Spain to send blood samples to Wada

MADRID • A Spanish court has ruled that authorities be given access to blood bags seized as part of a major doping probe, which may allow them to identify athletes implicated in the Operation Puerto scandal.

The Madrid court ruled that the bags be handed over to entities such as the World Anti-Doping Agency in the blood-doping investigation that affects cycling and other sports, overturning a 2013 decision by a judge to destroy them on privacy grounds.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Barca pay $8.4m fine over Neymar transfer

BARCELONA • Barcelona have agreed to pay a fine of €5.5 million (S$8.4 million) to the Spanish authorities to settle a tax fraud case over the transfer of Brazil footballer Neymar in 2013.

Barca had been accused of concealing part of the transfer fee when he moved to Spain from Brazilian club Santos.

REUTERS

Toomua's return a boost for Wallabies

MELBOURNE • Australia's Matt Toomua has rejoined the squad after recovering from a knee injury in a boost to the Wallabies ahead of Saturday's second rugby Test against England.

With Toomua unavailable and Christian Lealiifano missing most of the pre-series training camp because of the birth of his son, coach Michael Cheika fielded an untried centre partnership in the first Test defeat in Brisbane last Saturday.

REUTERS

Newcastle Jets in Chinese hands now

SYDNEY • Chinese high-tech company Ledman Group was yesterday unveiled as the new owner of Australia's Newcastle Jets.

The Jets have been under the stewardship of Football Federation Australia since May last year, when the body seized the team licence from mining tycoon Nathan Tinkler amid financial problems.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE

Register for New Balance Run On

The registration for the Aug 20 New Balance Run On Singapore 2016 is open.

This year's race is 7km long and will be held at Garden by the Bay East. See more details at www.nbrunon.sg.