Sporting briefs...

Italy Probe: The Italian magistrate whose probe into alleged match-fixing led to charges against top football clubs hopes to widen his investigation to include other teams, allocation of TV rights and the market for players. According to excerpts from his 193-page report, Francesco Borrelli said Italy's "biggest soccer scandal in history" could be understood only in the broader context of economic and sporting interests. Borrelli said the investigations should continue to identify other teams and individuals responsible.

Japan Coach: The Japan FA is in talks with former Yugoslavia coach Ivica Osim over taking charge of the national side after Brazilian Zico stepped down, media reports said. President Saburo Kawabuchi said the JFA had been talking to the 65-year-old Osim, currently coaching Japan side JEF United Chiba, since before the World Cup.

Athletics: Joint world record holder Justin Gatlin clocked 9.93 seconds into a head wind and Marion Jones signalled her return with a run of 11.10 seconds for 100m victories at the US Championships. Gatlin showed his dominance by defeating Tyson Gay by 0.14 seconds. Jones thrust an arm into the air as she crossed the finish line in her victory over 2005 world champion Lauryn Williams and 2003 world gold medallist Torri Edwards.

Armstrong: Seven-times Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong totally dismissed a claim by French newspaper Le Monde that at the time he was being treated for cancer he had admitted taking banned drugs. In a statement, the 34-year-old American, said: "The latest story is today as absurd and untrue as when it was first circulated years ago. It never happened."