Australian RICHIE PORTE pulled out of the Tour de France after "damaging his shoulder in a crash" 10km into the ninth stage, a 156.5km ride from Arras on Sunday. The BMC Racing rider, who also crashed out of the Tour last year, "was one of the main contenders to finish on the podium in Paris" (London GUARDIAN, 7/15). ... Super Rugby side Melbourne Rebels player AMANAKI MAFI was arrested in New Zealand. Rugby Australia confirmed that Mafi is in New Zealand police custody, "and is facing charges after an alleged assault" on his Rebels teammate and Wallabies player LOPETI TIMANI (NEW ZEALAND HERALD, 7/15). ... Belgium forward EDEN HAZARD "is considering leaving Chelsea before the start of next season," he said on Saturday, with Real Madrid "thought to be his preferred destination." Hazard said, "After six wonderful years at Chelsea, it might be time to discover something different. I can decide if I want to stay or go, but Chelsea will make the final decision" (REUTERS, 7/14). ... EPL side West Ham United signed midfielder FELIPE ANDERSON for a club record €36M ($42M) from Lazio. The fee for the 25-year-old could rise to £41.5M ($55M) and eclipses the £22M ($29.1M) the club paid Toulouse for France U21 player ISSA DIOP last month (BBC, 7/15). ... MANNY PACQUIAO "put on a dominant display" to "stun" defending champion LUCAS MATTHYSSE with a seventh-round knockout and claim the WBA welterweight title in Kuala Lumpur on Sunday. The 39-year-old Filipino "sent his Argentine opponent to the canvas three times in total" (REUTERS, 7/15). ... Spain's Ministry of Finance (GESTHA) warned that CRISTIANO RONALDO's move to Juventus will not "change his problems" with Spain's tax authorities. GESTHA said that what will determine the player's tax case will be the date he signed his contract with Juventus, "because if the deal was signed in July, he will be considered a resident of Spain" for this year (LIBERTAD DIGITAL, 7/13).
WAKING UP: Liverpool fan SEAN COX, who was attacked outside Anfield before Liverpool's Champions League semifinal against AS Roma, regained his consciousness "after almost three months spent in a coma." The 53-year-old father of three was left in critical condition after the incident on April 24 (London TELEGRAPH, 7/14).
