Sport news

• Suns suspend forward Markieff Morris for 2 games

  24-12-2015 23:59
  
  PHOENIX (AP) — The Phoenix Suns suspended forward Markieff Morris two games without pay Thursday for what was termed "conduct detrimental to the team."
  
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• Skid Row visit broke my heart, says Dutchman Melchiot

  24-12-2015 23:18
  Former Chelsea defender Mario Melchiot spent five years plying his trade a stone's throw from London's fashionable King's Road but it was a brief visit to Skid Row that completely changed his outlook on life. The ex-Dutch international, who now works as a football analyst for Fox Sports, was invited by the Arise and Walk charity to take a 20-minute drive from his home to lift the spirits of the homeless of Los Angeles. "This past Sunday morning, I woke up with one place and one destination on my
  
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• Reports: Rebels to leave Damascus suburbs under deal

  24-12-2015 23:16
  
  Wounded fighters and families of supporters of ISIL and other groups win safe passage, Syrian monitoring group says.
  
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• Christmas in Sport PICTURE SPECIAL: From George Best dressed as Father Christmas to snow in the Premier League...

  24-12-2015 23:16 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Christmas is a special time for the world of sport. Some of the most iconic moments in history have taken place on a freezing cold day in December with temperatures plummeting and the snow falling. 
  
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• Anchors away as PGA Tour players adapt to change

  24-12-2015 23:16
  By Mark Lamport-Stokes LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - Just two weeks remain before PGA Tour players have to adapt to a ban by golf's rulemakers on long putters being anchored to the body and Tim Clark is among those who expect "some challenges along the way". South African Clark, one of the leading critics of the rule change along with former major winners Adam Scott, Keegan Bradley and Webb Simpson, has been using the anchored technique for 18 years and the same putter for more than a decade. Clark wa
  
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• Cristiano Ronaldo, Steven Gerrard and Co get into Christmas spirit as Tim Cahill decorates tree with mini Everton kits

  24-12-2015 23:00 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Twas the night before Christmas and across the world, footballers past and present were making the most of their time off over the festive period. 
  
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• Anderson Silva set for London Octagon next year as he prepares for bout with Michael Bisping at the O2 

  24-12-2015 22:38 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Anderson Silva, one of the most decorated fighters in martial arts history, will grace the London Octagon on February 27. The Brazilian will take on Manchester's Michael Bisping at the O2 arena.
  
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• From Aviva to Zlatan, an A to Z of the 2015 sporting year

  24-12-2015 22:17
  
  We take a look at the individuals and events that made a mark over the past 12 months.
  
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• Pakistan stars Azhar Ali and Mohammad Hafeez pull out of training camp squad over inclusion of Mohammad Amir

  24-12-2015 22:15 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  One-day captain Azhar Ali and experienced all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez have refused to attend a Pakistan training camp because of Mohammad Amir's inclusion.
  
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• Western Michigan tops Middle Tennessee 45-31 in Bahamas Bowl

  24-12-2015 22:13
  NASSAU, Bahamas (AP) — Jamauri Bogan rushed for 215 yards and four touchdowns Thursday, powering Western Michigan past Middle Tennessee 45-31 in the Bahamas Bowl for its first bowl victory.
  
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• UFC star Frankie Edgar: 'I'm done getting screwed over, my next fight will be with Conor McGregor'... US fighter challenges featherweight champion

  24-12-2015 22:04 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Frankie Edgar has declared his intentions to take to the Octagon with Conor McGregor in his next bout to challenge for the UFC featherweight title.
  
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• Russian world champion weightlifter Alexei Lovchev banned over failed doping test 

  24-12-2015 21:55 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  World champion Alexei Lovchev of Russia has been suspended for failing a doping test, the International Weightlifting Federation said on its websiteon Thursday.
  
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• Charlie Austin set to miss QPR's festive fixtures due to hamstring injury

  24-12-2015 21:31 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Charlie Austin will not be fit to return from his hamstring injury over the festive period. Reports had raised hope that Austin could be included in the QPR squad to face Ipswich on Boxing Day.
  
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• 'Rebels to leave' Damascus suburbs under deal

  24-12-2015 21:25
  
  Wounded fighters and families of supporters of ISIL and other groups win safe passage, Syrian monitoring group says.
  
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• World champion Lovchev banned over doping test

  24-12-2015 20:53
  World champion Alexei Lovchev of Russia has been suspended for failing a doping test, the International Weightlifting Federation said on its website (www.iwf.net) on Thursday.  The 26-year-old, who is also the 105kg world record holder, was found to have traces of the banned substance Ipamorelin in his 'A' sample. The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) has set out a series of steps that Russia must take to be reinstated before the Rio Olympics in August.
  
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• US hits Taliban with strikes in Afghanistan's Sangin

  24-12-2015 20:53
  
  The Taliban has taken control of most of the strategic district where heavy fighting continues.
  
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• ‘How did this white motherfucker get inside my house’ – the day I visited Mike Tyson at home

  24-12-2015 20:49
  In an extract from The Domino Diaries, Brin-Jonathan Butler meets his hero.
  
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• Palace targeting Europe after new American owners come in

  24-12-2015 20:42
  Manager Alan Pardew is targeting a debut campaign in European football for Crystal Palace next season following the promise of a sizeable cash injection from new American owners, he said on Thursday. The Londoners announced last week that Josh Harris, co-founder of the private equity firm Apollo Global Management, and business partner David Blitzer had agreed to take control alongside existing Palace chairman Steve Parish. "It's very difficult not to change the dynamics of a club running very we
  
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• Central African Republic postpones key elections for three days

  24-12-2015 20:38
  By Crispin Dembassa-Kette BANGUI (Reuters) - Crucial elections in the Central African Republic have been postponed from Sunday until Dec. 30 because preparations are running late, Prime Minister Mahamat Kamoun said on Thursday. The polls are meant to restore democratic rule in the aftermath of bitter conflict. Ballots for the presidential and legislative elections, printed abroad, only arrived in the capital Bangui in the last few days and have yet to be distributed to polling stations across a
  
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• Premier League stars don't get Christmas off, with Boxing Day starting a busy festive period - but what does your club do on the day?

  24-12-2015 20:17 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  For most people, Christmas is a time to spend eating and drinking with those you love, and celebrating with a bit of time off. But it won't be like that for the Premier League's stars...
  
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• LeBron, Cavaliers await Christmas rematch against Warriors

  24-12-2015 20:14
  
  OAKLAND, Calif. (AP) — When LeBron James walks into Oracle Arena for the first time since Game 5 of last season's NBA Finals, he knows it will trigger unpleasant thoughts about how his Cleveland Cavaliers lost the title to the Golden State Warriors.
  
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• Who are 2015's king and queen of golf?

  24-12-2015 20:07 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Iain Carter reflects on a year of generational shift in golf as Jordan Spieth, Jason Day and Rory McIlroy dominate the men's game.
  
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• 5 Premier League St Stephen’s Day bets to consider

  24-12-2015 19:54
  
  Olivier Giroud to score anytime and more tips for the festive fixtures.
  
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• Pakistan duo Azhar and Hafeez in Amir snub - reports

  24-12-2015 19:45
  One-day captain Azhar Ali and experienced all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez have refused to attend a Pakistan training camp because of Mohammad Amir's inclusion, according to several media reports. Last week paceman Amir took a big step towards international re-integration following a ban for match-fixing when he was named in Pakistan's training and fitness squad ahead of next month's limited-over matches in New Zealand. "I will not attend the camp as long as Amir is there," Azhar was quoted as saying
  
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• Knicks forward missing $617,000 in jewelry; 2 women sought

  24-12-2015 19:45
  
  NEW YORK (AP) — Police say New York Knicks forward Derrick Williams has reported that $617,000 in jewelry has vanished from his apartment.
  
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• Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp praises Leicester's 'nearly perfect' style ahead of Boxing Day showdown  

  24-12-2015 19:35 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp is full of admiration for Leicester City's style of football which has propelled the Midlands club to the top of the Premier League.
  
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• England captain Chris Robshaw grateful to ‘incredible’ Conor O’Shea

  24-12-2015 19:32
  
  “The World Cup is still lingering in the back of your mind.”
  
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• Louis van Gaal: 'There's no disguising the fact we're in a very bad period. Things must begin to improve immediately'... Manchester United boss opens up in programme notes

  24-12-2015 19:28 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Louis van Gaal has admitted in his programme notes for Manchester United's festive clash with Chelsea that there must be immediate improvement following a dismal run of results.
  
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• These are the unsung heroes that have sent Leicester top... as Chelsea players just don't seem to care, Diego Costa must go now!  

  24-12-2015 19:23 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  MARTIN ALLEN returns with his latest Sportsmail column. The Barnet manager gives his views on Leicester's shrewd transfer policy, the tried and tested Tony Pulis and a lacklustre Chelsea team.
  
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• Pakistan cricket hit by fresh wave of controversy

  24-12-2015 19:12
  
  ODI captain Ali and allrounder Hafeez boycott training camp due to inclusion of Amir who returns from spot-fixing ban.
  
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• Bottom at Christmas? The jumpers table

  24-12-2015 19:07 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Santas, elves, snowmen and reindeer... BBC Sport takes a look at Premier League clubs' best and worst Christmas jumpers.
  
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• American Pharoah's Triple Crown is AP sports story of year

  24-12-2015 19:05
  
  NEW YORK (AP) — American Pharoah's sweep of the Kentucky Derby, Preakness and Belmont Stakes for horse racing's first Triple Crown since 1978 was selected the sports story of the year Thursday in an annual vote conducted by The Associated Press.
  
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• Premier League's lack of winter break harming England's chances, warns Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp  

  24-12-2015 18:51 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Jurgen Klopp gets his first taste of Britain's Christmas football fix when Liverpool host Premier League leaders Leicester City on Saturday, but the German coach remains convinced it harms English players.
  
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• Manchester United will recover from slump insists Stoke manager Mark Hughes 

  24-12-2015 18:32 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Mark Hughes believes it is only a matter of time before his former club Manchester United click into gear. Stoke host United at the Britannia Stadium in the Premier League on Boxing Day.
  
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• Cardiff launch £450,000 raid for midfielder Josh Vela from transfer embargoed Bolton 

  24-12-2015 18:32 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Cardiff City have made abid for Bolton's Josh Vela. Bolton were placed under a transfer embargo on Thursday and are facing a winding up order over an unpaid tax bill as takeover talks rumble on.
  
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• Manchester United prepare to recall Tyler Blackett from Celtic loan spell as cover for defensive injuries

  24-12-2015 18:23 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Manchester United are ready to recall Tyler Blackett from his loan spell at Celtic. United need him as cover following injuries to Luke Shaw and Marcos Rojo.
  
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• Can Van Gaal buy himself some time and 4 more Premier League talking points

  24-12-2015 18:05
  
  Also, Leicester face Liverpool and Arsenal aim to complete a perfect December.
  
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• The journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem, today

  24-12-2015 18:01
  Mary and Joseph would have to pass through Israeli checkpoints, occupied land, illegal settlements and separation wall.
  
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• London Irish looking to end run of six successive Aviva Premiership defeats as Northampton visit Madejski Stadium

  24-12-2015 17:48 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  London Irish's hopes of breaking their Aviva Premiership points duck on Saturday could flounder against a Northampton team eager to rediscover its try-scoring prowess.
  
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• Arsenal legend Martin Keown: What Arsene Wenger is like on Christmas Day

  24-12-2015 17:44 via feedproxy.google.com
  
  ARSENE WENGER really knows how to get into the festive spirit, claims Martin Keown.
  
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• Welsh National subject to inspection

  24-12-2015 17:38 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Sunday's Welsh Grand National at Chepstow is subject to an inspection at 08:00 GMT on Saturday because of heavy rain.
  
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• Louis van Gaal at Manchester United: Here's what the manager should be focused on

  24-12-2015 17:28 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Louis van Gaal responded to speculation over his future at Manchester United with a five-minute rant at the media. Here's a few urgent fixes if the Dutchman is to turn around their season
  
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• Central African Republic postpones pivotal elections

  24-12-2015 17:19
  Crucial elections scheduled to take place in the Central African Republic on Sunday have been postponed by three days until Dec. 30, Prime Minster Mahamat Kamoun said on Thursday. Elections in the former French colony have faced repeated delays. Central African Republic is currently governed by a transitional administration, the second such interim government since President Francois Bozize was toppled in March 2013.
  
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• Real Madrid set to stick with Rafa Benitez as fans reject Jose Mourinho return and would prefer Zinedine Zidane to ex-Chelsea man 

  24-12-2015 17:06 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Club president Florentino Perez has tentatively sounded out supporters and directors and the feedback, along with two polls carried out by Marca , has convinced him to stick with Benitez.
  
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• For Davis and many more, their NBA Christmas debut awaits

  24-12-2015 17:04
  
  MIAMI (AP) — Jrue Holiday grew up watching Christmas Day games, with his hometown Los Angeles Lakers almost being an annual fixture in the NBA's holiday lineup.
  
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• VIDEO: New era for Crystal Palace - Pardew

  24-12-2015 17:00 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Crystal Palace boss Alan Pardew hopes the club will "embark on a new era" with the investment from US investors Josh Harris and David Blitzer.
  
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• Klopp a fan of Leicester's near-perfect style

  24-12-2015 16:53
  Liverpool manager Juergen Klopp is full of admiration for Leicester City's style of football which has propelled the Midlands club to the top of the Premier League. Leicester lead Arsenal by two points at Christmas after a breathtaking opening half of the season which has seen them top the scoring charts with 37 goals in 17 games. "They play nearly perfect counter attacking football, very quick," Klopp, who replaced Brendan Rodgers at Anfield in October, told a news conference on Thursday.
  
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