Newsmakers: Tottenham’s Dele Alli charged by FA after punching opponent

Charged The English Football Association charged Tottenham midfielder Dele Alli with violent conduct after appearing to punch an opponent. The incident in Monday’s 1-1 Premier League draw with West Bromwich Albion was missed by the referee, allowing the FA to take retrospective action. In the 26th minute at White Hart Lane Alli appeared to swing a punch at Claudio Yacob’s stomach.

Released The Cincinnati Bengals have released LB A.J. Hawk. Hawk joined the Bengals as a free agent last spring after spending nine seasons with the Green Bay Packers and departing as that team’s career leader in tackles.

Suspended Virginia Tech suspended CB Adonis Alexander and DE Houshun Gaines after both were arrested for possession of marijuana. Montgomery County General District Court’s online databas states that Gaines, a redshirt freshman, was also charged with possession of alcohol.

Died Former Baylor QB Tom Muecke, a two-time all-Southwest Conference star in the 1980s who went on to play seven seasons in the Canadian Football League, has died at the age of 52. Baylor spokesman Nick Joos says Muecke died Saturday of an apparent heart attack at his home in the Houston suburb of Friendswood.

Sidelined Bayer Leverkusen says left back Wendell will miss the final three matches of the Bundesliga season after injuring his ankle in training. The Brazilian requires surgery on his right foot. Leverkusen is third in the Bundesliga, with a good chance of clinching a direct spot in next season’s Champions League.

Banned Leicester striker Jamie Vardy was banned for an extra game and will miss Sunday’s trip to Manchester United, where the Foxes could clinch the English Premier League title. Vardy was also fined 10,000 pounds ($14,500) following his outburst at referee Jon Moss after being sent off in last week’s 2-2 draw with West Ham.

The International Cycling Union banned Belgian rider Femke Van Den Driessche for six years for using a hidden motor at the cyclo-cross world championships. It’s the UCI’s first sanction using its rules on technological fraud. The UCI banned Van Den Driessche through Oct. 20, 2021, stripped her Under-23 European title and fined her 20,000 Swiss francs ($20,500).

Announced Michel Platini’s appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport against his six-year FIFA ban will also be attended by Sepp Blatter. Platini, the UEFA president, was suspended for receiving a two million Swiss francs ($2 million) payment in 2011 from Blatter. His office said Blatter has been called by FIFA as a witness. The case will be heard on Friday in Lausanne, Switzerland.