Sports

By NICOLAS VAUX-MONTAGNY Associated Press LYON, France (AP) — Real Madrid forward Karim Benzema will stand trial outside Paris starting Wednesday after being accused of trying to blackmail former France teammate Mathieu Valbuena over a sex tape. Benzema is on trial for complicity in attempted blackmail. Four other people have been charged with attempted blackmail.

By NICHOLAS PAPHITIS Associated Press ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Human rights activists have urged international governments, sponsors and athletes to boycott what they call China’s “genocide games.” The appeal came as Greek officials in Athens handed over the Olympic flame to 2022 Beijing Winter Games organizers. Activists also disrupted the flame lighting ceremony in southern

AL AMERAT, Oman (AP) — Scotland has won the toss and elected to bat against Papua New Guinea in the T20 World Cup in Oman on Tuesday. Scotland upset Bangladesh in their opening Group B match on Sunday and has brought in fast bowler Alasdair Evans for Safyaan Sharif. Sharif was wicketless in the first

ATHENS, Greece (AP) — Human rights activists are urging international governments, sponsors and athletes to boycott what they call China’s “genocide games.” Tuesday’s appeal came hours before Greek officials in Athens were due to hand over the flame for the 2022 Winter Olympics to Chinese organizers. Activists also disrupted the flame lighting ceremony in southern

By DAN GELSTON AP Sports Writer CAMDEN, N.J. (AP) — Ben Simmons remains a mystery for the Philadelphia 76ers. Coach Doc Rivers says he does not know if Simmons will play in Wednesday’s season opener at New Orleans. Simmons has practiced twice since he returned to the organization following his offseason trade demand. Simmons did

By RICHARD E. LAPCHICK For The Associated Press Richard E. Lapchick shares some of the backlash his family felt that was directed at his father for signing the first Black player to an NBA contract. Lapchick directs the Institute for Diversity and Ethics in Sport at the University of Central Florida. His father, Joe Lapchick,

By JOHN PYE AP Sports Writer Political leaders in Australia says tennis players who haven’t received a COVID-19 vaccination are unlikely to get a visa to enter the country for the first major of 2022 at Melbourne Park. Victoria state Premier Daniel Andrews has already introduced a vaccine mandate for professional athletes competing in domestic

By TERESA M. WALKER AP Pro Football Writer NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — The Buffalo Bills have seen Josh Allen run for first down after first down since coming into the NFL in 2018. That’s why coach Sean McDermott put the ball in his quarterback’s hands yet again on fourth and maybe half a yard rather

By JACK MAGRUDER Associated Press GLENDALE, Ariz. (AP) — Jordan Kyrou had two goals and two assists, and the St. Louis Blues scored five times in a 5:07 span of the second period for a 7-4 victory over Arizona in the Coyotes’ home opener. Kyrou and Klim Kostin had two goals apiece during the second-period

CALGARY, Alberta (AP) — Jamie Drysdale scored in overtime to give the Anaheim Ducks a 3-2 victory over the Calgary Flames on Monday night. Drysdale tapped in a pass from Troy Terry at 3:26 of overtime for the winner. Cam Fowler and Rickard Rakell also scored for the Ducks, who started a four-game trip with

By TERESA M. WALKER AP Pro Football Writer NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Derrick Henry scored his third touchdown with 3:05 left, and the Tennessee Titans stopped Josh Allen on a fourth-down quarterback sneak in the final seconds to beat Buffalo 34-31. The Bills’ four-game winning streak was snapped. The AFC East leaders drove to the

By KYLE HIGHTOWER AP Sports Writer BOSTON (AP) — Houston’s pitching staff will need to adjust quickly after allowing 25 runs and 32 hits to Boston in the first three games of the AL Championship Series, a barrage that made the loss of injured Lance McCullers Jr. seem acute. Kyle Schwarber hit Boston’s third grand

By JIMMY GOLEN AP Sports Writer BOSTON (AP) — Kyle Schwarber’s grand slam helped the Red Sox rout the Houston Astros 12-3 to take a 2-1 lead in the best-of-seven AL Championship Series. One game after J.D. Martinez and Rafael Devers each hit a grand slam in Houston, Schwarber hit a second-inning 3-0 pitch out.

TORONTO (AP) — Artemi Panarin scored in overtime, Igor Shesterkin stopped 40 shots and the New York Rangers beat the Toronto Maple Leafs 2-1. Mika Zibanejad had a goal and an assist for New York, the 100th two-point game of his NHL career. Michael Bunting scored for Toronto, which got 21 saves from Jack Campbell.

By KYLE HIGHTOWER AP Sports Writer BOSTON (AP) — Kyle Schwarber hit Boston’s third grand slam in two games, a drive off José Urquidy in a six-run second, and the Red Sox took a 9-0 lead after three innings against the Houston Astros in Game 3 of the AL Championship Series. Boston, seeking to take

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — Tennessee Titans left tackle Taylor Lewan has been carted off the field strapped to a backboard after taking a hit to his head and neck area. The Titans said Lewan was being evaluated for a concussion and had movement in all of his extremities. Lewan’s helmet appeared to come down hard