The Japan Times - Sports (English)

Lyon engulfed in crisis ahead of clash with PSG

Once France's top club, Lyon are in full-blown crisis on and off the pitch coming into this weekend's clash with reigning Ligue 1 champions Paris Saint-Germain.

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Rubiales kiss 'should never have happened', says FIFA chief Infantino

FIFA president Gianni Infantino said Thursday that Luis Rubiales' kiss on the mouth of Spanish women's football star Jenni Hermoso "should never have happened".

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Sinner eyes Alcaraz repeat as Sabalenka, Vondrousova advance

Italian sixth seed Jannik Sinner remained on course for a US Open quarter-final rematch with Carlos Alcaraz on Thursday as Grand Slam winners Aryna Sabalenka and Marketa Vondrousova advanced safely.

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Hacken gives Dons a finishing lesson on bad night for Scots

A disastrous European week for Scottish clubs ended with the three teams in Europa League and Conference League playoff second-leg action losing on Thursday.

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Supposed backers seek money from PGA Tour's Finau: report

Tony Finau, who just finished a US PGA Tour season where he won two titles and $5.8 million, faces lawsuits seeking 20% of his career earnings, according to a report on Thursday.

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Murray served reality check with heavy US Open defeat

Andy Murray conceded he might "need to accept" he is no longer capable of reaching the latter stages at Grand Slams after a demoralising straight-sets loss to Grigor Dimitrov in the US Open second round.

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Richardson and Lyles shine in Zurich, but rare defeat for Warholm

Sha'Carri Richardson and Noah Lyles were two of a host of newly-crowned world champions to transform their winning form in Budapest into victory at the Diamond League meet in Zurich on Thursday.

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Lyles keeps 'cake and crown' in 200m victory at Zurich Diamond League

Triple world champion Noah Lyles scorched to victory in a high-quality 200m at the Diamond League meet in Zurich on Thursday, insisting no one would take his "cake and crown".

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Tearful Isner signs off with US Open loss

John Isner brought the curtain down on his tennis career Thursday in a five-set loss to fellow American Michael Mmoh in the second round at the US Open.

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Lyles scorches to 200m victory at Zurich Diamond League

Triple world champion Noah Lyles scorched to victory in a high-quality 200m at the Diamond League meet in Zurich on Thursday.

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Dortmund sign Fuellkrug from Werder Bremen

Borussia Dortmund announed on Friday they have signed Germany striker Niclas Fuellkrug from Werder Bremen.

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Palace sign England goalkeeper Henderson from Manchester United

Crystal Palace have signed England goalkeeper Dean Henderson from Premier League rivals Manchester United, the London club announced Thursday.

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Murray slides to heavy US Open defeat against Dimitrov

Andy Murray suffered a demoralising straight-sets loss to Bulgarian 19th seed Grigor Dimitrov in the second round of the US Open on Thursday.

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Sinner on course for Alcaraz US Open rematch, Murray out

Italian sixth seed Jannik Sinner remained on course for a US Open quarter-final rematch with Carlos Alcaraz on Thursday as former champion Andy Murray tumbled out.

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Fitzpatrick makes Ryder Cup push at European Masters

Matt Fitzpatrick boosted his hopes of playing at the Ryder Cup by grabbing a share of the lead after the opening roud of the European Masters on Thursday.

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England coach Wiegman dedicates award to Spain women's team amid Rubiales row

England manager Sarina Wiegman on Thursday dedicated her UEFA coach of the year prize to the Spain women's team amid the sexism scandal engulfing Spanish Football Federation president Luis Rubiales.

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'X-factor' Pathirana helps Sri Lanka down Bangladesh in Asia Cup

Fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana was hailed as his team's 'X-factor' after returning impressive figures of 4-32 to help Sri Lanka to a comprehensive five-wicket win over Bangladesh in the Asia Cup on Thursday.

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Bayern to face Man Utd in Champions League group stage, Newcastle draw PSG

Manchester United will face the Bayern Munich of Harry Kane in this season's Champions League while Thursday's draw for the group stage also placed Paris Saint-Germain and Newcastle United together.

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Pathirana-inspired Sri Lanka beat Bangladesh in Asia Cup

Fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana returned impressive figures of 4-32 to help Sri Lanka to a comprehensive five-wicket win over Bangladesh in the Asia Cup match on Thursday.

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Verstappen 'not fixated' on snatching win record at Monza

Max Verstappen insisted Thursday that he is not putting himself under pressure to break the record for consecutive Formula One wins as the world champion prepares for the Italian Grand Prix.

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Evenepoel concedes Vuelta lead to Martinez, Kuss takes stage six

Sepp Kuss soloed to victory on the sixth stage of the Vuelta a Espana on Thursday, as reigning champion Remco Evenepoel gave away the leader's red jersey to Lenny Martinez.

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Japan take pole position in Basketball World Cup's Olympic race

Japan took a giant step towards Olympic qualification at the Basketball World Cup on Thursday, while South Sudan and Egypt also gave themselves a chance of a Paris Games berth.

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Wolves boss O'Neil confirms Nunes Man City switch

Wolves manager Gary O'Neil confirmed on Thursday that Portugal midfielder Matheus Nunes is on his way to Manchester City for a reported fee of £53 million ($67 million).

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'Unfinished business' pushes Hamilton to two more years at Mercedes

Lewis Hamilton is convinced that he can have a winning future in Formula One after Mercedes on Thursday renewed his contract until 2025, ahead of this weekend's Italian Grand Prix.

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Flawless Bagnaia gunning for victory at Catalunya MotoGP

Two weeks after a flawless demonstration on the way to victory in Austria, Ducati's Francesco Bagnaia will again be the favourite to take another big stride towards back-to-back world titles when he saddles up for this weekend's Catalunya Grand Prix.

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Henderson named in England squad despite Saudi move

Jordan Henderson was named on Thursday in Gareth Southgate's England squad for matches against Ukraine and Scotland despite his move from Liverpool to Saudi club Al-Ettifaq.

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Southgate names Henderson in England squad despite Saudi move

Jordan Henderson was named on Thursday in Gareth Southgate's England squad for matches against Ukraine and Scotland despite his move from Liverpool to Saudi club Al-Ettifaq.

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Pathirana picks four as Sri Lanka dismiss Bangladesh for 164

Fast bowler Matheesha Pathirana and spinner Maheesh Theekshana shared six wickets between them as Sri Lanka bowled out Bangladesh for 164 in the Asia Cup on Thursday.

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Hernandez, Saliba back in France squad to face Ireland, Germany

New Paris Saint-Germain defender Lucas Hernandez is set to make his first appearance for France since suffering a serious injury at last year's World Cup after being named Thursday in the squad for a September double-header against Ireland and Germany.

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Hamilton, Russell renew contracts with Mercedes until 2025

Lewis Hamilton and George Russell renewed their contracts with Mercedes until 2025, the Formula One team announced on Thursday.

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Spain women's coach Vilda set to be forced out amid Rubiales storm

Spain's controversial Women's World Cup-winning coach Jorge Vilda is set to be forced out as the sexism scandal engulfs the Spanish football federation, according to Spanish reports.

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China's first win puts them back into Olympic basketball contention

China head coach Aleksandar Djordjevic urged his players to "release the dragon" after they hauled themselves back into Olympic qualifying contention with their first win at the Basketball World Cup on Thursday.

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