Heavyweight boxing legend Muhammad Ali, a 20th Century icon whose fame transcended sport during a remarkable career that spanned three decades, died Friday, his family said.

The 74-year-old sports hero, who had been battling Parkinson's disease for decades, passed away in a hospital here where he had been admitted earlier this week suffering from respiratory problems.

A German right-wing populist politician who caused outrage by racially disparaging footballer Jerome Boateng followed up Friday by saying the national team is "no longer ... German in the classical sense."

Somewhere, out there, there is still someone who believes that Lebanon deserves a better shot or at least some exposure in the world of sports -- specifically football.

A combination of the Zika virus and political turmoil is making Brazilians "sad", football legend Pele told AFP Wednesday.

Abu Dhabi authorities on Wednesday dissolved the board of directors of al-Ain football club after its players participated in a BMW commercial deemed disrespectful to the UAE's national anthem.

Brazilian football legend Pele showcased over 2,000 items of career memorabilia Wednesday, from trophies to balls and boots, before an auction next week that has been touted as one of biggest in sporting history.

Defending champion Stan Wawrinka became the oldest man since 1985 to reach the French Open semi-finals on Wednesday with a 6-2, 6-1, 7-6 (9/7) win over Spain's Albert Ramos-Vinolas.

Third seed Wawrinka, 31, goes on to face either British second seed Andy Murray or Richard Gasquet of France for a place in Sunday's final.

Under the mantra “never change a winning team”, Bayern Munich's new coach Carlo Ancelotti wants to build on his predecessor's work and plans talks with Pep Guardiola before taking charge.

Guardiola walked away last month having steered Bayern to three German league titles in three years and will coach Manchester City next season.

Rafael Nadal's hopes of winning a third Wimbledon title are in doubt after he withdrew from the key warm-up event Queen's on Wednesday due to the wrist injury that brought to a halt his French Open campaign.

The Spaniard -- whose win in 2008 at Queen's was sandwiched by victory in the French Open and then Wimbledon -- had said when he withdrew from the French Open that further playing risked him breaking his left wrist.

Defending champion Serena Williams powered into the French Open quarter-finals on Wednesday, but Timea Bacsinszky dumped out sister Venus as the Swiss continued her love affair with Paris.

Serena reached the last eight at Roland Garros for the 10th time after pulverizing 18th seed Elina Svitolina of Ukraine 6-1, 6-1 in just over an hour on Court Philippe Chatrier.