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Football

Soccer-Chelsea boss Alonso gives little away on Fernandez future amid transfer talk

LONDON, Aug 20 (Reuters) - Chelsea manager ⁠Xabi Alonso said midfielder Enzo Fernandez was preparing well for ⁠their Premier League opener at Fulham on Monday, but stopped short ‌of confirming whether the Argentine had told him he wanted to stay amid transfer speculation.

Rugby

Rugby-Tension mounting as Springboks, All Blacks ready for opening test of tour series

JOHANNESBURG, Aug 20 (Reuters) - Marketed as 'Rugby's ⁠Greatest Rivalry', the four-match series between South Africa and New Zealand has been preceded by spiky exchanges over ⁠the teams' contrasting playing styles, stoking tensions before Saturday's first test in Johannesburg.

Tennis

Tennis-Grand Slams create player advisory council amid push for increased prize money

Aug 20 (Reuters) - Tennis's four biggest tournaments ⁠announced on Thursday the creation of a Grand Slam Player Advisory Council that will ⁠focus on a range of issues including prize money.

Tennis

Tennis-US Open announces record $108 million prize purse

Aug 20 (Reuters) - The ⁠U.S. Open will hand out $108 ⁠million in prize money at this ‌year's final Grand Slam, it said on Thursday, marking the largest purse in tennis history ​and a 20% jump ⁠from last year's ⁠total payout.

Football

Soccer-Arsenal's Guimaraes a doubt for Coventry game as Arteta eyes another title

LONDON, Aug 20 (Reuters) - Arsenal's new signing ⁠Bruno Guimaraes is doubtful for Friday's Premier League opener against promoted Coventry City, manager Mikel ⁠Arteta said as he acknowledged that they must try to keep players fit as ‌they face the task of defending the title.

Athletics

Athletics-World Athletics unveils lane draft, jump-offs for new Ultimate Championship

Aug 20 (Reuters) - ⁠Sprinters will choose their own lanes, jump-offs will decide winners ⁠in the high jump and pole vault, and television viewers ‌will get win probabilities and live fan feedback when World Athletics launches its new Ultimate Championship.

Football

Soccer-Barca bring back Cancelo for third spell on deal until 2029

Aug 20 (Reuters) - Barcelona have ⁠signed fullback Joao Cancelo on a free transfer until June ⁠2029, the LaLiga champions said on Thursday, with the Portugal international ‌returning to the Catalan club for a third spell.

Badminton

Aaron-Wooi Yik enter quarters after Tee withdraws due to food poisoning

PETALING JAYA: The much-anticipated all-Malaysian men's doubles clash ended in disappointment after Man Wei Chong-Tee Kai Wun withdrew, handing Aaron Chia-Soh Wooi Yik a walkover.

Football

Soccer-Brazil's iconic Maracana to stage Women's World Cup opener and final in 2027

Aug 20 (Reuters) - ⁠Brazil will stage the opening game and final of the 2027 ⁠Women's World Cup at Rio de Janeiro's Maracana Stadium, according ‌to the match schedule unveiled on Thursday for the 32-team tournament.

Athletics

Athletics-Former world champion Simpson diagnosed with rare heart condition

Aug 20 (Reuters) - American ⁠Olympic bronze medallist and former ⁠1500 metres world champion Jenny Simpson has ‌been diagnosed with Arrhythmogenic Right Ventricular Cardiomyopathy (ARVC), a rare inherited heart condition that makes a return ​to running dangerous, the ⁠athlete said on Instagram ⁠on Thursday.

Cycling

Motorcycling-Zarco set for MotoGP return at Aragon pending medical clearance

Aug 20 (Reuters) - LCR ⁠Honda rider Johann Zarco is ⁠set to return to MotoGP at ‌the Aragon Grand Prix on August 28-30, subject to passing a medical assessment at the circuit, ​the team said on Thursday.

Rugby

Rugby-Springboks replace Kolisi with De Villiers for first All Blacks test

JOHANNESBURG, Aug 20 (Reuters) - South Africa ⁠captain Siya Kolisi has been dropped for the first test against New Zealand ⁠at Ellis Park in Johannesburg on Saturday but powerful prop Ox Nche ‌will start in the front row.

Other Sports

Penang get sweet revenge on FT to claim Sukma gold

PETALING JAYA: Revenge could not have tasted any sweeter.

Other Sports

Koh Ming makes cousin, former SEA Games gold medallist proud with Sukma gold

SHAH ALAM: Tang Koh Ming was only seven when she first picked up wushu, inspired by her cousin, former SEA Games gold medallist Chan Lu Yi.

Golf

Rizq and Xin Yao reap rewards of US experience as they rule the greens

SHAH ALAM: Valuable experience playing in the United States paid off handsomely for golfers Rizq Adam Rohizam of Selangor and Wang Xin Yao of Perak as they swung to their first Malaysia Games (Sukma) individual titles on Thursday (Aug 20).

Badminton

Ler Qi rises above friendship to help Selangor defend their title

SHAH ALAM: Friendship takes a back seat once one enters the court.

Football

Soccer-Fan groups back online petition calling for Infantino's resignation, FIFA reforms

Aug 20 (Reuters) - Non-profit fan ⁠network Football Supporters Europe (FSE) on Thursday backed a public ⁠petition calling for FIFA President Gianni Infantino to resign and ‌for the global soccer body to implement widespread reforms to increase transparency.

Football

Factbox-Soccer-How would a vote of no confidence work to oust FIFA president Infantino?

Aug 20 (Reuters) - With FIFA President Gianni Infantino ⁠facing the biggest challenge yet to his leadership following the collapse of his plan to sell minority stakes ⁠in the World Cup, could a vote of no confidence remove him from his post ahead of ‌next year's election?

Badminton

Ethan wins gold for the man who started it all

SHAH ALAM: A father's smile is the ultimate prize for Federal Territories doubles shuttler Ethan Oh Jon Hui.

Football

Tegen stars as Selangor retain Sukma gold

KUALA LUMPUR: She is only 18, but Tegen Su-Yin Butler is already a name to watch in Malaysian women football.