Spanish goalkeeper David De Gea believes his move from Atletico Madrid to Premier League giants Manchester United has helped him evolve into both a better man and a better player.

Spain midfielder Xavi is in a race against time to be fit for the upcoming 2014 World Cup qualifiers against Finland and France, as he attempts to recover from a thigh injury, the Spanish federation announced on Tuesday.

Outgoing English Premier League chairman Dave Richards believes his organisation will have to drop its resistance to the idea of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar being played in the European winter.

Mike Plant, a 1980 US Olympic speedskater and executive for Major League Baseball's Atlanta Braves, was named as interim president of US Speedskating on Tuesday by its board of directors.

England manager Roy Hodgson described Michael Owen's goalscoring record for his country as "magnificent" after the striker announced Tuesday his intention to retire at the end of the season.

LeBron James is coming back to his home region to play against the Cleveland Cavaliers, the NBA team he spurned to join the Miami Heat, with his new teammates on a historic win streak.

Brian O'Driscoll will face a citing hearing in London on Wednesday for stamping on Simone Favaro in Ireland's 22-15 Six Nations defeat by Italy, tournament organisers have announced.

Brian O'Driscoll will face a citing hearing in London on Tuesday for stamping on Simone Favaro in Ireland's 22-15 Six Nations defeat by Italy, tournament organisers have announced.

Real Madrid must beat Galatasaray in their Champions League quarter-final home leg or else they face a tough time in the return leg in Turkey, coach Jose Mourinho said on Tuesday.

France striker Karim Benzema on Tuesday pondered his recent barren run in front of goal for France as Les Bleus prepare to face Georgia and Spain in crucial World Cup qualifiers.

Indian Wells finalist Juan Martin del Potro has become the latest leading player to announce he will take part in the traditional Wimbledon grasscourt warm-up event at London's Queen's Club in June.

Matt Hasselbeck signed a free agent deal with the Indianapolis Colts on Tuesday, a day after the 14-season National Football League quarterback was released by the Tennessee Titans.

French international defender Eric Abidal, who underwent a liver transplant last April, is on his way back and played in a training match for Barcelona reserves against French second division side Istres, his club said Tuesday.

Newcastle United expressed their "disappointment" Tuesday with both the FA and Wigan chairman Dave Whelan after the governing body said Callum McManaman would escape disciplinary action over his tackle on Magpies' full-back Massadio Haidara.

Spanish central defender Sergio Ramos was a proud man on Tuesday as he prepared to win his 100th cap for his country in Friday's World Cup qualifier against Finland.

Hosting the 2020 Olympic Games in Madrid would provide a 3.87-billion euro ($5.0-billion) boost to the Spanish economy and generate 83,000 full-time jobs, Madrid bid organisers said Tuesday.

Blackburn Rovers have sacked manager Michael Appleton after just over two months in charge, the Indian-owned English second-tier club announced on Tuesday.

Wigan's Callum McManaman will escape disciplinary action over his tackle on Newcastle full-back Massadio Haidara during a Premier League match on Sunday, the Football Association announced Tuesday.

Frank Lampard believes that Rio Ferdinand has not yet played his last game for England, despite the defender having withdrawn from the national squad this week.

Former England striker Michael Owen announced on Tuesday that he will bring down the curtain on his professional career at the end of the current season.