Beckham: David Beckham could be named in Milan's UEFA Cup squad even though his current loan from Los Angeles Galaxy ends on March 9, coach Carlo Ancelotti said. Milan are keen to keep the 33-year-old England midfielder after he scored two goals in his first four starts but Galaxy have said he must return in March. Beckham has said he is undecided and talks are planned. The Italian club must decide on their UEFA Cup squad for the remainder of the season after today's Serie A match at Lazio.

Mexico: Mexico is to join the race to host the 2018 or 2022 World Cups. "We have sent our application to enter the process," Mexican Football Federation (FMF) general secretary Decio de Maria told a news conference. "Mexico has raised its hand (and offered) to host a third World Cup." The Mexicans staged the tournament in 1970 and 1986, stepping in 23 years ago when Colombia pulled out.

Japan: Japan coach Takeshi Okada has recalled Celtic midfielder Shunsuke Nakamura in a strong squad for the home World Cup qualifier with Australia on Feb. 11. Brazilian-born defender Tulio also returns after a knee operation for the Yokohama clash against the Socceroos, who top Group One in the final round of Asian 2010 qualifiers.

In France: Ligue 1 - Auxerre vs Lorient 0-0; Monaco vs Grenoble 1-0; Le Havre vs Nancy 2-3; Le Mans vs Nantes 0-2; Paris SG vs Caen 2-0; Rennes vs Toulouse 0-0; Valenciennes vs Nice 1-0.

In Spain: Primera Liga - Athletic Bilbao vs Malaga 3-2.

Sochi Olympics: Prime Minister Vladimir Putin said the Russian resort of Sochi would be ready to stage the Winter Olympics in 2014 despite the economic slowdown. Russia would set aside 127 billion roubles ($3.6 billion) from this year's budget to finance Olympic projects, up from 113 billion roubles last year. "Despite the well-known global financial and economic difficulties, which also affect us, everything concerning the Olympic project... is protected by the budget and is guaranteed to be financed," Putin said.

Boxing: Sweden's former world heavyweight boxing champion Ingemar "Ingo" Johansson died late on Friday at the age of 76. Johansson won the title in 1959, knocking out American Floyd Patterson in the third round in New York. Johansson, who suffered from Alzheimer's disease in his last years, passed away a little before midnight at home in Kungsbacka.

Basketball: Cleveland Cavaliers head coach Mike Brown will coach the Eastern Conference team in the NBA All-Star Game, the first such honour of his career. Brown was selected after the Cavaliers (36-9) recorded the second-best winning percentage in the conference through Feb. 1. Doc Rivers, whose Celtics have the top mark in the East, is ineligible since he coached last year's Eastern All Stars.

2010 Winter Olympics: Organizers of the 2010 Winter Olympics say their operating budget remains balanced despite a revised spending plan released that is C$127 million higher than previously estimated. The operating budget was increased to C$1.75 billion ($1.42 billion) from C$1.63 billion after auditors told the Vancouver Organizing Committee it had to report additional spending it was doing on behalf of private sponsors. "The cost of the Games has not increased," vice-president David Cobb said.

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