Costa faces three-match ban
LONDON • Diego Costa is facing a three-match ban after being charged by the English Football Association for his behaviour towards Michael Oliver, the referee, after being sent off in Chelsea's FA Cup defeat by Everton last weekend.
He will be given a one-match ban if found guilty and has been asked to explain an alleged V-sign aimed at Everton fans that could earn him a further one-match ban.
If that is added to his automatic suspension for receiving two yellow cards, it would result in him being banned for three matches.
THE TIMES, LONDON
Rabeni dies at 37, cause unknown
SUVA (Fiji) • Former Fiji rugby international Seru Rabeni died yesterday of unknown causes at the age of just 37.
He played in the 2003 and 2007 World Cups, combining speed with a brutal tackling style.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
French PM opposes Benzema's return
PARIS • French Prime Minister Manuel Valls has said that Real Madrid star Karim Benzema should not be allowed to return to the France football team.
He has been excluded from national duty since he was placed under investigation over his role in a gang's attempt to extort money from France team-mate Mathieu Valbuena over a sex tape.
AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE
Schedule clash for Force India's Mallya
LONDON • Vijay Mallya faces a diary clash this week as the Formula One Australian Grand Prix coincides with the Force India owner's appointment to appear before Indian investigators.
The tycoon is under pressure from banks to repay US$1.4 billion (S$1.93 billion) owed by his collapsed Kingfisher Airlines.
REUTERS
Football can cause brain disease: Miller
NEW YORK • The National Football League's senior vice-president for health and safety has admitted that there is a link between the sport and chronic traumatic encephalopathy, a brain disease.
During a hearing before the US House of Representatives' Energy and Commerce Committee, Jeff Miller said that Dr Ann McKee at Boston University had found the disease - caused by repeated blows to the head - in many players who died.
NEW YORK TIMES