Footballer-turned-actor Eric Cantona, after failing in a quixotic bid to destroy global banking, is lining up a long-odds shot at the French presidency, according to a report Tuesday.

The ex-Manchester United player, known to English fans as King Eric, has written to French mayors seeking the 500 signatures from elected officials that are necessary for a presidential bid, Liberation said in a front-page report.

Venus Williams withdrew from the Australian Open on Monday, prolonging her absence from the tennis tour because of an autoimmune disease that can cause fatigue and joint pain.

The seven-time Grand Slam title winner announced on Twitter and her website that she wouldn't play in the year's first major tournament, which starts next week. She added, though, that she plans to be back in action next month.

Thierry Henry needed just over 10 minutes to mark his Arsenal return with the winning goal as Leeds United were edged out 1-0 at the Emirates Stadium in the FA Cup third round on Monday.

The former France international, 34, left the Gunners in June 2007 as the club's record goal-scorer and returned last week on a two-month loan from New York Red Bulls.

Lionel Messi was on Monday awarded the 2011 FIFA Ballon d'Or at a star-studded ceremony in Zurich, the third consecutive year that he has won the prestigious award for the world's outstanding footballer.

The 24-year-old Barcelona and Argentina forward finished ahead of his Real Madrid rival Cristiano Ronaldo and Barca team-mate Xavi.

Francesca Schiavone upset U.S. Open champion Samantha Stosur's preparations for next week's Australian Open with a straight sets opening round win at the Sydney International on Monday.

The Italian matched home favorite Stosur's power with aggression to secure a 6-2, 6-4 win in 90 minutes in the feature match on Ken Rosewall Arena.

Arsene Wenger has confirmed Thierry Henry will make his second 'debut' for Arsenal during the FA Cup third-round clash against Leeds, more than 12 years since he made his first appearance for the club.

Henry was registered in time for Monday's game at the Emirates, although Wenger is unsure whether the 34-year-old will start against their Championship opponents or come off the bench as he attempts to add to his 226 Arsenal goals.

Steve Nash delivered 17 assists as the Phoenix Suns beat short-handed Milwaukee 109-93, sending the Bucks home without a victory in their five-game NBA western road trip.

"We were just really soft on him," Bucks coach Scott Skiles said of Nash, the Suns' veteran playmaker. "You let Steve dribble around like that, and he's got such great vision.

Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola refused to concede defeat in La Liga title race after a 1-1 draw with Espanyol left the defending champions trailing bitter rivals Real Madrid by five points.

Barcelona took a 16th-minute lead through a header from Cesc Fabregas -- the club's 100th goal in all competitions this season -- but were rocked when Alvaro Vazquez scored an 86th-minute equaliser with a diving, close-range header.

Manchester United and Wayne Rooney moved swiftly on Friday to deny a report that the striker was poised to leave Old Trafford, dismissing the claim as "nonsense."

A report to be published in Saturday's edition of The Independent suggested Sir Alex Ferguson was ready to sell the club's talismanic striker after a breakdown in relations with the player.

Serena Williams has a badly sprained left ankle, Roger Federer an aching back, and Kim Clijsters a sore left hip.

Add in a limping — but "I'll be OK" — Andy Murray, Rafael Nadal playing with a sore left shoulder from the end of last season and the advance tournaments for this year's Australian Open are beginning to look like a star-studded sports injury clinic.