Kenyan runner Jackson Limo won on Sunday the 13th edition of the Banque du Liban International Beirut Marathon.

He broke last year's record, clocking in at 2:11:05.

Suspended FIFA president Sepp Blatter has been placed under medical observation for stress, a spokesman told AFP on Friday.

Blatter, long the most powerful man in football, suffered a "medical incident" last weekend and had been placed under medical observation for 10 days, a Swiss radio station reported.

Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema received the backing of his club on Thursday, just hours after being charged in connection with a sex tape extortion case.

The 27-year-old was released by French prosecutors earlier in the day in a blackmail case involving a tape featuring fellow French international Mathieu Valbuena.

Jose Mourinho "will solve" Chelsea's current form slump, his agent has told the BBC.

The reigning English champions are a lowly 15th in the table after six defeats in 11 matches -- the worst start by defending title-holders in the Premier League era -- and have already been knocked out of the League Cup.

American women's star Carli Lloyd will take on Lionel Messi for the Puskas Award, the prize for the best goal of the year, world governing body FIFA said Friday.

National captain Lloyd scored a hat-trick as the United States defeated Japan 5-2 in July's World Cup final in Vancouver with one of the goals a spectacular lob from the center of the pitch.

France striker Karim Benzema has been charged with conspiracy to blackmail and participating in a criminal group as part of an investigation over a sex tape involving teammate Mathieu Valbuena.

The prosecutor's office says Benzema was charged after being brought before a judge on Thursday at the Versailles court. He faces a maximum prison sentence of five years.

Japan's three-time world champion Mao Asada will be the center of attention when she makes her long-awaited comeback to Grand Prix figure skating at this week's Cup of China in Beijing.

The 25-year-old known for her spectacular triple axels will skate her first Grand Prix event in two years after taking a sabbatical following her gold at the 2014 world championships.

Jose Mourinho paid an emotional tribute to Chelsea's loyal fans as the beleaguered Blues boss savored the dramatic 2-1 win over Dynamo Kiev that earned him a stay of execution.

Mourinho has been under siege from critics who claim his side's woeful run has left him on the verge of the sack.

Liverpool coach Jurgen Klopp insisted Wednesday that former skipper Steven Gerrard will not be returning to the club although he will be happy to have the legendary Anfield stalwart train with his squad.

Gerrard left for the United States last summer to play for the Los Angeles Galaxy in Major League Soccer.

Arsene Wenger slammed Arsenal's "extremely poor" defensive display at Bayern Munich as their record 5-1 defeat left them with just a slender chance of progressing in the Champions League.

Thomas Mueller scored twice on Wednesday while Robert Lewandowski, David Alaba and Arjen Robben were also on target as Pep Guardiola's Bayern emphatically avenged their 2-0 defeat at the Emirates Stadium a fortnight ago.