Neymar & Messi: Neymar’s ex-coach Ramalho believes he could not yet be compared with his Barcelona team-mate Lionel Messi. He said Neymar needed to shine consistently before an assessment was made.

Socrates’ son: Sao Paulo have appointed Brazil football legend Socrates’ son their manager. Gustavo Vieira de Oliveira, 35, would replace Adalberto Baptista, who resigned from the role last week, Sao Paulo said.

Braga sacked: Abel Braga has been sacked as football coach of Fluminense, eight months after leading the   side to the Campeonato Brasileiro title. Fluminense officials confirmed the decision on Monday.

Hockey list: The list of the core probables of the junior men’s hockey team has been shortened to 33 from 48 after three-day selection trials at the Sports Authority of India Centre in Bangalore, Hockey India said.

PCB dues: The PCB is facing a financial crisis of sorts because of the restrictions placed on the acting chairman, Najam Sethi to exercise his powers. The board has to pay nearly 30 million rupees to the players.”

India win: In Monchengladbach, Germany, Vandana Kataria slammed a hat-trick as India’s women’s team thrashed Russia 10-1 to enter the quarter-finals of the Women’s Junior Hockey World Cup.

DRS  trial: The ICC will trial a television feed during the third Ashes Test with the aim of improving its controversial Decision Review System. DRS  has been at the centre of controversial decisions in the first two Tests.

Dalmiya on course: Jagmohan Dalmiya is all set to be re-elected unopposed for another term as Cricket Association of Bengal president. The  82nd AGM of the CAB   is expected to be a tame affair. 

Series probe: The London Press reported on Tuesday that the recent One-Day Internationals series between the West Indies and Pakistan was all set to be investigated as unusual betting patterns and slow run rates in certain overs.

Ministry assistance: Sports minister Jitendra Singh Tuesday announced financial assistance of Rs.150,000 for ailing former women’s hockey player Barbara Francis. In New Delhi on Tuesday.

Rampaul out: Jamaican pace bowler Andrew Richardson has been called up to replace injured seamer Ravi Rampaul in the Jamaica Tallawahs franchise for the Caribbean Premier Twenty20 League scheduled to start on Tuesday.

Rising stars: India&’s premier U-16 boys football tournament, Rising  Stars, will kick off in Kolkata on 1 August. Other cities where the tournament will be held are Mumbai, Delhi, Goa, Bangalore, Hyderabad, and Guwahati.

Athletics squad: The Indian athletics squad for the second Asian Youth Games has been announced. Orissa’s teenage sprinter  Dutee Chand was  named in the 27-member team for the multi-sporting event.

Rambis returns:  The Los Angeles Lakers have added Kurt Rambis and Johnny Davis to their coaching staff. Rambis had previously worked for the Lakers between 1999-2009  including as a player and coach.