AT A GLANCE

In brief: Neymar's transfer rumours, setback for Djokovic

neymar-transfer FC Barcelona's Neymar attends a training session in Sant Joan Despi, Spain | AP

Neymar PSG switch doubts grow in Barcelona

Confusion surrounding the Neymar-Paris Saint-Germain transfer saga was rife in Barcelona, with the player staying silent on his future. Barca centre-back Gerard Pique had sparked panic after appearing to backtrack on his 'he stays' tweet about his teammate. PSG are trying to lure the 25-year-old Brazilian to France and are ready to pay his 222-million-euro ($256.8 million) release clause to make him the best-paid and most expensive footballer on the planet. Last week Pique took to social media to say "he's staying", but when pressed on the matter on Tuesday ahead of a pre-season friendly in the United States against Manchester United, he was less sure of himself.

Injured Djokovic to miss rest of the season

Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic announced that he is set to miss the rest of the season due to an injury to his right elbow. In a Facebook Live broadcast, the former world no. 1 said that all the doctors he had consulted had informed him that recovering from this injury requires time, reports Efe. The 30-year-old was forced to withdraw from the 2017 Wimbledon quarterfinals against Czech Tomas Berdych because of this injury, just as things seemed to be getting better. Djokovic arrived at the All England Club with the Eastbourne Open title in his pocket and put on a good show in the first rounds at Wimbledon, dispelling doubts about his poor performance before injury stopped, not just his run at the third Grand Slam of the year, but also put an end to his season.

AFC approves ISL, dubs it 'temporary solution'

The All India Football Federation (AIFF) has approved the Indian Super League (ISL) to be played simultaneously with the I-League for six or seven months in 2017 and 2018 as a temporary short-term 'bridging solution'. Following a recommendation from the AIFF, the Competitions Committee gave special dispensation for the ISL. AIFF's recommendation to the AFC was that the ISL will replace the Federation Cup, whose winner is currently allocated an AFC Cup preliminary stage place. Therefore, the Committee approved that the I-League champions will play in the AFC Champions League Play-off round and the ISL Champions will play in the AFC Cup preliminary stage, as long as all clubs adhere to the AFC rules and regulations, particularly club licensing, from 2018.

Mumbai City FC retain Lucian Goian for next two seasons

Mumbai City FC have retained central defender Lucian Goian to strengthen the defence of the team for the next two seasons of the Indian Super League (ISL). Goian was considered as the top three defenders due to his wealth of experience and strong performance in the last season. Goian will join Amrinder Singh and Sehnaj Singh who were also retained by Mumbai City FC for the upcoming season. The 34-year-old represented the Romania U21 national team and has spent the majority of his career playing in the top division of the Romanian League and emerged a two-time Romanian Cup Winner. He has represented top clubs such as Dinamo Bucureti in the UEFA Champions League. Goian has played under coach Alexandre Guimaraes at the Chinese Super League side Tianjin Teda. Lucian joined A-League side Perth Glory FC after the conclusion of ISL 2016.

Roland-Jones to make England Test debut at Oval

Middlesex seamer Toby Roland-Jones will make his Test debut when England take on South Africa in the third Test of the four-match series at the Oval beginning on Thursday. England captain Joe Root confirmed that the Middlesex seamer will replace Mark Wood, who misses out due to a heel injury. The 29-year-old has taken 22 wickets in the Specsavers County Championship during this campaign and made his one-day international debut against South Africa in May. Steven Finn, his Middlesex team-mate, has been called up to the squad as standby for the third Test, with the series currently level at 1-1. Essex batsman Tom Westley will also make his Test debut and will bat at No.3 having been called up to replace Gary Ballance, who suffered a broken index finger in the second Test at Trent Bridge.

UTT: Oilmax Stag Yoddhas, Dabang Smashers level after four matches

Oilmax Stag Yoddhas and Dabang Smashers T.T.C. were level at six-all after four matches in the ongoing tie on Day 13 of the Ultimate Table Tennis ( UTT) at the Thyagaraj Stadium in New Delhi. Action will now shifts to Mumbai from Wednesday for the final leg. DHFL Maharashtra United will lock horns with Falcons TTC in their fifth and final league fixture.

Maradona backs video assistant referee system

Argentinean football icon Diego Maradona voiced his support for the video assistant referee system, while acknowledging that with this technology his infamous goal against England in the 1986 World Cup would not have counted. The VAR technology has been tested by FIFA at a number of its tournaments, most recently at the FIFA Confederations Cup in Russia, reports Efe. Maradona acknowledged that not only his "Hand of God" goal against England in the 1986 FIFA World Cup quarterfinal would not have been counted with this technology, but things could have taken a different turn in one of the 1990 World Cup matches.

World records continue to tumble in Hungary

World records continued to fall at the world championships as the United States quartet in the mixed 4x100 metres medley relay lowered the mark in blistering fashion on Wednesday. Four world records were set on Tuesday and fast racing was plainly evident the morning as the US team of Ryan Murphy, Kevin Cordes, Kelsi Worrell and Mallory Comerford posted three minutes 40.28 seconds ahead of the final later on Wednesday. The US time smashed the mark set by Britain at the 2015 championships in Kazan, Russia by 1.43 seconds as they qualified nearly four seconds ahead of the field.

Amateur golfer Diksha wins silver at Deaflympics

Young Indian golfer Diksha Dagar scripted history after winning a silver medal in the women's individual golf event of the Deaflympics, which is being held at the Samsun, Turkey. The 16-year-old from Haryana got a bye in the quarterfinals and then defeated Germany's Gonzalez Podbicanin A 9 & 8 in the semifinals to set up a final clash with Yost Kaylin, who plays in the Ladies Professional golf tour of America, for the gold medal. Diksha had broken a field record in the first round with two-under 68 and carded 71 in the second round to total one-under 139, while Kaylin (73, 69) totalled two-over 142. In the play-off, Kaylin emerged winner to clinch the gold, while Diksha settled for the silver. She is the only Indian golfer (U-18) to be ranked in the top 500 at global level. India had sent a strong contingent of 46 athletes for the Deaflympics being staged in Samsun from July 18 to 30. This is the first time golf is a part of Deaflympics.

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