Reuters Sports Schedule at 0001 GMT on Thursday, Feb 18
Reuters sports schedule at 0001 GMT on Thursday:
FIFA
FIFA Ethics Committee sanctions Franz Beckenbauer
ZURICH – FIFA's ethics watchdog imposed a warning and 7,000 Swiss francs fine on German soccer great Franz Beckenbauer, the former World Cup-winning player and coach, for stonewalling an investigation. (SOCCER FIFA/BECKENBAUER, moved, 350 words)
Argentina judge releases ex-soccer official in FIFA probe
BUENOS AIRES – A judge in Argentina on Wednesday ordered the release of a former top South American soccer official who has been charged by U.S. justice officials with involvement in a FIFA bribery racket. (SOCCER-FIFA/MEISZNER moved, 350 words)
CONCACAF settles lawsuit against US travel company
NEW YORK – CONCACAF, the governing body for soccer in North and Central America and the Caribbean, has settled a lawsuit against a U.S. travel company it accused of overcharging for services as part of a kickback scheme, the organization said on Wednesday. (SOCCER-FIFA/LAWSUIT moved, 400 words)
English FA backs Infantino for FIFA president
LONDON – Gianni Infantino has won the support of the English Football Association in his effort to win next week's FIFA presidential election, chairman Greg Dyke said on Wednesday. (SOCCER-FIFA/ENGLAND moved, 350 words)
SOCCER
Europa League last 32 first leg
Borussia Dortmund v Porto (1800)
Fiorentina v Tottenham Hotspur (1800)
St Etienne v Basel (1800)
Villarreal v Napoli (1800)
Anderlecht v Olympiakos Piraeus (1800)
Sevilla v Molde (1800)
Midtjylland v Manchester United (1800)
Galatasaray v Lazio (2005)
Sion v Braga (2005)
Sparta Prague v FK Krasnodar (2005)
Sporting v Bayer Leverkusen (2005)
Valencia v Rapid Vienna (2005)
Olympique Marseille v Athletic Bilbao (2005)
Shakhtar Donetsk v Schalke 04 (2005)
Augsburg v Liverpool (2005)
Treble-chasing Sevilla take on Solskjaer's Molde
LONDON – Sevilla, bidding to land a hat-trick of Europa League trophies, take on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's Molde while Borussia Dortmund meet Porto and Fiorentina face Tottenham Hotspur in two standout ties. (SOCCER-EUROPA/, expect by 2030 GMT/3:30 PM ET, by Toby Davis, 600 words)
Depleted Man City face Chelsea in FA Cup showdown
LONDON – The lure of reaching the Champions League quarter-finals for the first time will weigh heavily on Manuel Pellegrini's mind as Manchester City and Chelsea prepare for a heavyweight FA Cup fifth-round clash on Sunday. (SOCCER-ENGLAND/CUP (PREVIEW), moving at 0200 GMT/9 PM ET, by Pritha Sarkar, 528 words)
Barca's big leads adds pressure on Atletico and Real Madrid
MADRID – Barcelona's six-point advantage at the top of the table has put added pressure on Atletico and Real Madrid, who can only hope the leaders drop points in the run-in. (SOCCER-SPAIN/ (PREVIEW), expect BY 1500 GMT/10 AM ET, 400 words)
GOLF
Spieth and McIlroy head strong field at Riviera
PACIFIC PALISADES, California – World number one Jordan Spieth and third-ranked Rory McIlroy head a strong field in the Northern Trust Open at Riviera Country Club along with three other players in the world top 10. (GOLF-PGA/ (PREVIEW, PIX), expect by 0100 GMT/8 PM ET, by Mark Lamport-Stokes, 450 words)
McIlroy and Matsuyama speak to media at Riviera
PACIFIC PALISADES, California – World number three Rory McIlroy, set for his first PGA Tour start of the year, and 12th-ranked Japanese Hideki Matsuyama hold news conferences on the eve of the first round of the Northern Trust Open. (GOLF-PGA/ (PIX), moved, by Mark Lamport-Stokes, 400 words)
CRICKET
New Zealand v Australia, 2nd test, Christchurch
McCullum legacy more than pyrotechnics
CHRISTCHURCH – When Brendon McCullum's international career ends after the second test against Australia in Christchurch, the New Zealand captain's legacy will go down as more than just an explosive batsman as he restored pride and hope in the team's performances. (CRICKET-NEWZEALAND/MCCULLUM (NEWSMAKER), moving at 0630 GMT/1:30 AM ET, by John Mehaffey, 700 words)
See also: CRICKET-NEWZEALAND/MCCULLUM (FACTBOX)
NHL
Blackhawks visit Rangers
Stanley Cup champions Chicago visit the New York Rangers, while the reeling Montreal Canadiens try to claw their way back into the playoff picture in two of the three games on the National Hockey League schedule. (NHL-HIGHLIGHTS/, expect by 0345 GMT/10:45 PM ET, by The Sports Xchange, 300 words)
NORTH AMERICAN SPORTS
Roundups of off-field developments in the major North American professional sports leagues. (expect by 0101 GMT/8:01 PM ET, 500 words) (Asia desk editor: Peter Rutherford)
