Football

Soccer-Misfiring United seek revival and rare double in Manchester derby

(Reuters) -Manchester United can claim a league double over Manchester City for the first time in five years and Ruben Amorim needs that victory more than ever in a season where the club are headed for their worst finish in Premier League history.

Rugby

Rugby-Worcester to join expanded English Championship three years after going bust

LONDON (Reuters) -Worcester Warriors are set for a return to top-level rugby as part of an expanded second-tier Championship of 14 teams, the RFU announced on Thursday.

Football

Soccer-Leaders Barcelona face Betis test as LaLiga title race hots up

(Reuters) - LaLiga leaders Barcelona's 21-game unbeaten run will face a test on Saturday when they host a Real Betis side who have already stunned the Catalans' Madrid title rivals Real and Atletico.

Football

Soccer-Napoli's Serie A title pursuit faces resurgent Bologna test

(Reuters) -Napoli's pursuit of Serie A leaders Inter Milan will face a severe test on Monday when they travel to in-form Bologna, who have revived their own top-four aspirations.

Football

Soccer-Global football boss Infantino hopeful of Russia return

(Reuters) -FIFA President Gianni Infantino said on Thursday he hoped Russia could rejoin the global football world soon, as it would signify that the war in Ukraine was over.

Football

Soccer-Olympiakos chairman Marinakis to stand trial over sports violence case

ATHENS (Reuters) - Olympiakos chairman Evangelos Marinakis and four board members will stand trial on misdemeanour charges as part of a probe into sports violence, legal sources said on Thursday following a decision by a Greek judicial council.

Football

Soccer-Arsenal lose injured defender Gabriel for rest of the season

(Reuters) -Arsenal defender Gabriel will sit out the rest of the season after having surgery on his hamstring, the Premier League club said on Thursday in a major blow to Mikel Arteta's side.

Football

Soccer-Sports Council allows Olmo and Victor to play for Barca until end of season

(Reuters) -Spain's National Sports Council (CSD) on Thursday upheld an appeal filed by Barcelona players Dani Olmo and Pau Victor which will allow them to play for the club until the end of the season, a decision LaLiga said they would appeal.

Cricket

Cricket-Gujarat pace bowler Rabada returns to South Africa for personal reasons

(Reuters) -South African fast bowler Kagiso Rabada has left the Gujarat Titans squad to return to his country due to personal reasons, the Indian Premier League (IPL) team said on Thursday.

Tennis

Tennis-Wimbledon's iconic Hill set for makeover ahead of 2027 Championships

LONDON (Reuters) -One of the most atmospheric locations at Wimbledon is set for a makeover with the All England Club announcing plans on Thursday for redevelopment works to the grassy hillock outside Court One known among other nicknames as Henman Hill and Murray Mound.

Other Sports

Alpine skiing-Brignone's leg fractures and ACL rupture in crash cloud Italy's Olympic hopes

(Reuters) -Italy's Olympic medal hopeful Federica Brignone, fresh from claiming the overall World Cup skiing crown, suffered multiple leg fractures and ruptured her anterior cruciate ligament, crashing in the giant slalom at the Italian Championships on Thursday.

Football

Soccer-Good to see PGMOL acknowledge mistakes, says Slot on Tarkowski tackle

LIVERPOOL, England (Reuters) -Liverpool boss Arne Slot said it was good to see the refereeing body PGMOL admit the decision not to send off Everton's James Tarkowski in Wednesday's derby was wrong, with the Dutchman adding that mistakes are not uncommon in the Premier League.

Badminton

Poser over Pearly-Thinaah's future at BAM

PETALING JAYA: Women's doubles pair Pearly Tan-M. Thinaah's future with the Badminton Association of Malaysia (BAM) still remains to be seen as they are yet to sign a new contract with the governing body.

Football

Soccer-Bayern aim to go full throttle despite weakened defence, says Kompany

(Reuters) - Bundesliga leaders Bayern Munich are aiming to go "full throttle" and adapt creatively in the final stretch of the season after injuries in defence, coach Vincent Kompany said ahead of Friday's visit to mid-table Augsburg.

Tennis

Tennis-Kasatkina makes winning start as Australian player

(Reuters) - Russian-born Daria Kasatkina said she had mixed emotions in her first match as an Australian player at the Charleston Open, but the support of the crowd helped her overcome her nerves to make a winning start.

Tennis

Tennis-Gauff launches her own management company

(Reuters) -Coco Gauff launched her own management company to take greater control of her career including her business and philanthropic ventures after leaving her long-time agency, the world number three said.

Football

Soccer-UK set to host 2035 Women's World Cup as sole bidder

(Reuters) -The United Kingdom appears set to host the 2035 Women's World Cup after FIFA President Gianni Infantino on Thursday described its interest as the "one valid bid" for the tournament.

Tennis

Tennis-Raducanu to skip Billie Jean King Cup qualifiers

(Reuters) -Briton Emma Raducanu has withdrawn from next week's Billie Jean King Cup qualifiers to rest following her run to the quarter-finals in Miami where she needed medical attention during her defeat by Jessica Pegula.

Football

CONCACAF Champions Cup: LAFC blank Inter Miami

Nathan Ordaz fired home a 24-yard shot early in the second half, leading host Los Angeles FC to a 1-0 win over Inter Miami on Wednesday in the opening leg of a CONCACAF Champions Cup quarterfinal series.

Tennis

Tennis-Navarro says players' demand for more prize money at majors is about fair treatment

(Reuters) -American Emma Navarro said she had put her name to a letter signed by the world's top tennis players calling for significant improvements in prize money at the four Grand Slams as a way to ensure players receive equal treatment.