INSIDER
Southampton wins 2-0 to keep Bournemouth in drop zone
Read full article: Southampton wins 2-0 to keep Bournemouth in drop zoneBournemouth's goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale saves a penalty during the English Premier League soccer match between Bournemouth and Southampton, at the Vitality Stadium in Bournemouth, England, Sunday, July 19, 2020. (Mike Hewitt/Pool Photo via AP)BOURNEMOUTH Southampton showed little mercy to south coast rival Bournemouth on Sunday with a 2-0 win in the Premier League after late VAR drama. Southampton substitute Che Adams compounded the hosts misery by doubling the advantage in the final moments at the Vitality Stadium. In-form Saints striker Ings also had a second-half penalty saved by Bournemouth goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale, damaging his pursuit of the golden boot. Victory for Southampton ensured a small piece of history in its remarkable recovery from last Octobers 9-0 humiliation at the hands of Leicester.
News outlets seek to unseal files on Saints owner Tom Benson
Read full article: News outlets seek to unseal files on Saints owner Tom BensonNews outlets including The Associated Press headed to court Wednesday seeking to unseal court records involving the mental competency of billionaire Tom Benson when he rewrote his will to give his third wife ownership of the New Orleans Saints and Pelicans sports franchises. Attorneys for Benson oppose the request to unseal the proceedings, contending Benson's privacy concerns continue even after his 2018 death. Reese dismissed the lawsuit following eight days of testimony, ruling Benson was mentally sound when he ousted his estranged daughter and grandchildren from ownership positions with his teams. Gayle Benson, a devout Catholic with close ties to Archbishop Gregory Aymond, inherited Benson's business empire and has defended the Saint's public relations work on behalf of the cash-strapped archdiocese, which recently filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The team and church leaders have opposed a request by the AP to release thousands of internal emails documenting the public relations work.
Post-Redskins, Washington has long road toward new nickname
Read full article: Post-Redskins, Washington has long road toward new nicknameTuskegee Airmen Inc. said it would be honored and pleased to work with the organization if thats Washingtons new name. Former Washington linebacker Will Compton voiced his support for Red Wolves by saying he liked that name so much hed want to return for a day. Its going to take time to come back to the heyday of Washington winning and having full stadiums and people really supporting them, Derdenger said. Its going to take a long time for this new branded team to get to that point, but its certainly possible. And you know what helps them get to that point quicker is if they win.___More AP NFL: https://apnews.com/NFL and https://twitter.com/AP_NFL
The Latest: Madrid forward Vincius to repeat virus test
Read full article: The Latest: Madrid forward Vincius to repeat virus testAll rights reserved)The Latest on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on sports around the world:___Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane says forward Vincius Jnior will need to have another coronavirus test after an initial test result came out wrong.Zidane says the doctor informed me that the test had come out wrong and we were going to repeat it.Zidane says the Brazilian's test was not positive. It wasnt negative or positive.Spanish league players have undergone regular testing since the competition resumed last month. Some players and staff members at Valencia and Alavs tested positive in March. No player has tested positive since the competition resumed in empty stadiums. Madrid leads the Spanish league with four games left.
Youngsters justifying the faith of top Premier League teams
Read full article: Youngsters justifying the faith of top Premier League teamsManchester United's Mason Greenwood celebrates after scoring a goal during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester United and Bournemouth at Old Trafford stadium in Manchester, England, Saturday, July 4, 2020. (Peter Powell/Pool via AP)Some of the top Premier League teams are putting their faith in youth in the high-stakes finale to the longest-ever soccer season in England. Jamie Vardy passed the 100-goal mark in Premier League goals by netting twice as Leicester beat Crystal Palace 3-0 for its first win since the restart. With five more rounds left, Leicester stayed a point clear of Chelsea and three points ahead of fifth-place Manchester United. Finishing in sixth will earn the team a berth in the Europa League next season, as may seventh.
Report shows $480,000 in donations to cover Pence legal aid
Read full article: Report shows $480,000 in donations to cover Pence legal aidWASHINGTON Donors contributed nearly $480,000 last year to cover Vice President Mike Pences legal expenses from special counsel Robert Muellers probe of Russian meddling in the 2016 elections, according to Pences financial disclosure report. The annual report, released Tuesday, shows that a dozen donors contributed to the trust fund in May of last year. The report states the money was used to pay a bill from McGuireWoods LLP. Many government officials have turned to legal defense funds over the years to finance their legal representation. The report states that every contributor had to certify that they are U.S. citizens, the money came from personal funds and that Pence did not solicit the contribution, among other requirements.
How Germany did it: completing the soccer season in Europe
Read full article: How Germany did it: completing the soccer season in EuropeMunich's players celebrate in front of the empty stands after the German Bundesliga soccer match between VfL Wolfsburg and FC Bayern Munich in Wolfsburg, Germany, Saturday, June 27, 2020. A SEASON LIKE NO OTHERThe games were eerie as players shouts echoed off empty concrete terraces and the colorful fan displays were gone. It helped that Germany was a world leader in ramping up its coronavirus testing. Bundesliga players spent less time training at home than their counterparts in England or Spain because of Germany's quick move to socially distanced training in groups. The English Premier League and Spanish league are both heading into talks on new domestic TV rights cycles from 2022.
MLS teams arriving in Florida, tournament schedule set
Read full article: MLS teams arriving in Florida, tournament schedule setMajor League Soccer will open its World Cup-style return tournament in Florida on July 8 with a double header. The league released the schedule Wednesday, the first day teams could arrive at the complex near Orlando for the tournament. MLS will be the second pro team league in the United States to return to the field. The National Womens Soccer League will play a tournament in Utah starting Saturday. The teams and select staff members will be sequestered during the tournament at two Disney resorts for the duration of the tournament.
Russian court hands prison terms to youth group members
Read full article: Russian court hands prison terms to youth group membersYuliy Boyarshinov, right, and Viktor Filinkov, members of a left-wing group Set (Network) listen a court verdict from inside a glass cage in the Western regional military court in St.Petersburg, Russia, Monday, June 22, 2020. Members of the left-wing youth group Set (Network) were accused of terrorism, in a case human rights advocates believe to be fabricated and based on testimony elicited by torture. (AP Photo/David Frenkel)ST. PETERSBURG A Russian military court convicted two members of a left-wing youth group of terrorism Monday in a case that human rights groups called fabricated and based on coerced testimony. A three-judge panel in the court in St. Petersburg found Victor Filinkov, 25, and Yuly Boyarshinov, 28, guilty of membership in a terrorist organization. Both were said to belong to the Set (Network) group, seven members of which were convicted and sentenced to lengthy prison terms earlier this year in Penza, a city 500 kilometres (310 miles) southeast of Moscow.
Michelle Wie West gives birth to a daughter
Read full article: Michelle Wie West gives birth to a daughterMichelle Wie West now has a little one of her own. The former U.S. Women's Open champion announced on Instagram that she and her husband, Golden State Warriors executive Jonnie West, are parents of a daughter born Friday. Kenna baby, I have waited my entire life to meet you, Wie, the former U.S. Women's Open champion, wrote on Instagram. They named her Makenna Kamalei Yoona West. Kamalei is a Hawaiian for beloved child.Wie and West, the son of NBA great Jerry West, were married in August.
Russian teenagers beaten 10-1 as league restarts
Read full article: Russian teenagers beaten 10-1 as league restartsFC Sochi players, in white shirt, try to score against Rostov during a Russia Soccer Premier League soccer match against FC Rostov as the league was resumed after a three-month hiatus because of the coronavirus pandemic in Sochi, Russia, Friday, June 19, 2020. Rostov fielded a team of teenagers because its entire first-team squad is in isolation following a suspected outbreak of coronavirus. (AP Photo)SOCHI A team of teenagers took the field for a club hit by the coronavirus pandemic and lost 10-1 as soccer in Russia restarted Friday. Sochi soon hit back and finished with 10 goals, the most in league history, mostly scored by players with Russian national-team experience. The Russian Premier League resumed Friday after more than three months, with a limited number of fans in stadiums.
Around sports world, Juneteenth celebrated like never before
Read full article: Around sports world, Juneteenth celebrated like never beforeWeve never posted about Juneteenth, but it is always the right time to do better than before," read a tweet posted by the New England Patriots. The Miami Heat celebrated the day with a pledge to make financial contributions and other commitments to organizations trying to eliminate racial inequality. Hockey's San Jose Sharks told fans that it was fine to not know where to start when it comes to understanding the significance of Juneteenth. In recognition of Juneteenth, our front office is starting a new tradition," read a statement on the Sharks' site. As an organization, we will be dedicating time on this day each year to actively participate in Juneteenth.
Mallorca hopes trailblazing tourists kickstart economy
Read full article: Mallorca hopes trailblazing tourists kickstart economyBut Spains Balearic Islands are betting that their Mediterranean blue waters, warm sun and sandy beaches are enough to lure back the tourists that their residents' livelihoods depend on. The beach is empty, German tourist Martin Hofmann said Wednesday while walking along the beach of Palma, Mallorca's main city. In Spains Balearic and Canary Islands, however, the dependence on tourism jumps to over 30% of their economies. The Balearic Islands economy is on course for a very deep recession, said Carmen Planas, the president of the business group. But until then, the Balearic Islands are off-limits for visitors, even for Spaniards from the mainland, except for the trial run of German tourists.
Roaming mountain lion caught in downtown San Francisco
Read full article: Roaming mountain lion caught in downtown San FranciscoIn this image from surveillance camera video provided by KGO-TV/ABC7, a young mountain lion wanders through the station's parking lot in San Francisco Tuesday, June 16, 2020. The disoriented cougar roamed the streets of the city for two days until he was spotted by a police officer near Oracle Park, home of the San Francisco Giants. Campbell said officials get reports of cougars in San Francisco about once a year. We never had a mountain lion right in the middle of downtown San Francisco, Campbell said. If approached by the mountain lion, make yourself appear big and shout."
NFL commissioner Goodell encourages team to sign Kaepernick
Read full article: NFL commissioner Goodell encourages team to sign KaepernickFILE - In this Dec. 12, 2018, file photo, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell speaks during a news conference in Irving, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero, File)Roger Goodell would like to see Colin Kaepernick back in the NFL this season. The NFL commissioner said during ESPN's The Return of Sports special on Monday that he is encouraging teams to sign the 32-year old quarterback, who hasn't played the past three seasons. If he wants to resume his career in the NFL, then obviously its gonna take a team to make that decision. I hope were at a point now where everybodys committed to making long-term, sustainable change, Goodell said.
Heat is on: Hectic NASCAR tests drained drivers at Homestead
Read full article: Heat is on: Hectic NASCAR tests drained drivers at HomesteadAnd after an exhausting few days, NASCAR is about to offer another daunting test at Homestead-Miami Speedway. I think its a great test of will. Its a great test to the drivers. And several drivers, Wallace included, severed ties with a popular helmet designer this week over social media posts largely related to the flag. Track officials at Homestead are renaming one of the facilitys trademarks, the tunnel at Turn 3 that leads drivers into the track, in Johnsons honor.
The Latest: Italy's female players against playoff format
Read full article: The Latest: Italy's female players against playoff formatThe Latest on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on sports around the world:___Italys female soccer players are against the possibility of a playoff format to finish their season. A decision on whether and how the Serie A womens league will resume is expected to be made during an Italian soccer federation meeting. That would involve half of the 12 Serie A teams. A statement by the Serie A womens players says they are against it because it doesnt guarantee true fairness.They say "we all go out on the field or no one does.Juventus, AC Milan and Sassuolo are the only three clubs which have managed to resume training. Many of the clubs also have players who are still abroad.
Minneapolis reform plan would require insurance for officers
Read full article: Minneapolis reform plan would require insurance for officersAlondra Cano, a City Council member, speaks during "The Path Forward" meeting at Powderhorn Park on Sunday, June 7, 2020, in Minneapolis. The focus of the meeting was the defunding of the Minneapolis Police Department. Under the list of recommendations, officers would be required to carry their own professional liability insurance, an idea that aims to hike out-of-pocket insurance rates for officers who engage in high-risk conduct. They have no further excuses.The groups' recommendations came a day after nine of the 12 members on the Minneapolis City Council said they back disbanding the department. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.
Season scrapped, England seeks to keep gains in women's game
Read full article: Season scrapped, England seeks to keep gains in women's gameIt's no surprise that Chelsea manager Emma Hayes was fine with the Womens Super League season being curtailed. But determining the final standings on a points-per-game ratio, rather than on the field due to the coronavirus pandemic, raised questions about the commitment to the women's game in England. While the WSL was abandoned, the mens Premier League will restart on June 17 after a 100-day suspension. To grow participation in womens football, the FA has been running a Gameplan for Growth since 2017. And it feels like were knocking the womens game that we love and want to desperately promote and sell and raise the profile of.___More AP soccer: https://apnews.com/Soccer and https://twitter.com/AP_Sports
The Latest: Chelsea declared Womens Super League champion
Read full article: The Latest: Chelsea declared Womens Super League championAll rights reserved)The Latest on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on sports around the world:___Chelsea has been declared Womens Super League champion after the season was stopped because of the coronavirus pandemic. The English Football Associations board decided to determine the final standings on a points-per-game basis. Manchester City was a point ahead of Chelsea but had played an extra game when the season was suspended in March. Chelsea had seven games remaining. City will still qualify for the Champions League with Chelsea.
Ill-considered posts lead to lost jobs amid protests, crisis
Read full article: Ill-considered posts lead to lost jobs amid protests, crisisCraig Gore, who has worked on the shows S.W.A.T. and Chicago P.D., was fired Tuesday from the forthcoming Law & Order: Organized Crime spin-off because of Facebook posts. Many others from public-facing institutions and businesses have been sanctioned, demoted, suspended or fired for impolitic statements online in recent days. A Denver officer was fired Tuesday for writing Lets start a riot as the caption to an Instagram picture of himself and two fellow officers smiling in riot gear. An officer in Fulton, New York, posted an Instagram image that read, Black lives only matter to black people unless they are killed by a white person and found himself out of a job. These people who are getting fired or resigning, they're not realizing this.___Follow AP Entertainment Writer Andrew Dalton on Twitter: https://twitter.com/andyjamesdalton.
'We won't tolerate': Sports world unites behind Floyd
Read full article: 'We won't tolerate': Sports world unites behind FloydIn this Monday, June 1, 2020 photo, Dnico Perry-Ellis leads a chant on Station Street in Pittsburgh, protesting the death of George Floyd, who died after being restrained by Minneapolis police officers on May 25. Dismayed by the death of Floyd and inspired by the actions of Colin Kaepernick, athletes from around the world have come together during one of the most politically charged periods in modern history. Soccer players may also take what has happened to Floyd more personally because of how often black players have been abused inside stadiums around Europe in recent years. Baer-Hoffman said the reaction of sports stars was a reflection of uncertain times around the world since the outbreak of the coronavirus. It scares you and forces you to think I think it stands for something much greater.
The Latest: Postponed Belgian Cup final now set for Aug. 1
Read full article: The Latest: Postponed Belgian Cup final now set for Aug. 1The Latest on the effects of the coronavirus outbreak on sports around the world:___The postponed Belgian Cup final has been rescheduled for Aug. 1. That is one week before the start of the leagues next season. Belgian soccer authorities say the match between Club Brugge and Antwerp will take place in an empty King Baudouin Stadium. Club Brugge has the opportunity to secure a league-cup double after it was awarded its 16th Belgian title this month following a decision to end the current season prematurely because of the coronavirus pandemic. The new season is set to start on Aug. 7.
Women's Super League in England canceled because of virus
Read full article: Women's Super League in England canceled because of virusManchester City's Pauline Bremer, right, celebrates scoring against Everton during the Women's Super League match at the Academy Stadium, Manchester, England, Saturday Jan. 11, 2020. (Anthony Devlin/PA via AP)LONDON The top womens soccer league in England was canceled with immediate effect Monday because of the coronavirus outbreak, with no decision reached on which teams have won the title and been relegated. The decision was taken to end the Womens Super League following overwhelming feedback from the clubs, the Football Association said, and to give them the chance to prepare and focus on next season.Manchester City was leading the league by a point from Chelsea, which had seven games still to play one more than City. If the league was decided on average points per game, Chelsea would win the title. That includes which two teams should represent England in the Womens Champions League next season.
Skiing in Colorado to resume amid coronavirus pandemic
Read full article: Skiing in Colorado to resume amid coronavirus pandemicThe ski resort will open for limited spring skiing and riding on Wednesday, May 27, 2020. At least one resort high in the Colorado Rockies is planning to reopen after a more than two-month hiatus caused by the coronavirus. Jared Polis is expected to make an announcement involving all Colorado ski resorts Monday. Still, some are choosing not to allow late spring skiing. Kate Brown signed an executive order allowing skiing and snowboarding to resume across the state.
Virus tests on EPL players ahead of return-to-training talks
Read full article: Virus tests on EPL players ahead of return-to-training talksTeams have already started checking players and coaches for the coronavirus, with a total of 1,600 weekly tests anticipated across the 20 clubs in England's top division. Up to 40 players and coaches at each club were due to be tested for the coronavirus across Sunday and Monday. Some players and managers have expressed concern about returning to training since Britain has Europes highest virus death toll as well as the most confirmed cases. We have to be measured.Britain reported on Sunday that 170 more people have died from the coronavirus, raising its overall death toll to 34,636. It is the lowest daily death toll since the day after the countrys lockdown was announced on March 23, although weekend figures are usually lower because reporting lags when compared with weekdays.
US youngster Reyna's 1st Bundesliga start foiled by injury
Read full article: US youngster Reyna's 1st Bundesliga start foiled by injuryFILE - In this Wednesday, July 17, 2019 file photo, Borussia Dortmund's Gio Reyna, left, reacts after missing a shot against Seattle Sounders goalkeeper Bryan Meredith during a friendly soccer match, in Seattle. American youngster Gio Reyna's first Bundesliga start for Borussia Dortmund was foiled Saturday, May 16, 2020 by a pre-match injury. Reyna made his debut for Dortmund on Jan. 18, becoming the youngest American in the Bundesliga at 17 years, 2 months, 5 days. He is a son of former U.S. national team captain Claudio Reyna and women's team player Danielle Egan Reyna. The game, played without fans, was among five Saturday as the Bundesliga became the first major European league to resume following the coronavirus outbreak.