IOC evaluators began a five-day inspection tour of Beijing's bid for the 2022 Winter Olympics on Tuesday, in a key test of the city's status as a front-runner in the competition for hosting rights.

Following meetings, the 19-member Evaluation Commission was visiting Beijing's indoor sites for hockey, skating and curling, along with the iconic Bird's Nest stadium used for the 2008 Summer Games. Later in the week, they'll check proposed skiing and sliding venues further outside the city.

Russian teenager Elizaveta Tuktamysheva is looking to cap a dominant season with a gold medal at the world figure skating championships starting Wednesday in China, while Gracie Gold and Ashley Wagner are attempting to bring home an individual medal for the American women for the first time in nearly a decade.

In the men's event, Yuzuru Hanyu of Japan returns to the Shanghai arena where he was bloodied in a frightening collision with another skater several months ago to defend his title against chief rivals Javier Fernandez of Spain and Denis Ten of Kazakhstan.

UEFA President Michel Platini was warned that nationalism and hooliganism is threatening European football.

Rising extremism in European society is an "insidious trend (that) can also be observed in our stadiums," Platini told UEFA's annual meeting on Tuesday.

Malaga forward Juanmi has been called into the Spain squad for upcoming games against Ukraine and the Netherlands with Chelsea striker Diego Costa set to miss out with a hamstring injury.

Costa had to be substituted after scoring his 19th goal of the season during the Premier League leaders' 3-2 win at Hull City on Sunday.

Champions League and Europa League clubs will share more than 1.6 billion euros ($1.7 billion) in prize money from next season in a huge new boost to their coffers, UEFA announced Monday.

The Champions League treasure chest will rise from one billion euros now to 1.25 billion euros for the next three seasons. Europa League clubs will see their pot increased from 232 million euros to 380 million euros.

Germany team manager Oliver Bierhoff has called for patience with the world champions as they continue to bed in a new system in Wednesday's friendly against Australia.

The Germans lifted the 2014 World Cup title with a 4-2-3-1 formation, but coach Joachim Loew has toyed with a three-man defense in a 3-4-3 line-up, without using a classic striker, since their Brazil triumph, but with mixed results.

Hundreds of Palestinian children on Monday attended a football training session given by Spanish giants Real Madrid in the West Bank, as part of a charitable project organized through the U.N.

The Real Madrid Foundation sent professional coaches to the Palestinian territories for three days of training with children at schools run by the United Nations Palestinian refugee agency UNRWA.

Spanish prosecutors are requesting a prison sentence of two years and three months for Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu and seven for his predecessor, Sanrdo Rosell, over the so-called Neymar affair, judicial sources said on Monday.

The Madrid court is also calling for a fine of 22.2 million euros ($24.1 million) against the club over the transfer deal which has been the subject of an anti-corruption probe.

A moment of madness from Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard and a two-goal burst from Juan Mata made it a day to savor for Manchester United. And as United's return to the Champions League moved a step closer, Chelsea maintained its pursuit of the Premier League title with a slender win at Hull on Sunday.

United was already leading at Anfield when Gerrard produced a red-card stamp only 32 seconds after coming off the bench at the start of the second half. Even with a man-advantage, United was made to fight for its 2-1 victory. Juan Mata added to his first-half goal with a scissor-kick and Liverpool threatened a comeback after striker Daniel Sturridge scored.

Bayern Munich fell to a rare home loss on Sunday after a poor display from Germany goalkeeper Manuel Neuer helped Borussia Moenchengladbach to a 2-0 win at the Bundesliga leader.

Raffael scored both goals as the visitors outplayed the home side to reclaim third place.