Sports News Roundup: Dallas, Doha and Munich to become ATP 500 events; Usyk in training for likely February date with Fury and more

Cincinnati beat New York at Red Bull Arena in a penalty shootout on Saturday, advancing to the semi-finals of the MLS Playoffs. Golf-LIV Golf announces first-ever transfer window LIV Golf will allow player trades through a transfer window for the 2024 season, the Saudi Arabia-backed circuit announced on Wednesday.

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.

Tennis-Italy beat France in BJK Cup Finals after two singles wins

Singles wins for Martina Trevisan and Jasmine Paolini gave Italy victory over France in their opening Group D clash at the Billie Jean King Cup Finals in Seville on Wednesday. Trevisan recovered from a slow start to beat the experienced Alize Cornet 2-6 6-2 6-2 in the opening rubber.

Soccer-Urawa's Asian Champions League title defence hit by Pohang defeat

Urawa Red Diamonds' defence of their Asian Champions League title suffered another blow on Wednesday as the shorthanded Japanese side were dealt a 2-1 defeat by South Korea's Pohang Steelers. Second half goals from Zeca and Kim In-sung, who scored in injury time after Urawa's Takahiro Akimoto had been sent off, allowed hosts Pohang to come back and take all three points following Jose Kante's 36th minute opener for Maciej Skorza's side.

Olympics-Paris 2024 wishes to dialogue with French Polynesia over controversial surfing site

Paris 2024 organisers are sticking to their choice of Tahiti's Teahupo'o site for the Olympics surfing competition despite local opposition amid a dispute over the construction of an aluminium tower that residents say would damage the coral reef. The idyllic lagoon-side village has long hosted some of the best contests on the professional World Surf League's (WSL) championship tour, using a modest wooden tower for judges on the reef that is dismantled after every event.

NHL roundup: Coyotes' Connor Ingram stops Kraken in SO

Connor Ingram made 35 saves through overtime and then didn't allow a goal in the shootout as the Arizona Coyotes defeated the Seattle Kraken 4-3 on Tuesday in Tempe, Ariz. Clayton Keller had a goal and an assist and Nick Schmaltz added two helpers for the Coyotes. Matias Maccelli and Barrett Hayton also scored for Arizona, and Nick Bjugstad was the only player to tally in the shootout for either team.

Maradona's heirs win EU trademark fight against soccer player's ex-lawyer

The heirs of Diego Maradona who died three years ago on Tuesday won their fight to use the Argentine soccer genius's name after Europe's top court said Argentine company Sattvica belonging to his former lawyer was not entitled to the trademark. Maradona secured an EU trademark to his name for clothing, footwear, hospitality and IT services in 2008.

Tennis-Dallas, Doha and Munich to become ATP 500 events

Men's tournaments in Dallas, Doha and Munich will be upgraded from ATP 250 to ATP 500 events as part of reforms to strengthen the 2025 calendar, the men's Tour body confirmed on Wednesday. The upgrades, part of the ATP's One Vision strategy, will see improvements to facilities and a combined $51.7 million in additional player compensation over a five-year period.

Boxing-Usyk in training for likely February date with Fury

Oleksandr Usyk is hoping his undisputed heavyweight world title fight with Tyson Fury can take place in Saudi Arabia in February once the Briton has recovered from a bruising 10 rounds with boxing novice Francis Ngannou. Contracts were signed in September but a proposed Dec 23 date in Riyadh looks sure to slide since WBC champion Fury's near-defeat to former UFC champion Ngannou in a non-title bout on Oct 28.

Soccer-Supporter handed three-year ban for racist gesture towards Tottenham's Son

A visiting supporter was given a three-year football ban for making a racist gesture towards Tottenham Hotspur forward Son Heung-min, the club said on Wednesday. The incident occurred during Tottenham's 1-0 home win over Crystal Palace in May. The offending fan was arrested and charged with a racially aggravated public order offence.

Soccer-MLS player forcibly removed from officials' locker room - referees' body

Major League Soccer (MLS) is investigating an alleged incident in which a player was forcibly removed from the match officials' locker room after a game last week between the New York Red Bulls and FC Cincinnati, the league said on Tuesday. Cincinnati beat New York at Red Bull Arena in a penalty shootout on Saturday, advancing to the semi-finals of the MLS Playoffs.

Golf-LIV Golf announces first-ever transfer window

LIV Golf will allow player trades through a transfer window for the 2024 season, the Saudi Arabia-backed circuit announced on Wednesday. In the league featuring 12 teams, during the off-season, teams can trade players from their current rosters, providing both teams approve, and there will also be a mid-season trading window.

(With inputs from agencies.)