Fifth-ranked Tomas Berdych, hoping to crack the top four in men's tennis for years, says Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal have resumed their stranglehold at the top despite Stanislas Wawrinka's shock Australian Open title.

The 28-year-old Czech, seeking his 10th career ATP title as the top seed at this week's ATP and WTA Washington Open, said Monday that number one Djokovic, coming off a Wimbledon title, and second-ranked Nadal, who won the French Open last month, combine with 17-time Grand Slam winner Roger Federer to make the going tough for challengers.

FIFA on Monday called for an investigation into alleged racist comments made by the front runner in the race for the top job in Italian football.

The racism row involves Italian FA vice-president Carlo Tavecchio, who last Friday provoked controversy when discussing Italy's overseas players

A Spanish court on Monday rejected public prosecutors' request to drop charges of tax fraud against four-time world footballer of the year Lionel Messi and ordered the probe to go ahead.

The Barcelona forward and his father, Jorge Horacio Messi, were accused last year of not paying 4.16 million euros ($5.58 million) in tax on earnings from the player's image rights from 2007-2009 through the creation of a web of shell companies in Belize and Uruguay.

Germany's World Cup-winning midfielder Bastian Schweinsteiger apologized on Monday after footage emerged of the Bayern Munich star making derogatory comments about Bundesliga rivals Borussia Dortmund.

Schweinsteiger was filmed saying: "BVB, sons of bitches," a line from a well-known Bayern supporters song, several times at a private party.

Atletico Madrid have agreed a deal to sign France international Antoine Griezmann from Real Sociedad, the Spanish champions announced on Monday.

"Atletico Madrid and Real Sociedad have reached an agreement for the transfer of Antoine Griezmann," read a statement on Atletico's website.

Vincenzo Nibali said he would never have been in with a chance of winning the Tour de France had it not been for recent improvements in tackling doping.

Jim Furyk closed in on a third Canadian Open crown on Saturday, firing a five-under 65 for a three-shot, third-round lead in the U.S. PGA Tour event.

Wayne Rooney scored twice and Juan Mata added another goal to lift Manchester United to a 3-2 friendly victory over AS Roma on Saturday.

Unbeaten Kazakh star Gennady Golovkin stopped Australian Daniel Geale in three brutal rounds on Saturday to retain his World Boxing Association middleweight world title.

Manchester United playmaker Juan Mata on Saturday gave his seal of approval to the new tactical system introduced by incoming manager Louis van Gaal.

Having set United out in a 3-4-1-2 formation for their opening pre-season friendly against Los Angeles Galaxy on Wednesday, with Mata playing in support of the two strikers, Van Gaal saw his new charges stroll to a 7-0 win.