AP Sports SummaryBrief at 5:46 p.m. EST

FIFA confirms Saudi Arabia as 2034 World Cup host despite human rights concerns ZURICH (AP) Saudi Arabia has been officially confirmed by FIFA as host of the 2034 World Cup in mens soccer.

The Saudi bid was the only candidate and was acclaimed by the applause of more than 200 FIFA member federations.

They took part remotely in an online meeting hosted in Zurich on Wednesday by the soccer bodys president Gianni Infantino.

The decision was combined with approving the only candidate to host the 2030 World Cup.

Spain, Portugal and Morocco will co-host in a six-nation project, with Argentina, Paraguay and Uruguay each getting one of the 104 games.

The South American connection will mark the centenary of Uruguay hosting the first World Cup in 1930.

Rape allegation against Jay-Z wont impact NFL's relationship with music mogul, Goodell says IRVING, Texas (AP) NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell says a rape allegation against rapper Jay-Z wont impact the NFL's relationship with the music mogul.

Jay-Z's company Roc Nation has produced some of the NFLs entertainment presentations including the Super Bowl halftime show.

A woman who previously sued Sean Diddy Combs alleging she was raped at an awards show after-party in 2000 amended the lawsuit Sunday to include an allegation that Jay-Z was also at the party and participated in the sexual assault.

Jay-Z says the rape allegation made against him is part of an extortion attempt.

The NFL teamed up with Jay-Zs Roc Nation in 2019 for events and social activism.

The league and the entertainment company extended their partnership a few months ago.

All-Star left-hander Garrett Crochet acquired by Red Sox from White Sox for prospects DALLAS (AP) All-Star left-hander Garrett Crochet has been acquired by the Boston Red Sox from the Chicago White Sox for four prospects.

Catcher Kyle Teel, infielder Chase Meidroth, right-hander Wikelman Gonzalez and outfielder Braden Montgomery are headed to Chicago.

The 25-year-old Crochet was 6-12 with a 3.58 ERA in 32 starts for a White Sox team that went 41-121.

It's the most losses for any club since 1900.

He was picked for the AL All-Star team in his first season as a starter.

Selected 11th overall by Chicago in the 2020 amateur draft, Crochet made his big league debut that September.

He had Tommy John surgery in April 2022.

NFL will consider replay assist for facemask penalties and other plays IRVING, Texas (AP) The NFL will consider expanding replay assist to include facemask penalties and other plays.

Officials have missed several obvious facemask penalties this season, including two in a three-week span during Thursday night games.

League executive Troy Vincent also cited hits on a defenseless player, tripping, the fair catch, an illegal bat, an illegal double-team block, illegal formations on kickoffs and taunting as other areas that warrant consideration for replay assist.

Current rules only allow replay assist to help officials pick up a flag incorrectly thrown on the field, or in assisting proper enforcement of a foul called on the field.

The NFLs Competition Committee will review potential recommendations for owners to vote on for expanding replay assist.

Ohio politician proposes make flag planting a felony after fight in Michigan rivalry game An Ohio politician has seen enough flag planting.

Republican state Rep.

Josh Williams said Wednesday on social media he's introducing a bill to make flag planting in sports a felony in the state.

His proposal comes after the Nov.

30 fight at the Michigan-Ohio State rivalry football game when the Wolverines beat the Buckeyes 13-10 and then attempted to plant their flag at midfield.

A fight ensued and police had to use pepper spray to disperse the players.

Former Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield famously planted a flag in the middle of the field at Ohio State after the Sooners beat the Buckeyes in 2017.

Jimmy Butler says he's not worrying about his future with Heat amid trade speculation Jimmy Butler knows there are tons of questions about his future with the Miami Heat.

He might get traded, he might leave as a free agent next summer, he might exercise a $52.4 million option to return to the Heat or he might get a new contract.

He isn't sure what will happen.

The Heat forward spoke out about trade speculation Wednesday, telling reporters after practice that he doesnt mind his name being in the rumor mill.

US Biathlon officials ignored sexual harassment and abuse of female racers for decades, athletes say Sexual abuse and harassment by coaches and others who held positions of power over women on the U.S.

Biathlon team were ignored or excused over decades by officials more concerned with winning medals than holding offenders accountable.

That's according to Olympians and other biathletes interviewed by The Associated Press.

While the men climbed the sport's ranks, these women say they were forced to end their careers early.

The women and others describe a culture of misogyny and say they faced retaliation for speaking up.

Three of the men denied allegations they were either part of the abuse or ignored allegations of abuse.

A fourth did not respond to AP requests for comment.

Man City crisis deepens with loss to Juventus in Champions League as Barcelona and Arsenal win Manchester City plunged deeper into trouble in the Champions League by losing 2-0 at Juventus in the latest setback in a scarcely believable run of poor results for the ailing English champions.

City dropped to 22nd place in the 36-team standings and only the top 24 advances.

Reaching the knockout stage looked a certainty before the season for a team that was European champion in 2022 and has won the last four Premier League titles.

It's not anymore as City manager Pep Guardiola battles injuries and an apparent loss of belief among his players.

Arsenal beat Monaco 3-0 and Barcelona won 3-2 at Borussia Dortmund.

Tulane QB Mensah transfers to Duke; Mississippi States Van Buren, Cals Mendoza enter portal Former Tulane quarterback Darian Mensah has already found a new program in Duke, while Mississippi States Michael Van Buren Jr.

and Cals Fernando Mendoza are exploring changes of their own in the transfer portal.

Mensah is a redshirt freshman with three years of eligibility remaining.

He told ESPN on Wednesday he has transferred to Duke.

He attended the Blue Devils mens basketball game against Incarnate Word on Tuesday night.

The Blue Devils will face Mississippi in the Gator Bowl, but without 2024 starting quarterback Maalik Murphy and backup Grayson Loftis, who also entered the portal.

Lindsey Vonn savors chance to test out World Cup course as a forerunner in comeback bid at age 40 BEAVER CREEK, Colo.

(AP) Lindsey Vonn is trying to take her comeback step-by-step even if theres plenty of reason to look down the road.

For now, the 40-year-old American ski racer was concentrating on testing out the course as a forerunner.

Soon, it will be her first World Cup race.

Possibly later, the 2026 Winter Games at one of her favorite venues in Cortina dAmpezzo, Italy.

Vonn was one of three forerunners to test out the Birds of Prey course before the racers in the field went through a training run.

Federica Brignone of Italy had the fastest time on a Birds of Prey course thats new to quite a few racers.

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