Reuters sports schedule at 0001 GMT on Friday:
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FIFA INVESTIGATION
US sports exec in plea talks in FIFA corruption case
FIFA hires crisis consultants, first official extradited
NEW YORK/ZURICH - A sports marketing executive who was indicted along with 13 other people in a U.S. corruption case that has rocked the soccer world has been discussing a plea deal with prosecutors, according to a court filing. (SOCCER-FIFA/, moved, by Katharina Bart and Simon Evans, 500 words)
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FIFA ethics committee wants power to speak out
ZURICH - FIFA's own ethics committee, responsible for investigating allegations of corruption in soccer's scandal-hit governing body, has called for a change in the rules to let it release more information about ongoing investigations. (SOCCER-FIFA/TRANSPARENCY moved, 450 words)
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FIFA hire US consultants to handle 'reputational' issues
MIAMI - FIFA has hired New York-based crisis communications and advisory firm Teneo as it seeks to cope with investigations by U.S. and Swiss authorities and tries to improve its badly tarnished image. (SOCCER-FIFA/CONSULTANTS moved, by Simon Evans, 400 words)
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Blatter to attend World Cup draw in Russia, says Mutko
MOSCOW - FIFA President Sepp Blatter will attend the 2018 World Cup's preliminary draw in St Petersburg on July 25, Russia's Sports Minister Vitaly Mutko was quoted as saying on Thursday. (SOCCER-FIFA/BLATTER-DRAW moved, 350 words)
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GOLF
British Open (to 19)
Johnson setting the pace at St Andrews
ST ANDREWS, Scotland - Big-hitting Dustin Johnson takes a one-stroke lead into the second round. Playing partner and fellow American Jordan Spieth, chasing a third major win in a row, starts out two shots off the pace. (GOLF-OPEN/ (PIX), expect throughout, by Tony Jimenez and Martyn Herman, 650 words)
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PGA Tour: Barbasol Championship (to 19)
Palmer grandson Saunders leads at Grand National
Sam Saunders, the grandson of Arnold Palmer, made a timely return to form with his putter as he charged into a one-shot lead in the opening round of the inaugural Barbasol Championship in Auburn, Alabama. (GOLF-PGA/ (PIX), moved, 300 words)
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LPGA: Marathon Classic (to 19)
South Korean Jang leads Marathon after opening 66
Jang Ha-na of South Korea caught fire on the back nine with five birdies capped by one at the 18th for a five-under-par 66 and a one-shot lead after the opening round of the LPGA Marathon Classic in Illinois. (GOLF-LPGA/ (PIX), moved, 300 words)
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SOCCER
Liverpool continue pre-season tour in Brisbane
BRISBANE - A sell-out crowd of 52,500 is expected at Lang Park when Brendan Rodgers' Liverpool face A-League powerhouse Brisbane Roar in the second match of their pre-season tour. (SOCCER-AUSTRALIA/LIVERPOOL (PIX), expect by 1100 GMT/7 AM ET, by Nick Mulvenney, 300 words)
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Benitez discusses Madrid prospects before Champions Cup
MELBOURNE - Real Madrid coach Rafael Benitez talks to reporters ahead of their International Champions Cup opener against AS Roma at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground. (SOCCER-REAL/, expect by 0500 GMT/1 AM ET, by Ian Ransom, 300 words)
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Bartomeu and Laporta in tight battle for Barca presidency
BARCELONA - Despite Barcelona's treble last season, Josep Maria Bartomeu faces a tough challenge to remain as president in Saturday's elections due to criticism of his leadership and stiff competition from Joan Laporta. (SOCCER-SPAIN/BARCELONA (PREVIEW), expect by 0200 GMT/10 PM ET, by Tim Hanlon, 400 words)
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CRICKET
England v Australia second test, Lord's (to 20)
Rogers, Smith to resume with Australia in control
LONDON - Chris Rogers and Steve Smith will resume their unbroken partnership of 259 on the second day at Lord's with Australia in complete control on 337 for one. (CRICKET-ASHES/ (PIX), expect by 1215 GMT/8:15 ET, by Ed Osmond, 400 words)
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Zimbabwe v India, First T20, Harare
India seek to maintain dominance in Zimbabwe
HARARE - After a 3-0 clean-sweep in the 50-over series, India are seeking to maintain their dominance over Zimbabwe in the shortest form of the game in the first Twenty20 international at the Harare Sports Club on Friday. (CRICKET-ZIMBABWE/, expect by 1500 GMT/11 AM ET, 200 words)
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RUGBY
Rugby Championship
New Zealand v Argentina, Christchurch (0735)
All Blacks meet Pumas in Rugby Championship opener
The All Blacks face Argentina in the first match of the Rugby Championship in Christchurch. (RUGBY UNION-CHAMPIONSHIP/NEWZEALAND, expect by 0930 GMT/5:30 AM ET, 400 words)
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Wallabies, Springboks prepare for Lang Park clash
BRISBANE - Wallabies captain Stephen Moore and his South African counterpart Victor Matfield address the media on the eve of their Rugby Championship opener at Lang Park. (RUGBY UNION-CHAMPIONSHIP/AUSTRALIA and /SAFRICA, expect by 0500 GMT/1 AM ET, by Nick Mulvenney, 400 words)
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CYCLING
Tour de France (to 26)
Froome looks to maintain lead in stage 13
RODEZ, France - A dominant Chris Froome will look to maintain his lead in the general classification at the Tour de France on Friday's stage 13, a 198.5-km ride from Muret to Rodez. (CYCLING-TOUR/ (PIX), expect by 1530 GMT/11:30 AM ET, by Julien Pretot, 500 words)
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ATHLETICS
Monaco Diamond League meeting
Gatlin races for last time before Bolt showdown
MONACO - Former Olympic and world champion Justin Gatlin of the United States, the fastest man in the world this year, races over 100 metres for the last time before his expected showdown with Jamaican defending champion Usain Bolt at next month's Beijing world championships. (ATHLETICS-DIAMOND/, expect by 2200 GMT/6 PM ET, by John Mehaffey, 500 words)
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TENNIS
ATP: Davis Cup quarter-finals (to 19)
Davis Cup quarter-finals begin
Selected reports from the Davis Cup quarter-final ties, which begin on Friday. (TENNIS-DAVIS/, expect by 1730 GMT/1:30 PM ET, 400 words)
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GAMES
Pan American Games (to 26)
Pan Am medal fight moves to new arenas
TORONTO - Canada and the United States take their battle for top spot on the Pan American Games medal table to new territory with badminton and tennis wrapping up and basketball, track cycling, handball, volleyball and golf all getting underway. (GAMES-PANAM/ (PIX), expect by 0300 GMT/11 PM ET, by Steve Keating and Frank Pingue, 400 words)
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NORTH AMERICAN SPORTS
Roundups of off-field developments in the major North American professional sports leagues. (moved, by The Sports Xchange, 400 words) (Asia Desk Editor: Peter Rutherford)