AP Sports SummaryBrief at 3:09 p.m. EST

Wander Franco's sex abuse trial has been postponed 5 months PUERTO PLATA, Dominican Republic (AP) The trial against Tampa Bay Rays shortstop Wander Franco, who has been charged with sexually abusing a minor, sexual and commercial exploitation against a minor, and human trafficking, has been postponed until June 2, 2025.

Dominican judge Yacaira Veras postponed the hearing Thursday at the request of prosecutors because of the absence of several key witnesses in the case.

Francos lawyers asked the court to reconsider the postponement, arguing Franco must report to spring training in mid-February.

The judge replied that Franco is obligated to continue with the trial schedule and his conditional release from detainment.

Rape investigation that Swedish media say focused on Kylian Mbappe has been closed STOCKHOLM (AP) Swedish prosecutors say they have dropped a rape investigation that was launched in connection with soccer star Kylian Mbappes visit to Stockholm in October.

In a statement, lead investigator Marina Chirakova says there is not enough evidence to continue the investigation into the allegation at a hotel.

Prosecutors never publicly named the suspect in the investigation but some Swedish media reported it was Mbappe.

The Real Madrid striker visited Stockholm in October during a break in the Spanish league.

At the time, Mbappes legal team dismissed those reports as false.

2034 World Cup visitors will live in 'a bubble' and not see real life, Saudi rights activist says LONDON (AP) A Saudi human rights activist says soccer fans visiting Saudi Arabia for the 2034 World Cup will live in a bubble that doesn't reflect real life there.

Lina al-Hathloul is a London-based activist whose sister was jailed in Saudi Arabia then banned from travel after campaigning to end a ban on women driving.

When FIFA confirmed the kingdom as the 2034 tournament host on Wednesday its president Gianni Infantino acknowledged the world will be watching for positive social change.

Al-Hathloul says western people will be very safe at the World Cup but "will see a bubble of what Saudi Arabia is.

Bill Belichick 'always wanted' to give college coaching a try.

Now he will at North Carolina New North Carolina football coach Bill Belichick said he had long been interested in coaching in the college ranks.

But it had never worked out until now, as he takes over the Tar Heels program.

Belichick led the New England Patriots to six Super Bowl titles during a 24-year run there that ended last year.

University trustees approved terms of a five-year deal for him Thursday morning before he held his introductory news conference on campus.

Travis Hunter, the 2-way standout for Colorado, is the AP college football player of the year BOULDER, Colo.

(AP) Colorado two-way standout Travis Hunter is The Associated Press college football player of the year.

Hunter received 26 of the 43 votes from a panel of AP Top 25 voters.

Boise State tailback Ashton Jeanty finished second with 16 votes, and Arizona State running back Cameron Skattebo received one vote.

A throwback player who rarely left the field, Hunter had 92 catches for 1,152 yards and 14 touchdowns as a receiver.

He had four interceptions and 11 passes defensed as a shutdown corner.

Hunter helped the the 20th-ranked Buffaloes to a 9-3 record and an appearance in the Alamo Bowl against BYU.

Juan Soto to be introduced by Mets at Citi Field after striking record $765 million, 15-year deal NEW YORK (AP) Juan Soto will be introduced by the New York Mets at Citi Field, a day after his record $765 million, 15-year contract was finalized.

Soto chose the Mets offer on Sunday, deciding to leave the Yankees after helping them reach the World Series in his only season in the Bronx.

The 26-year-olds contract value eclipsed Shohei Ohtanis $700 million, 10-year deal with the Los Angeles Dodgers last December.

Its length topped Fernando Tatis Jr.s $340 million, 14-year agreement with San Diego that runs through 2034.

Team claims NASCAR rescinded approval to buy new charter unless federal antitrust suit is dropped CHARLOTTE, N.C.

(AP) A new court filing says NASCAR rejected Front Row Motorsports agreement to purchase a charter from Stewart-Haas Racing unless the team and 23XI Racing dropped their federal antitrust lawsuit against the stock car series.

Front Row and 23XI rejected NASCAR's new revenue sharing agreement and have gone to court.

NASCAR now says it will move forward in 2025 with 32 chartered teams and eight open spots, with offers on charters for Front Row and 23XI rescinded and the SHR charters in limbo.

Indian teen Gukesh Dommaraju becomes the youngest chess world champion after beating Chinese rival NEW DELHI (AP) Indian teenager Gukesh Dommaraju has become the youngest chess world champion after beating the defending champion Ding Liren of China.

Dommaraju, 18, secured 7.5 points against 6.5 of his Chinese rival in Thursday's game which was played in Singapore.

He has surpassed the achievement of Russias Garry Kasparov who won the title at the age of 22.

Dommaraju is now also the second Indian to win the title after five-time world chess champion Viswanathan Anand.

The Indian teen prodigy has long been considered a rising star in the chess world after he became a chess grandmaster at 12.

He had entered the match as the youngest-ever challenger to the world crown after winning the Candidates tournament earlier this year.

Hojlund scores twice for Manchester United to beat Viktoria Plzen 2-1 in Europa League Rasmus Hojlund scored twice after coming off the bench and Manchester United rallied to beat Viktoria Plzen 2-1 in the Europa League.

The Denmark striker netted in the 88th minute after collecting Bruno Fernandes pass off a free kick to seal a victory.

Ahead of the late games, United moved to fifth place with 12 points from six games.

Hojlund came on in the 56th to replace Marcus Rashford and scored an equalizer six minutes later.

In the Conference League a youthful Chelsea lineup made the most of a long trip to Kazakhstan by beating Astana 3-1 to stay perfect in the third-tier competition.

Raiders player Charles Snowden facing misdemeanor DUI charge after Las Vegas arrest LAS VEGAS (AP) Las Vegas Raiders football player Charles Snowden was arrested in Las Vegas on a misdemeanor charge of driving under the influence and released from custody.

The NFL, the Raiders and Snowdens attorneys acknowledged Thursday the 26-year-old first-year defensive end was arrested early Tuesday.

He faces a scheduled court date in April.

Its not clear yet whether the arrest will affect Snowdens status with the team.

He has played every game this season, and the Raiders' next game is at home on Monday.

Commissioner Roger Goodell can impose a three-game suspension without pay for a first violation of the league's alcohol abuse policy..

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