Lithuanian 15-year-old Ruta Meilutyte wins shock gold

Teenager Ruta Meilutyte won Lithuania's first ever Olympic gold in the pool by beating American Rebecca Soni in the women's 100m breaststroke.

The 15-year-old, who goes to the same Plymouth school as Tom Daley, led from the start and beat the fast-finishing Soni by 0.08 seconds.

Analysis

Mark Foster Five-time Olympian and BBC analyst

"Coming into this with her times you would never have predicted she would get to the final. She was just blown away by the occasion but what a way to do it."

Japan's Satomi Suzuki earned bronze, while Australia's defending champion Leisel Jones finished fifth.

"I can't believe it," said a stunned Meilutyte. "It's too much for me."
Having set a new European record in the heats - a mark that beat her personal best by two seconds - Meilutyte swam even faster in the semi-finals on Sunday to qualify fastest for the final ahead of world champion and Beijing silver medallist Soni.
In the final, following a fault at the start, where the bleep went before the swimmers were told to take their marks, Meilutyte astonished both herself and the crowd to hold off her challengers and win in 1:05.47.
The gold was Lithuania's first medal of the London Olympics.
Meilutyte, who moved to Britain three years ago with her father, is trained by English coach Jon Rudd.
He said that a fast swim had been "brewing for a while".
"We didn't realistically know what she would do," said Rudd, who revealed that Meilutyte was a freestyler when she arrive in the United Kingdom.

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Meilutyte has everything - coach

"Her breaststroke was pretty tidy and we tidied it up even more.
"A big swim around the 1:05-1:06 mark was brewing for a while, it was just about putting the elements together on the day.
"She is a talented and vigilant worker. When you've got talent and work ethic you've got a great kid."
Meilutyte could add to her medal tally as she is competing in the women's 50m and 100m freestyle.
Plymouth College  assistant headteacher Sarah Dunn said of her student's triumph: "We are almost in tears, it was such an achievement.
"We knew she had great potential when she arrived here three years ago. Not only is she a fantastic athlete, but she is also a great scholar.
"She has always demonstrated superb talent and the hunger and desire to succeed. We had every confidence in her.
"To achieve what she has at such a young age is incredible. She is a real credit and we are so proud of her."

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Olympic gymnastics: bronze for GB as Japan win silver on appeal

By Ollie Williams BBC Sport at the North Greenwich Arena

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Great Britain's men won an astonishing Olympic bronze medal in the gymnastics team final - having originally taken silver before a Japanese appeal.

Louis Smith, Sam Oldham, Kristian Thomas, Max Whitlock and Dan Purvis sealed GB men's first Olympic team medal since a bronze in 1912.
China cruised to gold, with GB second, as the medal prospects of the United States and Germany disintegrated.
Japan, initially placed in fourth, moved up to second after an appeal.
They were unhappy with the pommel horse score awarded to Kohei Uchimura and were elevated above Britain, after lengthy deliberation by the officials, with Ukraine missing out on a bronze medal in the process.

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Olympic gymnastics: Bronze in team final is still unbelievable - GB men

The result is beyond the expectations of the British team, even though they qualified for the final in third place and knew they had the ability to challenge for a medal.
"For all these guys, their first Olympic Games, to get a medal is unbelievable," Smith told BBC Sport. "Silver? Bronze? It doesn't matter, we enjoyed it, it was fantastic."
Thomas added: "It's an Olympic medal at the end of the day, it's what dreams are made of. All I could think about was winning an Olympic medal when I was younger.
"Silver would've been nice but I couldn't complain at all right now. We're in London, it's once in a lifetime and we've made the most of it."
Uchimura, whose appeal denied Britain the silver, told reporters through an interpreter: "I feel sorry [for the British]. It's strange to say I feel sorry for them, though. This is the scoring system so I shouldn't feel sorry. This is just the score."
His appeal centred on whether he had been correctly rewarded for a partially botched dismount in his pommel horse routine. The three-time world champion's score was upgraded by 0.7 marks, enough to take Japan past Britain.
Before the final, not many would talk in more than hushed tones of a bronze medal, let alone of beating Japan. So the 10 minutes spent in silver-medal position, before Japan's successful appeal, were breathtaking as a stunned and elated audience tried to take in the scale of the British men's achievement.

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Aston Villa sign Charles N'Zogbia from Wigan Athletic

New Villa signing N'Zogbia scores double (UK users only)

Charles N'Zogbia has completed his move from Wigan to Aston Villa after agreeing personal terms on a five-year deal at Villa Park.

The two clubs settled on a fee, reported to be about £9.5m, for the 25-year-old winger on Monday, after Villa's initial bid was turned down.
"I am really happy and excited to sign for Aston Villa," said N'Zogbia.
"It is a great club and a really big step for me in my career, so I am sure I will enjoy my football here."
N'Zogbia scored 15 goals in 83 Premier League appearances for Wigan after an offer of Ryan Taylor and a reported £6m fee secured his services from Newcastle in January 2009.

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I think its going to be a really good season

Charles N'Zogbia

Five of those goals came in the left-sided attacker's final six Premier League matches for the club as the Latics avoided relegation on the final day of the season.
His goal-scoring run extended to France's friendly against Poland in June in which his first international goal was the difference between the sides.
Wigan manager Roberto Martinez believes that his departure has come at the right time for all parties.

"We're all disappointed to lose a player like Charles N'Zogbia, who has been fantastic for Wigan Athletic over the past two years," he said.
"Now is the time for him to move on to a club who have matched the market valuation for him and allow us to move on reinvest and take our football club onto another level."
Villa's purchase of N'Zogbia's has been funded by the departure of their own big names, with Ashley Young leaving for Manchester United and Stewart Downing sold to Liverpool.
It is new manager Alex McLeish's second foray into the transfer market this summer after the signing of goalkeeper Shay Given, a former Newcastle team-mate of N'Zogbia's, from Manchester City.

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India lose Zaheer to injury for second Test, England wait on Tremlett

England and India face injury concerns

India bowler Zaheer Khan has been ruled out of Friday's second Test against England because of a hamstring injury.

The 32-year-old left-arm pace bowler picked up the injury during the first Test at Lord's last week.
England have concerns over Chris Tremlett, who pulled up with back and hamstring trouble on Thursday, for the match at Trent Bridge in Nottingham.
"We expect him to be fit but obviously we'll see in the morning," said England captain Andrew Strauss.

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Strauss discusses Tremlett fitness battle

To add to their options, England called up Middlesex pace bowler Steven Finn on Thursday evening, and the 22-year-old will be in competition with Tim Bresnan for the final place in the side should Tremlett be ruled out.
And Finn's added pace and bounce - like Tremlett he is 6ft 7in and seven inches taller than Bresnan - could see him selected if a change is required and the selectors want more of a like-for-like replacement.
Tremlett, who took four wickets in England's 196-run win over India in the first Test and took Test best figures of 6-48 against Sri Lanka earlier in the summer, appeared to be carrying a hamstring injury as he bowled during the tourists' second innings at Lord's.
He had already missed training on Wednesday with a tight hamstring and only netted briefly at Trent Bridge on Thursday.
But Strauss, speaking earlier in the day, added: "I think he's fine, obviously he's had a bit of a niggle with his hamstring.
"At the moment we expect him to be fit but obviously like all these things we'll see in the morning - we're confident he should be OK.
"You've always got to weigh these things in, it's a short turn-around between Test matches but we're not going to pick someone in the side unless we're sure he is 100% fit and able to get through the full five days."
While England wait on Tremlett, India will definitely be without Zaheer. The left-armer Zaheer impressed initially at Lord's with an excellent new-ball spell which saw him dismiss both England openers, Strauss and Alastair Cook, before pulling up clutching his hamstring in his 14th over.

India captain Mahendra Dhoni said: "It's always good to have Zaheer in the side because he is our most experienced bowler, especially when it comes to England, but I think he is ruled out of this game.
"It's a bit disappointing not to have him for selection but it is something that is beyond our control and it gives a chance to the other bowlers to prove their mettle when it comes to international cricket."
Despite missing out at Trent Bridge, Dhoni is confident that Zaheer will be fit enough to play in the third Test, starting at Edgbaston on 10 August.
"We are expecting that. It is something we can't be 100% sure about, but most likely it seems he will," Dhoni added.
With Zaheer out, India are likely to choose between back-up bowlers Sreesanth and Munaf Patel.
New India coach Duncan Fletcher showed a clear preference for pace during his time in charge of England, suggesting the brisker - but more unpredictable - Sreesanth could get the nod.
India also have injury problems among their batting line-up, with Dhoni telling reporters that opener Gautam Gambhir is "doubtful at this stage" as he recovers from a badly bruised elbow.
England (from): Andrew Strauss (capt), Alastair Cook, Jonathan Trott, Kevin Pietersen, Ian Bell, Eoin Morgan, Matt Prior (wk), Tim Bresnan, Stuart Broad, Graeme Swann, Chris Tremlett, James Anderson, Steven Finn.
India (from): Mahendra Dhoni (capt, wk), Abhinav Mukund, Gautam Gambhir, Rahul Dravid, Sachin Tendulkar, VVS Laxman, Suresh Raina, Yuvraj Singh, Harbhajan Singh, Praveen Kumar, Ishant Sharma, Sreesanth, Munaf Patel.
Umpires: Asad Rauf (Pkn) and Marais Erasmus (SA)
Third umpire: Billy Bowden (NZ)
Match Referee: Ranjan Madugalle (SL)

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United States fire coach Bob Bradley

Bradley took over from Bruce Arena in January 2007

Bob Bradley has been sacked as United States coach after four and a half years in charge.

The 53-year-old took the team to the last 16 of the 2010 World Cup after drawing 1-1 with England in Group C.
Bradley was subsequently linked with the Aston Villa manager's job, before opting to sign a four-year deal extension with US Soccer.
"We felt now was the right time for us to make a change," said US Soccer president Sunil Gulati.
Bradley's departure follows a 4-2 defeat by Mexico in the Gold Cup final on 25 June.
But his reign also included a shock win over European champions Spain en route to a runners-up finish at the 2009 Confederations Cup and last summer's creditable World Cup campaign that ended in extra-time defeat by Ghana.
"It is always hard to make these decisions, especially when it involves someone we respect as much as Bob," added Gulati.
"We wish him the best in his future endeavours."
US Soccer added that it would make a further announcement on Friday, raising expectations that it may name a replacement.

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England warrant top spot over India - Allan Donald

Second Test: England v India

• Venue: Trent Bridge
• Date: 29 July - 2 August
• Start time: 1100 BST
• Coverage: Live ball-by-ball Test Match Special commentary on BBC 5 live sports extra, BBC Radio 4 Long Wave & BBC Sport website; live video scorecard on Red Button (not Freeview); live text commentary on BBC Sport website & mobile; watch live on Sky Sports (subscription required); highlights each evening on Channel 5

South Africa pace legend Allan Donald says England deserve to overtake India as the number one Test-playing nation.

India currently top the rankings but will be replaced by England if Andrew Strauss's men win the ongoing four-Test series by two matches or more.
"England deserve to be the number one, there's no question about it," Donald told BBC Radio 5 live.
"They are a good side, they're progressing every game. They're progressing as a really good unit."
England lead the series 1-0 after a 196-run victory in the first Test at Lord's.
Kevin Pietersen's first-innings 202 not out earned him the man of the match award, while Matt Prior hit an unbeaten 103 in the second.
But it was the bowlers who particularly caught Donald's eye as a previously out-of-sorts Stuart Broad returned match figures of 7-94 and James Anderson weighed in with 7-152.
When asked if England possessed the best pace attack in the world at present, Donald replied: "There's no question.
"Chris Tremlett, Broad, Anderson and Graeme Swann are fantastic. Then you've got a few more in the bank - Tim Bresnan still in the wings.

"It's amazing how the guys have grown since 2007. Anderson has led the attack with absolute disdain, Broad has gone through a few ups and downs of late.
"It's good to see him really back and firing, bowling really well with a lot of aggression too.
"It's nice to know you've got this current crop who are playing and you've also got a few youngsters in the wings as well.
Donald, who took 330 Test and 272 one-day international wickets and briefly worked with England's bowlers in 2007, felt India were "ripe for the picking" at Lord's but feels they will definitely respond, with the second Test starting at Trent Bridge on Friday.
"India will find a way and [coach] Duncan Fletcher will dig very, very deep to his charges," the 44-year-old added. "This is a wake-up call to them.
"Number one is number one but it might not be for very long. They will come back. [Pace bowler] Zaheer Khan is key to their success.
"If he's fit and raring to go [after a hamstring injury], he might have a bit to say in the second Test."

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NFL labour dispute resolved as owners and players reach deal

The deal means the Green Bay Packers will start the defence of their NFL Championship on 8 September as scheduled

NFL owners and players have agreed a new deal which ends fears of a strike blighting the coming season.

The two sides reached agreement - which will be in force for the next 10 years - after months of thorny negotiations on issues including how annual revenues of $9bn (£5.5bn) are divided.
The NFL Players' Association decision to accept the deal comes after the clubs' owners backed it last week.
Green Bay will host New Orleans in the regular season's opener on 8 September.
The players' union and the owners worked throughout the weekend on a mutually acceptable settlement, and the Associated Press reported that the final deal was reached on Monday morning.
Key to the agreement was exactly what proportion of the NFL's revenue should go to the players.
The old deal - which expired in March after the league's 32 owners decided to opt out of it back in 2008, and saw players being locked out for the first time since the 1987 strike - saw revenues split roughly 50-50.
It is understood that the new agreement will see the owners keep 53% and the players 47%.
There will also be a team salary cap, which includes bonuses, of about $120m (£73.6m) in place for the 2011 season, and something similar for 2012 and 2013.
A new salary system will also be introduced to deal with the issue of rookies' pay.
And players will be granted unrestricted free agency after four seasons with a club, rather than three under the old deal.

DeMaurice Smith NFL Players Association chief

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell said of the long-awaited deal: "This is a long time coming, and football's back. And that's the great news for everybody."
And NFL Players' Association chief DeMaurice Smith said: "We didn't get everything that either side wanted... but we did arrive at a deal that we think is fair and balanced.
"I know it has been a very long process since the day we stood here that night in March.
"But our guys stood together when nobody thought we would. And football is back because of it."
Preparations for the coming season will now be accelerated, with clubs scrambling to sign young players who were picked in this spring's draft, as well as rookie free agents.
Talks with veteran free agents could also start on Tuesday, with signings beginning on Friday.
The Associated Press reports that training camps will open for 10 teams on Wednesday, 10 teams on Thursday, another 10 teams on Friday, and the last two teams on Sunday.
The deal makes it likely that the latest NFL International Series game between Tampa Bay and Chicago at Wembley will go ahead as planned on Sunday, 23 October.

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Matt Prior century leaves India facing battle at Lord's

The partnership between Prior and Broad enabled England to declare after tea

Matt Prior scored a superb century as England recovered from a dramatic middle-order collapse to lay the platform for a final day victory push against India.

When Prior was joined at the wicket by Stuart Broad, England were in deep trouble on 107-6 - their lead just 295 - after an inspired burst from fast bowler Ishant Sharma.
But Broad (74 not out) and Prior gradually sucked the life out of a tiring India attack with some aggressive running and, once England's supremacy was beyond question, some riotous hitting.
When Prior reached his sixth Test hundred, off 120 balls, Andrew Strauss declared on 269-6, setting India a record 458 to win.
Stuart Broad then bowled Abhinav Mukund for 12 in his first over, but Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman drew on all their experience to see India through to the close on 80-1.
It was a dogged effort from the veteran duo who were forced to bat higher in the order than usual because of Sachin Tendulkar's viral infection and an injury to Gautam Gambhir, who suffered heavy bruising when a Prior slog-sweep struck him on the elbow.
Both are expected to be fit to bat on Monday, although Tendulkar will not be able to bat until after lunch or at the fall of the fifth wicket, whichever comes first, because of the amount of time he spent off the field.
India's injury crisis - Zaheer Khan was again unable to bowl because of a hamstring strain - provided an intriguing sub-plot to another thrilling day of Test cricket, on which the momentum swung one way and then the other.

The morning session undoubtedly belonged to the touring side, with 22-year seamer Sharma ripping through England's middle order to turn the match around and awaken all and sundry to the possibility of an India win.
Alastair Cook edged Praveen Kumar through to the wicketkeeper for one before Andrew Strauss missed a sweep shot and was lbw for 32.
At that stage England were 54-2, but less than five overs later they were well and truly on the ropes at 62-5.
First Kevin Pietersen was surprised by a Sharma lifter and then Ian Bell nicked an away-swinger four balls later. Jonathan Trott had appeared untroubled for his 22 runs, but he played around a fuller ball from Sharma and was bowled.
With Sharma curiously kept out of the attack for 40 minutes after lunch, Prior and Eoin Morgan steadied the ship with a partnership of 35.
But the return of the long-haired paceman accounted for Morgan, who mis-timed a pull shot and was caught by a diving Gambhir scampering in from mid-wicket.
The batsman stood his ground while the decision was reviewed but there seemed little doubt that the catch had been taken cleanly.
From then on it was the Prior and Broad show, the duo batting with positive intent to wrest the initiative back England's way in a brilliant unbroken stand of 162.
With another 98 overs to bowled on Monday, there is still time for India to win this Test but history is very firmly on England's side.
The highest successful run chase in Test history is 418-7 by the West Indies against Australia in 2003, while the best effort at Lord's was Windies' 344-1 versus England in 1984.

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Britain's Amir Khan knocks out Zab Judah in Las Vegas

Khan (left) had too much speed and hustle for American rival Judah

Britain's Amir Khan put on a boxing masterclass to knock out Zab Judah in five rounds in their light-welterweight unification fight in Las Vegas.

The 24-year-old Khan, defending his WBA belt, was expected to be stretched by veteran IBF champion Judah.
But Khan dominated from the opening bell, forcing the fight and landing at will with his jab.
The end came when Khan landed with a crunching right hand to the body and Judah was unable to make the count.
The punch looked borderline low, but replays showed it landed on Judah's belt line and was not a foul blow.
"He went down and it was above the belt," Khan, who will now target the winner of September's clash between Floyd Mayweather and Victor Ortiz, told BBC Radio 5 live.
"It was nowhere near below the belt, it was a great shot. Zab's a great fighter. I respect him a lot."
Judah did not agree with his rival's assessment, claiming: "Everyone in world who saw the fight will see that's a low blow. I thought he [the referee] was giving me time to get up.

WHO NEXT FOR KHAN?

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• The winner of the September clash between Floyd Mayweather and Victor Ortiz?
• WBC & WBO title-holder Tim Bradley?
• Mexican legend Erik Morales?
• Sheffield prospect Kell Brook?

"He then said 'over'. I thought he was giving me a standing eight-count. I didn't understand that."
The one-sided nature of Khan's fifth successful defence of the title he won in 2009 will have surprised many as Judah had fought some of the biggest names of the modern era.
Judah, a five-time champion, had been in with Kostya Tszyu, Floyd Mayweather and Miguel Cotto in a professional career spanning 49 fights and 15 years but rarely had he been on the receiving end of such a one-sided beating.
Khan looked the more nervous of the two before the action commenced at the Mandalay Bay Events Centre, but it was the Briton who started fastest, backing his 33-year-old rival up behind his piston-like jab.
Southpaw Judah did land with one flashing right hook in the first round but this immediately led to a clash of heads and the home fighter did not look comfortable thereafter.
Judah's trainer, former four-weight world champion Pernell Whitaker, was sounding alarm bells as early as the end of the second round, imploring his man to stay low and unsheath the left hand.
But Judah, a noted speedster, simply had no answer to the quickness of Khan's hands and round three was more of the same, with Khan constantly beating his opponent to the punch.
Judah was starting to show real signs of wear and tear by the fourth, his nose bleeding and his right eye showing the effects of that first-round collision.
And early in the fifth Judah was sending out distress signals, complaining to referee Vic Drakulich about Khan's use of the head - but the worst was still to come.
With 13 seconds remaining in the round, Khan set Judah up with an overhand right before sending home a withering right to the body, which doubled Judah over and rendered him unable to continue.
Before the fight Khan admitted he might need two or three more fights before he is ready to take on American legend Mayweather and, despite a dazzling display, his next fight is more likely to be against Mexican legend Erik Morales.
Morales is a three-weight world champion but has seen better days - however, he remains the biggest name in the light-welterweight division and would look good on Khan's record.
Another option is WBC and WBO title-holder Tim Bradley, who was in the frame to fight Khan this time around. However, Khan's camp claimed the American did not fancy the fight, despite the offer of a 50-50 split.

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Fifa bans Mohamed Bin Hammam for life over attempted bribery claims

Former Fifa presidential candidate Mohamed Bin Hammam has been banned from football for life after being found guilty of attempted bribery.

The governing body's ethics committee made the decision on Saturday after a two-day hearing.
Bin Hammam was accused of attempting to buy votes ahead of last month's Fifa presidential election.
The 62-year-old Qatari withdrew from the election, leaving Sepp Blatter to be re-elected unopposed.
The decision makes Bin Hammam the most senior figure to be banned by Fifa in its 107-year history.

The former head of the Asian Football Confederation is now unable to be involved "in any kind of football-related activity at national and international level for life", Fifa ethics committee deputy chairman Petrus Damaseb said on Saturday.
In a statement, Bin Hammam's legal council said he will continue to fight the case through every legal route available to him.
The statement added: "The Fifa ethics committee has apparently based its decision upon so called 'circumstantial' evidence which our case has clearly demonstrated was bogus and founded on lies told by a senior Fifa official.
"We have strictly observed the legal rules regarding the confidentiality of these proceedings and not shared our evidence, which is compelling, with the media.
"Fifa, either directly or through third parties, appears to have done the opposite with selective and continual leaking of documentation that has been part of these proceedings to the media in order to influence public opinion and create bias.
"We are confident of the strength of our case and invite Fifa to make available now to the media a full transcript of these proceedings."
Bin Hammam, along with former Fifa vice-president Jack Warner, was suspended after a leaked report revealed four Caribbean Football Union (CFU) associations were either offered money, or saw the offence occur, during a meeting in May.
It was alleged that cash-stuffed envelopes containing up to $40,000 (£25,000) were handed to the delegates during the meeting in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago.
The report said there was "comprehensive, convincing and overwhelming" proof that bribes had been paid to officials to support Bin Hammam's campaign for the Fifa presidency, and that Warner had facilitated this.
Warner's resignation from Fifa last month meant he did not have to face the ethics committee.
Two further officials from the CFU, Debbie Minguell and Jason Sylvester, were each banned from football-related activity for a year for their involvement in the bribery attempt.
In a blog post on Friday, Bin Hammam raised fears that he would not recieve a fair trial at the hearing.
"It seems likely that Fifa has already made its decision weeks ago," he wrote.
"So none of us should be completely surprised if a guilty verdict is returned."
Before the hearing, Bin Hammam suggested he would be compelled to appeal if the committee found him guilty of the charges.
"Rest assured that justice will eventually prevail whether through the Fifa ethics committee, the Court of Arbitration for Sport or if necessary, through other courts or legal proceedings in courts where we will be equal and no special privileges will be granted to either party," he wrote.
The ethics committee has now asked Fifa's legal department to prepare cases against Caribbean football leaders who are suspected to have knowingly covered up the instances of Bin Hammam's bribery attempts.

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Brazil makes World Cup stadium promise..By John Sinnott

The Maracana stadium celebrated its 61st anniversary in June

Brazilian Minister of Sports Orlando Silva has promised that all 12 stadiums for the 2014 World Cup finals will be ready by the end of 2013.

There have been severe delays in all 12 cities chosen to stage the matches.
But Silva said: "Brazil will be ready as agreed with [world governing body] Fifa in terms of infrastructure."
He added: "Eight stadiums will be ready by the end of 2012; 10 by the start of the Confederations Cup in 2013; and all 12 by the end of 2013."
Most of the planned investments for the World Cup are state-sponsored with federal and local governments in Brazil pledging $13bn (£8m) to boost the country's infrastructure.
The bulk of the money - $6.4bn (£3.93bn) - will be spent on much-needed upgrades in the public transport systems of the host cities with the hope that the investment in the tournament will have long-lasting effects on people's lives.
"Most of these investments will translate into a legacy for the Brazil population after the World Cup," stated Silva, who hopes the 2014 event could create 700,000 new jobs.
However, the Brazilian minister of sports revealed that the cost per seat for all 12 stadiums had risen to $7,000 (£4,300), which he attributed to the "strong expansion of the Brazilian economy".
The cost per seat for the recent construction of Primera Liga outfit Espanyol's new stadium in Barcelona was £1,630.
"Fifa's requirements for the World Cup also have had an impact on costs - for example telecommunications - and that has an effect on the cost of the stadiums," Silva said.
Fifa executives will travel to Brazil next week for the qualifying draw for the 2014 finals and will see at first hand what work has been done.

 

Orlando Silva Brazilian Sports Minister

"Fifa will see the progress that has been made," added Silva, who declined to answer a question as to how much Fifa was projected to make from the 2014 event.
Silva also dismissed concerns over how crime could threaten the safety of the 600,000 visitors who are expected to visit Brazil during the tournament.
"The minister of justice is currently coordinating a plan for security for the World Cup," said Silva.
"Local police forces in the states and the cities will be supported by the Brazilian armed forces and the strong integration of security agencies from all over the world - we've had a very postive dialogue with them.
"We are working very hard to make sure visitors will be safe - because we want them to come back many times. We will indeed have a safe World Cup."
The qualifying draw for the 2014 tournament is due to be held on 30 July in Rio de Janeiro, which will also host the Olympic Games in 2016

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No reason to panic, says McLaren driver Lewis Hamilton,,By Sarah Holt

Hamilton positive ahead of German GP

Lewis Hamilton says there is "no reason to panic" as McLaren target a return to form at the German Grand Prix.

Hamilton and team-mate Jenson Button are both 95 points behind Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel with 10 races to go.
But Hamilton believes the decision to postpone the ban on using exhaust gases to enhance downforce will benefit McLaren.
"We are back to what we know and our race pace has been pretty quick all year," said the 2008 world champion.
Button added: "We can be on good form here and challenge the Red Bulls and Ferrari."
Before Fernando Alonso's win for Ferrari in the last race, at Silverstone, Hamilton and Button were the only drivers to deny Vettel victory this season.
But the decision by governing body the FIA to restrict the use of exhaust gases to generate downforce had a major impact on McLaren's competitiveness at the British Grand Prix.

Teams have been using so-called off-throttle blowing of the diffuser to flow gases over the rear floor of the car even when the driver is not pressing the accelerator.
After intense debate, the ban has now been postponed until the 2012 season and both Hamilton and Button are confident that will help them regain lost ground on their rivals at the Nurburgring.
"At Silverstone we were further behind because we were hampered by the rule change," added Hamilton. "It benefited others but didn't benefit us at all."
Button agreed, saying: "We're probably doing a better job with our diffuser than some of the other teams so when they take away the blowing it hurts us a lot, having that back should help us.
"I don't think we're scared of anyone this weekend - I don't think anyone has a big advantage over us.
"We have some updates and we're going back to the old regulations. I'm looking forward to this race."
Button and Hamilton have not been on the podium in the last two races, at Silverstone and Valencia.

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While Button took a thrilling victory in Canada last month, Hamilton, who won in China, has to look as far back as early May for his last podium when he was second in the Spanish Grand Prix.
"I'm praying we are as competitive as we were in Barcelona," Hamilton said.
"I hope our car works like a dream this weekend, I'd love to have another win."
Button was forced to retire from the British GP at his final pit-stop when he tried to rejoin the race without a wheel nut on his right front wheel.
The 2009 world champion said he has since visited the "wheel nut department" at McLaren's factory in Woking and described the atmosphere as good, despite a difficult weekend on home soil.
"It was just a mistake and it lost us a lot of points," Button reflected. "It's amazing what one non-finish makes. I went from second to being fifth in the championship.
"We just have to make sure we don't do that again because the last two races have been pretty tough for us in terms of points.
"We are taking it race-by-race and we come here with some good upgrades. I hope we can really fight the other guys and take some good points off Sebastian [Vettel]."

Button not fearing Ferrari revival

Grey clouds loomed over the Nurburgring in the Eifel mountains on Thursday and a burst of heavy rain saw both McLaren drivers, despite being known for their wet-weather skills, still hoping the miserable conditions would not prevail all weekend.
"Can you sort the weather out, it's rubbish," commented Button. "I like it in the middle, wet, dry, wet, dry."
Hamilton agreed: "I'd like it to be dry but I also quite like changeable conditions."
The drivers will reacquaint themselves with the Nurburgring, which returns to the calendar after Hockenheim hosted the German GP in 2010, during Friday practice.

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Jonathan Trott holds up India in first Test at Lord's. By Sam Sheringham

Mahendra Dhoni and Rahul Dravid fail to hang onto an edge from Jonathan Trott

England rode their luck to reach 127-2 after being put into bat in testing conditions on a rain-hit opening day of the first Test against India at Lord's.

Jonathan Trott was dropped by Rahul Dravid on eight and edged between wicketkeeper and first slip on his way to 58 not out before the weather ended proceedings.
To make matters worse for India, left-arm seamer Zaheer Khan - who had earlier removed England openers Alastair Cook and Andrew Strauss - was forced off the field with what appeared to be a hamstring problem.
Any serious injury to the tourists' number one seam bowler would dramatically increase England's chances of winning the four-match series. If Strauss's men can triumph by two clear Tests they will usurp India as the number one ranked Test side.
India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni had no hesitation in choosing to bowl first as the 2,000th Test match in history got underway with grey clouds looming over the home of cricket.

The decision was immediately justified as Praveen Kumar - a 24-year-old in his fourth Test - beat Cook's bat three times in the opening over.
Zaheer generated plenty of movement from the Nursery End and claimed the first wicket when an inswinger trapped Cook leg before wicket for 12, the first time the Essex opener had been dismissed for fewer than 55 since December.
Captain Strauss, who escaped being run out for two when Ishant Sharma's throw missed the stumps, looked nervous and tentative as he sought to end a run of low Test scores.
But after prodding his way to 22 off 83 balls, he was tempted by a short ball from Zaheer soon after lunch and top-edged an attempted hook to Sharma at fine leg.
Trott was totally bamboozled by off-spinner Harbhajan's first delivery of the series, the ball clipping the edge of his bat and glancing off Dravid's outstretched right hand.
The Warwickshire man had reached 32 when a snorter from Zaheer ripped off the seam, took the edge and flew between Dhoni and Dravid.
 
The ever-reliable Trott reaches his half century at Lord's
Zaheer left the field midway through his next over after clutching his hamstring during his follow-through.
In his absence, Trott and Kevin Pietersen took their partnership to 65, the latter playing and missing several times and looking jumpy at the crease.
Attempting to make his presence felt, he tried to smash Harbhajan out of the ground and was fortunate that Sharma misjudged the catch at long-on.
With an improved forecast for the remainder of the match, England will be looking to post an imposing total before unleashing their trio of seamers - with Stuart Broad preferred to Tim Bresnan - on India's star-studded batting line-up.

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Carlos Tevez's move from Man City to Corinthians is off

Tevez scored 20 league goals for Manchester City last season

Carlos Tevez's move from Manchester City to Corinthians has fallen through because the Brazilian club pulled out.

City thought a £40m deal had been agreed for the Argentine striker after he told the Premier League outfit he wanted to return to South America.
But Corinthians said there was not enough time to sign the the 27-year-old before the Brazilian transfer window closes at 0400 BST on Thursday.
Corinthians still want Tevez and hinted an agreement can be reached in January.
It had appeared that the former West Ham forward had got his wish for a transfer but then in a statement, Corinthians said: "The board of Sporting Club Corinthians hereby officially announce the impossibility of hiring the Argentine striker Carlos Tevez.
"While acknowledging the efforts of Manchester City and all involved in the negotiation, more time is needed for the transfer to be achieved, given that the window to sign players from abroad closes on Wednesday, 20 July [Brazilian time].
"We are aware of the dream our fans had of having this player at Corinthians again and we look forward to him being with us in the near future."
That would indicate that Corinthians may look to revive the deal in the January transfer window, although that would not be the preferred option of Tevez or his current club.
Tevez, who had a spell at Corinthians from 2005 to 2006, originally asked City for a transfer in December and has since reiterated that desire to leave so he can be closer to his family in Argentina.

However, there are few clubs who can match the asking price of about £40m.
Corinthians' move for Tevez - which emerged on Monday - was believed to be funded by a new television deal for Brazilian clubs.
But the Sao Paulo side's response to City's demand for a proper payment schedule on Tuesday was perhaps a sign the transfer would not have gone smoothly.
The breakdown of Tevez's transfer to Corinthians also leaves City manager Roberto Mancini's proposed move for Atletico Madrid striker Sergio Aguero in doubt.
Tevez, who is contracted to City until 2014, has been a key player for the club since arriving from neighbours Manchester United in 2009.
He helped Mancini's side to FA Cup success and Champions League qualification in the 2010/2011 campaign. He has scored 43 Premier League goals in his two seasons at City - the highest total of any player in the top division.

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"England spinner Graeme Swann relishing Test series with India"

First Test: England v India

• Venue: Lord's
• Date: 21-25 July
• Start time: 1100 BST
• Coverage: Live ball-by-ball Test Match Special commentary on BBC 5 live sports extra, BBC Radio 4 Long Wave & BBC Sport website; live video scorecard on Red Button (not Freeview); live text commentary on BBC Sport website & mobile; watch live on Sky Sports (subscription required); highlights each evening on Channel 5

 England bowler Swann made his Test debut against India in December 2008

England's Graeme Swann says it is time for the "real business" of the summer ahead of the Test series against India.

The first Test starts at Lord's on Thursday and, having recently beaten Sri Lanka 1-0, England can go top of the rankings if they win by two Tests.
"The phoney war is over, and this is the major draw of the summer," said Swann. "It's down to the real business.
"India are the number one team and they got there through merit. There's no way to cheat those rankings."
England face India in four Test matches over the next few weeks.
The three-match series with Sri Lanka was beset by rain delays and suffered from disappointing ticket sales, but there is growing excitement about England taking on Mahendra Singh Dhoni's tourists.

England's Graeme Swann

"The second half of the English summer always feels like the cricket season has really arrived," added Swann, who made his Test debut against India at Chennai in 2008.
"It's not to disrespect Sri Lanka by saying that but this is the major draw of the summer.
"The Australia series should be viewed as a separate entity and there is nothing for an Englishman or an Australian to rival the sheer size of that series.
"But this is as close as you're going to get at the moment because India are the number one team in the world.
"Whether it will be tougher than Australia is hard to say; going to Australia and winning 3-1 there was probably the toughest series I've played in."
Much of the pre-series hype surrounds Indian batsman Sachin Tendulkar, who has never scored a Test century at Lord's and is also bidding to become the first player to score 100 international centuries, having struck 51 in Tests and 48 in one-day internationals.
But Swann has warned against England concentrating too much on how to get the brilliant 38-year-old out.
"It would be very, very risky to focus all our energies on one player," he said. "Sure, he's the best player of the modern generation, but if we focus on one guy another will sneak in the back door and take it away from us.

Click to play

Report - No Hawk-Eye referrals for England v India Tests

"In MS Dhoni they have possibly the most charismatic player India has ever had, with the sway he holds in that country now.
"I think he is the most important player in that team now. He leads from the front, is a very dangerous cricketer and if we can get at anyone then he is probably the key man."
Swann also said he hopes the confusion over the use of the Decision Review System (DRS) in Test cricket will be short-lived.
No technological assistance will be available on lbw appeals in the England v India Test series because the visitors objected.
"In my opinion it's been a great addition over the last couple of years and it works," said Swann.
"But the powers that be have decided we're only using it for caught behind decisions."
DRS allows teams to refer decisions made by the on-field umpires to a third match official, who uses video replays and various other devices to help reach the correct decision.

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Tour de France: Geraint Thomas hints at Team Sky exit

Geraint Thomas has warned he could leave Team Sky after revealing that he has received offers from rival teams on the Tour de France.

The Welshman took over as Team Sky's lead rider after Bradley Wiggins broke his left collarbone in a crash on stage seven and was forced to withdraw.
Thomas is also concerned that his 2012 Tour commitments could affect his preparations for the London Olympics.
"There's definitely been a few teams interested," the 25-year-old said.
Thomas wore the white jersey as the Tour's best young rider until he lost time waiting for Wiggins after his crash near Chateauroux.

Thomas wins silver in the 4000m individual pursuit at the 2011 World Cup (UK only)

The Welsh rider - who secured his first major professional win at the Tour of Bavaria in May - has earned universal plaudits in his third Tour de France following three top-10 stage finishes.
Cardiff-born Thomas was sixth in the opening stage, third in the second stage time trial and fifth on stage five before leading most of the mountainous 12th stage and winning the combativity award.
"To have that respect among the teams is great," said Thomas, who is in the final year of a two-year deal with Team Sky. "It gives you a little buzz when you go out there racing."
A crucial consideration for Thomas - who won gold as part of the team pursuit in Beijing - is how he wants to prepare for next summer's Olympics in London.
He will compete in a time trial a few weeks after this summer's Tour to measure how three gruelling weeks may affect his performance at the Olympics, which would start less than a month after the end of the 2012 Tour.
But if push comes to shove, Thomas knows where his 2012 priorities lie, and said he would sacrifice a place in next year's Tour for the Olympics.
He insisted: "I wouldn't want to jeopardise the Olympics for anything.
"I'd love to do the Tour again, it's the biggest bike race in the world. But at the same time the London Olympics is massive, there's nothing bigger than that.
"I'd miss the Tour to give myself every opportunity of winning in London."
Although Team Sky was established in part to support Britain's Olympic cycling team, Thomas insists a move away from the team would not hinder his Olympic ambitions.
He said: "A couple of the teams I've spoken to said they'd be happy to let me ride in the Games.
"It means a lot to a lot of people. Just because I'm British it doesn't mean 100% I'd stay [at Sky].
"I'm definitely not going to discount them [other offers]. I'd listen to anyone really.
"A couple of the teams I've spoken to said they'd be happy to let me ride in the Games."
British cycling chief Dave Brailsford has revealed he expects his riders to compete in next year's Tour de France, despite it finishing just 10 days before the start of the Olympics.

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Daryl Harper accuses India of bullying & criticises ICC

Recently retired Australian umpire Daryl Harper has accused India of "bullying", just days before the start of their Test series against England.

Harper pulled out of his farewell Test this month after criticism from India players and a "lack of support" from the International Cricket Council.
"I thought someone had to make a stand, so I did," Harper told BBC Sport.
India said they had "no comment to offer" in reply to Harper's claims but he has been backed by the ICC.

"I never tolerated bullying when I was a teacher," Harper said, "and I don't think bullying should be allowed to continue here."
ICC chief executive Haroon Lorgat told BBC Sport: "We've supported Daryl over many years.
"He has been a very good umpire and his statistics speak for themselves.
"It is unfortunate that it has ended in the way that it has in the West Indies but we support Daryl and it is fitting that he was on the elite panel."
Following the first Test between India and West Indies in June, which India won by 63 runs, captain Mahendra Dhoni condemned Harper's performance.

Click to play

Lorgat tight-lipped on Harper's 'bullying' claims

Dhoni said: "If the correct decisions were made the game would have finished much earlier and I would have been in the hotel by now."
His comments went unpunished by the match referee Jeff Crowe.
Indian newspapers also reported that "a very senior member of the side" had claimed that the entire team did not want Harper to officiate in the final Test.
"We don't want him - you can quote it as the reaction of the entire Indian team," was the alleged remark.
Harper had been due to officiate in the third Test a few days later but pulled out.
The 59-year-old Harper said: "There were a number of factors... but the main one was what I deemed was a lack of support from the ICC.
"I wanted some action to be taken when there was some unwarranted criticism of me. But no action was taken after the Test match and I felt that if the ICC were not going to take some action then I thought I would. So I packed up and went home.

"There were five or six articles that were very derogatory that were not good for me and not good for cricket."
Harper also feels that the behaviour of India's players is not in the spirit of the game.
"Cricket umpires have to have thick skin these days," he said. "I don't think I'm easily intimidated but you must respect the officials and I don't think that was the case. It's just the Indian way at the moment.
"It doesn't matter if it is Zimbabwe, New Zealand, Australia, England or India. The same conditions should apply and when I look back at before that third Test match I was starting to think 'maybe I should wait and see who is playing' then I thought 'this is a bad day, this is not a game I want to be involved with at the moment'.
India begin their four-Test series against England on Thursday at Lord's.

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Aston Villa sign Shay Given from Manchester City on five-year deal

Aston Villa have completed the signing of Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Shay Given from Manchester City.

The 35-year-old has signed a five-year contract at Villa Park after the clubs agreed an undisclosed fee.
New Villa boss Alex McLeish targeted the former Newcastle man after Brad Friedel moved to Tottenham.
Given told the club's website: "Aston Villa is a huge club and I'm really excited to be joining. It's a new challenge and I'm eager to embrace it."
Given had been on the margins at Eastlands after City manager Roberto Mancini made England international Joe Hart his first choice.

The Irish international will make his Villa debut in a friendly against Walsall on Thursday.
He is McLeish's first signing since taking over at Villa Park and the former Birmingham manager believes Given will have a major impact at the club.
"Shay has come here with something of a point to prove and that won't do him any harm at all," McLeish said.
"Everybody who has watched him perform over many years in the Premier League will know his pedigree so we believe we have secured the services of one of the best goalkeepers in the business."

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"Arsenal complete signing of Lille striker Gervinho"

Arsenal have completed the signing of Lille's Ivory Coast striker Gervinho for an undisclosed fee.

The 24-year-old scored 15 goals to help Lille win the French League and Cup double last season.
"It's a great feeling to be an Arsenal player. I've always dreamed to play for this club," he said.
Manager Arsene Wenger told the club's website: "He has qualities that I find very important. I think he is a very good addition to the squad."

Arsene Wenger Arsenal manager

Wenger hopes the signing of Gervinho will help bring an end to the six-year trophy drought at the Emirates Stadium.
The Frenchman was attracted by the versatility of his new recruit, saying: "Gervinho is a player that can play in a number of positions up front. He can play on the right, on the left, and through the middle."
"He has the qualities we like technically. He is good one against one, he is strong and was the best provider in the French League with assists and he scored 15 goals."
Gervinho, who has signed what is described as a "long-term contract", added: "I've achieved this dream now and I am so happy. It's one of the most beautiful days of my life."
"I'm very happy to have the chance to work with Arsene Wenger. I came here because I believe that he can improve my game and help me reach another level, but the most important thing for me is that I bring a lot to the team for whom I'm playing."

Gervinho scored 36 goals in 93 appearances during his two seasons with Lille. He has won 27 international caps for Ivory Coast, scoring six times.
He began his career with ASEC Mimosas in Abidjan, the same club that Premier League players Kolo Toure, Yaya Toure, Salomon Kalou and new Arsenal team-mate Emmanuel Eboue started at.
After a two-match tour of Asia, Arsenal's pre-season continues with a friendly in Cologne on Saturday 23 July.
The Gunners then host the Emirates Cup starting on 30 July, a tournament that also features Paris Saint-Germain, Boca Juniors, and New York Red Bulls, and start their Premier League campaign at Newcastle United on August 13.

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"Williams team and designer sued by leading Nascar team"

Williams and their new chief engineer Mike Coughlan are being sued by Nascar team Michael Waltrip Racing (MWR).

Englishman Coughlan, a former Ferrari and McLaren designer, joined Williams in May as part of a reshuffle aimed at returning them to competitiveness.
MWR, a high-profile contender in the USA's biggest form of motorsport, told BBC Sport they wanted compensation for breach of contract.
Williams said they had received no notification of any action.
"Williams F1 is aware of reports that a lawsuit has been filed by Michael Waltrip Racing against the team and Mike Coughlan," a spokeswoman said.
"Neither Mike nor the team have received notice of any proceedings, or indeed have had any contact with Michael Waltrip Racing since early June.
"Consequently we have no further comment to make on this matter."
MWR are seeking damages from Williams and Coughlan, including all costs, following the breach of a contract it says lasted until the end of November 2012.
Coughlan was employed as director of vehicle design by the team in October last year but quit in April to join Williams.
The legal papers, which have been seen by BBC Sport, say Williams "completely disregarded" the contract between Coughlan and MWR, and states that MWR have been "severely harmed" by their actions.
It adds: "As a result of Coughlan's premature departure, MWR will face and incur many certain and insubstantial damages, including costs for searching, recruiting, negotiating with, hiring and training a replacement for Coughlan, not to mention the expenses MWR devoted to Coughlan's employment, the benefits of which will go unrealised.
"MWR could and likely will face additional and reasonably foreseeable indeterminate damages, including the loss of prize money or sponsorship support as a result of under-performing cars, etc."

Behind the scenes as Williams design new wing

The development is an inauspicious start to Coughlan's career at Williams, who he joined after a period away from Formula 1 following his central role in 2007's 'spy-gate' scandal.
Coughlan, then McLaren's chief designer, was found in possession of nearly 800 pages of confidential Ferrari technical information.
The scandal led to McLaren being fined $100m and thrown out of that year's constructors' championship.
Coughlan has apologised for his role in 'spy-gate' since he joined Williams, saying he "sincerely regrets" his behaviour and hopes to "win back everyone's respect" in F1.

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