Reuters Sports News Summary

09/13/2016 3:55

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.

Hickey to fight 'each and every' charge

Former head of the European Olympic Committee Patrick Hickey will fight "each and every one" of charges that he took part in a ring to sell tickets illegally for the Rio Games, the Irishman said on Monday. Hickey, who was also the head of the Olympic Council of Ireland (OCI), was released from Rio's Bangu 10 maximum security prison last month, but must remain in Brazil until the case is heard.

Farah's golds should not be devalued by Salazar accusations: Coe

Mo Farah should be respected for winning two golds at the Rio Olympics despite his coach Alberto Salazar being under investigation by the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA), IAAF President Sebastian Coe said. American Salazar, who has worked with Farah since 2011, was accused of violating anti-doping rules in a BBC documentary last year, including allegations he had given 2012 Olympic 10,000m silver medalist Galen Rupp the banned anabolic steroid testosterone.

No Olympics but Kyrgios pledges Davis Cup commitment

After controversially missing the Rio Olympics, Nick Kyrgios has pledged his commitment to Australia's Davis Cup team ahead of their World Group playoff against Slovakia. The 21-year-old firebrand withdrew himself from consideration for the Rio tennis tournament after being publicly upbraided about his conduct by team chef de mission Kitty Chiller.

Monday Night Football shines spotlight on national anthem protests

He may be listed as backup quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers lineup, but all eyes will be on Colin Kaepernick when the national anthem plays for the team's first Monday night football game of the season, at home against the Los Angeles Rams. Kaepernick has ignited a National Football League controversy by refusing to stand during "The Star-Spangled Banner" at the start of the team's preseason games to protest what he has called racial injustice and police brutality.

49ers shut out Rams in Kelly's debut

Carlos Hyde ran for two scores, Blaine Gabbert threw a touchdown pass, and the 49ers rolled to a 28-0 win against the Los Angeles Rams, giving new San Francisco coach Chip Kelly a victory in his debut Monday night at Levi's Stadium. The Rams were shut out in their first game since returning to Los Angeles after 21 seasons in St. Louis.

Short-handed Pittsburgh offense remains dangerous

Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger didn't have some of his usual weapons when the Steelers defeated the Washington Redskins 38-16 Monday night. The Steelers gained 435 yards anyway thanks in no small part to Roethlisberger and wide receiver Antonio Brown, but with a healthy assist from some young pass catchers and a veteran running back.

Platini allowed to address UEFA Congress as 'gesture of humanity'

UEFA's disgraced former president Michel Platini will be allowed to address its Congress on Wednesday as a "gesture of humanity" despite his ban from the sport, FIFA's ethics committee said on Monday. The Frenchman has been banned for four years from all soccer-related activity for ethics violations and his replacement to head the sport's European governing body will be elected at the event in Athens.

New champions add to fresh look of U.S. Open

A new roof was all the rage when the U.S. Open began two weeks ago but it was the crowning of a new world number one and two first-time champions that left their mark on a tournament that came to an emotional close on Sunday with a tribute to victims of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks. At a tournament where trainers had nearly as much court time as weary players, Germany's Angelique Kerber and Switzerland's Stan Wawrinka were the last two standing in their respective draws as they each captured their first U.S. Open titles.

Two men rush Lochte during 'Dancing with the Stars': media

Two men rushed the "Dancing with the Stars" stage in protest against embattled U.S. Olympic swimmer Ryan Lochte as he fielded comments from judges after his performance on the ABC dance competition show on Monday, according to media reports. Lochte has been embroiled in scandal after he admitted he "over-exaggerated" a tale about being robbed and held at gunpoint with three other swimmers after a party during the Rio Olympics. The gold medalist lost all four of his sponsors and was suspended from competition for 10 months after he apologized for lying about the incident.

Fowler, Holmes, Kuchar named U.S. Ryder Cup picks

United States captain Davis Love III focused on "what fits best for our team" in naming Rickie Fowler, JB Holmes and Matt Kuchar on Monday as three of his four wildcard picks for this month's Ryder Cup against Europe. Love, who notably overlooked world number seven Bubba Watson, will announce his final selection on Sept. 25, after the PGA Tour's season-ending Tour Championship finishes in Atlanta, to round out his 12-man team.

09/13/2016 3:55