The three-day sale of memorabilia belonging to world football icon Pele ended in London on Thursday with the artifacts sold for the princely total of £3.4million ($5million, 4.4million euros).

Overflowing rubbish bins, transport strikes, violent political protests, and floods -- the image of France as Euro 2016 kicks off on Friday is worrying tourist chiefs.

Lionel Messi will return to Argentina's starting line-up for Friday's Copa America Centenario clash with Panama, coach Gerardo Martino confirmed Thursday.

Speaking to reporters at Soldier Field ahead of Friday's Group D game, Martino said Messi had been cleared to play after recovering from a back injury.

A traditional Muslim funeral service for Muhammad Ali began Thursday in his hometown of Louisville, Kentucky opening two days of farewell ceremonies for the late boxing legend and civil rights hero.

An estimated 16,000 people packed the Freedom Hall arena for a prayer service for Ali, who died last week at the age of 74.

Diego Maradona hailed his old rival Pele as an "icon" as the pair were reunited for a "match of friendship" on Thursday.

Roger Federer made a winning return to tennis on Thursday after a month away with back pain as he finished off a Stuttgart ATP grass-court match 6-4, 5-7, 6-4 over teenager Taylor Fritz.

Moscow on Thursday slammed new allegations of state complicity in doping just days before the world athletics governing body is to rule on Russia's Rio Olympics participation.

Philippe Coutinho struck a spectacular hat-trick and Renato Augusto scored twice as Brazil crushed Haiti 7-1 in their Copa America Centenario Group B match at the Citrus Bowl on Wednesday.

The result moves Brazil to four points from two games after they were held to a goal-less draw in their opener against Ecuador.

Luis Suarez will miss Uruguay's second match of the Copa America Centenario against Venezuela after struggling to shake off his hamstring problem, coach Oscar Tabarez confirmed on Wednesday.

Cristiano Ronaldo scored twice as Portugal warmed-up for Euro 2016 with a 7-0 mauling of Estonia at Lisbon's Stadium of Light on Wednesday.