Reuters Sports News Summary

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.

Doping-Russian anti-doping agency case will be sent to CAS says WADA

The Russian anti-doping agency disputes the World Anti-Doping Agency's assessment that RUSADA is non-compliant with the world anti-doping code, WADA said in a statement on Friday as it prepares to send the case to sport's highest court CAS. Last month, WADA said Russia would face more sanctions for failing to address its non-compliance issues.

Soccer-Mead set for Arsenal return after 11-month ACL injury layoff

England and Arsenal forward Beth Mead is in line to make her first appearance in a year since rupturing her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) when her club face Aston Villa in the Women's Super League, manager Jonas Eidevall said on Friday. Mead, who holds the record for most assists in the WSL, tore her ACL in November and missed out on the women's World Cup as a result.

Olympics-IOC board approves new sports, including cricket, for LA 2028 Games

Five sports, including cricket and flag football, proposed for inclusion at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics were approved by the International Olympic Committee executive board on Friday, leaving them with one last hurdle to seal their Olympic spots. Organisers of the LA 2028 Games said this week they wanted cricket, flag football, lacrosse, squash and baseball-softball added to the event.

Motorcycling-Marini sets lap record to grab pole position at Indonesia GP

VR46 Racing's Luca Marini twice set a lap record on Saturday to capture pole position for the Indonesia Grand Prix in Mandalika, as championship leader Francesco Bagnaia failed to make it out of the first qualifying session. Marini first set a record with a scorching lap of one minute 30.383 seconds in Q1, before topping the timesheets by improving on his own mark in Q2 with a time of 1:29.978 to earn his first-ever pole.

Motor racing-Belgian GP secures one year extension for 2025

Formula One's Belgian Grand Prix has secured a one-year extension to its current deal, keeping it on the calendar through 2025. Formula One said in a statement that this year’s race at Spa-Francorchamps had seen an attendance of 380,000 across the weekend, an increase of 20,000 on 2022.

Soccer-Israel's FA president Zuares criticises Wembley arch decision

Israel Football Association chief Moshe Zuares has criticised the English FA for its decision not to light up Wembley Stadium's arch in blue and white in solidarity with his country after last week's attacks by Palestinian militant group Hamas. Wembley, the home of England's national soccer team, has previously lit up its iconic arch with the colours of Ukraine, Turkey and other countries in solidarity.

Soccer-FIFA president Infantino offers condolences in letter to Israel and Palestine FAs

FIFA president Gianni Infantino wrote to the Israel and Palestine Football Associations on Friday, offering his condolences over the "horrendous violence" in the past week in a conflict that has taken over 2,700 lives so far. Hamas militants killed more than 1,300 Israelis in their attack on Saturday. In response, Israeli air strikes have killed more than 1,400 people in Gaza so far, authorities there said.

Soccer-U.S. need more friendlies with leading teams - Berhalter

If the United States hope to make an impact at the 2026 World Cup they must play more top teams like Germany, who they face in a friendly on Saturday, head coach Gregg Berhalter has said. The match in East Hartford, Connecticut against the four-time world champions will be a litmus test of sorts for the U.S. and Berhalter is making sure his players are not intimidated.

Cricket-Williamson back with a bang as New Zealand down Bangladesh in World Cup

New Zealand captain Kane Williamson made a successful return at the World Cup following his injury layoff with a half-century as the 2019 runners-up beat Bangladesh by eight wickets in Chennai on Friday for their third successive victory.

Chasing 246 to win after New Zealand's pace bowlers Lockie Ferguson, Trent Boult and Matt Henry ripped through Bangladesh, Williamson (78) batted superbly in his first competitive game since rupturing his knee ligament in March.

Cricket-Gladiatorial Pakistan keen to break India jinx in Ahmedabad colosseum

Pakistan would be forgiven for feeling like gladiators thrown into the Colosseum when they face an India team egged on by 100,000-plus fans in Saturday's World Cup blockbuster, but skipper Babar Azam sees the match as a chance to end a jinx against their arch-rivals. Two-time champions India have a perfect 7-0 record against Pakistan in the 50-overs World Cup and are also the top-ranked ODI team, who have won both their games in the tournament so far.

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