The anti-fraud operation that shook Belgian football on Wednesday is a reminder that the manipulation of matches, linked to betting or not, spares no country. 

Manchester City winger Leroy Sane said on Wednesday that he plans to use his World Cup disappointment as motivation and seize his chance to impress Germany coach Joachim Loew in the upcoming Nations League clashes against the Netherlands and France.

Roger Federer admitted that he came "very close" to defeat as he was given a huge scare before seeing off Daniil Medvedev 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 to open his Shanghai Masters defense on Wednesday.

Former Manchester United manager David Moyes believes Jose Mourinho retains the full backing of the club and their supporters despite a poor start to the Premier League season.

Imperious Novak Djokovic declared that he was "a completely different player" from the first half of this year after he beat France's Jeremy Chardy 6-3, 7-5 to roll into the Shanghai Masters third round on Tuesday.

Spain's Rafael Nadal maintained his comfortable lead in the latest ATP tennis rankings released on Monday ahead of second-placed Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic in third place.

Real Madrid and Wales forward Gareth Bale and Manchester City's Belgium midfielder Kevin De Bruyne were among the first 15 nominees for the Ballon d'Or award announced on Monday.

Bale, who scored two goals in Real's triumph in the final of the Champions League against Liverpool, joins his club teammate Karim Benzema among the first wave of 30 nominees for the year's best player.

Chelsea's Eden Hazard has cast fresh doubt over his future despite a blistering start to the season by admitting he is still tempted by the childhood dream of a move to Real Madrid.

Arsenal have matched their best winning run in 11 years after thrashing Fulham 5-1 to make it nine successive victories in all competitions.

Cristiano Ronaldo faced growing heat Thursday from sponsors over a rape allegation in the United States after Nike and video game maker EA Sports expressed concern about the conduct of the soccer superstar, who has denied the accusations.

The five-time world player of the year, who was seen driving into the Juventus practice complex in the morning, received public backing from the Italian club, which said it would not judge him on the 2009 assault claim by a Nevada woman.