Reuters Sports News Summary

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs. Cuban baseball welcomes first U.S. player in six decades

A 24-year-old student has become the first U.S. citizen to play in an official Cuban league in around six decades, just as Cubans are batting for U.S. Major League Baseball without having to defect under a historic deal made in December. U.S.-Cuban relations have chilled as U.S. President Donald Trump turned to Cold War characterizations of the communist-run island, but one would not know from the camaraderie on the baseball field. Cardiff City soccer player Sala missing after plane disappears over English Channel

Cardiff City's new soccer star Emiliano Sala was on board a light aircraft that disappeared en route to the Welsh capital where he was to join up with the team, France's civil aviation authority said on Tuesday. Argentine Sala was flying from the French city of Nantes to Cardiff when the plane lost radar contact off the English Channel island Guernsey late on Monday. Cowboys' Prescott, Cooper to Pro Bowl; Saints' Brees, Thomas out

Cowboys teammates Dak Prescott and Amari Cooper were named to the NFC Pro Bowl roster on Tuesday, replacing New Orleans Saints quarterback Drew Brees and wide receiver Michael Thomas. Prescott and Cooper guided Dallas to the NFC East title and posted a regular-season win over the Saints in Dallas. Ronaldo accepts fine for tax evasion, avoids jail

Portuguese soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo was fined almost 19 million euros ($21.6 million) for tax fraud on Tuesday but will avoid serving a 23-month prison sentence after agreeing a deal. Ronaldo, holding hands with his Spanish fiancée Georgina Rodriguez, came out of the court room smiling, pausing to sign autographs before leaving in a black van. Ruthless Nadal sees off Tiafoe to cruise into last four

Rafa Nadal kept the flag flying for the old guard at the Australian Open with a 6-3 6-4 6-2 win over American Frances Tiafoe on Tuesday for a place in the semi-finals where he will meet another next generation player in Stefanos Tsitsipas. Nadal's match against Tiafoe, who turned 21 on Sunday, was billed as an intriguing clash of generations after Roger Federer's loss to Tsitsipas, but the second seed was ruthless as he reached the last four without dropping a set. Tiger: 'Way different' expectations in 2019

As he prepares to make his season debut at the Farmers Insurance Open this week at Torrey Pines in San Diego, Tiger Woods has bigger goals in mind for 2019 than he did a year ago. "Way different," Woods told reporters Tuesday about his expectations compared to 12 months ago. " I know what my body can and cannot do. Last year was a very fluid ... it was like trying to hit a moving target. It was quite interesting to try to figure it all out as the year progressed and evolved. Patience pays off says WADA, as Russia doping investigation moves on

Savaged by anti-doping hardliners for their leniency in handling the Russian doping affair, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) gave itself a pat on the back on Tuesday saying its patient diplomatic approach has moved the scandal closer to an end. After provisionally reinstating the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) in a controversial vote in September, WADA came under attack but has argued that the decision opened the door to the Moscow laboratory and provided access to secret data that might have otherwise remained close. NFL to investigate report of laser on Brady at Kansas City

The NFL is "looking into" a report by a Kansas City television station that a laser pointer was aimed at New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady during the AFC Championship game on Sunday. KMBC shot video that showed a green dot flickering around Brady's shoulder and face. ESPN reported an NFL spokesman confirmed the incident was being investigated. Saints fans sue NFL over no-call that helped send Rams to Super Bowl

Two New Orleans Saints fans on Tuesday sued the National Football League and its commissioner Roger Goodell to force a review of the team's controversial 26-23 loss in Sunday's National Football Conference championship that sent the Los Angeles Rams to the Super Bowl. The teams were tied 20-20 late in regulation when officials failed to call pass interference or helmet-to-helmet penalties on Rams cornerback Nickell Robey-Coleman for knocking Saints receiver Tommylee Lewis down as he awaited a pass. Russian bobsleigh chief Zubkov quits after doping ban

Russian Bobsleigh Federation president Alexander Zubkov said on Tuesday he was temporarily stepping down from his post after being banned from the sport for two years over doping violations. The International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (IBSF) last week suspended Zubkov from any activities related to the sport for a two-year period.