Lionesses and tigresses face off

The Singapore women's football team will play a friendly against Malaysia today, their first 'A' international since losing 0-1 to Sri Lanka in January.

The match at the Likas Stadium in Kota Kinabalu, Sabah is part of the Lionesses' preparations for the AFF Women's Championship from July 26 to Aug 4 in Mandalay, Myanmar.

The 22-strong squad are drawn with defending champions Thailand, Vietnam and the Philippines in Group A of the tournament.

Pele to say 'I do' for third time

SAO PAULO • Brazil football legend Pele is getting married tomorrow for the third time, tying the knot with his girlfriend of six years Marcia Cibele Aoki (above).

Aoki, a 42-year-old businesswoman, has been by the three-time World Cup winner's side for most of his public appearances since 2012, as well as during his repeated hospital visits in recent years.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Barca want fans to get behind Messi

BARCELONA • Barcelona have launched a campaign in support of Lionel Messi and his father Jorge after the Argentinian pair were sentenced to 21-month prison terms last week for tax fraud.

The initiative calls for Barcelona fans to "express their sympathy for the greatest footballer in the world by voicing their unconditional support on social networks".

REUTERS

Klishina first of 68 cleared for Rio

MOSCOW • US-based long jumper Darya Klishina became the first Russian athlete yesterday to be cleared to compete at the Rio Olympics.

The International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), which has suspended the Russian track-and-field team over state-sponsored doping, said it had given the go ahead only for Klishina, out of 68 requests, to compete internationally as a neutral, ahead of the Aug 5-21 Rio Games.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE