SHORT CORNER
I'm an example, insists Ronaldo
A smiling Cristiano Ronaldo insisted Monday he is an "example" in his behaviour on and off the field amid allegations of rape made against the five-time Ballon d'Or winner in the United States.
"I know I am an example, 100 percent, in the pitch and outside the pitch," Ronaldo told a press conference ahead of his return to Manchester United, where he spent six years as a player, with Juventus in the Champions League.
"I am always smiling, I am happy man, I'm blessed that I play in a fantastic club, I have a fantastic family, I have four kids, I am healthy," added Ronaldo. "I have everything. So the rest, it doesn't interfere on me. I'm very, very well."
"I'm not going to lie in this situation," he added. "My lawyers they are confident and of course I am too. The most important (thing) is I enjoy the football, I enjoy my life. Of course, the truth is always coming in the first position. So, I'm good."
Bolt, Mariners to part ways
The chances of Usain Bolt playing in the A-League are all but over with the Jamaican sprinter set to knock back a contract offer from Central Coast Mariners that falls well below his asking price.
Fairfax Media understands the club tabled a contract to the Jamaican sprinter understood to be worth around the mean salary for an A-League player of less than $150,000, almost $2.9 million beneath Bolt's initial asking price.
The club has put an ultimatum on Bolt to accept the offer or end his trial period, confirming the world's fastest man will no longer train with the Mariners until a deal is reached.
That looks unlikely given the enormity of the gap between their offer and his demands and unless a third party is willing to subsidise his wages with a commercial deal, Bolt's journey with Central Coast will likely reach its conclusion.
Wawrinka pulls out of Basel
A back injury suffered during a Sunday practice session with compatriot Roger Federer forced Stan Wawrinka to pull out of the Swiss Indoors tournament on Monday, while Marin Cilic eased into the second round in Basel.
"I turned my back, and retiring was the only decision I could make," said the three-time Grand Slam champion, adding that he will end his season early and not play at the Paris Masters next week.
North Korea's anthem played for South Korea
South Korean footballers were left dumbfounded ahead of their AFC under-19 Championship qualifier against Jordan in Indonesia when organisers played the North's anthem instead.
Instead of Seoul's hymn-like anthem "Aegukga", North Korea's national tune blared out, leaving them stony-faced and silent.
The South's coaching staff told officials of the mistake, and while the right song was then played, they protested after the game on Monday evening.
Seoul's football authorities said they will file a complaint with the Asian Football Confederation.
Arsenal make it perfect 10
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Mesut Ozil stole the show as Arsenal swept to their 10th successive win with a 3-1 victory against Leicester on Monday.
Unai Emery's side trailed to Hector Bellerin's first-half own goal at the Emirates Stadium. But Ozil produced a majestic display to lead the fightback. He equalised just before half-time and played a key role in Aubameyang's second-half double.
Ozil summed up Arsenal mood, tweeting after the match: "I think we played some sexy football tonight. Proud captain of this team."