World Sports News in Brief

Champions League to use VAR from knockout stages

UEFA will fast-track the implementation of video assistant referees (VAR) for the Champions League knockout stages this season, its president Aleksander Ceferin said on Monday.

Copa Libertadores - Chile's Colo Colo v Brazil's Palmeiras - David Arellano Monumental Stadium, Santiago, Chile - September 20, 2018 Referee Andres Cunha checks VAR during the match. (Reuters)
Copa Libertadores - Chile's Colo Colo v Brazil's Palmeiras - David Arellano Monumental Stadium, Santiago, Chile - September 20, 2018 Referee Andres Cunha checks VAR during the match. (Reuters)

* Kylian Mbappe was named winner of the Kopa Trophy for young player of the year at the Ballon d'Or ceremony in Paris on Monday (Dec 3). The Paris Saint-Germain forward, who does not turn 20 until later this month, starred as France won the World Cup and also won the best young player award in Russia.

* Arkadiusz Milik came off the bench to snatch a late 2-1 win for Napoli over Atalanta on Monday that consolidated second place in Serie A and reduced the gap on leaders Juventus to eight points.

* Atletico Madrid striker Diego Costa faces a long spell on the sidelines after the La Liga club said on Monday he has taken the decision to undergo surgery in his home country of Brazil to treat a chronic foot injury.

* England will host the women's European Championship in 2021 with the final set for Wembley Stadium a year after the venue hosts the climax of the men's edition, European soccer's governing body UEFA announced on Monday.

* FuboTV, a sports-focused internet television streaming service, expanded into Spain on Monday in its first move outside North America. The private company, which is based in New York and has raised US$150 million in funding to date, will offer 13 Spanish channels for EUR3.99 (3.55 pounds) a month.

* Sierra Leone have been disqualified from the preliminaries for the 2019 African Nations Cup finals. Sierra Leone's fate was decided by the Confederation of African Football on Monday after the nation was suspended by FIFA over government interference in football in October.

* Canadian Nicholas Latifi will be a reserve driver for Williams next season, the Formula One team announced on Monday. The 23-year-old was previously test and reserve driver for Force India, who now have Canadian owners and have been renamed Racing Point F1.

* Barcelona's former president Josep Lluis Nunez died on Monday aged 87. Nunez presided over one of Barca's most successful periods, including their first ever European Cup triumph in 1992 and seven La Liga titles. He appointed visionary coach Johan Cruyff who was the architect of their success and who laid out the blueprint for the club's future triumphs.

* Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp was charged by the Football Association on Monday (Dec 3) after he raced onto the pitch to celebrate his side's late winner against Everton in the Merseyside derby.

* Former British hurdles record holder Jon Ridgeon has been appointed the IAAF's new chief executive officer following approval by global governing body's council on Monday. He succeeds Olivier Gers, who resigned in March, and Nigel Garfitt, who has served as acting CEO.

* Newcastle United owner Mike Ashley said on Monday (Dec 3) he is planning on selling the club, by the end of December, after more than a decade of ownership. Speaking on Sky News, Ashley said he was hopeful a deal could be concluded before the end of the year.

Reuters, CNA