Reuters Sports News Summary

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs. ASA criticizes IAAF over Semenya hearing, says they failed to prove case

Athletics South Africa (ASA) have issued a rebuke of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) and say the body failed to prove their case in the appeal hearing of double Olympic champion Caster Semenya. ASA also claim the IAAF have sought to further amend regulations that would limit the testosterone levels of athletes classed as having differences in sexual development (DSDs). Battle leaving Syracuse to pursue pro dreams

After flirting with the NBA last year, Tyus Battle stuck around for his junior season at Syracuse. This time around, Battle says it's time to move on as he thanked fans in a farewell letter on Friday. Bulgarian Pulev to appear before California Athletic commission for reporter kiss

Bulgarian boxer Kubrat Pulev, known as The Cobra, has been ordered to appear before the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) to explain why he abruptly kissed a reporter on the lips following a post-fight interview on Saturday. The 37-year-old heavyweight contender, who has only one loss in 27 fights, grabbed Jennifer Ravalo's face and kissed her on the lips after knocking out Romania’s Bogdan Dinu in the seventh round in Costa Mesa, California. Messi haunted by failures but retirement still long way off

Lionel Messi says he constantly replays Argentina's 2014 World Cup final defeat in his head but has vowed that a recent international sabbatical was a one-off and he has no plans to retire in the near future. The Barcelona striker, speaking on an Argentine radio station on Friday, also surprised listeners by saying he misses Portuguese forward Cristiano Ronaldo, who left rivals Real Madrid for Juventus last year. Trump overrides advisers, backs funding for Special Olympics after uproar

U.S. President Donald Trump overrode his budget team and backed funding for the Special Olympics on Thursday after his proposed cuts to the athletic program drew heavy fire from both Republicans and Democrats. Trump's proposed budget for fiscal year 2020, which he released earlier this month, would have zeroed out funding for the Special Olympics, which has an allocation of $17.6 million this fiscal year. England rise to third in world rankings ahead of Women's World Cup

England enhanced their reputation as one of the favorites to win the Women's World Cup later this year after rising to third in FIFA's rankings on Friday, leapfrogging tournament hosts France in the process. Phil Neville's squad moved up thanks to their success at the SheBelieves Cup in the United States earlier this month, where they drew with the hosts and secured wins over Brazil and Japan to win the four-nation competition for the first time. NCAA Tournament roundup: Purdue tops Vols in OT

Ryan Cline exploded to score a career-best 27 points and made seven 3-pointers as Purdue knocked off Tennessee 99-94 in overtime of a South Region semifinal game Thursday night at Louisville, Ky. Carsen Edwards made five 3-pointers while scoring a game-high 29 points as third-seeded Purdue (26-9) reached the Elite Eight of the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2000. Edwards sank 2 of 3 free throws with 1.7 seconds left to send the game to OT. IOC sanctions three athletes from London 2012 Games for doping

Azeri weightlifter Valentin Hristov was stripped of his 2012 Olympics 56-kg bronze medal on Friday after he was one of three athletes to test positive for banned substances in re-tests conducted by the International Olympic Committee. The IOC said Hristov's London Games sample tested positive for a prohibited anabolic steroid (oralturinabol) when it was reanalyzed. Report: Cowboys DB Jones had hip surgery

Dallas Cowboys cornerback Byron Jones underwent hip surgery on Wednesday, according to ESPN's Todd Archer. Jones, who has not missed a game in his four-year career, is hopeful to be ready for training camp. NBA roundup: Antetokounmpo hurt in Bucks' victory

Khris Middleton scored 39 points as the Milwaukee Bucks moved closer to securing the top record in the Eastern Conference with a 128-118 victory Thursday over the visiting Los Angeles Clippers. The victory came with some concern, however, as Giannis Antetokounmpo left the game with 7:46 remaining and did not return after sustaining a right ankle injury when he stepped on the foot of the Clippers' Garrett Temple.