Reuters Sports News Summary

09/20/2016 12:58

Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.

Gruden endorses under-pressure Cousins as starter

Washington Redskins coach Jay Gruden has expressed confidence in quarterback Kirk Cousins despite his shaky start to the season. Washington were beaten 27-23 by the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday to drop them to 0-2 and Cousin's wide receivers appeared frustrated with the quarterback, who could not convert in the red zone.

Eagles players latest to join anthem protest

Philadelphia Eagles defensive players Malcolm Jenkins, Ron Brooks and Steven Means stood together with raised fists during the U.S. national anthem before their game against the Chicago Bears on Monday. The trio joined the movement of athletes who are using the anthem as an attempt to draw attention to racial inequality.

Ronaldo and Bale to make Real return against Villarreal

Cristiano Ronaldo and Gareth Bale will return to action for Real Madrid's La Liga game with Villarreal on Wednesday, coach Zinedine Zidane said. Ronaldo, Real's all-time top scorer, missed Sunday's 2-0 win at Espanyol with a sore throat while record signing Bale was out with a hip injury sustained in the Champions League win over Sporting Lisbon.

Matthews rushes for two touchdowns as Eagles beat Bears

The Philadelphia Eagles scored touchdowns on three consecutive second-half possessions, two of them short runs by Ryan Matthews and two following Chicago turnovers to beat the Bears 29-14 on Monday. Matthews scored on runs of three yards and one yard, sandwiched around a two-yard touchdown pass from Carson Wentz to Trey Burton.

Team Europe on top of World after win over Czechs

Germany's Leon Draisaitl potted the overtime winner as Team Europe edged Czech Republic 3-2 on Monday to close in on a spot in the World Cup of Hockey semi-finals. Team Europe (2-0), cobbled together with players from eight smaller hockey playing nations and coached by Canada-born Ralph Krueger, have been the tournament's surprise package and followed their upset of the U.S. with another victory to sit atop Group A.

Cuba volleyball players found guilty of aggravated rape in Finland

Five volleyball players from the Cuban national team were found guilty on Tuesday of aggravated rape of a woman while they were in Finland in July for a World League tournament prior to the Rio Olympics. The Finnish district court charged six men with the crime, which took place at the hotel where the team was staying in the city of Tampere. One was found not guilty.

Luis Enrique and Simeone unite to defend 'spectacular' Neymar

Barcelona coach Luis Enrique and Atletico Madrid manager Diego Simeone have launched impassioned defenses of Neymar after the Brazilian's showboating again came under the spotlight. Former Barcelona great Michael Laudrup lambasted the Brazil international for "provoking" the opposition in Saturday's 5-1 win at Leganes and Neymar's flamboyant style will be scrutinized again on Wednesday when Barcelona host Atletico.

Rookies not a concern for European Ryder Cup team: McGinley

Former European Ryder Cup captain Paul McGinley expects the six rookies in this year's team to draw on their international experience to thrive under pressure in next week's match against the United States. U.S. Masters champion Danny Willett, Chris Wood, Rafael Cabrera-Bello, Andy Sullivan and Matt Fitzpatrick, along with wildcard pick Thomas Pieters, will be making their Ryder Cup debuts when Europe defend the trophy in Minnesota.

Seahawks penalized for violating offseason workout rules

The Seattle Seahawks, Super Bowl champions of two seasons ago, have been fined $400,000 and will also forfeit their fifth-round selection in the 2017 Draft for violating offseason workout rules, the NFL said on Monday. The league fined Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll $200,000 for his role in the violation while the team will also lose one week of organized team activities (OTAs) in 2017.

Valencia to host MotoGP finale for five more years

Valencia will host the final round of the MotoGP season until at least 2021 after agreeing a new five-year deal with promoters Dorna. The Spanish city's Ricardo Tormo circuit has been on the calendar since 1999 and became the season-ender for the first time in 2002.

09/20/2016 12:58