Digest

SOCCER

Brazil boss Tite slams Arsenal link as 'lie'

Brazil manager Tite on Monday denied speculation linking him with a move to English Premier League club Arsenal.

According to Brazil's TV Globo, the 60-year-old has been approached by Arsenal representatives about the possibility of replacing Gunners boss Mikel Arteta after this year's World Cup.

"My feeling is of sadness. I feel sad because the information given to the public is a lie," Tite told a virtual news conference.

"The people I represent and who know me can rest assured because I value professionalism and know the responsibility that goes with the Brazil team."

Tite has overseen 53 wins, 13 draws and just five losses since taking charge of the five-time world champion in August 2016.

Last month, he revealed he would stand down after the World Cup, to be played in Qatar from Nov 21 to Dec 18.

Mancini hints he will remain in Italy role

Roberto Mancini dropped a big hint on Monday he will stay on as Italy coach despite the Azzurri failing to qualify for the World Cup for a second successive time.

The European champion was beaten by North Macedonia in Thursday's qualification playoff semifinal for this year's tournament in Qatar, sparking talk he could resign.

"I've spoken with the (Italian Football Federation) president (Gabriele Gravina) in the last few days, I think we're on the same page on pretty much everything," Mancini said ahead of a friendly against Turkey in Konya.

"We will speak about it again in the coming days, we'll see each other again after this match. Then we'll take our time to talk about what can be improved for the future. That's it."

Names including 2006 World Cup-winning captain Fabio Cannavaro and Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti were touted after Italy's 1-0 defeat in Palermo last week.

Messi unsure of future beyond World Cup

Lionel Messi says he will reconsider his future in soccer later this year but said it's likely "many things will change" after the World Cup in November and December in Qatar.

Messi's comments came after Argentina beat Venezuela 3-0 on Friday in the remaining match of the penultimate round of South American World Cup qualifying.

"I don't know what I will do after the World Cup. I am thinking about what is coming," Messi said. "After Qatar I will have to reassess many things."

He added his doubts had nothing to do with past frustration playing for Argentina. He won his first title with the team last year－the Copa America in a final against Brazil.

"It has been a while that I am happy here, since before winning the Copa. I am thankful for all this they make me feel every time I come to Argentina," Messi said.

SAILING

Barcelona to host 2024 America's Cup

The Mayor of Barcelona has announced that the next contest for sailing's America's Cup will be held in the Spanish city in 2024.

In a video posted Monday on social media, Mayor Ada Colau said Barcelona had been chosen as the host city for the 37th Cup regatta. While recent reports had pointed to Barcelona as a likely host, Colau's statement came ahead of any official announcement by America's Cupholder Team New Zealand.

After defending the Cup off Auckland in 2021, the reigning champion indicated it was unlikely that the next regatta also would take place in New Zealand because of funding difficulties.

Team New Zealand effectively put hosting rights up for tender, inviting cities around the world to bid.

ICE HOCKEY

Slick Oilers win 7th straight home game

Ryan McLeod had two goals and an assist and the Edmonton Oilers beat the Arizona Coyotes 6-1 on Monday night.

"As a group, we were pretty motivated after that last game," McLeod said of the Oilers' 9-5 loss to Calgary two nights earlier. "Everyone was pretty frustrated and we came out pretty motivated."

Connor McDavid, Warren Foegele, Zach Hyman and Leon Draisaitl also scored for the Oilers, who have won seven straight home games.

"It was really important that we learned a lesson from our last game," said Oilers goalie Mikko Koskinen, who made 31 saves. "We really wanted to bounce back.

"It was an embarrassing game Saturday and I think we got exactly the result that we needed. Not just the result, but the way we played. We didn't give any odd-man rushes. We played well. That was the most important thing, with the two points."

Agencies