FOOTBALL: Helena Costa has remained tight-lipped over why she decided to step down as coach of French side Clermont Foot but stressed that it was her decision.

Costa became the first female coach of a professional men’s club in the top two tiers of any European league when she was appointed last month.

“I had a lot of points that I discussed personally with the president and after that discussion I took my decision,” Costa said.

FOOTBALL: Yaya Toure has hit out at Manchester City for not allowing him to spend time with his dying brother.

Ibrahim Toure lost his battle with cancer last week while Toure was on World Cup duty with Ivory Coast.

Toure said: “At the end of the season I wanted to stay for four or five days with my brother before I flew to prepare for the World Cup with Ivory Coast, except that City did not want to give me a few days.”

TENNIS: French Open champion Maria Sharapova brushed off early hiccups with her serve to ease past British hope Samantha Murray in straight sets.

Fifth seed Sharapova indicated exactly why she sits 242 world ranking places ahead of 26-year-old Murray, coasting home 6-1 6-0 on Tuesday.

Stockport’s Murray produced several smart winners, but wasted three break points in the first set, and never recovered.

FOOTBALL: Fifa says it cannot bring charges over German fans wearing black face make-up during the match against Ghana.

Several fans who were pictured with blackened faces were reported to Fifa by the anti-discrimination group FARE but no action will be taken

A Fifa spokeswoman said: “There is no legal or factual element justifying the opening of disciplinary proceedings. 

“But we abhor any insulting or discriminatory behaviour.”