Following is a summary of current sports news briefs.

Soccer-‘No more silence’: NWSL players return to the field

Banners and signs declaring “PROTECT THE PLAYERS” and “NO MORE SILENCE” ringed National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) pitches on Wednesday as teams took to the field for the first time since sexual misconduct allegations rocked the competition.

The matches were the first since a report from the Athletic on Thursday outlined allegations of sexual coercion and misconduct from former North Carolina Courage head coach Paul Riley, prompting the league to postpone last weekend’s games.

Motor racing-F1 title outcome will not change my life, says Verstappen

Formula One title contender Max Verstappen played down the pressure of fighting Lewis Hamilton for the championship and said on Thursday that the outcome would not change his life either way. The 24-year-old Red Bull driver is two points adrift of Mercedes’ seven times world champion, and 100-times race winner, Hamilton ahead of Sunday’s Turkish Grand Prix, with six races remaining after Istanbul.

‘Quiet please’ – Wimbledon proud to stay silent on issues, says CEO

The All England Lawn Tennis Club (AELT) CEO said she was proud that her organisation rarely speaks out on pressing issues of the day and added there was no chance whatsoever of a “behind the scenes” documentary on the Wimbledon Championships. Sally Bolton, who last year became the AELTC’s first female CEO after a career that has also encompassed rugby league, rugby union and athletics, found herself as a panelist at the Leaders Week sport business conference justifying Wimbledon’s famed reluctance to speak about any issue beyond Wimbledon.

Soccer-Courage were unaware of sexual misconduct allegations against coach, says owner

North Carolina Courage owner Steve Malik said the team only became aware of sexual harassment and coercion allegations against former coach Paul Riley when they were reported last week. National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) games at the weekend were postponed after The Athletic on Thursday outlined allegations of sexual coercion and misconduct by Riley, who led the Courage to back-to-back championships in 2018 and 2019.

NHL-Canadiens goalie Price enters player assistance program

Montreal Canadiens goalie Carey Price, who backstopped his team to last season’s Stanley Cup Final, is voluntarily stepping away from the club to enter the NHL/NHLPA player assistance program, the league and union said on Thursday. The National Hockey League and NHL Players’ Association announced Price’s decision in a joint statement but gave no additional details and said there would be no further comment.

Eighteen former NBA players charged with defrauding league’s health plan

Eighteen former National Basketball Association players were charged on Thursday with defrauding the league’s health and welfare benefit plan out of approximately $3.9 million. According to an indictment filed with the U.S. District Court in Manhattan, the players submitted false reimbursement claims for medical and dental services that were never performed, and received $2.5 million in fraudulent proceeds.

Athletics-Banned Nigerian sprinter Okagbare facing three anti-doping charges

Nigerian sprinter Blessing Okagbare, who was provisionally banned after testing positive for human growth hormone before the Tokyo Olympics, has been hit with three separate anti-doping charges, the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) said on Thursday. Okagbare, who won silver in the long jump at Beijing 2008, had competed in the 100m heats in Tokyo on July 31 and was due to run in the semi-final before being suspended.

Soccer-Saudi Arabia-led consortium completes takeover of Newcastle United

Premier League side Newcastle United have been taken over by a Saudi Arabian-backed consortium, the league said in a statement on Thursday. “Following the completion of the Premier League’s Owners’ and Directors’ Test, the club has been sold to the consortium with immediate effect,” the Premier League said.

NBA-Durant still sees Irving playing for Nets despite vaccine stance

Brooklyn Nets forward Kevin Durant said he still envisions Kyrie Irving playing a role for the team this season despite uncertainty over the seven-time All Star’s COVID-19 vaccination status. The season begins on Oct. 19 and unvaccinated players must comply with a long list of restrictions to play in games and take part in team activities such as practice.

Boxing-Boxing offers escape valve for favela children in Brazil

When 13-year-old Mariangela Pereira da Silva was accosted by a strange man near her home earlier this year she was frightened. She felt she had to do something and a bar of chocolate helped her reach a decision. A local NGO was offering chocolate to anyone who wanted to try out boxing and Da Silva went along.

(With inputs from agencies.)