro 2020.

Football: Turkey's Calhanoglu hopes to meet Italy again in Euro 2020 final

Turkey midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu and his coach Senol Gunes said before their opening Euro 2020 game against Italy that they hoped to progress from Group A with the Italians and face them again in the final.

Tennis: Krejcikova beats Sakkari in dramatic French Open semi-final

Czech Barbora Krejcikova reached the French Open final as she beat Greek 17th seed Maria Sakkari 7-5 4-6 9-7 in a nail-biting, see-saw contest on Thursday .

Athletics: Coe awarded keys to Florence 40 years after 800m world record

Briton Sebastian Coe was awarded the keys to the city of Florence on Thursday to mark the 40th anniversary of his 800 metres world record run in the Italian city.

Cricket: Burns, Lawrence keep England afloat against New Zealand

England batsmen Rory Burns and Dan Lawrence scored battling half-centuries as the hosts recovered from a mid-innings wobble to reach 258-7 against New Zealand on the opening day of the second and final test on Thursday.

Diageo pulls out of sponsoring Copa America football tournament

Alcoholic beverage company Diageo on Thursday joined other major sponsors pulling out of the Copa America after players criticised organisers for moving the soccer tournament to Brazil despite one of the world's worst COVID-19 outbreaks.

Tennis: Let battle commence, says Djokovic ahead of Nadal showdown

Novak Djokovic and Rafa Nadal will add another chapter to their rivalry when they face off in a much-anticipated clash on Friday but there will be more at stake than just a spot in the French Open final.

Cricket: Dhawan to lead second-string India on Sri Lanka tour

Opening batsman Shikhar Dhawan will lead a second-string India team in their limited-overs tour of Sri Lanka next month with pace bowler Bhuvneshwar Kumar named as his deputy, the country's cricket board (BCCI) said on Thursday.

Football: France striker Benzema should be fit to face Germany

France forward Karim Benzema, who sustained a knee injury during a friendly on Tuesday, is expected to take part in his team's Euro 2020 Group F opener against Germany, the French federation (FFF) said on Thursday.

Olympics: IOC's Bach scraps plans for quick visit, will be in Tokyo in mid-July

International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach will arrive in Tokyo in the middle of July ahead of the Olympic Games and will not visit before, he said on Thursday.

Olympics: IOC executive board proposes Brisbane as hosts of 2032 Olympics

The International Olympic Committee's executive board proposed the Australian city of Brisbane on Thursday to host the 2032 summer Olympics and the choice will be put to a vote next month.

Football: Scotland to stand rather than kneel in anti-racism gesture

Scotland players will take a stand in an anti-racism gesture ahead of their three Euro 2020 group matches rather than taking the knee, the Scottish Football Association (SFA) announced on Thursday.

Tennis-Patient Pavlyuchenkova rewarded as she reaches French Open final in 52nd major

PARIS :Russian Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova held steady to beat an erratic Tamara Zidansek in straight sets on Thursday and reach the French Open final at her 50th Grand Slam tournament.

Tennis: Pavlyuchenkova reaches first Grand Slam final at French Open on 52nd attempt

Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova beat world number 85 Tamara Zidansek of Slovenia 7-5, 6-3 to reach a first Grand Slam final at a record 52nd attempt at the French Open on Thursday.

Football: Europol ready for 'important security challenges' of scattered Euros

Staging the European Championship in 10 different countries during a pandemic poses serious security risks for police officers across Europe, police agency Europol said on Thursday.

Rugby: Bok Kriel eager to take on Lions, who his great grandfather played for

South Africa centre Jesse Kriel will follow in the footsteps of his great grandfather John Hodgson in the British & Irish Lions series starting next month, except he will be on the opposite side and seeking to tame the tourists in the three-match series.

Soccer-Most European fans back players kneeling against racism

A majority of football supporters around nine European nations support professional players taking a knee ahead of matches as an anti-racism gesture, according to a new survey.

Cricket-West Indies win the toss and bat in first test vs South Africa

REUTERS: West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite won the toss and elected to bat in the first test of a two-match series against South Africa that starts at a windy Daren Sammy Cricket Ground in Saint Lucia on Thursday. The home side have handed a debut to 19-year-old fast bowler Jayden Seales ...

Soccer-Page's youthful Wales face wily Swiss

REUTERS: Wales were the surprise packages of the 2016 European Championship but they kick off their Group A campaign against Switzerland in Baku on Saturday with a very different team. Five years ago, under Chris Coleman, the Welsh, playing in their first major tournament for 58 years, reached ...

Football: Another Copa, another chance for Argentina to end drought

This year's Copa America gives Argentina another chance to break a 28-year trophy drought, which has been made even harder by a venue switch from home turf to that of arch-rivals Brazil.

Football: Brazil seek to forget troubles, focus on a Copa America like no other

A Brazil team playing in the Copa America at home on the back of a seven-game winning streak would normally be hot favourites to triumph, but this is no ordinary year and no ordinary Copa.

Football: Chaotic organisation makes this year's Copa America unique

Sports events have been cancelled or disrupted by a myriad of complications over the years, including war, plague, economic uncertainty and political boycotts, but the series of events that have beset this year's Copa America takes some beating.

Soccer-CAS reduces Ajax keeper Onana's ban to nine months

Ajax Amsterdam goalkeeper Andre Onana's year-long ban by European soccer's governing body UEFA for violating doping rules has been reduced to nine months after an appeal, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) said in a statement https://www.tas-cas.org/fileadmin/user_upload ...

Football: Euro 2020 finally set for lift-off under COVID-19 cloud

The delayed Euro 2020 tournament will finally get under way on Friday (Jun 11), a year behind schedule, with COVID-19 still set to cast a shadow over the event.

French President Macron urges soccer star Mbappe to stay at PSG

French President Emmanuel Macron urged the country's star soccer striker Kylian Mbappe on Thursday to stay at Paris Saint Germain (PSG) and to remain within the French domestic league.

Soccer-PSG sign Dutch midfielder Wijnaldum from Liverpool

Netherlands midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum will join Paris St Germain from Premier League side Liverpool on a three-year deal, the French Ligue 1 side announced on Thursday.

Hungary's Orban 'agrees' with fans booing kneeling Irish footballers

BUDAPEST: Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban on Thursday (Jun 10) defended his country's football fans who booed the Ireland team as they took a knee before a Euro 2020 warm-up game in Budapest. Before the game on Tuesday, sections of the crowd at the Szusza Ferenc Stadium in the Hungarian ...

Soccer-Oldest, youngest, most capped - all the numbers for Euro 2020

Belgium not only take their top ranking into the European Championship but they will also be the most experienced of the campaigners at the tournament, which kicks off on Friday.

Tennis-Salisbury ends Britain's 39-year wait for French Open success

PARIS: Joe Salisbury ended Britain's 39-year wait for a main draw title at the French Open when he combined with American Desirae Krawczyk to win the mixed doubles at Roland Garros on Thursday. Krawczyk and Salisbury rallied from a set down to beat the Russian pair of Elena Vesnina and Aslan ...

India's Olympic team to be fully vaccinated: Sports chief

India's Olympic contingent will be fully vaccinated by early July ahead of their journey to Tokyo for the Games, the country's top sports official Narinder Batra told AFP.

Soccer-Sky-high player values may start to deflate after excitement of Euros

FRANKFURT: The price tag of football players taking part in this year's European Championship has nearly doubled since the last edition, but this broadcasting rights-fuelled bubble is showing signs of deflating. The value of the average player has risen by 82per cent since the 2016 Euros ...

Football: Croatia's Petkovic hoping for deja vu against England

Bruno Petkovic is hopeful that Dinamo Zagreb's stunning Europa League win over Tottenham Hotspur in March can inspire a carbon copy when Croatia take on England in their opening Euro 2020 Group D clash at Wembley on Sunday.

Rugby-England's youngsters get chance to impress Jones

Eddie Jones has included 21 uncapped players in his initial 34-man squad for Tests against the United States and Canada, giving them an opportunity to make their mark in the absence of a host of unavailable regulars.

Soccer-Spain's Llorente poised to return after negative COVID-19 test

Spain defender Diego Llorente is set to return to the squad's Euro 2020 training camp after showing negative for COVID-19 in the last two round of tests, the team said on Thursday.

Soccer-Danes hope fans will lift them over Finns in Euro opener

Denmark hope having thousands of passionate fans back in the stands in Copenhagen on Saturday will help them to victory over a Finnish side making a first appearance at a major tournament finals.

Hong Kong watchdog slams Beijing loyalists over Gay Games criticism

Hong Kong's anti-discrimination watchdog slammed two prominent pro-Beijing politicians on Thursday (Jun 10) for recent comments warning that next year's Gay Games would "divide the city" and bring "dirty money".

Cricket: England bat against New Zealand in second Test as Anderson sets record

England captain Joe Root won the toss and elected to bat against New Zealand in the second and final Test at Edgbaston on Thursday as James Anderson became their most-capped player of all time.

Football: UEFA tells Ukraine to remove 'political' slogan from kit ahead of Euros

European soccer governing body UEFA has ordered Ukraine to remove the phrase "Glory to the heroes" from the inside of its new national team shirt ahead of the European Championship for political reasons, after a complaint from Russia.

Football: Norwich end kit sponsor deal with BK8 after backlash from fans

Premier League club Norwich City on Thursday ended their partnership with kit sponsor BK8 following supporters' criticism of the Asian betting company's provocative marketing material online.

Soccer-Italy midfielder Pellegrini injured on eve of Euro 2020

Italy have asked UEFA for permission to replace Lorenzo Pellegrini with Fiorentina's Gaetano Castrovilli in their Euro 2020 squad after the Roma midfielder picked up an injury, the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) said on Thursday.

Football: Pellegrini joins Italy's Euro 2020 injury list

Lorenzo Pellegrini on Thursday joined Italy's injury list on the eve of their Euro 2020 opener against Turkey, the Italian Football Federation (FIGC) confirmed.

Olympics: Australian swimmer Groves pulls out of Games trials, citing 'perverts'

Double Olympic silver medallist Madeline Groves has pulled out of Australia's swimming trials for the Tokyo Games, citing "misogynistic perverts in sport".

Football: Celtic appoint former Australia coach Postecoglou as new manager

Celtic have appointed former Australia coach Ange Postecoglou as their new manager following the exit of Neil Lennon, the Scottish Premiership club announced on Thursday.

Football: Former Roma coach Fonseca in talks with Spurs

Former AS Roma coach Paulo Fonseca is in talks with Premier League side Tottenham Hotspur to be their next manager, according to British media reports.

Olympics-NZ women's soccer coach Sermanni to leave after Tokyo Games

New Zealand women's soccer coach Tom Sermanni will step down after the Tokyo Olympics, the country's governing body (NZF) said on Thursday.

Half of UK fans betting on French victory in Euro 2020, says gaming firm Entain

Almost half of British soccer fans have joined peers across Europe in placing wagers on France to lift the Euro 2020 trophy, Entain said on Thursday, as the sports betting firm gears up for over three million bets on the delayed tournament.

Tokyo vaccination centre to offer shots to younger people as Olympics loom

A mass vaccination centre in Tokyo will begin booking COVID-19 shots for people under 65 years old from Saturday, the Sankei Newspaper reported on Thursday, as Japan ramps up efforts to inoculate people before the 2020 Olympics open next month.

Soccer-Inter Miami co-owner 'optimistic' Messi will join in future

Jorge Mas, the co-owner of Major League Soccer team Inter Miami, said he is confident Lionel Messi will join them if he decides to leave Barcelona.

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Chaminda Vaas resigns after pay dispute with Sri Lanka Cricket board

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