Sport news

• Rutherford wins again in Diamond League

  02-06-2016 23:53 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Olympic long jump champion Greg Rutherford continues his winning run with a season's best at the Rome Diamond League.
  
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• Muhammad Ali in a 'fair condition' in hospital for respiratory issue

  02-06-2016 23:48 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Ali is being treated by doctors as a precaution with the 74-year-old in a fair condition according to spokesman Bob Gunnell.
  Mr Gunnell declined to say where Ali is in hospital or when he was admitted.
  
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• England women's coach Mark Robinson summons Heather Knight as new captain to replace axed Charlotte Edwards

  02-06-2016 23:47 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  With Edwards gone, Knight's appointment comes with Lydia Greenway also ushered into retirement this week by Robinson, and Sarah Taylor deciding to take her second international break
  
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• Boxing Legend Muhammad Ali Back In Hospital

  02-06-2016 23:47
  
  Boxing legend Muhammad Ali has been admitted to hospital to be treated for a respiratory problem. Family spokesman Bob Gunnell said the three-time former heavyweight champion is being treated by doctors as a precaution. "Ali, who suffers from Parkinson's disease, is being treated by his team of doctors and is in fair condition," Mr Gunnell said in a statement.
  
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• Rookies making major impact for Penguins

  02-06-2016 23:42
  
  PITTSBURGH (AP) — It's easy to get awestruck the first time a new face walks into the Pittsburgh Penguins dressing room.
  
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• Andrea Atzeni jumps at chance to ride Ulysses in the Derby at Epsom 

  02-06-2016 23:39 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Jockey Andrea Atzeni is excited about his Investec Derby prospects after being snapped up by Sir Michael Stoute to ride Ulysses.
  
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• Usain Bolt not under suspicion after top Jamaican sprinter fails drugs retest from Beijing Olympics in 2008

  02-06-2016 23:37 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Jamaica face further scrutiny of its anti-doping procedures after one of their top sprinters was reported to have retrospectively tested positive for a banned substance in 2008.
  
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• England set to be met by the Mayor of Chantilly when they arrive at Euro 2016 base

  02-06-2016 23:36 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  CHARLES SALE - SPORTS AGENDA: The Mayor of Chantilly will be waiting in England’s hotel, the Auberge du Jeu de Paume, to welcome Roy Hodgson and his players with a short ceremony.
  
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• Gloucestershire bowler Jack Taylor suspended for suspected illegal action 

  02-06-2016 23:32 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Gloucestershire off-spinner Jack Taylor has been suspended from bowling after being reported for a second time for a suspected illegal action.
  
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• Smalling smiling after England sink Portugal

  02-06-2016 23:31
  England defender Chris Smalling headed the only goal with five minutes left as they beat 10-man Portugal 1-0 in a turgid Euro 2016 warm-up match at Wembley on Thursday. The Manchester United centre half nodded the ball home from substitute Raheem Sterling's left-wing cross after the visitors failed to adequately clear a free kick by Kyle Walker. The game offered precious little entertainment and even less goalmouth incident until Smalling struck.
  
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• Roy Hodgson's diamond fails to shine on an underwhelming night at Wembley

  02-06-2016 23:26 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  When referee Marco Guida showed Portugal centre back Bruno Alves a red card for his head-high challenge on Harry Kane, Roy Hodgson could be excused for groaning a little.
  
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• Orlando hopes Pro Bowl puts city on sports map

  02-06-2016 23:25
  
  ORLANDO, Fla. (AP) — This city already draws more tourists than any other U.S. destination. Could landing the NFL's underperforming Pro Bowl also make Orlando a major player in the competition to attract the biggest sporting events?
  
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• England 1-0 Portugal: Chris Smalling spares the blushes with late Wembley winner after three-man attack of Wayne Rooney, Harry Kane and Jamie Vardy falter in final game before Euro 2016

  02-06-2016 23:16 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  MATT LAWTON AT WEMBLEY: How an England manager best organises his players was something Roy Hodgson did not consider terribly important on the eve of this contest.
  
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• Manchester United players have scored all of England's goals since Jose Mourinho was appointed boss: Five things we learnt from Wembley

  02-06-2016 23:11 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  SAMI MOKBEL AT WEMBLEY: Wonder what Jose Mourinho made of it all? The new Manchester United boss was at Wembley to watch his countrymen take on England.
  
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• SEC turns to Tranghese to bolster league's hoops profile

  02-06-2016 23:09
  
  DESTIN, Fla. (AP) — Former Big East Commissioner Mike Tranghese proved his commitment to the Southeastern Conference with one simple task this week: He boarded a plane.
  
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• Wayne Rooney upsets the balance... England star belongs in midfield, not attack

  02-06-2016 23:03 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  They came as the awesome foursome, the great entertainers and the embodiment of a cavalier attitude that Roy Hodgson has evidently spent his life hiding.
  
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• Clarification: NFL-CTE Research story

  02-06-2016 22:38
  
  BOSTON (AP) — In a story June 1, The Associated Press identified researchers looking for a way to diagnose chronic traumatic encephalopathy as "doctors." The researchers quoted have Ph.D.s but are not medical doctors.
  
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• Zlatan Ibrahimovic could become KING of German city Oberhausen... if he signs for the football team over Manchester United

  02-06-2016 22:25 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  A fourth-tier team in Germany, Rot-Weiss Oberhausen, are trying to beatManchester United to Zlatan Ibrahimovic by offering him the chance to become king of the city if he signs their offer.
  
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• Djokovic, Serena face overtime as Paris finals beckon

  02-06-2016 22:25
  By John Stonestreet PARIS (Reuters) - World number ones Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams will feel like they are working overtime on Friday when organizers cram all four semi-finals into a single session to try and ensure a rain-ravaged tournament ends on schedule. The Serbian will also have to trade down to Roland Garros' number two court to battle past his young Austrian opponent, Dominic Thiem. "He's playing the best tennis of his life," Djokovic told a news conference on Thursday after dis
  
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• Muhammad Ali in a 'fair condition' in hospital as boxing legend receives treatment for respiratory issue

  02-06-2016 22:18 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Ali is being treated by doctors as a precaution with the 74-year-old in a fair condition according to spokesman Bob Gunnell.
  Mr Gunnell declined to say where Ali is in hospital or when he was admitted.
  
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• Brazil defender Alves decides to leave Barcelona

  02-06-2016 22:15
  By Richard Martin BARCELONA (Reuters) - Brazil right back Dani Alves declared his gratitude to Barcelona after announcing on Thursday that he is to leave the club after eight trophy laden seasons. The 33-year-old Alves, who won 23 titles in his spell at Barca, is a free agent. “I’m leaving but I’ll be back, because I’m a Barcelona fan just like anyone else,” Alves said in a post on Instagram.
  
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• No formal proceedings against FIFA chief Infantino says ethics committee

  02-06-2016 22:07
  By Brian Homewood ZURICH (Reuters) - FIFA's ethics committee has said there are no formal proceedings against Gianni Infantino, the recently-elected president of football's global body, after a German newspaper reported that he was facing a provisional ban for unethical conduct. German newspaper Die Welt had said on Thursday that Infantino, elected in February to lead FIFA out of the worst graft crisis in his history, was facing investigation over possible ethics breaches. "We are not in a posit
  
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• Muhammad Ali in hospital with 'respiratory' issue

  02-06-2016 22:06
  (Reuters) - Boxing great Muhammad Ali is in hospital with a respiratory issue, a family spokesman said on Thursday. Bob Gunnell said in a statement that Ali's condition was fair. Former heavyweight world champion Ali, 74, has been suffering from Parkinson's disease for more than three decades.
  
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• 'Plan C' rescues misfiring Serena

  02-06-2016 22:04
  By Pritha Sarkar PARIS (Reuters) - When plans A and B failed to work on Thursday, Serena Williams resorted to pulling out 'Plan C' to keep alive her dreams of landing an elusive 22nd grand slam title at the French Open. Williams, who has been stuck on 21 majors since lifting the Venus Rosewater dish at Wimbledon 11 months ago, had been expected to wallop little-known Kazakh Yulia Putintseva in their quarter-final. After all, Williams had yet to drop a set at this year's championships, she is a t
  
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• The Latest: For Bertens, a storybook French Open journey

  02-06-2016 21:53
  
  PARIS (AP) — The Latest on the French Open (all times local):
  
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• Dustin Johnson off to fast start at Memorial with 8-under 64

  02-06-2016 21:47
  
  DUBLIN, Ohio (AP) — Dustin Johnson, one of the biggest hitters in golf, took some attention away from the Big Three on Thursday at the Memorial.
  
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• Windies host Australia, South Africa for ODI series

  02-06-2016 21:46
  (Reuters) - West Indies will be without several of their top players for the triangular one-day international tournament against South Africa and Australia as the region's cricket board sticks with a policy that ostensibly rewards players for competing domestically. Batsman Chris Gayle and all-rounders Andre Russell, Dwayne Bravo and Darren Sammy, all members of the triumphant Twenty20 World Cup winning team of two months ago, will be missing from the event that starts on Friday in Guyana. ...
  
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• Johnson powers into early lead at the Memorial

  02-06-2016 21:44
  (Reuters) - While former world number ones Jordan Spieth and Rory McIlroy made erratic starts, long-hitting American Dustin Johnson charged into an early two-shot lead at the Memorial Tournament in Dublin, Ohio, on Thursday. Taking advantage of pristine conditions with a superb all-round game at leafy Muirfield Village, Johnson racked up 10 birdies and two bogeys in the opening round of the prestigious event hosted by Jack Nicklaus. Americans Jason Bohn and Kevin Streelman opened with 67s, world
  
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• Djokovic to play French Open semi away from main show court

  02-06-2016 21:43
  By Julien Pretot PARIS (Reuters) - World number one Novak Djokovic will play his French Open semi-final on Friday away from the main show court after organisers were forced to stage four semi-finals on the same day in the rain-ravaged grand slam tournament. Djokovic, looking to win the only major to elude him, will take on Austrian Dominic Thiem on Court Suzanne Lenglen after the completion of the women's last four encounter between Spain's Garbine Muguruza and Samantha Stosur.
  
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• Rio seeks to allay concerns with Olympics just 2 months away

  02-06-2016 20:57
  
  LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) — Seeking to allay political, economic and health concerns as the games approach, Brazilian organizers assured IOC leaders on Thursday that final preparations for the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro would not be derailed by the Zika outbreak, a presidential impeachment or construction delays.
  
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• Ali in hospital with respiratory issue

  02-06-2016 20:39 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Boxing great Muhammad Ali is described as being in a 'fair condition' after being admitted to hospital with a respiratory issue.
  
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• Tomas Berdych fumes at French Open's decision to stop play for rain during his defeat by Novak Djokovic

  02-06-2016 20:36 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  French Open organisers, having been criticised for allegedly ensuring the players stayed on court in the rain, came under fire for sending them back to the dressing room on Thursday.
  
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• French rail strike weakens, but pilots plan action during Euro 2016 football

  02-06-2016 20:36
  By Brian Love PARIS (Reuters) - French rail travellers endured more misery on Thursday as strikes cut train services by half but a militant union's bid to widen protests against planned labour reforms to air traffic control and the Paris metro appeared to fail. In an unrelated dispute over pay, Air France pilots called a strike for June 11-14, coinciding with the start of the month-long Euro 2016 football championships which France is hosting. Prime Minister Manuel Valls has rejected demands tha
  
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• AP Source: Casey gets 3-year, $18M extension from Raptors

  02-06-2016 20:26
  
  A person with knowledge of the situation tells The Associated Press that the Toronto Raptors have agreed to terms with coach Dwane Casey on a three-year, $18 million contract extension.
  
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• Lee Westwood feeling confident after strong opening round at the Nordea Masters 

  02-06-2016 20:22 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Former world number one Lee Westwood expects to be back in the winner's circle soon after making an excellent start to his bid for an historic fourth victory in the Nordea Masters.
  
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• Velodrome ready this month, Zika 'no threat'

  02-06-2016 20:19
  By Karolos Grohmann LAUSANNE, Switzerland (Reuters) - The Olympic velodrome will be ready for athletes to train there this month, organisers said on Thursday, with the most delayed project of the Games still to be completed two months before the start. Games chief Carlos Nuzman played down any impact from the political crisis in Brazil, with the impeachment of suspended President Dilma Rousseff and her trial scheduled to run during the Olympics. Rio de Janeiro's city government said earlier this
  
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• All four 2024 bid cities through to next stage - IOC

  02-06-2016 20:17
  Budapest, Paris, Los Angeles and Rome are campaigning for the right to stage the Summer Olympics in eight years time. Boston was replaced by Los Angeles as the choice of the United States. "LA 2024 is honoured to be part of the IOC's candidature process and to be progressing to the next stage equipped with all the support and insightful feedback we have received from the IOC and the Olympic Family over the last four months," Los Angeles bid chief Casey Wassermann said in a statement.
  
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• VIDEO: NI can repeat 1982 heroics - Armstrong

  02-06-2016 20:11 via bbc.co.uk
  
  Northern Ireland's 1982 World Cup hero Gerry Armstrong believes the class of 2016 can cause similar surprises at the European Championship.
  
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• Djokovic and Serena avoid distractions of French Open 'circus'

  02-06-2016 20:03
  By Pritha Sarkar PARIS (Reuters) - The French Open was lambasted as "one big circus" by Tomas Berdych on Thursday as soggy weather once again exasperated players seeking a foothold in the semi-finals of the rain-hit claycourt major. Novak Djokovic was lucky to escape being defaulted and Austrian tyro Dominic Thiem provided plenty of entertainment as they finally caught up with the bottom half of the men's draw by setting up a cross-generational semi-final. With Andy Murray and defending champion
  
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• Serena Williams survives scare against world No 60 Yulia Putintseva to reach French Open semi-finals

  02-06-2016 19:59 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Williams headed into the quarter-finals as a huge favourite to successfully defend her title but was panicky throughout the first two sets against 60th-ranked Yulia Putintseva.
  
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• Pol Espargaro to race for KTM in 2017

  02-06-2016 19:49
  (Reuters) - Spanish rider Pol Espargaro is following Tech3 Yamaha team mate Bradley Smith to KTM in a deal announced by the MotoGP debutants on Thursday. British rider Smith agreed a similar deal in March while Finland's Mika Kallio has been appointed test rider. "I saw the opportunity to try something different," said Espargaro, whose older brother Aleix races in MotoGP for Suzuki, at the Grand Prix of Catalunya.
  
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• Unseeded Bertens gets 'crazy' French Open semi-final berth

  02-06-2016 19:34
  Delighted Dutch outsider Kiki Bertens reached her first grand slam semi-final on Thursday, keeping a cool head to defeat eighth-seeded Swiss Timea Bacsinszky with the help of a seven-game winning streak. The win will bring her face to face on Friday with world number one Serena Williams, a match the 58th-ranked player -- who had never previously gone beyond the last 16 of a major -- promised to enjoy. "I am just going to go out there and have fun again and give my all," Bertens said courtside af
  
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• The Latest: All 4 bid cities for '24 Games into next stage

  02-06-2016 19:29
  
  LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) — The Latest on the IOC executive board meetings (all times local):
  
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• Berdych fumes at French Open's decision to stop play

  02-06-2016 19:24
  By Julien Pretot PARIS (Reuters) - French Open organizers, having been criticized for allegedly ensuring the players stayed on court in the rain, came under fire for sending them back to the dressing room on Thursday. A 10-minute rain interruption in Tomas Berdych's quarter-final with world number one Novak Djokovic left the Czech seventh seed fuming as he felt the conditions had not changed since the start of the match. Hitting out at supervisor Wayne McEwan, Berdych, who lost 6-3 7-5 6-3, told
  
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• Kuwait ban unlikely to be lifted in time for Rio - IOC

  02-06-2016 19:15
  By Karolos Grohmann LAUSANNE, Switzerland (Reuters) - Kuwait's chances of competing at the Rio Games were dealt a severe blow on Thursday with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) saying a ban imposed last year was unlikely to be lifted in time. Kuwait's athletes would not, however, be banned from the Games starting on Aug. 5 but would compete as independent athletes under the Olympic flag, IOC spokesman Mark Adams said. Kuwait and the IOC have been at loggerheads over a new sports law that
  
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• The Latest: IOC: Kuwait likely to remain suspended for Rio

  02-06-2016 19:07
  
  LAUSANNE, Switzerland (AP) — The Latest on the IOC executive board meetings (all times local):
  
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• Rangers to face Motherwell in their opening Betfred Cup group stage fixture next season

  02-06-2016 19:05 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Rangers will return to the scene of last year's humiliating play-off defeat after it was confirmed they will open their Betfred Cup group stage campaign away to Motherwell.
  
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• Schalke starlet Max Meyer reveals his desire to play in the Premier League after another impressive season in the Bundesliga

  02-06-2016 19:04 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Schalke's highly rated attacking midfielder Max Meyer has put Premier League clubs on alert by revealing his desire to ply his trade in England.
  
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• James Chester frustrated by Hawthorns game time but happy with Euro 2016 chance

  02-06-2016 18:48 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Chester became the most expensive defender in West Brom's history last summer when he joined the Baggies in an £8million deal from Hull but only started once in the league before Christmas.
  
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• Serena struggles past Putintseva to reach Paris semi-finals

  02-06-2016 18:44
  Defending champion Serena Williams survived a fright as she laboured into the semi-finals of the French Open with a 5-7 6-4 6-1 victory against Kazakh Yulia Putintseva on Thursday. The world number one, who will take on Swiss eighth seed Timea Bacsinszky or Dutchwoman Kiki Bertens for a place in Saturday's final, made a mess of numerous routine shots as her opponent took the opening set having made only one unforced error. The American survived two break points at 4-4 in the second set, which sh
  
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