MIAMI (Reuters) – A depleted Chicago Bulls dug deep for another impressive display of character and collective strength as they stunned defending NBA champions Miami Heat 93-86 in the opening game of their Eastern Conference semi-final series on Monday.

On the night when LeBron James was presented with his fourth Most Valuable Player award from league commissioner David Stern, it was instead the more modest but seemingly tireless talent of Chicago’s Jimmy Butler which proved decisive.

April 30 (Reuters) – A day after NBA center Jason Collins came out as the first gay athlete actively playing in one of the top U.S. professional leagues, gay soccer player Robbie Rogers took a step towards joining him.

Rogers, a former United States national team winger, came out in February with an announcement that also included his decision to step away from the game.

MIAMI (Reuters) – They’re big, they’re tough, and, presumably, some of them are gay, but so far not a single active NFL player has come out and said so. After NBA player Jason Collins broke that barrier this week, the National Football League is making sure it will be ready for any coming out party.

Earlier this year, at least three college football players said they had been asked about their sexual orientation during NFL recruitment interviews, sparking calls for the NFL to do more to fight discrimination.

By Simon Evans

(Reuters) – Times are changing for gays in American sports and National Basketball Association (NBA) player Jason Collins’ decision to come out will encourage others in the top leagues to be open about their sexuality.

Two years ago, NBA great Kobe Bryant was fined $100,000 for using an anti-gay slur against a referee and on Monday the five-time NBA champion applauded Collins for coming out as the first gay man in a major North American professional sports league.

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Landon Donovan’s return to the U.S. squad for June’s World Cup qualifiers is no certainty as the country’s all-time top scorer dropped down the pecking during his break from the game, coach Juergen Klinsmann said on Wednesday.

Donovan has already missed World Cup qualifiers against Honduras, Costa Rica and Mexico in recent months following his decision last December to take a break from the game.

WASHINGTON, April 24 (Reuters) – Landon Donovan’s return to the U.S. squad for June’s World Cup qualifiers is no certainty as the country’s all-time top scorer dropped down the pecking during his break from the game, coach Juergen Klinsmann said on Wednesday.

Donovan has already missed World Cup qualifiers against Honduras, Costa Rica and Mexico in recent months following his decision last December to take a break from the game.

MIAMI (Reuters) – A leading member of the body set up to advise FIFA on its anti-corruption reforms has resigned saying she does not believe world soccer’s governing body is taking the process of change seriously enough.

Alexandra Wrage, who served on FIFA’s independent governance committee (IGC), which was set up to advise on reform after allegations of corruption in the organization, said she saw no point in continuing her work.

MIAMI, April 22 (Reuters) – A leading member of the body set up to advise FIFA on its anti-corruption reforms has resigned saying she does not believe world soccer’s governing body is taking the process of change seriously enough.

Alexandra Wrage, who served on FIFA’s independent governance committee (IGC), which was set up to advise on reform after allegations of corruption in the organisation, said she saw no point in continuing her work.

MIAMI (Reuters) – Former FIFA officials Jack Warner and Chuck Blazer face possible legal action from soccer’s ruling body and probes from the FBI and Internal Revenue Service after a report found they had committed serious acts of fraud.

CONCACAF, which governs the sport in North and Central America and the Caribbean, made public on Friday an Integrity Committee report which highlighted the misuse of millions of dollars from the late 1990s.

MIAMI, April 22 (Reuters) – Former FIFA officials Jack Warner and Chuck Blazer face possible legal action from soccer’s ruling body and probes from the FBI and Internal Revenue Service after a report found they had committed serious acts of fraud.

CONCACAF, which governs the sport in North and Central America and the Caribbean, made public on Friday an Integrity Committee report which highlighted the misuse of millions of dollars from the late 1990s.