AFP - Barcelona coach Josep Guardiola expects world football governing body FIFA will back the club in the on-going wrangle over Argentina's Lionel Messi's participation in the Beijing Olympics.

AP - Daisuke Matsuzaka and the Boston Red Sox are back on top in the AL East, just as they were at last year's All-Star break. They're hoping this season ends the same way.

AP - A bruised and sore Cadel Evans of Australia took the yellow jersey Monday at the Tour de France after Leonardo Piepoli of Italy won a punishing climb through the Pyrenees to capture the 10th stage.

AP - Cliff Lee of the Cleveland Indians and Milwaukee ace Ben Sheets were picked as the starting pitchers for Tuesday night's All-Star game at Yankee Stadium.

AP - Kenny Perry beat Brad Adamonis and Jay Williamson in a playoff to win the John Deere Classic and escape with his third victory in five starts after bogeying the 18th hole on Sunday.

AFP - France's Fabrice Santoro successfully defended his title at the ATP Hall of Fame Championship, easily beating India's Prakash Amritraj 6-3, 7-5 in Sunday's final.

AP - All-Star center Vincent Lecavalier signed an 11-year, $85-million contract extension that he hopes will keep him in a Tampa Bay Lightning uniform for the remainder of his career.

AP - Baseball is saying goodbye to Yankee Stadium during the All-Star break, a time when the sport's best gather and fans focus on one ballpark. New York general manager Brian Cashman hopes it isn't a final farewell.

Reuters - The Washington Wizards have re-signed three-times All-Star guard Gilbert Arenas, the team said on Sunday.

AP - Brett Favre's fans came to his defense Sunday, rallying outside Lambeau Field to pressure the Green Bay Packers to reinstate him as the starting quarterback. The crowd of more than 100 chanted "We want Brett," and carried signs reading, "Favre for President" or "Favre Forever." Many in the parking lot wore No. 4 jerseys, tossed footballs and grilled.

AP - The Chicago Cubs tied the National League record for most players on an All-Star team when Carlos Marmol was selected Sunday to replace teammate Kerry Wood, becoming the eighth player picked for the team.