MEN’S FOOTBALL: Former Chelsea, Newcastle and West Ham striker Demba Ba has announced his retirement from football.

The 36-year-old former Senegal international, who joined Swiss side Lugano in June, announced on Twitter that his “wonderful journey” had come to an end.

He said: “It is with a heart filled with gratefulness that I announce the end of my playing career.

“Football has given me so many beautiful emotions … This will forever remain in my head and heart.”

WOMEN’S FOOTBALL: Manchester City defender Esme Morgan has withdrawn from England’s squad for the forthcoming matches against North Macedonia and Luxembourg due to injury, the FA announced on Monday.

The 20-year-old has been forced to pull out because of a shin problem sustained in City’s 2-1 Women’s Super League loss to Tottenham at the Academy Stadium on Sunday.

The FA said Lionesses boss Sarina Wiegman would not be calling up a replacement for Morgan.

RUGBY LEAGUE: London Broncos have appointed London Skolars’ Jermaine Coleman as their head coach for 2022.

Coleman, who is also Jamaica’s head coach, succeeds Danny Ward, who left the Championship club in July.

News of the appointment comes a week after the club announced its decision to go part time following a major reduction in central funding.

Coleman said: “I’m very excited to be given the opportunity to work with the London Broncos. We have a fantastic crop of young players who I can’t wait to start working with.”

WOMEN’S RUGBY: Scotland Women suffered a blow in their bid to reach next year’s World Cup when they were well beaten by Italy in the opening match of their qualifying group.

The Italians ran out convincing 38-13 winners in Parma, leaving the Scots facing an uphill task to make it to the finals in New Zealand next autumn.

Scotland face Spain on Sunday and then Ireland the following Saturday, with the winner of the four-team group qualifying automatically for the World Cup.