Spanish giants Barcelona said Thursday they had pledged to aid the reconstruction of Brazilian side Chapecoense, decimated by an air crash last month in Colombia.

Novak Djokovic failed to train hard enough and will not regain the top world ranking unless he "puts in the hours", former coach Boris Becker says, after the pair split.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Wednesday extended sanctions against Russia over doping until further notice.

FIFA president Gianni Infantino wants to expand the World Cup finals to 48 teams featuring 16 groups of three starting with the 2026 tournament, a source within world football's governing body told AFP on Wednesday.

Real Madrid launched a staunch defense of star forward Cristiano Ronaldo on Tuesday, demanding respect for the three-time World Player of the Year amid allegations he hid millions of euros earned from image rights in tax havens.

Tennis stars Roger Federer and Serena Williams have both pulled out of an exhibition tournament in India next week as a result of the country's cash crunch, organizers said Tuesday.

LeBron James is among a group of Cleveland Cavaliers players who have refused to stay in a hotel affiliated with President-elect Donald Trump when the NBA champions visit New York later this week, it was reported Monday.

ESPN cited multiple team sources as saying that James, who endorsed Trump's rival Hillary Clinton during last month's election, would not stay with other team members at the Trump SoHo hotel in Manhattan for this week's game against the Knicks.

Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane insists the European champions aren't prepared to settle for second place behind Borussia Dortmund in Champions League Group F despite the potential for an easier last 16 tie.

The sexual abuse scandal engulfing English football was "bound to" spread to other countries, the former vice-chairman of the Football Association David Dein insisted on Tuesday.

Barcelona striker Neymar is suffering from muscle fatigue but no serious injury after Saturday's 1-1 draw with arch rivals Real Madrid, the club said on Monday.