Sports News Roundup: Dodgers stun Phillies on walk-off slam; Mourinho wears wire on touchline in Roma draw and more

Muncy's 12th home run of the season reached the seats down the right-field line after Chris Taylor singled to lead off the ninth inning, Freddie Freeman was walked intentionally and Will Smith walked to load the bases. Soccer-Haaland breaks Premier League record as Man City reclaim top spot Manchester City's Erling Haaland scored his record-breaking 35th Premier League goal of a stupendous season to help secure a 3-0 victory against West Ham United that sent his side back to the top of the table on Wednesday.

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.

Soccer-Messi receives offer from Saudi club Al-Hilal - source

Lionel Messi has received a formal offer to join Saudi Arabian club Al-Hilal next season, a source close to Argentina's World Cup-winning captain told Reuters on Thursday. The offer from the Saudi club is the only one Messi has received so far, the source added. Argentine media have reported that the offer is worth around $400 million a year.

Sports events organisers encouraged to secure injunctions against online piracy

Sports events organisers such as Sky, Canal+ and FIFA should be allowed to secure injunctions against online piracy of live events, the European Commission said on Thursday, following calls from companies for action against a problem that costs them billions of euros annually. The non-binding recommendation from the EU executive however falls far short of broadcasters and events organisers' calls for binding legislation.

Motor racing-NASCAR Le Mans entry can be springboard for Button and Johnson

Former Formula One champion Jenson Button wants to drive a Hypercar at Le Mans next year and says he would be up for a full season of the world endurance championship if the right opportunity comes along. The Briton will be taking part in the 24 Hours race at the Sarthe circuit on June 10-11 this year as part of a special NASCAR entry with seven times NASCAR champion Jimmie Johnson and former Le Mans winner Mike Rockenfeller.

Soccer-LaLiga loss shrinks as ticket revenues recover after pandemic

Spain's professional soccer clubs reduced their losses in 2021-22 by more than six times to 140 million euros ($155 million) as revenues rose some 23%, largely recovering from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, LaLiga announced on Thursday. It said the season's net deficit was the smallest among Europe's five main leagues, which lost a combined 3.1 billion euros according to the available data and its own calculations, with Germany's Bundesliga coming second at 205 million.

MLB roundup: Dodgers stun Phillies on walk-off slam

Max Muncy hit a grand slam on the first pitch he saw from former teammate Craig Kimbrel as the Los Angeles Dodgers rallied past the visiting Philadelphia Phillies for a 10-6 walk-off victory Wednesday afternoon. Muncy's 12th home run of the season reached the seats down the right-field line after Chris Taylor singled to lead off the ninth inning, Freddie Freeman was walked intentionally and Will Smith walked to load the bases.

Soccer-Haaland breaks Premier League record as Man City reclaim top spot

Manchester City's Erling Haaland scored his record-breaking 35th Premier League goal of a stupendous season to help secure a 3-0 victory against West Ham United that sent his side back to the top of the table on Wednesday. The marauding Norwegian ended some stubborn West Ham resistance when he dinked a delicate chip into the net after 70 minutes to make him the highest scorer in a single Premier League season.

Soccer-Man City face Leeds with points vital for very different reasons

Manchester City appear all but unstoppable in their quest for a third consecutive Premier League title but they are taking nothing for granted as they prepare for Saturday's home game against a Leeds United side battling to beat the drop. Pep Guardiola's City reclaimed top spot from Arsenal thanks to a 3-0 win over visiting West Ham United on Wednesday and a victory versus Leeds would stretch their lead to four points before the Londoners' tough trip to Newcastle United on Sunday.

Soccer-Mourinho wears wire on touchline in Roma draw

AS Roma manager Jose Mourinho stole a move straight out of the pages of a spy novel when he wore a wire on the touchline during his team's 1-1 draw at Monza in Serie A on Wednesday, which he said was to protect himself from the match officials. Mourinho, who is no stranger to clashes with referees, tore into Daniele Chiffi after the game, describing the 38-year-old official as "the worst I've ever encountered."

NFL investigated by two US states over sex bias, harassment claims

State attorney generals in New York and California on Thursday launched a joint investigation into allegations that female employees of the National Football League (NFL) have been subjected to sex discrimination and harassment. California Attorney General Rob Bonta and New York Attorney General Letitia James, both Democrats, said the investigation will examine the NFL's workplace culture and claims made in several pending lawsuits that the league violated federal and state laws banning sex discrimination, including equal pay laws.

Soccer-Ronaldo's Saudi title hopes revived after leaders lose

Cristiano Ronaldo's hopes of winning the Saudi league title with Al-Nassr were given a shot in the arm on Wednesday when leaders Ittihad lost 2-1 to Al-Taawoun. Ittihad are still in the driver's seat on 59 points, three ahead of Al Nassr, with five games left to play. Ittihad also have the upper hand in the head-to-head record between the sides this season.