Motor racing – Honda hoping for happier homecoming

A Honda logo is seen on media day at the Paris auto showBy Abhishek TakleSUZUKA, Japan (Reuters) – Honda, engine suppliers to former world champions McLaren, are expecting a happier homecoming than last year in Sunday’s Japanese Formula One Grand Prix.Last year’s...

Read More

Fighting racism is a daily battle, says CONCACAF head

CONCACAF President Victor Montagliani attends a news conference at the Guatemala Soccer Federation in Guatemala CityBy Alan BaldwinLONDON (Reuters) – World soccer body FIFA was right to wind up its anti-racism task force but got it wrong when it came to explaining...

Read More

Rose out for two months for ‘rest and recovery’

PGA: Ryder CupLONDON (Reuters) – Olympic champion Justin Rose is taking an eight-week break from competitive golf “for rest and recovery” following a hectic 2016 campaign.The world number 11 from England said on his Twitter feed on Wednesday that he had not yet...

Read More

China offers ‘extraordinary prize’ for Europe’s soccer clubs – Inter boss

By Mitch PhillipsLONDON (Reuters) – Chinese investment in European soccer is no short-term phenomenon and the opportunities it offers for the continent’s clubs are “extraordinary”, according to the CEO of Inter Milan, one of the latest big names to come under Chinese ownership.Chinese corporation Suning Holdings bought a majority stake in Italy’s Inter...

Read More

England rugby hopeful Jones suffers fractured leg

LONDON (Reuters) – Flanker Sam Jones sustained a fractured leg during an England training session this week and will miss the Autumn internationals, his club Wasps said on Wednesday.Jones, 24, was called into the England squad for the first time by coach Eddie Jones and had been in contention to make his test debut.“It’s a big blow and I really feel...

Read More

Napoli owner says agents are a ‘cancer’ for clubs

Napoli club Chairman Aurelio De Laurentiis gestures during a news conference in NaplesBy Alan BaldwinLONDON (Reuters) – Napoli owner Aurelio De Laurentiis spoke out against the ‘cancer’ of soccer agents on Wednesday and questioned why clubs should have to pay...

Read More

Halilhodzic banks on pressure to motivate Japan against Iraq

Football Soccer – Japan national soccer team training – World Cup 2018 Qualifier(Reuters) – Japan manager Vahid Halilhodzic hopes his players will channel the pressure of expectation in a positive way when they host Iraq in a crunch World Cup qualifier on Thursday.Aiming...

Read More

Correa keen for Argentine starting role in Messi absence

Rio Olympics – Soccer – Olympic StadiumLIMA (Reuters) – Argentine forward Angel Correa says he is ready to fill the void left by talismanic striker Lionel Messi for their World Cup qualifier away at Peru on Thursday.Five-times World Player of the Year Messi will...

Read More

Australia’s Spiranovic warns of ‘hostile’ Saudi crowd

(Reuters) – Australia defender Matthew Spiranovic has warned his team mates to expect a “hostile” reception when the Socceroos take on Saudi Arabia in their Asian section World Cup qualifier in Jeddah on Thursday.Australia lead Group B on goal difference from the Saudis, with both teams boasting 100 percent records after two games.Spiranovic had a...

Read More

Deschamps backs Pogba to come good given time at United

Manchester United v Stoke City – Premier League(Reuters) – Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba needs to be given more time to demonstrate his quality in England as his hefty price tag has raised expectations to a very high level, France coach Didier Deschamps...

Read More

Broad targets England ODI return for 2019 World Cup

England Nets(Reuters) – Fast bowler Stuart Broad has fallen out of contention for a regular starting place in England’s one-day international side but the test stalwart is “desperate” to represent his country at the 2019 World Cup on home soil.Broad, who climbed...

Read More

Hamilton needs a Suzuka hat-trick after Sepang blow

Formula One – F1 – Malaysia Grand Prix – Sepang, MalaysiaBy Abhishek TakleSUZUKA, Japan (Reuters) – Lewis Hamilton will have to dig deep to overcome the heartbreak of Malaysia as he heads into Sunday’s Formula One Japanese Grand Prix needing a third straight win...

Read More

Sunderland’s Kirchoff out for up to two months

Queens Park Rangers v Sunderland – EFL Cup Third Round(Reuters) – Sunderland midfielder Jan Kirchoff will be out of action for six to eight weeks after the German suffered a hamstring injury in Saturday’s 1-1 Premier League home draw with West Bromwich Albion.The...

Read More

Chile handed stadium ban, fined for homophobic chanting

Football Soccer – Bolivia v Chile- World Cup 2018 Qualifier – Monumental StadiumZURICH (Reuters) – Chile have been handed a one-match stadium ban and fined along with five other countries after their supporters were found guilty of homophobic chanting, FIFA said...

Read More

Cibulkova defeat means Radwanska, Pliskova qualify for Tour Finals

(Reuters) – Dominika Cibulkova will have to wait to secure a spot at the season-ending WTA Finals in Singapore after she lost a gruelling encounter to Alize Cornet in the second round of the China Open in Beijing on Tuesday.The 27-year-old Cibulkova, who lost to Petra Kvitova in the final of the Wuhan Open on Sunday, would have guaranteed her place...

Read More

Germany’s Gomez ruled out of World Cup qualifiers

Germany v Italy – EURO 2016 – Quarter FinalBERLIN (Reuters) – Germany striker Mario Gomez has been ruled out of World Cup qualifiers against the Czech Republic and Northern Ireland this month due to muscle stiffness, his club VfL Wolfsburg said on Tuesday.Gomez...

Read More

Allardyce sacking not our issue, says Rooney

England Press ConferenceBy Mitch PhillipsLONDON (Reuters) – Captain Wayne Rooney wearily flat-batted questions about the dismissal of Sam Allardyce and seemed equally unconcerned about the arrival of stand-in boss Gareth Southgate on Tuesday as he discussed England’s...

Read More

Spain’s Martinez to miss World Cup qualifiers due to injury

Atletico Madrid v Bayern Munich – UEFA Champions League Group Stage – Group DBERLIN (Reuters) – Bayern Munich’s Javi Martinez will be out for an indefinite period of time with an adductor muscle injury and will miss Spain’s World Cup qualifiers this month, the...

Read More

England rugby defence coach Gustard motivated by Jones criticism

England Training(Reuters) – England defence coach Paul Gustard will not be downcast by head coach Eddie Jones’ frank assessment of his work and plans to use it as motivation to improve.Jones has told Gustard, credited with turning Premiership champions Saracens...

Read More

Rowing chief backs existing Tokyo venue for 2020 Games

(Reuters) – World Rowing Federation president Jean-Christophe Rolland hopes the rowing and canoe sprint venue for the 2020 Olympic Games will not be moved after a Tokyo panel last week pushed for a change in venue to cut the raising costs of hosting the event.“I think it’s a fantastic place for our sport, not only for the Olympic games but I’m sure...

Read More

Barack Obama Joins Stars, Rivals in Tributes to Arnold Palmer's Legacy

Arnold Palmer was the first major US sports celebrity endorsement star.© APHighlightsMinneapolis: Iconic US golfer Arnold Palmer was recalled by the legends he battled and players he inspired as a beloved figure who spawned the modern big-money era with his charm...

Read More

Wallabies return to Twickenham a humbler side

England v Australia Wallabies – Rugby TestBy Ian Ransom(Reuters) – A year after leaving Twickenham with heads held high following their surprise run to the World Cup final, a more humble Wallabies side will return to the storied venue for their final Rugby Championship...

Read More

Lessons Learnt in India's Green Park Win vs New Zealand: Virat Kohli

Virat Kohli said patience was one of the big factors in India’s 197-run win against New Zealand in the first Test at Kanpur.© ReutersHighlightsVirat Kohli said he has learnt a few lessons while captaining India in their 500th Test at Green Park Stadium in Kanpur.The...

Read More