Digest

BOXING

Africa champ Kakololo eyes world-title shot

Reigning African Boxing Union featherweight champion Nathaniel Kakololo has declared himself ready for a shot at a world title.

The Namibian (9-1-1, 3 KO) retained his ABU belt against South African Jeff Magagane on Dec 7, and is keen to challenge for the WBC title, currently owned by American Gary Russell Jr. (30-1, 18 KO).

China's WBA regular champion Xu Can (18-2, 3 KO) could also be a potential opponent.

"I am in the best shape of mind to fight for any title that comes my way. I thought against Magagane I showed everyone that I am good enough to fight for a world title sooner rather than later," Kakololo told Xinhua.

"I've worked very hard to be where I am right now. For me to fight for the World Boxing Council (WBC) title I am expected to be ranked at least in the top 16. I am currently ranked 36, but after the win over Magagane, it means that I am expected to move up places."

SOCCER

Everton keeps coy amid Ancelotti link

Everton said on Monday it had yet to make a contract offer to a potential new manager after a report that Carlo Ancelotti had agreed "in principle" to take over at Goodison Park.

Sky Sports reported talks between the English Premier League club and the veteran Italian boss had "progressed well".

But an Everton statement issued later on Monday said: "In the 11 days since Marco Silva left the club, the Everton board has been working to recruit a new permanent manager－and has held meetings with a number of candidates."

It added: "We can confirm that thus far no contract offer has been made and no candidate has chosen to withdraw from the process.

"While the club is keen to confirm a new permanent manager as soon as possible, the only important duty is that the right appointment is made."

Ex-AC Milan, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich boss Ancelotti previously worked in England at Chelsea, from 2009-11. Everton's interim boss Duncan Ferguson has guided the Toffees to a win over Chelsea and a draw at Manchester United.

Platini and Blatter sued over $2m FIFA payment

FIFA said it had filed court claims in Switzerland to force Michel Platini to return two million Swiss francs ($2 million) he received during Sepp Blatter's reign at world soccer's governing body.

FIFA banned Platini, its then vice-president, in 2015 over the payment he received, sparking years of bitter recriminations from the Frenchman and a falling-out with his former ally Blatter.

In a document seen by AFP last week, FIFA said it would take legal action by the end of the year to recover the money. On Monday, FIFA confirmed it had launched those proceedings.

"This follows the unanimous resolution recently adopted by the FIFA Governance Committee in which it emphasized that FIFA was duty-bound to try to recover the funds illicitly paid by one former official to another," FIFA said in a statement.

TENNIS

Top-30 player linked to betting investigation

More than 135 tennis players, including one ranked in the ATP's top 30, are implicated in an international betting scandal, German media reported on Sunday.

According to a joint report by daily newspaper Die Welt and broadcaster ZDF, the players are subject to a cross-border investigation involving both the FBI and European authorities.

Among the individuals allegedly involved is a male player in the top 30 who has won three ATP Tour titles, the report said.

"We are talking about an Armenian betting mafia network which is spread across seven countries in Europe and has manipulated on a large scale," Belgian state prosecutor Eric Bisschop told ZDF.

He added the scandal involved hundreds of small bets on fixed games, wracking up profits of tens of thousands of euros in each case.

ZDF and Die Welt also spoke to Argentine former player Marco Trungelliti, who claims to have been contacted by match-fixers. "There are pros in the world top 50 who have fixed games," Trungelliti said.

NFL

Brees makes history as Saints smash Colts

New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees became the NFL's all-time touchdown pass leader on Monday, throwing four scoring tosses in the Saints' 34-7 rout of the visiting Indianapolis Colts.

Brees now has 541 career touchdown throws, two more than the old mark by retired legend Peyton Manning and three better than 42-year-old New England Patriots starter Tom Brady.

"Pretty incredible moment," said Brees, who turns 41 next month.

"This is a special night and one I will always remember."

Brees, already the NFL's all-time leader in passing yardage and completion percentage, set the TD mark in the third quarter on a five-yard scoring toss to tight end Josh Hill.

Brees completed 29-of-30 passes for 307 yards to set another NFL record. His one-game completion percentage mark of 96.7 percent broke the old record of 28-of-29(96.6 percent) set last season by Philip Rivers.

A fourth consecutive loss ended the Colts' playoff hopes. The Saints had already clinched a playoff berth but needed to beat the Colts to keep up with National Conference co-leaders Green Bay and Seattle in a fight for home-field advantage.