Reuters Sports News Summary

Both South Africa and Australia have already qualified for the semi-finals. Soccer-Arsenal's Arteta sweating on Saka, Odegaard fitness Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka is an injury doubt for the Premier League game against Burnley, manager Mikel Arteta said on Friday.

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.

Olympics-Decision on aluminium surfing judges' tower by end November - Paris 2024

A decision on whether an aluminium tower for surfing judges will be built at next year's Olympics in Teahupo'o in Tahiti will be made by the end of the month, Paris 2024 president Tony Estanguet said on Friday. Residents say the planned tower would damage the coral reef.

Cricket-South Africa wrap up World Cup group stage with win over Afghanistan

South Africa saw off a spirited fightback from Afghanistan to win by five wickets in their final World Cup group game and consolidate second place in the standings. South Africa have 14 points from their nine games, two points ahead of Australia who play Bangladesh on Saturday. Both South Africa and Australia have already qualified for the semi-finals.

Soccer-Arsenal's Arteta sweating on Saka, Odegaard fitness

Arsenal winger Bukayo Saka is an injury doubt for the Premier League game against Burnley, manager Mikel Arteta said on Friday. Saka limped off late in the 2-0 Champions League win over Sevilla and was named in the England squad on Thursday. Arteta doesn't want a repeat of his last call-up when he left the England camp having missed Arsenal's game before that international break.

Soccer-Brazil's Kerolin named NWSL's Most Valuable Player

Brazil forward Kerolin of North Carolina Courage has been named the 2023 National Women's Soccer League's Most Valuable Player, the league said on Friday. Kerolin, who scored a career-high 10 goals in 19 games during her second NWSL season and finished as the Golden Boot runner-up, is the first South American-born player and fourth international to win the league's highest individual honor.

Golf-Pavon, Homa share lead after second round at Sun City

Frenchman Matthieu Pavon carded a six under-par 66 to grab a share of the lead with American Max Homa after the second round of the DP World Tour’s Nedbank Golf Challenge at the Gary Player Country Club on Friday. Pavon, who has had two top 10s and a victory in his last four outings, and Homa are at 10 under-par in the tournament regarded as Africa’s major championship, one shot ahead of England’s Don Bradbury (69).

Tennis-Slovenia set up BJK Cup semi-final against Italy

Slovenia reached the semi-finals of the Billie Jean King Cup for the first time despite Tamara Zidansek retiring hurt during the second singles against Kazakhstan in their Group B clash in Seville on Friday. Slovenia will face Group D winners Italy on Saturday.

Paralympics-Torch relay to start from Games hometown in Britain

The 2024 Paralympics torch relay will start from Stoke Mandeville, Britain, where the event was first imagined by neurologist Ludwig Guttmann in 1948, organisers said on Friday. "We wanted it to kick off where the Paralympics were born," Paris 2024 president Tony Estanguet told a press conference.

Soccer-Chelsea deserved Spurs win and VAR got it right, says Pochettino

Chelsea inflicted the first Premier League defeat of the season on London rivals Tottenham Hotspur on Monday and manager Mauricio Pochettino believes his side deserved the win. Chelsea came away from Spurs with a 4-1 victory in a chaotic game where they went behind early and then stormed back after two red cards for the home side.

Soccer-United and Rashford unhappy with striker's form says Ten Hag

Manchester United and Marcus Rashford are unhappy with his recent performances manager Erik ten Hag has said after the striker's red card contributed to their midweek Champions League loss but the Dutchman believes he will rediscover his form. Rashford's red card on Wednesday, for planting his foot on the ankle of FC Copenhagen's Elias Jelert to protect the ball, was a turning point as United went from 2-0 up to lose 4-3.

Russian anti-doping agency hoping for fair ruling in Valieva case

Russia's national anti-doping agency (RUSADA) said on Friday it hoped for a fair ruling in the doping case of figure skater Kamila Valieva, which is being heard at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Switzerland. Valieva tested positive for the banned substance trimetazidine, which prevents angina, at the Russian national championships in December 2021 as a 15-year-old.