Newcastle's Saudi ownership can start signing up sponsors from the kingdom after new English Premier League rules were introduced to end the brief ban on clubs bringing in such deals to potentially inflate income.

After the Saudi state's sovereign wealth fund took control of Newcastle, a freeze on any clubs signing commercial deals with companies linked to their investors was rushed through temporarily by rivals in October to prevent them being used unfairly to comply with financial regulations.

Karim Benzema and Marco Asensio inflicted the latest blow on Atlético Madrid's title defense after leading Real Madrid to a 2-0 win Sunday to keep their team comfortably at the top of the Spanish league.

Vinícius Júnior again proved to be the difference for Madrid, setting up Benzema and Asensio in each half of the Spanish capital derby.

Inter Milan gave an emphatic sign of intent as the defending Serie A champion moved to the top of Serie A with a crushing 4-0 victory over relegation-threatened Cagliari on Sunday.

Lautaro Martínez scored and missed a penalty in the first half, and Inter ran riot after the break with goals from Alexis Sánchez, Hakan Çalhanoğlu and another from Martínez.

An incredible Formula One title fight ended Sunday on the last lap of the final race with a dramatic overtaking move. Max Verstappen passed Lewis Hamilton at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix in one of the most memorable moments in F1 history. It gave the sport's next superstar his first world title and denied the veteran Hamilton a record eighth.

"Two exceptional and very different drivers in terms of their mentality, their character, their style of driving," four-time F1 champion Alain Prost told broadcaster Canal Plus. "It was magnificent ... and it might just be the best season ever."

UEFA will have to redo the Champions League draw for the round of 16 after mistakenly placing Manchester United's name into the wrong pot.

UEFA voided the initial results of Monday's draw, which had created another matchup between Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi after Manchester United was paired with Paris Saint-Germain. However, United had initially been paired with Villarreal even though the English club's name should not have been in that pot since the two advanced from the same group.

Steven Gerrard admits he would be happy to give up his hero status at Liverpool in exchange for an Aston Villa win on Saturday as the Anfield great prepares to return to his former club "with a smile on his face."

Norwich was facing "a couple of COVID-related issues" ahead of its Premier League game against Manchester United, manager Dean Smith said Friday.

The relegation-threatened team played Tottenham on Sunday before the north London club announced a coronavirus outbreak among players and staff that has forced the postponement of two games.

Brazilian soccer great Pelé has said he will remain in a hospital in Sao Paulo "for a few days" to undergo new exams on his colon tumor.

The 81-year-old Edson Arantes do Nascimento was brought to the Albert Einstein hospital this week for chemotherapy sessions to treat the tumor found during routine exams at the end of August. Pelé was hospitalized for almost one month due to the surgery to remove it.

Lewis Hamilton entered Yas Marina Circuit chasing history Thursday dressed head-to-toe in purple with a graffiti-styled expletive scrawled across the back of his sweater.

Asked if he was sending a message, the seven-time champion claimed he was unaware what it said until he was getting dressed. Pure coincidence, Hamilton said, but it sure looked as if he was ready for the finale of his title fight with Max Verstappen.

Atlético Madrid has a chance rekindle its bid to win a second straight Spanish league title.

Real Madrid is already 10 points ahead at the top of the standings before the midway point of the season, while fourth-place Atlético has struggled to keep in touch behind both Sevilla and a surprising Real Betis.