The multi-million dollar corruption scandal engulfing FIFA widened Thursday with 16 people indicted by U.S. justice officials who pledged an unremitting crackdown on an "outrageous" betrayal of trust.

The latest dramatic twist in a long-running saga began with a dawn raid on a luxury Zurich hotel where Swiss authorities arrested South American Football Confederation (CONMEBOL) president Juan Angel Napout, and Alfredo Hawit, head of the Confederation of North, Central American and Caribbean (CONCACAF).

When Wendell Lira soared through a rainy night sky to score the opening goal of a mid-season match in a Brazilian regional football league, there were 342 people in the stands.

None of them could have imagined that the unknown forward, who was released by his club, Goianesia, several months later, would end up competing with Lionel Messi for the Puskas Award, FIFA's prize for the best goal of the year.

Oscar Pistorius was convicted of murder on Thursday by South Africa's Supreme Court of Appeal, which threw out his earlier conviction of the lesser crime of culpable homicide for shooting dead his girlfriend.

"Guilty of murder, with the accused having criminal intent," judge Eric Leach told the court in a dramatic legal reversal.

FIFA said "actions" had been taken by the U.S. justice department Thursday and vowed to continue cooperating with investigators, amid a U.S. report a fresh wave of arrests of football officials was underway in Zurich.

"FIFA became aware of the actions taken today by the U.S. Department of Justice," it said in a statement sent to AFP.

Skier Bode Miller said Wednesday his break from the World Cup isn't set in stone and that he could be looking at a limited return to competition next season.

The six-time Olympic medalist, who suffered a bloody gash and a torn hamstring tendon during a horrifying crash at the World Championships in February, said he should be ready by next winter to compete again on the men's tour, but not full-time.

Reigning league MVP Stephen Curry honored his father with an explosive third quarter performance and Kobe Bryant took his farewell tour up another notch in a pair of key NBA contests on Wednesday.

Curry watched at halftime as his father and former Charlotte star Dell Curry was featured in a half-time ceremony then followed up with a 28-point third quarter as the Golden State Warriors easily defeated the Hornets 116-99.

Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp attempted to keep Divock Origi's feet on the ground after the Belgium international opened his account for the club with a hat-trick at Southampton.

Origi, 20, had not scored in 10 previous appearances since joining up with Liverpool in the close season following his 2014 transfer from French side Lille, where he spent last season on loan.

Resurgent champions Juventus travel to crisis-hit Lazio on Friday looking for a fifth consecutive victory that would reduce the gap on leaders Napoli and possibly cost Stefano Pioli his job.

The champions' trip to the Italian capital has been brought forward a day due to Juve's Champions League trip to Sevilla next week and, going on recent form, the smart money is on the Bianconeri.

Real Madrid face being thrown out of this season's Copa del Rey after reportedly fielding an ineligible player in the first leg of their fourth round tie against Cadiz on Wednesday.

Russian international Denis Cheryshev opened the scoring in Andalusia, but shouldn't have been on the field as he was due to serve a one-game ban in the competition after picking up three yellow cards whilst on loan at Villarreal last season.

England coach and Manchester United legend Gary Neville has been named Valencia boss for the rest of the season, the Spanish side announced on Wednesday.

"Valencia have reached an agreement with English coach Gary Neville for him to be coach of the first team until June 30, 2016," the club said in a statement.