Sports News Roundup: Soccer-Pele sings for Santos as recovery continues; Golf-Garcia's wife calls on US Ryder Cup fans to cheer not jeer and more

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.

Soccer-Pele sings for Santos as recovery continues

Pele delighted fans of his former club Santos on Wednesday after his daughter posted a video of him singing the club's anthem as the three-time World Cup winner continues his recovery from colon surgery. The former Santos, Brazil, and New York Cosmos player has been in hospital since the start of September and the 80-year-old has improved enough to post videos of him doing exercises and using a stationary bicycle.

Golf-Garcia's wife calls on US Ryder Cup fans to cheer not jeer

The American wife of Spanish golfer Sergio Garcia has called on her compatriots to show European players respect during the Ryder Cup after being embarrassed by some U.S. fans at the 2016 competition in Minnesota. Angela Akins said she hoped there would be no repeat of the atmosphere when the event was last held in the United States at Hazeltine National Golf Club.

Olympics-USOPC will require COVID-19 vaccine for all US athletes at Beijing Games

The United States Olympic & Paralympic Committee on Wednesday said all U.S. athletes hoping to compete at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics will need to be vaccinated against COVID-19. "Effective Nov. 1, 2021, the U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Committee will require all USOPC staff, athletes, and those utilizing USOPC facilities – including the training centers – to be fully vaccinated against COVID-19," USOPC CEO Sarah Hirshland wrote in a letter reviewed by Reuters.

Soccer-Bruno Henrique double gives Flamengo first leg Libertadores lead

Bruno Henrique scored twice in the first half as Brazilian side Flamengo beat Ecuador's Barcelona 2-0 in the first leg of their Copa Libertadores semi-final on Wednesday. Flamengo, champions in 2019, took the lead after 21 minutes with a Bruno Henrique header before the former Santos and Wolfsburg striker doubled their lead 18 minutes later when he finished off a fine passing move.

Soccer-UEFA urges FIFA to stop pushing World Cup plan

European football's governing body UEFA has urged FIFA to stop pushing its plan for a two-year World Cup and instead to engage in "genuine consultation" over reform of the international match calendar. FIFA is conducting a feasibility study into holding the World Cup on a biennial basis, a change from the current four-yearly cycle, but has made no secret of its desire to switch to such a format.

Golf-'Say cheese', Europeans court Packers fans at Ryder Cup

If you want to get on the right side of Wisconsin locals you can do two things -- dress like you are a Green Bay Packers supporter and wear a giant slice of foam cheese on your head. The European Ryder Cup team did both on Wednesday as they launched a charm offensive at Whistling Straits before facing the hostile U.S. home crowd when play begins on Friday in the biennial event.

Cricket-British PM Johnson asks Australia to help resolve Ashes stand-off

British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has asked his Australian counterpart, Scott Morrison, to help ease strict quarantine rules to allow the families of England's cricketers to tour with the players during the upcoming Ashes series. England players are seeking assurances their family members will be allowed to join them in Australia during the five-test series in December and January.

Can you 'own' a goal? Collectible NFTs rolling into elite soccer

It might have seemed a long shot a year ago when a company built a digital platform for basketball fans to buy and trade video highlights of NBA games that they could probably watch for free online. It was more bewildering when some clips changed hands for tens, or even hundreds, of thousands of dollars.

Tennis-Osaka confirms withdrawal from Indian Wells

Naomi Osaka, who said at the U.S. Open that she planned to take a break from tennis, has officially pulled out of next month's BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells. The four-time Grand Slam champion fell in the third round of the year's final major and afterward, told reporters she needed the break to concentrate on her mental health.

Golf-Ryder Cup practice feels like a beach day in Ireland

As chill winds whipped across Whistling Straits on Wednesday morning European Ryder Cup captain Padraig Harrington smiled and described it as a beach day -- in Ireland. Irishman Shane Lowry had much the same view; "It feels very much like a summer's day in Ireland," offered the 2019 British Open winner with a television weatherman's deadpan delivery.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)