The Maine Red Claws completed a trade with the Oklahoma City Blue on Friday and will receive two third-round picks in the next NBA D-League Draft in exchange for the returning player rights to Frank Gaines.

The third-round picks Maine are the picks of Oklahoma City and Westchester.

SOCCER

WORLD CUP: Russian football is plagued by a racist and far-right extremist fan culture that threatens the safety of visitors to the 2018 World Cup, according to a report provided to The Associated Press.

Researchers from the Moscow-based SOVA Center and the Fare network, which helps to prosecute racism cases for European football’s governing body UEFA, highlighted more than 200 cases of discriminatory behavior linked to Russian football over two seasons.

The report collated dozens of cases where fans carried out campaigns and sold far-right merchandise to collect money for imprisoned neo-Nazis. It also provides a detailed breakdown of discriminatory incidents around matches.

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MLS: Commissioner Don Garber says he’s still hopeful the Major League Soccer season will start on time despite no collective bargaining agreement with the players. Opening day is March 6.

TENNIS

MEXICO OPEN: Top-seeded Maria Sharapova withdrew before her semifinal against Caroline Garcia because of a stomach virus.

QATAR OPEN: Victoria Azarenka defeated Venus Williams for the first time, rallying for a 2-6, 6-2, 6-4 victory to reach the final.

The 48th-ranked Azarenka will face No. 15 Lucie Safarova in the final on Saturday. Safarova beat Carla Suarez Navarro 6-3, 6-2 in the other semifinal.

ARGENTINA OPEN: Rafael Nadal cruised to a 6-1, 6-1 victory over Federico Delbonis, advancing to the semifinals.

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FOOTBALL

NFL: The Cleveland Browns have agreed to terms with quarterback Josh McCown, who went 1-10 as Tampa Bay’s starter last season.

McCown’s signing likely means the Browns will not re-sign Brian Hoyer, who made 13 starts last season before he was benched in favor of Johnny Manziel. It’s not clear if the Browns view McCown as their starter or as a mentor.

 Adrian Peterson says he’s pleased to be “one step closer” to returning to the field, issuing a statement expressing “gratitude for all of the support” from fans, the NFLPA, union lawyer Jeffrey Kessler and his agents.

His statement didn’t mention the Vikings although General Manager Rick Spielman said he expects Peterson will return.

SKIING

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U.S. GRAND PRIX: Sochi Olympic gold medalist Joss Christensen saved his best for last to win the men’s skiing slopestyle event in Park City, Utah.

Christensen wasn’t close to making the podium after his first two runs, but scored a 92.00 on the final run.

Sweden’s Emma Dahlstrom took first on the women’s side with a 79.60 on her second run. American Devin Logan (77.60) placed second.

SNOWBOARDING

U.S. GRAND PRIX: American Eric Willett won the men’s slopestyle event at Park City, Utah.

The United States swept the men’s side of the event with Charles Guldemond taking second place and Eric Beauchemin finishing third.

– From staff and wire reports


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