Manchester City have launched an investigation into reports France defender Benjamin Mendy flouted coronavirus rules by hosting a gathering at his house on New Year's Eve.

Barcelona midfielder Philippe Coutinho needs surgery to mend a torn meniscus after the Brazilian limped off the pitch late in Tuesday's drab home draw with Eibar.

Mario Balotelli got off to a flying start for Monza on Wednesday after bagging his first goal for his new club just three minutes into his debut for Silvio Berlusconi's ambitious team.

Manchester City were due to return to training on Wednesday after no new positive cases of coronavirus were reported following the latest round of testing.

Liverpool sharpshooter Mohamed Salah will be a star in demand during 2021 with Egypt wanting him not only for World Cup and Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers, but also the Olympic Games.  

Tennis legends Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, ranked second and fifth in the world respectively, have been re-elected to the ATP players' council, whose term runs until June 2022.

Gareth Bale's stop-start second spell at Tottenham has been hit by a fresh injury problem with the Welshman expected to be out for at least two weeks due to a calf injury.

Eighteen Premier League players and staff have tested positive for coronavirus, the highest number since weekly testing began, the league confirmed on Tuesday.

Chinese streaming giant Tencent has stopped live broadcasts of games by the NBA's Philadelphia 76ers in apparent protest at their new president Daryl Morey, who sparked a row by voicing support for Hong Kong protesters last year.

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer believes Edinson Cavani still has years left as a top striker and is keen to extend the Uruguayan's contract at Old Trafford.