Former FIFA international relations director Jerome Champagne has confirmed his plan to challenge President Sepp Blatter in next year's election.

Champagne wrote on his campaign website Monday that he informed FIFA's 209 member federations and the election supervisor, Domenico Scala, of his decision.

The formidable North Korean women's football team has more reasons than usual to kick off its Asian Games campaign with a stirring win over Vietnam.

The participation of 150 North Korean athletes competing in 14 sports is drawing special attention in Incheon because of enduring tensions on the divided peninsula dating from the 1950-1953 Korean War that ended in a ceasefire rather than a peace treaty.

Roma forward Gervinho has extended his contract with the Serie A club by a year, tying him to the Stadio Olimpico until 2018.

Roma said Monday the Ivory Coast international's new deal "has a four-year duration, with a fixed expiry date of June 30, 2018."

The Obama administration is ramping up its response to West Africa's Ebola crisis, preparing to assign 3,000 U.S. military personnel to the afflicted region to supply medical and logistical support to overwhelmed local health care systems and to boost the number of beds needed to isolate and treat victims of the epidemic.

President Barack Obama planned to announce the stepped up effort Tuesday during a visit to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta amid alarm that the outbreak could spread and that the deadly virus could mutate into a more easily transmitted disease.

Kendrick Lamar appreciated Taylor Swift for paying homage to his music in a recent interview.

Lamar was grateful to hear about Swift knowing the words to his lyrics and putting her in a great mood. The rapper praised the country music star for speaking highly of his music, saying her admiring remarks show hip-hop shouldn't be categorized for one listener.

London Fashion Week swung into Day 3 Sunday, packed from morning to night with next season's womenswear offerings from dozens of designers.

Fashionistas were spoilt for choice, with Temperley, Topshop Unique, Paul Smith and Pringle of Scotland all showing their spring and summer collections.

Two months after exiting the Tour de France with a leg fracture, Alberto Contador rebounded in style by winning his sixth grand tour title after protecting his lead on the 21st and final stage of the Spanish Vuelta on Sunday.

The Tinkoff-Saxo rider won his home race for a third time, to go with two Tour de France victories and one Giro d'Italia title.

Roger Federer and Stan Wawrinka each have Grand Slam singles titles, and Olympic gold together in doubles. Now they've got the chance to win Switzerland's first Davis Cup.

Federer carried Switzerland to its first final in 22 years, beating Fabio Fognini 6-2, 6-3, 7-6 (4) in the opening reverse singles Sunday for a winning 3-1 lead over Italy and into a November 21-23 decider against France, which beat the defending champion Czech Republic 4-1.

Filip Krajinovic denied India a place in the Davis Cup World Group by defeating Yuki Bhambri in the decisive reverse singles Monday to clinch the playoff 3-2 for Serbia.

Krajinovic's 6-3, 6-4, 6-4 victory quashed India's hopes of returning to the World Group after three years.

Strengthened by its expensive new signings, Manchester United rediscovered its swagger in a 4-0 win over Queens Park Rangers to suggest that England's biggest club might be getting back to its best.

Inter Milan won by an even bigger scoreline in Italy, 7-0 against Sassuolo, while Valencia maintained its impressive start to the season in Spain.