Six-time FIFA World player of the year Marta will lead Brazil's quest for a first Women's World Cup title alongside other experienced players such as Debinha, Tamires and Andressa Alves. However, the former US and Sweden coach does not guarantee that the all-time Women's World Cup top scorer will feature in the starting lineup.
* Spanish veteran Feliciano Lopez extended his career by at least one more day with an emotional victory at the Mallorca Open on Tuesday - the final event of his 26-year career. The 41-year-old left-hander was cheered on by friend and compatriot 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafa Nadal during his 6-3 7-5 victory over Max Purcell.
* A Missouri federal court on Tuesday dismissed US chess prodigy Hans Niemann's US$100 million defamation lawsuit alleging Norwegian grandmaster Magnus Carlsen and Chess.com falsely accused him of cheating, though his lawyers said they will pursue their claims in state court.
* VIPs can quaff champagne to their hearts' delight while watching the Paris Olympics but the average fan will have to make do with soft drinks and water after organisers decided not to seek an exemption to a law prohibiting the sale of alcohol in stadiums.
* Former AC Milan and Juventus midfielder Andrea Pirlo has been appointed the new coach of Sampdoria on a two-year deal, the Italian Serie B side said on Tuesday. Pirlo, who won the World Cup as a player with Italy in 2006, had a one-year stint as Juventus coach in 2020-2021, after he briefly coached their under-23 team.
* Manchester City have signed Chelsea's Croatia midfielder Mateo Kovacic on a four-year deal, the treble winners said on Tuesday. No financial details were disclosed but British media reported that City paid Chelsea £25 million (US$31.87 million) plus five million in add-ons for the midfielder.
* UEFA announced the inaugural recipients of their "FootbALL Awards" on Tuesday, recognising the contribution to social change, given to Belgium's Football Association, the German Football League, Arsenal and former France player Lilian Thuram. All four have been recognised for committing to sustainability and anti-discrimination issues, European soccer's governing body said.
* Rapper Stormzy has teamed up with Crystal Palace striker Wilfried Zaha to buy ninth-tier English soccer side Croydon Athletic, the club said on Tuesday. Zaha was born in the Ivory Coast but grew up in Croydon from the age of four, while Grime sensation Stormzy also hails from the London borough. The duo have joined forces with former Palace head of player care Danny Young to buy the club.
* Tottenham Hotspur have signed Italian goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario from Serie A side Empoli, the Premier League club said on Tuesday. The 26-year-old will sign a contract until 2028, and British media reported the fee to be around £17 million (US$21.67 million).
* Football Australia (FA) chief James Johnson believes FIFA's expanded Club World Cup is going to be a big success and is mulling a joint bid with New Zealand to host the second edition in 2029. Australia and New Zealand will co-host the Women's World Cup in July and August this year and Johnson has already said that could be a springboard for a joint bid for the men's version, possibly in 2034.
* A new FIFA plan to distribute Women's World Cup prize money directly to players will help level the playing field for competitors, United States forward Alex Morgan said on Tuesday, ahead of her fourth appearance at the tournament. Each player at the World Cup, which kicks off on July 20 in Australia and New Zealand, will be guaranteed at least a US$30,000 payday in a FIFA first to distribute prize money to individuals rather than federations.
* Australian Mollie O'Callaghan, who owns the fastest times of the year in both the 100 and 200 metres freestyle, has injured her knee a few weeks out from the start of the world championships in Japan. The teenager, who won the 100m freestyle at last year's championships in Budapest, "tweaked" her kneecap while stretching and has been put on a modified training programme, Australia coach Rohan Taylor said.
* Burnley have signed goalkeeper Lawrence Vigouroux on a free transfer from third-tier side Leyton Orient on a three-year deal, the newly-promoted Premier League club said on Tuesday. Vigouroux, 29, has been Orient's first-choice in the last three seasons and was a key part of their promotion as League Two champions with least goals conceded (34) in the fourth tier.
* Manchester United on Tuesday raised its forecasts for annual revenue and adjusted profit, betting on strong commercial and matchday income as the English football club returns to the UEFA Champions League. Manchester United, which is currently in talks to sell itself, said it was expecting revenue of between 630 million pounds ($801.6 million) and 640 million pounds, compared with its previous forecast of between 590 million pounds and 610 million pounds.
* The Cricket World Cup will begin on Oct. 5 with England facing New Zealand in Ahmedabad and the same venue hosting the final on Nov. 19, organisers said on Tuesday, with the schedule for the showpiece in India also confirming Pakistan's participation.
