Much to the dismay of Tour de France organisers, a cloud of doping suspicion will hang over their race, and in particular over triple champion Alberto Contador, when the 2011 edition begins on Saturday.
Summary of sports events and persons who made news on Saturday
Tour de France winners since the event was first staged in 1903.
Tour de France winner Alberto Contador and the Tour of Spain runner-up Ezequiel Mosquera were suspended for suspected doping on Thursday in a devastating blow to cycling's battered image. The suspensions set back the sport's efforts to restore its credibility after a string of high-profile drugs cases.
Have a look at these photos taken from the incredible world we live in. These are the winners of the Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition 2020.
Liverpool ran riot to reach the League Cup semi-finals with a 6-1 thrashing of Southampton on Wednesday in which Divock Origi grabbed a hat-trick and Daniel Sturridge scored twice as the Juergen Klopp juggernaut rolled on.
Chris Froome and Alberto Contador were back in control of the Tour de France, hurting their main rivals in a hectic second stage won by German Andre Greipel on Sunday.
Luis Suarez and Rafinha scored in the first half before three late goals in seven minutes including two from Neymar gave Barcelona a 5-0 win at 10-man Sporting Gijon on Saturday, their first game this season without Lionel Messi. ? After a slow and dull start by Barca, Arda Turan set up Suarez and the Uruguayan rounded Sporting goalkeeper Ivan Cuellar to tap in the opener in the 29th minute.
Manchester United, Sevilla and Celtic led a parade of clubs with continental pedigree to book the first places in this season's Europa League knockout stage.
IMAGES from soccer matches played across Europe on Saturday.
To miss UEFA Super Cup match against Chelsea
All India Football Federation General Secretary Alberto Colaco has been elected new general secretary of South Asian Football Federation for a four-year term.
News of all that's transpired on and off the football field
South Africa's all-time leading scorer Benni McCarthy was one of five players cut from the World Cup hosts' squad on Tuesday as coach Carlos Alberto Parreira settled on his 23 players for the June 11-July tournament. The decision to ditch McCarthy was a major surprise but follows criticism concerning the forward's fitness. Parreira also dropped defender Bryce Moon and goalkeeper Rowen Fernandez in two other surprise cuts.
Portugal's Rui Costa took his second win of this year's Tour de France with a solo victory at Le Grand Bornand on Friday.
Andy Schleck snatched his second stage win of the Tour de France on the last mountain leg of the race on Thursday as leader Alberto Contador took a big step towards clinching a third overall victory.
World soccer great Diego Armando Maradona, who died on Wednesday less than a month after his 60th birthday, was worshipped like a god for his genius with the ball, but his demons almost destroyed him.
National coach Bob Houghton has quit following a tiff with the All India Football Federation (AIFF) over the extension of his contract, according to sources.
He also finished the season five goals clear of the next leading scorer, Cristiano Ronaldo of Juventus.
AS Roma's lingering hopes of catching Serie A leaders Juventus were virtually extinguished after two stunning Pepe Reina saves kept them at bay and Jose Callejon's late goal handed third-placed Napoli a 1-0 home win on Sunday.
Dempo Sports Club secretary-cum-coach Armando Colaco has written to the All India Football Federation informing that Dr Mahendra Kudchadkar, the club's doctor, has certified the duo -- both under indefinite suspension -- fit.
Lionel Messi was back in scoring business for Barcelona on Sunday, leading them to a resounding 4-0 win at home against Villarreal in a near-perfect La Liga opener for the Catalans under new coach Ronald Koeman.
A chain malfunction in the last climb of the 187.5-kms 15th stage derailed Andy Schleck's Tour de France chances and allowed rival Alberto Contador to grab the yellow jersey on Monday.
Brazil coach Dunga made it clear that he would not be continuing in the job after his side lost 2-1 to Netherlands in their World Cup quarter-final on Friday.
Once again, Alberto Contador is the Tour de France favourite and, once again, Lance Armstrong stands in his way. Although Luxembourg's Andy Schleck seems to be his main challenger, Armstrong will lead a very strong RadioShack team that could, if they do not help their man to win the Tour, cause havoc in the three-week race and deny Contador a third title.
Liverpool head for a decisive Champions League clash at Olympique Lyon on Wednesday with 10 players injured or doubtful for the game and coach Rafa Benitez facing the biggest crisis in his five-year Anfield reign.
Diego Forlan shot to the top of the World Cup scorers' chart with two goals in Uruguay's 3-0 win over South Africa on Wednesday.
A summary of sports events and persons who made news on Thursday
Juventus continued their awful run with a 1-1 Serie A draw at modest Livorno on Saturday, leaving the famous Turin club three points adrift of the fourth Champions League qualifying spot.
As part of the 'Win in India with India' programme launched by FIFA President Sepp Blatter in 2007, the football's world governing body has sanctioned 10 international standard artificial turf fields to the All India Football Federation (AIFF).
India's football captain Baichung Bhutia is looking for 20 to 30 acres of land to start a football academy in any state.
AC Milan coach Leonardo and Juventus counterpart Alberto Zaccheroni bid farewell in contrasting fashions on Saturday when the Brazilian's side eased to a 3-0 win in their final league game of the season.
As confidence for Indian modern art returns, prices will rise in the same proportion as they did in the last decade.
Diego Forlan's extra-time effort sent Atletico Madrid into the Europa League final on away goals at the expense of Liverpool after a 2-2 aggregate draw on Thursday. Atletico will meet Fulham in the May 12 final in Hamburg where they will bid to win their first major European trophy since the European Cup Winners' Cup in 1962.
He never thought he would come this far but Baichung Bhutia on Sunday became the first Indian footballer to play in 100 international matches, leading the side against Kyrgyzstan in the crucial round-robin match of the Nehru Cup in New Delhi. Born at a sleepy but enchanting Sikkim hamlet of Tinkitam, Bhutia has come a long way from playing his first international match as a 19-year-old.
Dempo have appealed to the All India Football Federation (AIFF) to revoke the Rs five lakh fine imposed on them for refusing to release their players Mahesh Gawli and Sameer Naik for the national camp early this month, national federation general secretary Alberto Colaco said on Tuesday.
'Every strongman leader is faced with the same opportunity: Harness the increased societal panic to amass more power,' warns Mihir S Sharma.
A brace from Jorge Ortiz helped FC Goa script a 3-0 win over Jamshedpur FC in an Indian Super League match at the Fatorda Stadium, in Margao, on Thursday.
Brazil continued their dominance over England with a 1-0 friendly win on Saturday but 2010 World Cup hosts South Africa's troubles persisted with a 0-0 draw at home to Japan on coach Carlos Alberto Parreira's second debut. Spain added to Diego Maradona's worries by beating his Argentina side 2-1 thanks to two Xabi Alonso goals, including a late penalty, as the teams already qualified for South Africa began their preparations.
Alexandre Pato fired home in injury time to give AC Milan a lucky 2-1 win at Fiorentina on Wednesday to send the Rossoneri up to second in Serie A.
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