Syrian troops backed by tanks and warplanes on Wednesday fought to repel an attack on the central prison in Aleppo after rebels blew up its walls in suicide car bombings, a watchdog said.

After a turbulent season, history beckons for Chelsea in Wednesday’s Europa League final in Amsterdam, where they will meet a Benfica team reeling from a devastating domestic defeat by arch rivals Porto.
The premature end to Chelsea’s Champions League defence had threatened to leave a cloud over their entire campaign.

Italian football federation president Giancarlo Abete will ask UEFA chief Michel Platini to introduce tough new legislation in a bid to drive racism from the sport following the latest incident to tarnish the game in Italy.

Briton Laura Robson beat Venus Williams 6-3, 6-2 in blustery conditions at the ATP/WTA Rome Masters on Monday and now faces the second half of a one-two punch when she next plays Williams’ sister and world number one, Serena.

Roberto Mancini was sacked as manager of Manchester City on Monday — a year to the day after leading the club to the English Premier League title.

Barbara Walters, who in 1976 became the first woman to anchor one of the daily network television news shows, announced late on Sunday that she will retire in 2014.

Tiger Woods shook off a double bogey at the 14th hole on Sunday and held on to win the US PGA Tour Players Championship, setting another career milestone in the process.

AC Milan and Roma battled out a 0-0 draw on Sunday as both sides finished with 10 men while the game was delayed because of racist chanting.

Rafael Nadal and Serena Williams firmed up their credentials as French Open favourites by sweeping to victory in Madrid.

Alex Ferguson has revealed that loyalty to his wife, Cathy, was the key factor in his decision to retire from football management at the end of the current season.