* Egypt came from behind to beat Guinea 2-1 on Wednesday (Jan 14) and secure a record-extending 26th appearance at the Africa Cup of Nations finals as they made sure of top spot in their qualifying group with one match to play in the preliminary competition. Egypt are the eighth country to qualify for the 24-team finals, to be hosted in the Ivory Coast next year.
* German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Wednesday (Jun 14) marked the start of the one-year countdown towards Euro 2024 by unveiling a competition he called a "home game for Europe" - an event the hosts hope will be an example of sustainable organisation. Germany will host the tournament between Jun 14 to Jul 14, 2024 across 10 cities with no new stadiums required to be built.
* The total prize money on offer at Wimbledon has risen to a record £44.7 million (US$56.52 million) for the Championships this year, an 11.2 per cent increase on 2022, the All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELTC) said on Wednesday (Jun 14). Winners and runners-up of the men's and women's singles finals will also see their prize money rising to previous levels in 2019, where they received £2.35 million and £1.175 million, respectively.
* Florian Grill has been elected as the French rugby federation's (FFR) president just three months before they host the men's World Cup, the governing body said on Wednesday. The 57-year-old will be replacing Bernard Laporte, who was found guilty of corruption charges by a French court in December.
* Senegal's Fatma Samoura will step down from her role as FIFA Secretary General at the end of the year, world soccer's governing body said on Wednesday. Samoura, who was a United Nations veteran, became the first woman to be named FIFA secretary general and was tasked with its day-to-day running as the body looked to fix its reputation after being embroiled in corruption scandals.
* The Women's World Cup will be broadcast in Britain, Spain, France, Germany and Italy after governing body FIFA extended its agreement with the European Broadcasting Union (EBU), ending the threat of a blackout in Europe's top soccer nations.
* No. 2 seed Jannik Sinner defeated Alexander Bublik of Kazakhstan 6-4, 6-2 on Wednesday to advance to the quarterfinals at the Libema Open in 's-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands.
* Experienced midfielder James Milner will join Brighton & Hove Albion as a free agent next month following his successful eight-year spell at Liverpool, the two Premier League clubs announced on Wednesday (Jun 14).
* Premier League clubs unanimously agreed on Wednesday (Jun 14) a series of new measures to tackle anti-social behaviour including tragedy-related chanting, gestures, graffiti and online abuse. Details of the new measures will be announced ahead of the season, as part of the Love Football, Protect the Game campaign launched last year.
* Maurice Steijn has been appointed as Ajax Amsterdam's new head coach on a three-year contract, the Eredivisie club said on Wednesday following a poor season in which they failed to qualify for the Champions League for the first time in 13 seasons. Steijn made his mark last year as he led modest Sparta Rotterdam to a sixth place finish in the Eredivisie, which was the team's best result in 27 years.
* Jordi Alba’s career might be at a crossroads after being released by Barcelona but he is relishing his surprise return to the Spain squad for this week’s Nations League finals. The 34-year-old full back, who has 91 caps, last played for Spain at the World Cup in Qatar and his international career looked at an end after he was left out for new coach Luis de la Fuente’s first two games in charge in March.
* Troubled Wigan Athletic have been sold to local businessman Mike Danson, the League One club said on Wednesday. All requisite clearances have been obtained from the English Football League (EFL) for the acquisition of 100 per cent of the club, Wigan said in a statement, and funds have been paid into its accounts to cover all outstanding debt.
* Real Madrid officially confirmed the signing of England midfielder Jude Bellingham from Borussia Dortmund on Wednesday (Jun 14) in a deal worth €103 million (US$111.29 million) plus add-ons, the Spanish giants said. Bellingham, who will sit out England's upcoming Euro 2024 qualifiers due to injury, will be unveiled as a Real Madrid player on Thursday at noon local time after signing a six-year contract.
