Reuters sports schedule at 1400 GMT on Thursday:
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SOCCER
FIFA investigation
FIFA bans Chuck Blazer from soccer for life
ZURICH/BERN - Former FIFA executive committee member Chuck Blazer, a key figure in a U.S. investigation into corruption by soccer officials, on Thursday was banned for life from football activities by the sport's governing body. (SOCCER FIFA/BLAZER, moved, by Joshua Franklin and Brian Homewood, 600 words)
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CONCACAF Gold Cup (to 26)
Mexico meet Cuba in Group C action
Group C kicks off in the CONCACAF Gold Cup as Trinidad and Guatemala meet in the early game, before Mexico take on Cuba at Solider Field in Chicago in the second match. (SOCCER-CONCACAF/GOLD, expect by 0430 GMT/0030 AM ET, 350 words)
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Europa League first qualifying round, second leg
Copy on merit
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TENNIS
Wimbledon (to 12)
Serena faces Sharapova in semi-final showdown
LONDON - The decibel levels will rise when world number one Serena Williams takes on fourth seed Maria Sharapova in the semi-finals after Spain's surprise package Garbine Muguruza plays former finalist Agnieszka Radwanska of Poland. (TENNIS-WIMBLEDON/ (PIX), expect throughout, by Pritha Sarkar, Martyn Herman, Toby Davis, Mitch Phillips and Alan Baldwin, 400 words)
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CYCLING
Tour de France (to 26)
Martin defends yellow jersey in stage six
LE HAVRE, France - German Tony Martin defends his overall lead in the general classification during the sixth stage of the Tour de France. (CYCLING-TOUR/ (PIX), expect by 1530 GMT/11:30 AM ET, by Julien Pretot, 500 words)
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CRICKET
England v Australia, first test (to 12)
Moeen keeps England on the front foot in Cardiff
CARDIFF - England's Moeen Ali hit a fine 77 to take the hosts past 400 before Australia made a steady start to their reply by reaching lunch at 26 without loss on the second day of the first Ashes test on Thursday. (CRICKET-ASHES/(PIX), moved, by Justin Palmer, 400 words)
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GOLF
European Tour: Scottish Open, Aberdeen (to 12)
Holder Rose among Scottish Open favourites
GULLANE, Scotland - Defending champion Justin Rose will be among the favourites to win the Scottish Open, which starts on Thursday, as the build up towards next week's British Open intensifies. (GOLF-SCOTTISH/, expect by 1945 GMT/15:45 PM ET, by Bernie McGuire, 400 words)
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PGA Tour: John Deere Classic (to 12) Silvis, Illinois
Spieth seeks another victory before St. Andrews
Jordan Spieth, winner of the first two majors of the year, tees off at the John Deere Classic in what he hopes will be a springboard to winning next week's British Open. (GOLF-PGA/, expect by 0000 GMT/2000 ET, 350 words)
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U.S. Women's Open (to 12)
Wie, Ko, Lewis tee off early at Women's Open
LANCASTER, Pennsylvania - Holder Michelle Wie, and Lydia Ko and Stacy Lewis, the world numbers two and three, are among the early first-round starters at the U.S. Women's Open at Lancaster Country Club, the third women's major of the year. (GOLF-LPGA/, expect first lead at 1830 GMT/2:30 PM ET, by Larry Fine, 350 words)
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ATHLETICS
Diamond League: Lausanne
Farah to compete in Diamond League 5,000 metres
LAUSANNE, Switzerland - Briton Mo Farah will compete for the first time since doping allegations were made against coach Alberto Salazar last month in the 5,000 metres at the Diamond League meeting in Lausanne. (ATHLETICS-DIAMOND/, expect by 2000 GMT/16:00 PM ET, 400 words)
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GAMES
Pan American Games (to 26)
Toronto gets set to open Pan American Games
TORONTO - We look ahead to the July 10-26 Pan American Games in Toronto with an eight-part package consisting of an overall preview, separate looks at each of the U.S., Canadian and Brazilian teams, the swimming competitions, athletics, 10 athletes to watch and a brief look at each of the sports being contested. (GAMES-PANAM/ (PREVIEW), moved, by Steve Keating, 650 words)
SEE ALSO: (GAMES-PANAM/USA, moved, by Larry Fine, 580 words) (GAMES-PANAM/CANADA, moved, by Frank Pingue, 550 words) (GAMES-PANAM/BRAZIL, moved, by Andrew Downie, 400 words) (GAMES-PANAM/ATHLETICS, moved, by Gene Cherry, 600 words) (GAMES-PANAM/SWIMMING, moved, by Andrew Both, 450 words) (GAMES-PANAM/10TOWATCH, moved, 500 words) (GAMES-PANAM/SPORTS, moved, 2,900 words)
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BASEBALL
Surging Angels face Mariners
Right-hander Garrett Richards is scheduled to start for the streaking Los Angeles Angels against the Seattle Mariners, who will send Felix Hernandez to the mound in one of 10 games on the Major League Baseball schedule. (BASEBALL-HIGHLIGHTS/, expect by 0500 GMT/1 AM ET, 600 words)
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NORTH AMERICAN SPORTS
Roundups of off-field developments in the major North American professional sports leagues. (expect by 0000 GMT/8:00 PM ET, by The Sports Xchange, 400 words)
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RUGBY
TJ delivers on promise in time for World Cup defence
WELLINGTON - Scumhalf TJ Perenara's Super Rugby form has alleviated any concerns at depth in the All Blacks ahead of the World Cup with the 23-year-old finally delivering on the promise that so many had seen years ago. (RUGBY UNION-NEWZEALAND/PERENARA (FEATURE), moved, by Greg Stutchbury, 450 words)
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Wallabies look to Douglas grunt for World Cup
SYDNEY - Australia's bid to bring lock Kane Douglas back from Ireland and into test reckoning this week reflects a deeply held concern Down Under that the Wallabies could be shunted out of the World Cup by the English and Welsh packs later this year. (RUGBY UNION-AUSTRALIA/DOUGLAS (FEATURE), moved, by Nick Mulvenney, 600 words)
- - - - (Europe Desk Editor: Ken Ferris)