Tugay: Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce paid tribute to midfielder Tugay Kerimoglu, after the Premier League club announced the 38-year-old would retire at the end of the season. "You can't go on forever and Tugay has had a magnificent time and a magnificent run, playing at the top for most of his career," Allardyce said. Former Turkey international Tugay signed for Blackburn from Rangers in 2001 and has made more than 200 appearances for the club.
Zarate: On-loan Lazio striker Mauro Zarate has given the Rome club a boost before today's trip to leaders Inter by agreeing to a permanent move from Qatar's Al Sadd. "Now everything is in place for him to stay, it is his and our wish," Lazio president Claudio Lotito said.
Defoe: England striker Jermain Defoe spoke yesterday about the pain he felt following the death of his half-brother Jade last week then said he was ready to start playing for Tottenham again. Jade died aged 26 after suffering serious head injuries when he was attacked in east London on April 20. Defoe said: "My brother will always be in my thoughts and in my heart and I'm sure this will make me stronger and appreciate everything in life."
No permission: Colombia has denied Mexican football clubs Guadalajara and San Luis permission to stage home Libertadores Cup ties in Bogota because of the swine flu outbreak. "This decision has been taken on the recommendation of the World Health Organisation," the Bogota city government's sub-secretary for health Juan Varela said.
Racist abuse: Israeli champions Beitar Jerusalem have been docked one point and ordered to play their next match behind closed doors after admitting a charge that fans chanted racist abuse during a league match last month. Beitar have one of the worst disciplinary records of Israel's top clubs.
Ferdinand: Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand should be fit for next week's Champions League semi-final second leg against Arsenal, manager Alex Ferguson said. Ferdinand was substituted towards the end of United's 1-0 first leg win over Arsenal. "We have assessed the situation and the good news is that there is no cracked rib which is terrific news," Ferguson said.
Snooker: World Championship SFs - Murphy leads Robertson 9-7; Higgins leads Allen 15-9.
Motor Racing: New Zealand's Brendon Hartley has been granted his motor racing super-licence and will join Red Bull as a reserve driver. Hartley was granted his super-licence by the FIA ahead of next week's Spanish Grand Prix at Barcelona. The 19-year-old tested for Red Bull last December, but could not race until he was granted his super-licence.
Rugby Union: Ireland have pulled out of the bidding process to host the 2015 Rugby World Cup, citing the financial downturn. Ireland had registered an expression of interest to the International Rugby Board in January to make a joint bid alongside England, Wales and Scotland. Australia withdrew its bid to host the 2015 event last month.
Cricket: Paul Collingwood, who resigned as England one-day captain last year, was named to lead the Twenty20 side in next month's World Cup. Collingwood stepped down because he felt the job was affecting his one-day form. All-rounder Andrew Flintoff was named in the 15-man squad subject to a full recovery from the keyhole surgery on his right knee.
Shooting: Construction delays to venues for the 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi have pushed the Commonwealth shooting championships back by four months. Indian officials confirmed that they requested a postponement for the event, originally scheduled for October this year, from the Commonwealth Shooting Federation (CSF) as the venue would not be ready in time. The competition will now be held from February 20-28 next year.
Basketball, NBA: Ron Artest scored a game-high 27 points as the Houston Rockets crushed the Portland Trail Blazers 92-76 to advance to the second round of the play-offs for the first time in over a decade. Chinese All-Star centre Yao Ming chipped in with 17 points and 10 rebounds to help Houston wrap up their best-of-seven series 4-2. The Rockets face the top-seeded Los Angeles Lakers on Monday.