Latest - A-League champions Sydney FC are within reach of a record-extending fifth title after easing past Perth Glory 2-0 in a rematch of last year's Grand Final decider.
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Early strikes from Milos Ninkovic and Adam Le Fondre, who punished goalkeeper Liam Reddy for a howling error, secured the Sky Blues a place in Sunday's championship match against first-time finalists Melbourne City.
City booked their Grand Final ticket with a 2-0 win over A-League newcomers Western United, ending their home-town rivals' fairytale run in the opening semi-final of the double-header at Parramatta Stadium.
A second-half penalty from Golden Boot winner Jamie Maclaren put City in front before a late own-goal by Tomoki Imai ensured Erick Mombaerts' side finally broke through after four fruitless trips to the semi-finals.
After a marathon season punctured by a three-month shutdown due to COVID-19, the championship will be contested by the two most dominant teams.
-Reuters
Maguire gets retrial
Manchester United captain Harry Maguire has been granted a full retrial after appealing against Greek court convictions on multiple charges following a brawl on the island of Mykonos last week.
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England defender Maguire was found guilty of repeated bodily harm, attempted bribery, violence against public employees and insult after his arrest in a brawl in which two police officers were assaulted.
The 27-year-old was handed a suspended prison sentence of 21 months and 10 days.
In accordance with the Greek judicial process, the filing nullifies Maguire's conviction and United confirmed there will be a full retrial in a more senior court.
Maguire's brother Joe and friend Christopher Sharman were also found guilty of offences related to the incident and received suspended prison sentences. They denied any wrongdoing.
-Reuters
Hooper to get sabbatical
Rugby Australia has confirmed that Wallabies skipper Michael Hooper will take up an overseas playing opportunity for the first six months of 2021.
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The provision of a six-month release was a feature of the interim player pay deal agreed to between the Rugby Union Players Association and Rugby Australia in April of this year for a specified number of current players and followed the COVID-19 health and financial crisis.
Hooper will head to Japan.
The 99-Test Wallaby will miss most of the 2021 Super Rugby campaign with an opportunity to return to complete the season for the NSW Waratahs before the Wallabies 2021 Test calendar.
Hooper made his Super Rugby debut in 2010 for the Brumbies and has since gone on to play 150 Super Rugby games.
-RA
Frustration for Serena
Serena Williams likened the frustration she felt in her shock defeat by Maria Sakkari at the Western and Southern Open to that of being stuck in a bad relationship.
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Williams' 5-7 7-6(5) 6-1 loss in the round of 16 was a big blow to her preparations for next week's U.S. Open, where the 38-year-old is bidding for a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam singles title.
It was a second exhausting three-setter in as many rounds for Williams, who squandered the opportunity to close out the contest on serve in the second set before her Greek opponent launched a comeback.
Williams, whose match fitness had been questioned ahead of the Open, said she was also struggling with cramps towards the end of the match.
-Reuters
Rally Germany cancelled
Rally Germany has been cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic, while the Italian round of the world championship has been moved three weeks earlier to avoid clashing with Formula One's Imola race.
The Bostalsee-based event in southwest Germany, initially scheduled for Oct. 15-18, was scheduled to be round six of the season, but organisers have decided against running it due to restrictions on mass gatherings in the country due to the novel coronavirus.
It becomes the eighth race of the season to be cancelled due to the pandemic following rounds in Argentina, Portugal, Finland, Kenya, New Zealand, Wales Rally GB and Japan.
As part of the latest changes to the calendar, Rally Italy will be held from Oct. 8-11.
Bringing the race forward avoids a clash with Formula One's Imola race and also offers a chance of favourable weather conditions on the Mediterranean island for the gravel road fixture.
The championship completed three rounds in Monte Carlo, Sweden and Mexico before the coronavirus shutdown. The season will resume with the Estonian round, which begins on Sept. 4.
-Reuters
Vardy staying with Leicester
Leicester City striker Jamie Vardy has signed a contract extension that will keep him at the King Power Stadium until 2023.
Vardy, 33, won the Premier League Golden Boot last season for his 23 league goals as Leicester finished fifth and earned a spot in next term's Europa League.
Vardy has scored 103 top-flight goals in over 300 appearances for Leicester since joining them from Fleetwood Town in 2012. He played an influential role in Leicester's unexpected league title win in the 2015-16 season, scoring 24 goals.
-Reuters
Chelsea sign defender
The English football club Chelsea has signed England left back Ben Chilwell from Leicester City on a five-year contract.
Financial details of the deal were not disclosed but British media reported Chelsea paid $100 million for the 23-year-old.
Chilwell made 99 league appearances for Leicester in five years at the club.
Chilwell is Chelsea's third major signing for the new season following the arrivals of Timo Werner and Hakim Ziyech from RB Leipzig and Ajax Amsterdam respectively.
-Reuters