New Ghana coach Avram Grant opened the door for Kevin-Prince Boateng and Sulley Muntari to return to the national team on Thursday after they were banned indefinitely for indiscipline at the World Cup.

The pair was excluded by former coach Kwesi Appiah following the problems at the World Cup, when both were thrown out of Ghana's team camp.

UEFA has confirmed its Nations League format which replaces most international friendlies from 2018.

The tournament guarantees top-ranked UEFA teams playing each other more often, and offers a second qualifying route through playoffs for the World Cup and European Championship.

France coach Didier Deschamps has hinted that he could give Thierry Henry a final game as a "tribute" to his playing career.

The 37-year-old Henry is contemplating his future after ending his career with the New York Red Bulls, and he has been linked to a potential coaching role at Arsenal under his former coach Arsene Wenger.

Spanish football clubs must commit to eradicating violent groups among their fans or face fines and penalties, league president Javier Tebas said on Thursday.

Tebas planned to draft a list of clubs that collaborate with radical "ultra" groups, and proposed sanctions including "points deductions or relegation."

The IOC is prepared to take action against any Russian Olympic athletes or officials involved in doping if allegations of systematic cheating and corruption in the country are proven to be true, IOC President Thomas Bach said Thursday.

Bach met with World Anti-Doping Agency President Craig Reedie to discuss the allegations of Russian doping made on Wednesday by German television channel ARD and French sports daily L'Equipe.

The English Football Association released proposals on Thursday designed to enhance England's prospects which have been inspired by models from Germany and Belgium.

The "England DNA" program will be rolled out to more than 1,500 coaches at the national team's St. George's Park base in central England.

Brazilian football club Santos has signed a lifetime contract to use the image of former player Pele.

The club said Thursday it will "continue using Pelé's image in its marketing, publicity and social media campaigns."

Golden State stretched its winning streak to 11 games by beating New Orleans 112-85 on Friday, matching the longest run of wins in franchise history.

The Warriors' 1971-72 team also won 11 straight.

Defending champion Juan Martin del Potro has been granted a wildcard into next month's Sydney International, organizers said Thursday.

The 2009 U.S. Open winner will start as the tournament favorite despite a tough injury-blighted year.

Borussia Dortmund coach Jurgen Klopp says Friday's clash with Hoffenheim is a "High Noon" showdown for the Bundesliga's bottom side to prove they can turn around their dire league form.

Dortmund are enduring the worst start to a league season in their history and last Sunday's 2-0 loss at Eintracht Frankfurt was their eighth defeat in 13 league games.