US investment bank JPMorgan on Monday confirmed it is financing the breakaway Super League featuring 12 of Europe's top football clubs, which threatens to shake-up the world's biggest sport.

Twelve of Europe's biggest clubs on Monday said they planned to launch a breakaway Super League, despite the threat of an international ban for them and their players.

A senior Japanese politician said cancelling the Tokyo Olympics over the coronavirus remains a possibility on Thursday, as a surge in cases renews concerns about the Games with less than 100 days to go.

World number one Novak Djokovic crashed out of the Monte Carlo Masters in the last 16 on Thursday following a shock 6-4, 7-5 defeat by Britain's Dan Evans.

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson denies intervening to try to help a Saudi bid for Newcastle football club, Downing Street said Thursday, amid a widening Westminster scandal over corporate lobbying. 

Trials using permanent concussion substitutes in English football have sometimes "fallen short of their objective" and "jeopardized player health", putting unfair pressure on medical staff, the global players' union FIFPRO and England's Professional Footballers' Association have said.

Singapore's Joseph Schooling famously upset the great Michael Phelps to win Olympic gold but he said "my biggest rival is myself" as he bids to return to form at the Tokyo Games.

Mikel Arteta has challenged Arsenal's under-performing stars to save the club's season in the Europa League quarter-final second leg against Slavia Prague on Thursday.

Swedish authorities on Tuesday accused Russia's military intelligence service of hacking the Swedish Sports Confederation to try to discredit its athletes, but said there was no prospect of a prosecution.

Liverpool must produce a "perfect performance" to overcome a 3-1 first leg deficit against Real Madrid on Wednesday and reach the Champions League semi-finals, manager Jurgen Klopp said.