* The soccer World Cup could boost Russia's gross domestic product (GDP) by 150 billion to 210 billion roubles (£2.4 billion) per year over the next five years, according to a study by the tournament's organising committee released on Wednesday. The study said that the World Cup added RUB867 billion to Russia's GDP between 2013 and 2018.
* A Liverpool fan was fighting for his life on Wednesday (April 25) after suffering a serious head injury in a "vile" assault by Roma fans before the club's Champions League semi-final first-leg clash with the Italian club. Sean Cox, 53, is being treated for his injuries at a neurological centre, where his condition is described as critical, Merseyside Police said.
* FIFA Secretary General Fatma Samoura says claims she is related to an ambassador of the Moroccan bid for the 2026 World Cup are "ridiculous and baseless". The BBC reported on Wednesday that Samoura had been referred to FIFA's Ethics Committee for breaches of its ethics code relating to "duty of disclosure, co-operation and reporting" and "conflicts of interest".
* Angelique Kerber earned quick revenge against Petra Kvitova with a 6-3, 6-2 defeat of the Czech in the Stuttgart Grand Prix on Wednesday (April 25) while top seed Simona Halep needed a fightback to survive 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 against Magdalena Rybarikova (Slovakia).
