Reuters Sports News Summary
Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.
Ireland second string embarrass U.S. with 4-1 win
Ireland beat the United States 4-1 in an entertaining friendly at the Aviva Stadium on Tuesday with goals from Anthony Pilkington, James McClean and two from Robbie Brady handing Martin O'Neill's second string side victory. O'Neill started an entirely different side to the one that lost 1-0 in Scotland in a bruising Euro 2016 qualifier on Friday but was rewarded after seven minutes when Pilkington scored his first goal for Ireland following a fine move.
Steelers cut disgruntled running back Blount
LeGarrette Blount was miffed at not getting a single carry in Pittsburgh's game on Monday, and the Steelers made sure he would not suffer that disappointment again as they cut the running back on Tuesday. Blount left the bench before the game was over and headed to the clubhouse, showered and went to the team bus to wait for the rest of the Steelers, who beat the Tennessee Titans 27-24 behind a career-best 204-yard rushing performance by Le'Veon Bell.
LPGA Tour announces 33-event season for 2015
The globe-trotting LPGA Tour will feature 33 tournaments, one more than this year, in 15 countries on its schedule for 2015, Commissioner Michael Whan said on Tuesday. The season tees off in Ocala, Florida from Jan. 27-31 before moving on to the Bahamas and then Australia and will end with the Nov. 19-22 CME Group Tour Championship in Naples, Florida.
IOC to bring in cheaper, easier bidding for Games
Bidding for the Olympics will become cheaper, easier and more attractive while sports will enter the Games quicker, the IOC said on Tuesday, presenting the biggest changes in decades in the way the Games are organised and run. "We have to look into the future and try to address the challenges which may arise in the future and the challenges we have already now," said International Olympic Committee President Thomas Bach, presenting the IOC's 40 recommendations.
FIFA lodges Swiss criminal complaint over World Cup bids
World soccer's governing body FIFA lodged a criminal complaint in Switzerland on Tuesday against unidentified people over the bidding for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, but stood by its conclusion that any wrongdoing was not enough to jeopardise the winning Russian and Qatari bids. The action marks the first time FIFA has sought to involve law enforcement in connection with its own 18-month investigation into the bids, which concluded last week with an announcement it had found no reason to overturn the decisions to hold the cup in Russia in 2018 and in Qatar in 2022.
Golf in Australia is like drinking beer with 'buddies': Weekley
Playing golf in Australia is no different to playing at home with friends while throwing back a few beers, according to Boo Weekley, who plans to spend time fishing Down Under after battling Adam Scott at the Australian Masters. The laid-back American will appear at all three of the nation's marquee tournaments, and after playing the Masters in Melbourne, will head to Sydney for next week's Australian Open before finishing off on the Gold Coast at the Australian PGA Championship.
NFL suspends Vikings' Peterson over 'abusive discipline' of son
Minnesota Vikings star running back Adrian Peterson was suspended by the National Football League without pay for at least the remainder of the 2014 season on Tuesday for committing an "incident of abusive discipline" on his 4-year-old son. The action taken by Commissioner Roger Goodell against one of the NFL's marquee performers comes as America's most popular sports league struggles to contain a scandal sparked by domestic violence incidents involving several players.
NBA star Dwight Howard investigated in Georgia for child abuse
Authorities in Georgia are investigating child abuse allegations against National Basketball Association star Dwight Howard, a center for the Houston Rockets who is among the league's marquee performers, police said on Tuesday. The allegation against the basketball star comes amid heightened attention to domestic violence incidents involving professional athletes including NFL star Adrian Peterson, who was suspended on Tuesday for "abusive discipline" on his 4-year-old son.
Federer skips Davis Cup training with back problems
Swiss Roger Federer's participation in the Davis Cup final against France was still hanging in the balance on Tuesday as the 17-times grand slam champion said he could not train because of back problems. Federer, however, was hopeful, although not exactly optimistic, he could be ready for Friday's first singles.
Woods lashes out over Jenkins' parody
Tiger Woods has lashed out at veteran golf writer Dan Jenkins for penning a fake satirical interview with the 14-times major winner, describing the parody as "a grudge-fueled piece of character assassination". Jenkins, who was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 2011, wrote the piece for Golf Digest and among various topics he took aim at Woods' reputation as a bad tipper, his failed marriage and his six-year title drought in the majors.
