EXCLUSIVE BY DANIEL MATTHEWS: Boxing chiefs are scrambling to devise safe ways to end the shutdown crippling the sport, with virtual press conferences and remote judging part of the plans.

Lyon president Jean Michel Aulas has confirmed that the Ligue 1 club plans to launch two legal fights after the season was ended early.

Former heavyweight world champion George Foreman has revealed what Ali said when he spoke with him about Tyson during the peak of his career.

Despite extensive contingency planning, including potential of playing matches at neutral venues, Culture Secretary Oliver Dowden warned the game is yet to get the 'green light'.

Only individual Premier League players who test positive for coronavirus will be quarantined rather than whole squads as plans for Project Restart gather pace.

Mike Tyson insisted that he never thinks about the moment he bit Evander Holyfield's ear in the boxing ring and claimed he has made more money from the aftermath that he was fined for the incident.

Football is inching closer to a return amid the Covid-19 pandemic but there remains an array of medical and health issues that need to be worked through before a ball can be kicked.

Khabib Nurmagomedov has walked to the cage 28 times and left it as the victor on every occasion. The UFC lightweight champion seems to be cut from a different cloth and the folklore is growing.

Sportsmail will provide you with everything you need to know for UFC 249 including time, channel and fight card plus location and latest odds.

The Brighton CEO has been vocal in his opposition to the 'unfair' proposals of Project Restart, which would see remaining games played at a small number of independent grounds.

The 26-year-old French centre back has struggled with knee and foot problems in the last few seasons and Barca said there was no time frame for his return to training.

Sweden drew another blank as fellow World Cup contenders Peru held them to a frustrating scoreless draw in their final warm-up game on a sun-drenched evening in Gothenburg.

Ibrahimovic retired from international football after Euro 2016 but Sweden's record goalscorer appeared to be tempted to return after qualification for this summer's finals had been achieved.

Striker Son Heung-min blamed himself for South Korea's 1-0 defeat by Sweden in their World Cup opener on Monday, saying he did not do enough to help lift his team mates in the Group F game.

Sweden were given a pleasant surprise during their training session on Wednesday morning when their national anthem was sung over the tannoy system by one of the World Cup volunteers.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has proved he is still in the shape of his life, despite recently being snubbed by Sweden for the 2018 Russia World Cup. The iconic forward is ESPN's latest body cover star.

CHRIS HATHERALL IN SOCHI: Zlatan Ibrahimovic may not be here with them but Sweden, with a team whose image is the antithesis of their former hero, came so close to becoming legends.

MATT BARLOW AT FISHT OLYMPIC STADIUM: For a short time, just over half an hour including the half-time interval, Germany were on their way out of the World Cup.

Sweden boss Janne Andersson accused the Germans of gloating and 'rubbing his face' in defeat after the goal which puts them back in control of their destiny in Group F.

Germany went 1-0 behind against Sweden but Marco Reus levelled before Toni Kroos stepped up and smashed a last-gasp free-kick into the top corner at the Fisht Olympic Stadium on Saturday evening.

Toni Kroos has praised his Germany team-mates for their second-half performance against Sweden on Saturday which saw them come from a goal down to win in the last minute. 

At each of the 48 matches played — and the 16 still scheduled between now and July 15 — four players have been tested, with each sample being sent to a World Anti-Doping Association.

Sven-Goran Eriksson twice led England to the World Cup last-eight stage during his reign as manager, and he has been impressed with Gareth Southgate's squad so far in Russia.

With England through to the quarter-finals, here is all you need to know about the history of England vs Sweden matches including the results, head-to-head stats and the 2002 World Cup meeting.

The long-standing rivalry between England and Scotland means many Scots support whichever team is playing against their south of the border neighbours.

Thousands of England fans will have woken up on Wednesday morning with one question on their minds: how do I get to Russia for Saturday's quarter-final? 

Gareth Southgate's side progressed to the last eight of the competition following a dramatic win over Colombia on penalties on Tuesday night. The victory set up a clash against Sweden.

The whole world can see Harry Kane is top of the goalscoring charts at Russia 2018, but it's not the only important statistic in which he is leaving his international striker rivals trailing in his dust.

There are plenty of big guns left in the World Cup, plus a few surprises. Bearing in mind the current odds, here's who Sportsmail's team of football reporters would bet on to win, and why.

England will have learned plenty from their penalty shootout win over Colombia and are aware of the barrier Sweden represent. Sportsmail looks at how the quarter-final might be won and lost

Few countries have crossed paths with England as regularly as Sweden. Ahead of the seismic meeting in Samara, Sportsmail spoke to some of the key players in those dramas.

Steven Gerrard is confident England can beat Sweden in their World Cup quarter-final because they no longer have a maverick such as Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Gareth Southgate's England side take on Sweden in Samara on Saturday afternoon with a place in the semi-finals at stake and the excitement levels are at boiling point.

It was an eventful game on the pitch but there were a number of events taking place off it as well. From a spare Gareth Southgate in the stands to how fans tried to keep up to date at wedding ceremonies.

ROB DRAPER IN SAMARA: Make no mistake. In the Samara Arena, situated on the banks of the River Volga in a far-flung corner of Russia, an England team made history.

Zlatan Ibrahimovic appears to be ready to hold up his end of the bargain he has with David Beckham after his beloved Sweden were knocked out of the World Cup by England on Saturday.

Victor Lindelof will return from the Russia World Cup with his stock higher than ever before, and has a series of clubs interested in acquiring his services on loan for next season.

The 33-year-old former Wigan Athletic centre-back has been key to Sweden 's impressive defensive record and captained his country at the World Cup forming a partnership with United's Victor Lindelof.

Victor Lindelof issued his former Manchester United and Sweden team-mate Zlatan Ibrahimovic a light-hearted warning after scoring just his second international goal on Tuesday night.

You know a match is perhaps not the most interesting when the key moment is a second half substitute. This was the case in Sweden, as the sub almost poked his own eye out while coming on.

ADAM SHERGOLD AT WHITEHALL STADIUM: England ended their Under 17s European Championship campaign on a winning note but it wasn’t enough to carry them to the quarter-finals.

PETE JENSON IN OSLO: Bournemouth's Joshua King won a point for Norway against Spain scoring a penalty against Kepa Arrizabalga after the Chelsea keeper had given away the spot-kick.

Spain midfielder Ceballos fouled Olsson and was subsequently shown a yellow card as Spain trailed in the match.

Pep Guardiola has maintained he cannot be held responsible if £49million defender John Stones misses out on Euro 2020 due to a lack of game time at Manchester City.

The 38-year-old striker, who rejoined the club on December 27 in a surprise switch, will have his contract automatically extended for a season should Milan qualify for the Champions League.

Jo Konta took exception to being asked if she would 'offer her services' to Andy Murray in the Wimbledon mixed doubles, saying it made her sound 'like a hooker'. The British No 1 reacted with shock.

LAURA LAMBERT AT EASTBOURNE: Jo Konta sailed through the opening round at the Eastbourne International on Sunday to keep her Wimbledon preparations on track.

Sydney-born Konta, 28, moved to Eastbourne in East Sussex with her Hungarian parents when she was 14-years-old.

Heather Watson is part of a new crop of players that have recently re-energised the British game. Katie Nicholl meets the British tennis star who's aceing it on and off Centre Court

The athlete, 28, has revealed that her family members and close friends have failed to recognise her when she is out of her tennis whites.