World Rally Championship driver Craig Breen has died aged 33 after he was involved in a pre-event test accident ahead of the Croatia Rally.

The 33-year-old Irishman had been racing this year with Hyundai Motorsport, who confirmed he was involved in an incident on Thursday.

"Hyundai Motorsport sends its sincerest condolences to Craig's family, friends and his many fans," the team said.

Breen's team-mate and co-driver James Fulton was unharmed in the accident, which took place before this weekend's race in Zagreb.

Across a career that saw him debut in 2009, BReen achieved eight podiums, most recently matching his best ever finish with second at the 2023 Rally Sweden.

Martina Navratilova has announced she is cancer-free, with Billie Jean King welcoming the "wonderful news".

Doctors believe the 66-year-old tennis great has beaten cancer for a second time, after previously overcoming breast cancer in 2010.

The Czech-American announced in January she had been diagnosed with throat and breast cancer, sparking an outpouring of well-wishes.

She is one of the most decorated players of all time, having won 18 grand slam singles titles between 1978 and 1990, plus a staggering 41 doubles slams.

Speaking to Piers Morgan on TalkTV, Navratilova said: "As far as they know, I'm cancer-free."

According to The Sun, Navratilova will have further preventative radiation treatment on her breast.

"Then I should be good to go," she said.

King, her friend and former tennis rival, was thrilled to learn Navratilova's health has taken a turn for the better.

She wrote on Twitter: "Such wonderful news from my dear friend, ⁦@Martina⁩. We are so happy for you!"

Speaking to Stats Perform prior to Navratilova's announcement, former ATP world number two Tommy Haas spoke of his admiration for the legendary left-hander, and wished for a full recovery.

"What she has done in women's tennis and her success, the way she also kind of showcased her athleticism, her focus, her dedication to the sport, the records that she's broken, the longevity of it too," Haas said, listing reasons to be an admirer.

He described her as "an icon on the tour", and hoped she would survive this year's worrying cancer scare.

"Obviously, when you read the news about anyone in the tennis world that has had some kind of impact, or a great career, it's always sad, and you send them a text message, and you wish them the best and a speedy recovery," said Haas, the Indian Wells Open tournament director.

"You hope that they found these situations early, just like with Chris Evert [who recovered from ovarian cancer], and that they get through this and that they have the loved ones and friends around them and support them and get back to what they enjoy doing in life.

"I think we all know, and realise that without health, you have nothing. It's nice to be a part of certain things that you're passionate about. And it's important, and it's great, but being healthy and doing the things that you want to do ultimately, is really what it comes down to."

Former Barcelona and Spain winger Marcos Alonso Pena, the father of current club left-back Marcos Alonso, has died aged 63.

Known as Marcos during his playing days, the former Blaugrana man played over a hundred games for the Camp Nou club between 1982 and 1987.

He also enjoyed spells with Racing Santander and Atletico Madrid either side of his time with Barca, and was a full Spain international, like his son.

In a statement, Barca expressed sadness at Marcos' death and passed on their support to their defender and his family.

"FC Barcelona would like to express its deepest condolences for the passing of former Barca player Marcos Alonso Pena," they wrote.

"All of our strength to Marcos Alonso and his entire family. Rest in peace."

Making his debut with Racing 1977, Marcos followed in the footsteps of his own father Marquitos, a former Real Madrid defender, in turning to football.

A move to Atletico followed before he first arrived at Barcelona in 1982, where he amassed multiple honours, including LaLiga and Copa del Rey success in a five-year spell.

He later returned to the Rojiblancos, before a brief spell at Logrones and a final return to Racing.

At international level, Marcos won 22 caps for Spain and was an unused squad member at Euro 1984, when La Roja finished as runners-up.

To mark his passing, a minute of silence was held at Barca president Joan Laporta's press conference on Wednesday.

Tennis great Chris Evert has revealed she is cancer-free, just over a year after she began her fight against the illness.

Evert began chemotherapy in January 2022 after she was diagnosed with ovarian cancer.

Doctors caught Evert's cancer early after she had a preventative hysterectomy following the death of her sister, Jeanne, from the same disease.

The 68-year-old, who concluded her course of chemotherapy last May, confirmed the positive news on Tuesday, writing for ESPN: "A year ago, I started a journey to protect myself and my loved ones from the risks associated with the BRCA-related ovarian cancer that took my sister Jeanne's life. 

"It is only because of the genetic road map my sister left behind and the power of scientific progress that we caught my cancer early enough to do something about it.

"My doctor said if left undiscovered, in four months' time I would probably have been Stage Three like Jeanne, with very few options. Instead, I was diagnosed with Stage Three ovarian cancer, and I immediately began six rounds of chemotherapy.

"Today, I'm cancer-free, and there's a 90 per cent chance that the ovarian cancer will never come back."

However, Evert added her "story isn't over" and confirmed that on December 1, a year to the day since her hysterectomy, she underwent a double mastectomy in order to reduce the risk of developing breast cancer.

Evert said she is "well on the road to recovery".

She explained: "I have one more surgery left to complete reconstruction. They say this part is easy, but I can assure you, the last five years have not been.

"As relieved as I will be to get to the other side of this, I will always have a heavy heart. I will never heal from losing Jeanne, and I will never take for granted the gift she gave me in the process.

"My sister's journey saved my life, and I hope by sharing mine, I just might save somebody else's."

Evert won 18 grand slam titles across her illustrious career and enjoyed an on-court rivalry with Martina Navratilova.

When Navratilova confirmed her own cancer diagnosis earlier this year, Evert was among those to offer their support.

Evert posted on Twitter: "Thinking of @Martina today and supporting her journey, like she did mine, with love and prayers. This is a woman who takes on challenges with strength and resilience…You got this, Martina."

Brazil have paid tribute to former striker Roberto Dinamite following his death aged 68 on Sunday.

The late forward, who netted 25 goals across his Selecao career, was a member of the national set-up between 1975 and 1984.

Though a prominent player at international level, the forward was best known for his lengthy association with Vasco da Gama.

Save for a brief spell with Barcelona in the middle of his career, he spent his entire playing tenure in Brazil, and the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) offered a tribute to him across the weekend.

"With regret, the CBF mourns the death of Roberto Dinamite, one of the greatest athletes in Brazilian football," it wrote in a statement.

"For the Brazilian national team, the former player scored 25 goals and was top scorer in Brazil's [second-place campaign at] the 1983 Copa America.

"He also played in the 1978 and 1982 World Cups. You will always be part of our football history. Thanks for everything, Roberto. Rest in peace."

CBF president Ednaldo Rodrigues also offered his condolences, adding: "Roberto Dinamite was one of the greatest players in the history of our football.

"In addition to joining Vasco's beautiful history, he enchanted football fans all over the world. The CBF sympathises with the goalscorer's family and fans."

Roberto Dinamite holds the record as all-time top scorer in the Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A, Brazil's top flight, with 190 goals.

His passing comes just under a fortnight following the death of fellow Selecao legend Pele, who passed away aged 82 last month.

Gianfranco Zola joined a cast of Italy greats in paying tribute to Gianluca Vialli, after the former Juventus and Chelsea striker died at the age of 58.

As well as being team-mates with Italy and Chelsea, Zola and Vialli were also rivals on the pitch for a large part of their careers, with Zola a standout fantasista for Napoli and Vialli a figurehead forward for Sampdoria and Napoli.

Zola also had a spell of playing at Chelsea when Vialli became manager, and it was reported at the time he was unhappy with being given limited playing opportunities by his compatriot.

However, Zola said on Friday there was "the utmost respect" between the men, as he remembered Vialli in a poignant message.

Zola wrote: "Together we won many matches and shared some of the best moments of our lives.

"For the love of our ball we have often clashed. With no quarter, but always with the utmost respect.

"Because, in the end, we were always ourselves: two Italian boys and a ball. Goodbye Luca, fellow traveller."

Both were signed by Chelsea boss Ruud Gullit in 1996, at a time when high-profile foreign imports to the Premier League were still few and far between.

Vialli went on to become player-manager in 1998, giving up playing duties a year later before being sacked by chairman Ken Bates in September 2000.

In Italy, Vialli was a revered figure, shining alongside Roberto Mancini for Sampdoria before heading to Juventus in 1992, winning a Serie A title with both teams and a Champions League in 1996 with Juve.

He was skipper as Juventus beat Ajax on penalties to be crowned European champions, with that Juventus team including stars of the calibre of Antonio Conte, Alessandro Del Piero, Ciro Ferrara, Didier Deschamps and Fabrizio Ravanelli.

Del Piero posted on Instagram: "Our Captain. My Captain. Always. Goodbye Luca."

There was a similar message from Ravanelli, who wrote simply: "Goodbye captain."

Gianluigi Buffon, the former Italy goalkeeper, posted a picture of a Sampdoria shirt he had been given by Vialli.

"You were a giant, on the field and in life," Buffon wrote. "You fought to the end with your head held high with unique dignity. This shirt you gave me is priceless and every time I look at it I can't help but say thank you for everything you've done. The emptiness you leave is huge."

Former defender Ferrara added: "How can I let you go? You were like a brother."

Angelo Di Livio, the former Juventus and Fiorentina winger, told Tuttomercatoweb.com how Vialli had "made me grow both as a man and as a player".

Di Livio said: "Those who have not had the pleasure of meeting Gianluca have lost a lot, they have lost a real man, a great champion.

"We will always all be connected because he was our leader, our captain, perhaps the most important player in Lippi's first Juve who took us by the hand and led us to great victories, great triumphs."

West Ham joint-chairman David Gold has died aged 86 following a short illness, the club has confirmed.

The lifelong Hammers fan, who took charge in January 2010 alongside business partner David Sullivan, helped oversee the club's transition from a Premier League also-ran to a European contender.

Under Gold, the club earned sixth and-seventh-place finishes over the past two seasons, and reached the semi-finals of the Europa League last year.

In a statement, manager David Moyes paid tribute to Gold, who also played as a schoolboy for the club during his youth.

"I am extremely sad to hear this news," he said. "On behalf of all of the players and my staff at the training ground, I would like to extend our deepest sympathies to David Gold's family at this very difficult time.

"It was clear that he had a genuine and sincere love for the club and was a true supporter at heart. He will be greatly missed."

Sullivan also paid his respects, adding: "Of all our joint ventures, none gave us more pride and happiness than the day we took ownership of West Ham United.

"David had a long-standing connection with the Hammers, having grown up opposite the Boleyn Ground in Green Street.

"He always wanted what was best for West Ham United, and his passing is a great loss for all of us."

The club confirmed a further tribute would take place in due course, with the Hammers due to travel to fellow strugglers Leeds United on Wednesday.

The road surrounding Rio de Janeiro's world-famous Maracana stadium will be renamed in honour of Pele, city mayor Eduardo Paes announced.

Paes said the road known as the Avenida Radial Oeste – West Radial Avenue – would be named Avenida Pele, and declared it would be confirmed formally by the city on Wednesday.

That led to suggestions the renaming did not go far enough, however, and that the road should instead be titled Avenida Rei Pele – King Pele Avenue.

Paes did not disagree, asking his 691,000 followers: "What do you think?"

He put the matter to a poll on Twitter. After 13,200 votes on the ongoing poll, some 89.6 per cent of voters preferred it to be named as Avenida Rei Pele.

News the road would be renamed came on the day Pele was to be laid to rest in Santos, the Sao Paulo municipality where the three-time World Cup winner spent his club playing career.

Pele's death at the age of 82 was announced by his family last Thursday.

The Maracana is Brazil's most iconic stadium, staging the 1950 and 2014 World Cup finals and the 2016 Olympic Games opening ceremony.

Its official name is the Estadio Jornalista Mario Filho, named after a journalist who campaigned in the 1940s for its construction.

In March 2021, it was widely reported the Maracana would be renamed the Edson Arantes do Nascimento – Rei Pele Stadium, incorporating Pele's full name.

That change has not come to pass, however, with the proposal vetoed a month later by Rio's then acting governor Claudio Castro.

Pele's final journey through the streets of Santos saw thousands turn out on Tuesday to bid farewell to the man they knew as 'King'.

The Brazil great's death at the age of 82 was announced last Thursday, with the three-time World Cup winner having suffered from cancer.

He was moved to palliative care early in December after his body stopped responding to treatment, and his death has been felt deeply across the country.

Santos, a municipality close to Sao Paulo, is the city in which Pele spent his entire club career and far beyond.

He was the superstar of the Santos team, whom he represented from 1956 to 1974, scoring 643 goals in 659 matches and resisting opportunities to move to leading European teams.

A 24-hour wake began on Monday, with fireworks set off and flags waved in his honour, and the celebration of his life continued as his coffin left the Vila Belmiro stadium to travel through the city, before heading to the Memorial Necropole Ecumenica.

That is a vertical, high-rise cemetery, with Pele due to be laid to rest on its ninth floor, at a site that overlooks the Vila Belmiro.

Santos City Hall said over 230,000 people had filed past Pele's coffin while it lay at the stadium, and crowds gathered outside as it left.

The cortege travelled along the beach front, with his coffin resting on top of a fire engine, draped in a Brazil flag.

Many walked alongside and behind, with Santos flags waved and applause by long-time admirers.

The coffin passed by the home of Pele's 100-year-old mother.

On Santos beach, overhead shots showed a view of a message inside a heart, etched onto the sand, reading: "Pele will be eternal."

Chris Evert has backed her long-time rival and friend Martina Navratilova to win her latest cancer battle.

American tennis great Evert, who completed her own course of chemotherapy treatment in May after being diagnosed with ovarian cancer, said Navratilova's "strength and resilience" would stand her in good stead.

Navratilova has been diagnosed with throat and breast cancer, she announced on Monday. The Czech-American successfully underwent treatment for breast cancer in 2010 and has said the condition is "serious but still fixable" this time.

Evert's battles with Navratilova in the 1970s and 1980s provided one of the all-time great tennis rivalries.

Both women ended their careers with 18 grand slam singles titles, with Navratilova triumphing a record nine times at Wimbledon. Only Steffi Graf (22) and Serena Williams (23) have won more singles majors among women in the Open Era.

Evert posted on Twitter: "Thinking of @Martina today and supporting her journey, like she did mine, with love and prayers. This is a woman who takes on challenges with strength and resilience…You got this, Martina."

Former US Open champion Tracy Austin sent "prayers and hugs", adding: "Don’t know too many stronger, I know you got this my friend."

Navratilova's long-time former doubles partner Pam Shriver added: "@Martina knows how to put together a winning team. While the news today is difficult, Martina understands how to compete, and take care of herself.

"Her loving family and many friends are ready to support her journey one day at a time. You have this partner!"

Ons Jabeur, who was runner-up at Wimbledon and the US Open last season, said she was "sending my love and my support".

Martina Navratilova said she is "not done yet" after it was confirmed she had been diagnosed with throat and breast cancer.

Navratilova is one of the most decorated tennis players of all time, having won 18 grand slam singles titles between 1978 and 1990.

She successfully underwent treatment for breast cancer in 2010, but it has been revealed she is once again battling the illness.

A representative described Navratilova's prognosis as "good", and the 66-year-old said the disease was "serious but still fixable".

Navratilova has pledged to fight, posting on Twitter: "Needless to say my phone and Twitter are both blowing up.

"I will say again – thank you all for your support and I am not done yet."

The Czech also received support from Billie Jean King, who tweeted: "Martina is as brave as she is strong. She has fought this battle before, and she is in our thoughts and prayers."

Martina Navratilova has been diagnosed with throat and breast cancer, though a representative described the prognosis as "good".

Navratilova won 18 grand slam singles titles between 1978 and 1990, making her one of the most decorated players of all time.

She underwent successful treatment for breast cancer in 2010, but it has now been confirmed she is battling the illness again.

Navratilova said: "This double whammy is serious but still fixable, and I'm hoping for a favourable outcome.

"It's going to stink for a while but I will fight with all I have got."

Navratilova, 66, was due to travel to Melbourne this month to work on coverage of the Australian Open, a tournament she won three times.

But with her treatment due to start later in January, it has been confirmed she will not be in attendance.

A statement from a representative explained: "The prognosis is good and Martina will start her treatment this month.

"The cancer type is HPV and this particular type responds really well to treatment.

"Martina noticed an enlarged lymph node in her neck during the WTA finals in Fort Worth. When it didn't go down, a biopsy was performed, the results came back as stage one throat cancer.

"At the same time as Martina was undergoing the tests for the throat, a suspicious form was found in her breast, which was subsequently diagnosed as cancer, completely unrelated to the throat cancer.

"Both these cancers are in their early stages with great outcomes.

"Martina won't be covering the Australian Open for Tennis Channel from their studio but hopes to be able to join in from time to time by Zoom."

Football fans took to the streets of Sao Paulo with fireworks and flags as the hearse carrying Brazil legend Pele's body made its way to the sight of the 24-hour public wake that begins on Monday.

Pele, a three-time World Cup winner, had been moved to palliative care early in December after his body stopped responding to cancer treatment.

His death was announced on Thursday. He was 82.

Tributes have flooded in for the footballing icon after he left a lasting legacy on Brazil and Santos, for whom he scored 643 goals in 659 matches over an 18-year period.

His body left the Albert Einstein Israelite Hospital – where he died – during the early hours of Monday ahead of the wake, with fans coming out in force to bid him farewell.

Santos' stadium, the Vila Belmiro, will host the public wake starting at 10:00 local time, with Pele's coffin to be located at the centre of the pitch.

Fans and dignitaries will be able to pay their respects until 10:00 local time on Tuesday.

A procession will then take place on the streets of Santos before Pele is laid to rest in a private ceremony on the ninth floor of the Memorial Necropole Ecumenica, a vertical cemetery poignantly overlooking the Vila Belmiro roughly half a mile away.

Premier League teams will wear black armbands and partake in a minute's silence before all matches across the coming weekend in memory of Brazil great Pele.

The three-time World Cup winner died at Sao Paulo's Albert Einstein Israelite Hospital on Thursday.

Pele had been admitted to hospital earlier this month amid reports his body had stopped responding to treatment for colon cancer. He was 82.

Tributes flooded in from across the sporting world for the man many consider to be the greatest footballer of all time and among the sport's most iconic figures.

Brazil declared a three-day period of national mourning ahead of Pele's funeral, which is set to take place on Monday.

The world of football will continue to commemorate the Brazil legend over the coming days, and the Premier League plans to salute his legacy during all matches on Friday, Saturday and Sunday in England's top flight.

A statement read: "In tribute to Pele, Premier League clubs will remember his contribution to football at matches taking place from Friday 30 December-Sunday 1 January (Matchweek 18) by holding a minute's applause prior to kick-offs.

"Players and match officials will wear black armbands."

Pele, who scored 643 goals in 659 matches for Santos over an 18-year period, helped Brazil to World Cup success in 1958, 1962 and 1970 – no player in the tournament's history has won it more often.

He remains the youngest player to ever win the competition and the youngest to score in the final after achieving the remarkable feats when he was just 17 years and 249 days old.

Pele's 77-goal international haul still stands as a Brazilian record despite Neymar matching the benchmark in Qatar with a quarter-final strike against Croatia.

Former Brazil and Santos forward Pepe has paid tribute to ex-team-mate Pele and "the eternal memory of the greatest footballer" following his death aged 82.

The three-time World Cup winner passed away on Thursday following a battle with colon cancer, leaving behind a football world in mourning.

As the Selecao star's team-mate for club and country between 1956 and 1969, fellow Santos attacker Pepe played over 700 games with Pele across their careers.

The pair lifted the Jules Rimet trophy alongside each other in both 1958 and 1962 too, and now the 87-year-old has offered his own respects to his late countryman.

"The whole world knew the seriousness of Pele's illness," Pepe said. "But mainly we, the closest and most intimate, had more contact with him and his family.

"We hoped that the illness would be reversed, and the 'King of the Ball', the greatest of all, would return with his happy smile and his constant good humour.

"But it wasn't possible. Pele left us, and with him [goes] the eternal memory of the greatest footballer of all time. Rest in peace, King Pele, my great friend. Football is in mourning."

Across a 21-year career, Pele played the majority of his club football at Santos, for whom he scored 643 goals in 659 matches, before a subsequent spell with the New York Cosmos.

His tally of 77 international goals for Brazil remains a record matched only by current Selecao forward Neymar, while no other man has replicated his achievement of three World Cup titles.