Reuters Sports News Summary

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs. Plane cushions found in search for missing soccer player Sala

Investigators searching for a lost plane carrying Premier League soccer player Emiliano Sala said on Wednesday an underwater search would begin after they found two seat cushions on the French coast that likely belonged to the aircraft. The 28-year-old Argentina-born forward had been en route from Nantes in western France with pilot David Ibbotson to make his debut for Welsh team Cardiff City when the plane disappeared over the English Channel on Jan. 21. Report: Diamondbacks, RHP Holland agree to one-year deal

Relief pitcher Greg Holland and the Arizona Diamondbacks have agreed to a one-year deal, according to multiple reports Wednesday. The right-hander is set to earn $3.5 million but could as much as double his salary if he meets incentives, Jon Heyman of MLB Network reported. Weightlifting: Russian Akkaev gets eight-year ban for third doping offense

Russia's former world weightlifting champion Khadzhimurat Akkaev has been banned for eight years for a third doping offense since 2005, the domestic weightlifting federation said. The 33-year-old, who won the world title in the 105kg category in Paris in 2011 and silver medal in the 94kg at the 2004 Olympic Games in Athens, will remain suspended until August 1, 2024. Sharapova withdraws from St. Petersburg with shoulder injury

Russian tennis star Maria Sharapova withdrew from her second-round match at the WTA St Petersburg Ladies Trophy on Wednesday because of a shoulder injury, tournament organizers said. "Sharapova is withdrawing from her match today due to a right shoulder injury," the WTA St Petersburg Ladies Trophy 2019 wrote on Twitter. Report: NFL to consider challenge of judgment calls

The NFL is reviewing options to allow coaches to challenge judgment calls by officials, but their teams would be negatively impacted if a review shows officials got the call right, ESPN's Adam Schefter reported Wednesday morning. Schefter said that if a challenge is wrong, the team could be penalized or time could be run off the clock. He said that by adding such a disincentive, coaches will reserve the option for the most obvious of cases. Wife of jailed Bahraini footballer begs Thai PM for his release

The wife of jailed Bahraini footballer Hakeem Al Araibi pleaded with Thailand's prime minister on Wednesday to ensure he is not extradited to his native country, saying he faces torture there and should be sent back to asylum in Australia. "He would go back to face imprisonment, torture and possible death. Please help my husband. I don't want to lose him," Araibi's wife wrote on Wednesday in an open letter to Thai Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha. Golf: Rose sidesteps controversy ahead of Saudi International debut

World number one Justin Rose tried to steer clear of political controversy at his Saudi International pre-tournament news conference on Wednesday, saying he was not qualified to speak on subjects other than golf in "great detail or authority". The European Tour is holding its first event in Saudi Arabia against a backdrop of criticism over the choice of venue in the wake of the murder of Saudi journalist Jamal Khashoggi last October and the kingdom's human rights record. Rams ramp up Super Bowl LIII preparation

Practice is highlighted on the schedule planner for the Los Angeles Rams on Wednesday, representing a return to normalcy as Super Bowl LIII approaches. "It's been good to get going. We're anxious to get out on the field and finalize our game plan," Rams head coach Sean McVay said Wednesday at Buckhead Marriott and Conference Center. "We're certainly excited to get going on practice." Europe chooses Polish sports minister as candidate to head WADA

Poland's sport minister Witold Banka has been chosen as Europe's candidate to become the next head of the World Anti-Doping Agency, which has continued to face criticism over its handling of its Russian affiliate. Banka had proposed establishing a separate funding mechanism to help countries with less developed anti-doping systems fight the problem. He also wants to improve communication with athletes and engage them in anti-doping activities, establish more anti-doping laboratories worldwide and improve cooperation between governments and the sports movement. Atlanta endures bittersweet week of Super Bowl hosting duties

For any U.S. city, hosting the Super Bowl is the dream: A chance to attract thousands of tourists and capture the national spotlight. For fans of the Atlanta Falcons, hosting this year's NFL championship on Sunday is a bit more complicated.