The New York Yankees and the Manchester City Football Club announce a deal to create the New York City Football Club.

 NEW YORK, NEW YORK, UNITED STATES (MAY 21, 2013) (REUTERS) -  Manchester City and the New York Yankees have formed a new Major League Soccer team to play in New York City from 2015, the organizations said on Tuesday (May 21).

"Today is another big day in the history of Major League Soccer," MLS commissioner Don Garber said in a videotaped statement.

"We've always had a plan for a second team in New York, a belief that a rival for theNew York Red Bulls would allow Major League Soccer to break through the enormous clutter of almost a dozen pro sports teams in this market," he added.

The 'franchise fee' for the new club is around $100 million (USD).

The new club will face a local rival in the New York Red Bulls who play in Harrison,New Jersey and are owned by Austrian energy drink firm Red Bull.

Manchester City, who won the Premier League in the 2011/12 season, hope that the Yankees will allow them to tap into expertise in reaching sports fans in New York.

"We are so pleased to form a relationship with Manchester City, last's year'sPremier League Champion and FA Cup Champion and our newest partner theNew York Yankees, a 27 time world champion for the sport of baseball. It's a great partnership," said Garber.

While City have been working on the details of an MLS franchise for nine months, Yankees president Randy Levine said his organization only joined the process "very, very recently".

The new team will play at a temporary home in 2015 while efforts to find and build a new stadium are completed.

MLS has already begun discussions with the City of New York about the possibility of constructing a new stadium in Flushing Meadows Corona Park in Queens but other options will also now be investigated.

As well as the Red Bulls in New Jersey, the other professional team in the New York area is the re-formed New York Cosmos who will join the second tier North American Soccer League later this year.

Retired former England midfielder David Beckham, who played for Los Angeles Galaxy, is in talks with MLS regarding an option he has to create a new MLS team but his deal with the league explicitly ruled out New York City as a possible location for such an 'expansion franchise'.

Wembley Stadium's grounds manager says the pitch will be fine for the Champions League final.

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM (REUTERS) - Wembley Stadium's grounds manager reassured everyone on Monday (May 20) that the pitch will be in good condition for the first all-German Champions League final on Saturday (May 25) between Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund.

Last Saturday (May 18), Yeovil beat Brentford at Wembley to reach the Championship (2nd tier) of English football for first time.

On Sunday, Bradford City beat Northampton Town to reach League One (3rd tier).

Next Monday (May 27), Watford face Crystal Palace for promotion to the Premier League and two days later England play a friendly against the Republic of Ireland.

However, on Monday (May 20) Wembley Stadium grounds manager Tony Stonessaid high-tech applications were used to keep the pitch in good condition, including the Desso system which combines synthetic material with real grass.

"There's a lot of science behind what we do nowadays. We're into the Desso system, to fertiliser systems, to seeding systems, all that kind of stuff."

Stones said the pitch should not cut up much.

"Yep, yep, the players will not interact with the artificial, it's all 100 per cent grass. So what you're seeing is actually grass; what they're playing on is grass. The Desso just holds the system, the pitch together so it's very unlikely we are going to get a divot."

He said keeping non-players off the pitch was the difficult bit.

"Hardest part of my job? Keeping people off the pitch -- other than players!"

As for predictions, the grounds manager declined, simply saying: "I'm just happy for whoever's come to play; happy with what we've achieved for them that week and the best team on the night will win."

The new Wembley was opened in 2007 at a higher-than anticipated cost of at least 750 million pounds, which under the contract meant a loss for the main contractor.

Oscar Pistorius, who is charged with murdering his girlfriend, will not compete in any events this year, local media reports.

LONDON, UNITED KINGDOM (JULY 29, 2012) (REUTERS) - South African Paralympic champion Oscar Pistorius, who is charged with murdering his girlfriend, will not compete in any events this year, local media reported on Monday (May 20).

But the double amputee, nicknamed 'Blade Runner', will not return to the track in 2013 according to his coach, Ampie Louw.

"We have decided as a team we are not talking any training or athletics. We have postponed (races) for the whole year," Louw told South African news organisation EyeWitness News.

"He is nowhere close to being in a position to train. He just does fitness exercises in the morning with his family."

Pistorius is accused of premeditated murder after shooting Reeva Steenkamp in hisPretoria home on Feb. 14. His next court appearance is scheduled for June 4.

After his arrest, Pistorius cancelled scheduled appearances in March, April and May in Australia, Brazil, the United States and Britain.

Pistorius won worldwide fame by becoming the first double-amputee to run at the Olympics when he reached the semi-finals of the 400 metres last year in Londonand then went on to win two gold medals at the Paralympics.

Thousands of people gather in central Stockholm to celebrate the newly crowned ice hockey world champions - Sweden.

STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN (MAY 20, 2013) (REUTERS) - Thousands of fans celebrated in Stockholm on Monday (May 20) after Sweden ice hockey team swept aside Switzerland 5-1 in the final to become the first team since 1986 to win the world championship on home ice on Sunday (May 19).

Fans - young and old - packed out Kungstradgarden to see their heroes.

"Celebrating the world championship for Sweden. It's great," said Anders Svensson who had taken his son Rasmus to see the heroes in the sunshine.

Fire man Jonas Lindau, who had missed parts of Sunday's (May 19) match because of a fire said he wanted to pay his respects.

"I want to watch the heroes, the Swedish goal heroes and give them my tribute, my respect," he said.

The Swedes' victory snapped a nine-game winning streak that carried the unfancied Swiss all the way to their first final since 1935.

The Swedes were made to work hard in the beginning and fell behind in the fifth minute but afterwards they started to get to grips with the Swiss pressure and equalised and then finished the first period ahead with 2-1.

The second period was a stalemate with no goals and with both sides enjoying periods of dominance.

The Swiss started the third period strongly and looked like getting back into the game, but the Swedes made no mistakes and won 5-1.

United States secured the bronze medal earlier in the day as they beat Finland 3-2 after a shootout.

New-style aqua suits to help rehabilitate injured socer players have been tried out at the English Football Association's national centre, St George's Park.

BURTON-UPON-TRENT, ENGLAND, UK (REUTERS) -  A new design of aqua suit which its creator says greatly reduces rehabilitation time for injured athletes has been tried out at the English Football Association's national centre, St George's Park.

The suits are made from Nylon, lycra and foam padding.

Nelson is a former Liverpool club trainee and paratrooper who has had two kidney transplants, plus a leg amputation and he recently demonstrated his exercise techniques for recovery to Derby Countyplayers at St George's Park in Burton-Upon-Trent in central England.

He said his suit is being used both by Real Madrid and Manchester United, as well as other sports clubs around the world.

Nineteen-year-old Derby County defender Luke Adams said he enjoyed the exercise.

"Yeah, it was quite hard work and obviously in the water running against resistance and stuff. Especially good for injuries and stuff coming back, you can't work on impact and stuff like that so, yeah, it was good," said Adams.

Steve Kemp, a physiotherapist working at St George's Park, commented: "The TNAR suit is a very good suit, you know, they allow you to function in a, to work in a functional position. You can get straight into that sort of running position, they support you in the correct manner and allow you to go through normal gait patterns without getting forced into sort of flex position. So you know it's a, it's a good design, it's been thought out carefully and allows normal movement to occur as early as possible really."

Bae Sang-moon claims first win on PGA Tour with two stroke victory over Keegan Bradley at Byron Nelson Championship

 IRVING, TEXAS, UNITED STATES (MAY 19, 2013) (PGA TOUR) - South Korean Bae Sang-moon made a fast start, then overcame strong winds and a mid-round wobble to clinch his maiden PGA Tour title by two shots at the Byron Nelson Championship in Irving, Texas on Sunday (May 19).

Bae, who had charged four strokes clear with 11 holes to play, fell back into a tie for the lead with overnight pacesetter Keegan Bradley after bogeying the 15th but recovered with a birdie on 16 to post a 13-under total of 267.

American Bradley, the 2011 winner who had led after the first three rounds in pursuit of a fourth PGA Tour victory, had to settle for second place after battling to a 72.

Carlo Ancelotti informs Paris St Germain officials that he wants to leave but the club insist that they want the Italian to stay with the French champions.

SAINT-GERMAIN-EN-LAYE, NEAR PARIS, FRANCE  (REUTERS) -  Carlo Ancelotti informed Paris St Germain officials on Sunday (May 19) that he wants to leave at the end of the season after leading the club to their first French league title in 19 years.

PSG sporting director Leonardo, however, told sports daily L'Equipe earlier on Sunday (May 19): "Carlo asked to leave for Real Madrid but we want him to stay.

"No decision has been made. Our priority is still that he stays. We have never contacted other coaches."

Ancelotti declined to confirm that he wanted to join Real Madrid. On Friday (May 17), the Italian said he had not spoken to Real.

"I don't speak about Real Madrid, why do you speak about Real Madrid?" Ancelotti asked a reporter at a news conference. "I never speak with Madrid so I think the journalists speak about Real Madrid and me. Not Madrid."

Ancelotti joined PSG, who are owned by Qatar Sports Investments (QSI), in December 2011, leading them to their first French league title since 1994 last weekend.

PSG were not immediately available for comment.

Earlier this week, Al-Khelaifi told Reuters that Ancelotti will not be leaving the club as the Italian still has one more year on his contract.

Ancelotti's contract at PSG was automatically renewed by one year until June next year when the club secured a Champions League spot for next season.

"He (Ancelotti) loves Paris St Germain," Al-Khelaifi said. "We have contract with him one year and we'll see what happens but the contract - as Paris St Germain respects all our contracts that we sign -- so you know he's got (a) contract, one year contract and that's it. For me, he's here next year.

"Here in the media he's leaving, he's coming, he's going but for us we have contract with him one year, he's a fantastic guy, I like Carlo. He did a great job to be honest and I'm sure that he'll respect the contract too, so that's the situation."

Ancelotti, 53, won league titles with PSG, AC Milan and Chelsea, also taking the Italian club to the Champions League title in 2003 and 2007.

His contract at PSG was automatically renewed by one year until June next year when the club secured a Champions League spot for next season.

Rafael Nadal beats Roger Federer 6-1 6-3 to win the Italian Open, which is the Spaniard's 24th Masters title and his sixth trophy of the year.

ROME, ITALY (MAY 19, 2013) (IMG/TPL) -  Rafa Nadal made short work of his great rival Roger Federer to win the Italian Open, his sixth trophy of the year, 6-1 6-3 on Sunday (May 19).

Nadal, seeded fifth, dominated the first set, winning 20 of 25 points at one stage, as the Swiss second seed produced a string of unforced errors.

Federer raised his game in the second set, breaking a nine-game losing streak to go 1-3, but Nadal was in no mood to slow down. Despite being broken as he served for the match at 5-1, Nadal went on to complete his 36th win in 38 matches this year.

Nadal, 11 times a grand-slam winner, was sidelined for seven months with a knee problem and said he was delighted to be back in form.

"A very emotional and important victory for me," Nadal said. "I know Roger doesn't have his best day today. He tried to play very aggressive and he made more mistakes than what is usual for him. I think I played well I did the things well during the whole match, during the week and I'm very, very happy now I have this trophy with me. Today means really a lot."

Federer had played a number of late-night matches including his semi-final victory over Benoit Paire on Saturday (May 18) before playing Nadal in the late afternoon but the Swiss insisted the timing of the final did not make much of a difference.

"I think it was maybe more the rhythm than anything else but that was not the reason I lost today," Federer told reporters at a news conference. "The ball definitely flew a bit more through the air today, it bounced more.

"You don't hit it well it's not going to stay in so much but then Rafa has much more top spin than all the guys I've played this week so the change was a big one. I knew that coming in but I tried to play offensive and just didn't have the best day unfortunately."

Serena Williams warms up for French Open with demolition of Victoria Azarenka in Rome final.

ROME, ITALY (MAY 19, 2013) (WTA TOUR) -  Serena Williams won her fourth consecutive tennis tour title when she thrashed former world number one Victoria Azarenka 6-1 6-3 to take the Italian Open on Sunday (May 19).

Williams, 31, hit nine aces and 41 winners in the two sets played in bright sunshine.

Her win, 11 years after she won her only previous Rome title, comes after successes in Miami,Charleston and Madrid.

Eleven years ago Williams also won the French Open and she will be trying again when this year's tournament begins next Sunday (May 26).

Dani Pedrosa wins the French MotoGP from sixth on the grid and goes top of the standings, while Scott Redding of Britain takes a rain-shortened Moto2 and pole sitter Maverick Viñales is victorious in Moto3.

 LE MANS, FRANCE (MAY 18, 2013) (DORNA SPORTS) -  Spain's Dani Pedrosa claimed top spot in the world championship MotoGP standings when he won his maiden French Grand Prix on a wet Le Mans course on Sunday (May 19).

Pedrosa has 83 points after the fourth leg of the 18-race championship and leads Marquez by six points, while fellow Spaniard Jorge Lorenzo, a disappointing seventh on Sunday, is on 66 points.

Marquez, who started on pole as world championship leader, fell behind early in the race, but produced a skilful performance to end up on the podium.

Nine-times world champion Valentino Rossi of Italy skidded out on a curve 11 laps from the finish and finished 12th.

Pedrosa's time was 49 minutes 17.70 seconds, with Crutchlow 4.863 seconds behind him and Marquez 6.949.

Britain's Scott Redding secured his first ever Moto2 win in a rain-shortened race, leading home team mate Mika Kallio and Xavier Simeon; all three were riding Kalex machines.

Redding became the first British Moto winner at Le Mans since Alan Carter 30 years previously, even though at one point the 20-year-old dropped back to ninth.

Pol Espargaro and championship leader Esteve Rabat fell, but remounted, while pole starter Takaaki Nakagami crashed out later on the same Turn 7. Other championship hopefuls dropped out including Nicolas Terol.

Redding took the lead from Johann Zarco on the eighth lap, but heavy rain lead officials to end the race early and declare the results after lap 22.

The Briton's official time was 36 minutes 43.583 seconds, with Kallio securing his first podium finish1.09 behind and Belgium's Simeon 1.234 behind Redding, who leads the overall classification with 76 points; Rabat of Spain is second on 52 and Kallio and Dominique Aegerter of Switzerland joint third with 47.

Maverick Viñales won the Moto3 race starting from pole position, his second victory of the season.

Fellow Spaniards Alex Rins and Luis Salom followed him onto the podium, all three riding KTMs.

Germany's Jonas Folger took the early lead, but was passed by Vinales on the ninth lap and finished fourth.

Seven riders dropped out, including Miguel Oliveira who started in second place. The most spectacular crash came on the 21st lap when Zulfahmi Khairuddin in seventh flew across the path of Niklas Ajo.

Viñales finished in 42 minutes 5.448 seconds, with Rins and Salom both less than 1.5 seconds behind him.

In the overall standings, Vinales has 90 points to Salom's 77 and 61 for Rins.

Round Five of the MotoGP championship is in Italy in two weeks' time.

Leading results from MotoGP French Grand Prix:

Pos Pts No Rider Nat Team Bike Km/h Time/Gap

1 25 26 Dani PEDROSA SPA Repsol Honda Team Honda 142.6 49'17.707

2 20 35 Cal CRUTCHLOW GBR Monster Yamaha Tech 3 Yamaha 142.3 +4.863

3 16 93 Marc MARQUEZ SPA Repsol Honda Team Honda 142.2 +6.949

4 13 4 Andrea DOVIZIOSO ITA Ducati Team Ducati 142.1 +10.087

5 11 69 Nicky HAYDEN USA Ducati Team Ducati 141.7 +18.471

6 10 19 Alvaro BAUTISTA SPA GO&FUN Honda Gresini Honda 141.4 +23.561

Moto2:

Pos Pts No Rider Nat Team Bike Km/h Time/Gap

1 25 45 Scott REDDING GBR Marc VDS Racing Team Kalex 150.4 36'43.583

2 20 36 Mika KALLIO FIN Marc VDS Racing Team Kalex 150.3 +1.090

3 16 19 Xavier SIMEON BEL Desguaces La Torre Maptaq Kalex 150.3 +1.234

4 13 77 Dominique AEGERTER SWI Technomag carXpert Suter 150.2 +1.701

5 11 5 Johann ZARCO FRA Came Iodaracing Project Suter 150.2 +1.859

6 10 54 Mattia PASINI ITA NGM Mobile Racing Speed Up 149.5 +12.272

Moto3:

Pos Pts No Rider Nat Team Bike Km/h Time/Gap

1 25 25 Maverick VIÑALES SPA Team Calvo KTM 143.1 42'05.448

2 20 42 Alex RINS SPA Estrella Galicia 0,0 KTM 143.1 +1.264

3 16 39 Luis SALOM SPA Red Bull KTM Ajo KTM 143.0 +1.387

4 13 94 Jonas FOLGER GER Mapfre Aspar Team Moto3 Kalex KTM 142.3 +14.593

5 11 12 Alex MARQUEZ SPA Estrella Galicia 0,0 KTM 141.0 +37.949

6 10 84 Jakub KORNFEIL CZE Redox RW Racing GP Kalex KTM 140.9 +40.295