World number one Novak Djokovic backed off comments that men's tennis players should make more than women on Tuesday as Serena Williams and Andy Murray led a stinging chorus of criticism at the remarks.

A furious row over the gender pay gap in tennis erupted at the weekend, when Indian Wells tournament director Raymond Moore said women should get "on their knees" to thank male players for money in the sport.

France striker Karim Benzema will find out next month whether he is eligible to play for his country at Euro 2016, French Football Federation president Noel Le Graet revealed on Tuesday.

"We're going to talk with our legal advisers," said Le Graet during a press conference in Clermont-Ferrand. "We will make a decision (on Benzema's eligibility) before April 15."

Deadly attacks such as those inflicted Monday in Belgium have become part of the new normal for athletes whose travels to make money can put them in jeopardy.

"It's just a really dangerous time in the world right now," women's tennis world number one Serena Williams said Tuesday.

FIFA's ethics committee on Tuesday launched an investigation targeting six people over their roles in the bidding that awarded the 2006 World Cup to Germany, with the probe partly focused on alleged bribery.

Those targeted include Franz Beckenbauer, the German football legend and World Cup organizing committee chief who is suspected of bribery, and Wolfgang Niersbach, former German football federation (DFB) president, who is being probed over possible failure to report FIFA ethics violations.

Indian Wells tournament director Raymond Moore quit under heavy fire on Monday after he said women players owe their success to men, sparking a furious gender row that has divided the sport.

Moore stepped down as a backlash led by Serena Williams and Martina Navratilova gathered pace, following his comments that women in tennis "ride on the coat-tails of the men".

Jeremy Lin inspired a stunning fightback as the Charlotte Hornets rallied from a 23-point deficit to upset the San Antonio Spurs 91-88 on Monday.

Lin drained 29 points including four three-pointers as the Hornets shocked the in-form Spurs, who were brought crashing back down to earth two days after beating the all-conquering Golden State Warriors.

A new song has energized an old stadium this season as West Ham United's supporters have fallen beneath the spell of shimmeringly skillful French playmaker Dimitri Payet.

The Boleyn Ground, in east London, has been graced by West Ham greats such as Bobby Moore, captain of England's 1966 World Cup winners, 1980 FA Cup final hero Trevor Brooking and record appearance-maker Billy Bonds.

Czech Republic international goalkeeper Petr Cech was named Czech player of the year for the eighth time on Monday, in a vote by coaches, players and club officials.

The 33-year-old Arsenal player -- capped 118 times since making his international debut in 2002 -- beat fellow internationals David Lafata, a striker with Sparta Prague, and Hertha Berlin midfielder Vladimir Darida.

Tipped to be joining Chelsea after Euro 2016, current Italy coach Antonio Conte suggested Monday the Londoners were far from being his only suitors, and that quitting the national handler was tough.

At a press conference in Udine ahead of Italy's friendly with Spain Thursday Conte suggested matters beyond his control had pushed him into a decision to quit after the June 1-July 10 Euros.

Tennis star Novak Djokovic, who won a record fifth Indian Wells title on Sunday, says when he is at the top of his game it feels like he is "in the zone".

Djokovic has been ranked No. 1 in the world since July 2014 and credits his magical run of success to not only a strict routine off the court, but incredible instincts on the court.