TOP STORY:
SOC--CHAMPIONS LEAGUE ROUNDUP
GENEVA — Lionel Messi and Neymar put on separate masterclasses in the Champions League on Wednesday, while Mohamed Salah lacked the spark to lift Liverpool. Messi scored twice, helped create two more with perfect passes, and had two shots strike a post in Barcelona's 4-2 win over Tottenham at Wembley Stadium. By Graham Dunbar. SENT: 800 words, photos.
SOCCER
SOC--RONALDO-RAPE LAWSUIT
Cristiano Ronaldo denied the accusations of rape against him, saying Wednesday that he had a "clear conscience" as he awaits the conclusions of an investigation. The 33-year-old Ronaldo has been accused of rape by Kathryn Mayorga. She has said the soccer great raped her in Las Vegas in 2009. By Chris Lehourites. SENT: 600 words, photos.
SOC--2030 WCUP BID-BRITAIN
LONDON — Britain is looking to host up to 60 major sporting events over the next 15 years, including soccer's World Cup, to assert global influence and attract trade deals in the uncertainty after Brexit. By Rob Harris. SENT: 600 words, photos.
TENNIS:
TEN--CHINA OPEN
BEIJING — Juan Martin del Potro qualified for the ATP Finals for the fifth time by beating Karen Khachanov 6-4, 7-6 (4) Wednesday at the China Open. Del Potro, who reached the U.S. Open final this year, last qualified for the season-ending tournament for the top eight players in the world in 2013. SENT: 400 words.
OLYMPICS:
BOX--AIBA-PRESIDENT
LAUSANNE, Switzerland — The International Olympic Committee has reiterated its threat to drop boxing from the Olympics, expressing "extreme concern" with how the sport is run after a businessman from Uzbekistan who has been accused by U.S. authorities of having ties to organized crime was announced to be running unopposed for president of the amateur boxing association. SENT: 400 words.
CRICKET:
CRI--SOUTH AFRICA-ZIMBABWE
BLOEMFONTEIN, South Africa — Fast bowler Dale Steyn starred with the bat more than the ball on his return to one-day internationals for the first time in two years as South Africa beat Zimbabwe by 120 runs in the second game on Wednesday to win their series with one to play. SENT: 400 words.
CRI--SRI LANKA-ENGLAND
COLOMBO, Sri Lanka — England are full of confidence at the top of the rankings while a bruised Sri Lanka is at a low point going into their one-day international series, with both teams looking to build some momentum ahead of next year's World Cup. By Krishan Francis. SENT: 300 words.
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