Diego Maradona's death last month shook the world of sport in a year which began with the tragic loss of basketball hero Kobe Bryant in a helicopter crash.
AFP Sport looks at some of the sporting figures who passed away in 2020:

Maradona's death brought Argentina to a standstill and caused a wave of grief in his adopted home of Naples. He brought joy to the southern Italian city by leading unfashionable Napoli to two Serie A titles and the 1989 UEFA Cup.
The passing of Maradona, who dragged Argentina to glory at the 1986 World Cup where he scored the 'Goal of the Century' against England -- as well as the infamous 'Hand of God' goal, led to three days of national mourning in his home country.

Bryant was killed in January alongside his 13-year-old daughter in a helicopter crash outside Los Angeles that also took the lives of seven other people.
LA Lakers icon Bryant was a five-time NBA champion in a career that began in 1996 straight out of a high school.
He was a two-time Olympic gold medallist, helping spark the US squad to titles in 2008 and 2012.

Rossi is a national hero in Italy for firing the 'Azzurri' to World Cup triumph in 1982.
He finished the tournament as top scorer after scoring six goals, including a hat-trick in a 3-2 win over flamboyant Brazil, both goals against Poland in the semi-finals and the opener in the final win over West Germany.
'Pablito' only played in Spain after returning from a ban for his part in the betting scandal.

France rugby great Dominici personified the fabled French flair with the oval ball, scoring 25 tries in 67 Tests for France, including eight tries across three World Cups.
His second half try in the thrilling 1999 World Cup semi-final win over New Zealand is one of the most iconic in the history of French Rugby even though Les Bleus were soundly beaten by Australia in the final.
A long-time sufferer of severe depression, his suspected suicide shook the rugby world.

Two-time Grand Slam champion Buxton, who had Jewish heritage and was refused entry to tennis clubs her entire career, was a doubles partner and lifelong friend of Althea Gibson, whose 1956 French Open title was the first Grand Slam singles triumph by a black American player.
Buxton won the women's doubles alongside Gibson at both Roland Garros and Wimbledon in 1956, the latter of which was the first All England Club title to be won by a British-Jewish playe

Nkanunu was called the 'Mandela' of South African rugby, became the first black head of the game in the country in 1998 and was widely respected at a time of great internal conflict.

Stiles was described as the "heart and soul" of England's 1966 World Cup-winning team. Stiles was a tough-tackling midfielder and an integral part of the Manchester United side who in 1968 became the first English club to win the European Cup.
His family claim the dementia he suffered was caused by the repeated heading of a ball.

Moss was widely regarded as the greatest driver never to win the Formula One drivers’ world championship. He competed successfully in sports cars, touring cars and rallying, as well as the top levels of single-seaters. 
A fearless driver, Moss began competing in F1 in 1951 and was forced to retire after a huge crash in a race at Goodwood in April 1962 which left him in a coma for a month and partially paralysed for six.

Ford was the New York Yankees' all-time wins leader, a six-time World Series champion and Hall of Fame pitcher. New Yorker Ford died in October reportedly surrounded by his family watching his beloved Yankees, a team he had supported since he was five.

Lewis was one of the men behind the Duckworth-Lewis-Stern method used in weather-affected limited-overs cricket matches. He devised the method alongside fellow mathematician Frank Duckworth.

The Frenchman put Liverpool back on track to domestic and European glory as manager from 1998 to 2004, winning a treble of trophies in 2001 and paving the way for the long-term recovery of a club he cherished.

Hidalgo is best remembered for his eight years in charge of France, which culminated with the stylish team of Michel Platini, Alain Giresse and Jean Tigana winning Euro 84 on home soil. It was France's first ever major tournament success.&nbsp;

The former Australian, Wimbledon and US singles titleholder was part of the golden era of Australian men's tennis in the 1950s, winning four major singles titles and four in doubles.

Stern masterminded the NBA's growth into a global sports powerhouse while serving as commissioner from 1984 to 2014.The NBA's championship games were not televised live in the USA when Stern's 30-year tenure began, but New Yorker Stern took the league to new heights and oversaw NBA stars taking part in the Olympics.

Former England and Liverpool goalkeeper Clemence was one of the finest stoppers of his generation, winning three European Cups and five First Division titles during 14 years.

Russian Ponedelnik scored the goal which won the Soviet Union the inaugural European championships in 1960, heading home in extra time to give the Soviets a 2-1 victory over Yugoslavia in the final in Paris.

They shook the world of sport

Maradona's death at the age of 60 brought his native Argentina to a standstill

Maradona mourned, Kobe's tragedy: Sports deaths in 2020

The Football Association has decided not to take action against two clubs after fans booed the taking of a knee as the players' union reported "overwhelmingly support" for the gesture.
Teams at Premier League and English Football League (EFL) games have been going down on one knee in support of the fight against racial injustice since June.
Millwall's Championship loss to Derby and Colchester's win over Grimsby in League Two on December 5 were overshadowed by some supporters booing the gesture.
Despite a strong backlash, the FA has ruled against formal disciplinary action against either club.
-The FA will continue to monitor and investigate should similar crowd-related incidents occur- the governing body said in a statement on Friday.
-The FA continues to support all players and clubs that wish to take a stand against any form of discrimination, and will always condemn the behaviours of anyone that chooses to actively oppose these values.-
The Professional Footballers' Association revealed earlier on Friday that players "overwhelmingly" supported continuing to take a knee and accused the EFL of showing "a lack of leadership" over the issue.
-This powerful symbol of solidarity represents the players' commitment to anti-racism and is not an endorsement of any political position- the PFA said in a statement.
-It is a peaceful act of unity that highlights a persistent and systemic issue.-Millwall Supporters' Club said their protest was targeted at the political views of the Black Lives Matter organisation, and was not motivated by racism.
QPR director of football Les Ferdinand has previously spoken about how he feels the gesture has become "diluted" and is now "little more than good PR".
But the PFA feels the continued support for the gesture among players provides the mandate for competitions to give it their full backing.
-While the Premier League has already committed to teams taking the knee for the duration of the season, players across the EFL have been left in a difficult position following a lack of leadership on the issue- the PFA said.
A spokesman for the EFL, which covers tiers two, three and four of the English game, said it respected "players' freedom of expression on this issue".
-By definition it has to be an individuals' choice as to whether they wish to take a knee before a match if it is to remain an effective stance- he added.

The FA will continue to monitor and investigate should similar crowd-related incidents occur

Millwall fans booed their players taking the knee against Derby on December 5

English clubs avoid punishment over booing of players taking a knee

eSports has been named as a full medal event for the 2022 Asian Games, in a major step towards the mainstream for a sport that has long harboured Olympic ambitions.
eSports and breakdancing were both included on the programme for the Games in Hangzhou, China, at the Olympic Council of Asia's general assembly in Muscat this week.
-I hope that electronic sports will add value to the Asian Games –- and I am sure it will in the future, during the Asian Games 2022 and even beyond that- the OCA's Asian Games director, Haider Farman, said in a statement on Friday.
eSports was a popular demonstration event at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta, and a medal sport at last year's Southeast Asian Games in the Philippines.
Efforts to include eSports in the Olympics have so far faltered, but the coronavirus pandemic appeared to trigger a shift this year as organisers explored new ideas.
In April, International Olympic Committee president Thomas Bach called for the movement to "urgently" investigate electronic versions of sports and to approach game publishers.
This month breakdancing, skateboarding, surfing and sport climbing were approved for the Paris 2024 Olympics, as the Games strive to appeal to younger audiences.

Haider Farman: I hope that electronic sports will add value to the Asian Games

eSports was a demonstration sport at the 2018 Asian Games

eSports becomes medal event at 2022 Asian Games

Sport's highest court on Thursday banned Russia from the international stage for two years including the rearranged Tokyo Olympics and Beijing Winter Games, but the halving of the initial punishment was described by a leading US official as "a catastrophic blow to clean athletes and the integrity of sport".
The Court of Arbitration for Sport's ruling cut a four-year ban for systematic doping imposed by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
-This Panel has imposed consequences to reflect the nature and seriousness of the non-compliance...and to ensure that the integrity of sport against the scourge of doping is maintained- said CAS in its judgement.
The statement added: "The consequences which the Panel has decided to impose are not as extensive as those sought by WADA. 
-This should not, however, be read as any validation of the conduct of RUSADA (Russia's anti-doping watchdog) or the Russian authorities.-
The ban runs until December 16, 2022, so includes the FIFA World Cup finals in Qatar which ends two days later.
Under the decision Russians will still be allowed to compete, but only as neutrals if they can prove no connection to doping.
WADA President Witold Banka hailed the ruling from the Lausanne-based CAS.
-WADA is pleased to have won this landmark case," Banka said adding that the verdict has "clearly upheld our findings that the Russian authorities brazenly and illegally manipulated the Moscow Laboratory data in an effort to cover up an institutionalised doping scheme.-

But there was a markedly different reaction from the US Anti-Doping Agency chief executive officer Travis T. Tygart.
-USADA acknowledges the devastating decision...in the Russia case that hands WADA and clean athletes a significant loss- Tygart said in a statement. 
-At this stage in this sordid Russian state-sponsored doping affair, now spanning close to a decade, there is no consolation in this weak, watered-down outcome- he added.
He called it "a catastrophic blow to clean athletes, the integrity of sport, and the rule of law". 
The CAS verdict followed a four-day arbitration hearing between WADA and the Russian Anti-Doping Agency (RUSADA) at a secret location last month.
The showdown, in front of three CAS judges took place following WADA's decision last year to declare RUSADA non-compliant after the Russian body was accused of manipulating drug testing data.
Russia considered its ban to be legally indefensible. Russian President Vladimir Putin slammed the decision at the time as a "politically motivated" ruling that "contradicted" the Olympic Charter.
Former prime minister Dmitry Medvedev described the suspension as "chronic anti-Russian hysteria".
The Russian saga erupted in 2016 when Grigory Rodchenkov, the former head of Moscow's anti-doping laboratory, blew the whistle over state-backed doping at the 2014 Winter Olympics hosted in the Russian Black Sea resort of Sochi.
Rodchenkov's lawyer slammed the halving of Russia's sporting ban, describing the ruling as "nonsensical."
In a statement, Jim Walden said CAS decision's to cut Russia's ban from four years to two showed the tribunal was "unwilling and unable to meaningfully deal with systematic and long-standing criminality by Russia."
After Rodchenkov's bombshell accusations and barely two weeks before the 2016 Rio Olympics in July that year, WADA called for Russia to be banned from those Games.
The IOC, however, stopped short of an outright ban and said individual federations would decide whether to allow Russian athletes to compete.
In 2017, the IOC banned the Russian Olympic Committee from the 2018 Pyeongchang Winter Games, but allowed clean Russian athletes to take part as neutral competitors.
A total of 168 Russians eventually competed.

In September 2018, WADA controversially lifted its ban on RUSADA, despite not having been granted access to its doping-tainted Moscow laboratory.
Russia finally handed over lab data to WADA in January 2019.
In yet another twist, in September last year WADA gave Russia three weeks to explain "inconsistencies" in the data.
Sport's global doping policeman then hit Russia with the four-year ban over the manipulated data last December.
Athletics' global governing body meanwhile has given the Russian federation until March next year to produce a comprehensive plan to fight doping and be reinstated to the sport or face expulsion.
While Thursday's CAS verdict was of paramount importance to Russia, WADA also had plenty on the line.
The organisation, founded in 1999, has been criticised by US lawmakers over its handling of the scandal and failure to implement governance reforms.
The US as a result has threatened to pull its annual $2.7 million financing.
Thursday's announcement was being awaited with interest by the International Olympic Committee and sports federations who were expecting clear directives from CAS, eight months before the Tokyo Olympics.

Former prime minister Dmitry Medvedev described the suspension as "chronic anti-Russian hysteria"

Russia banned for two years in 'catastrophic blow to clean sport'

The Premier League said Thursday that it had agreed to permit permanent concussion substitutes from next month after football's lawmakers authorised extensive trials using them.
However in a meeting on Thursday club bosses in England's top flight voted for a third time against increasing the number of allowed substitutes from three to five despite the International Football Association Board (IFAB) also extending that rule on Wednesday.
IFAB said the trials using concussion substitutes could begin in January, and the Premier League bosses decided they would be looking at a maximum of two per side per match. 
-With player welfare the Premier League's priority, clubs agreed in principle to introduce additional permanent concussion substitutions following approval of the trial by the International Football Association Board yesterday- the Premier League said.
-The Premier League will look to implement protocols which will allow a maximum of two concussion substitutes to be used per team, with the opposition side able to use the equivalent number.
--The additional concussion substitutions may be made regardless of the number of substitutions a team has made already.-
Concussion has become an increasingly hot issue in the sport -- rugby union has used head injury replacements for a while -- with increasing concern over the amount of former footballers who develop dementia later in life.
Although Premier League clubs once again repudiated moves to allow five substitutes they did agree to allow nine players on the bench as opposed to the present seven.
The measure will come into effect from this weekend's round of games beginning on Saturday.
Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp had been especially vociferous in his wanting five substitutes due to a lengthening injury list and concerns over the hectic fixture schedule.
Others such as Sheffield United's Chris Wilder argued against it believing that it would only favour those teams with big squads.

IFAB said the trials using concussion substitutes could begin in January

Head injuries in the Premier League may now result in a 'concussion substitute

Premier League agrees to concussion substitutes

Robert Lewandowski is confident of being named FIFA's best male footballer on Thursday on the strength of his 55-goal haul to help Bayern Munich win the treble last season.
The Poland striker, Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo are shortlisted in the men's category for FIFA's 'The Best' awards. 
-We were the best, there's no doubt about that- Lewandowski said on Wednesday ahead of the online ceremony at FIFA headquarters in Zurich.
After a season "when you've scored a lot of goals and won everything, I don't think there's anyone I can compare myself to," the 32-year-old added confidently.
His goals helped Bayern lift the Bundesliga, German Cup and Champions League trophies in 2019/20 as top-scorer in all three competitions.
Lewandowski has already been named the footballer of the year for Germany and Europe.
Croatia's Luka Modric, voted 'The Best' FIFA men's footballer in 2018, is the only player to have broken Ronaldo and Messi's domination since 2008.
Ronaldo has been voted player of the year five times, one less than Messi.
Can the Poland striker - who team-mate Thomas Mueller has dubbed 'LewanGOALski' - break the mould?
-There's no one who deserves it as much as Robert- said Bayern boss Hansi Flick, who is shortlisted for coach of the year alongside Liverpool's Jurgen Klopp and Leeds boss Marcelo Bielsa.
Bayern captain Manuel Neuer - who along with Jan Oblak and Alisson Becker is up for the best male goalkeeper award - says Lewandowski is "unique".
-I'm really happy to have him in my team - and not to have to play against him- Neuer quipped.
The various category winners will be decided by the votes of the captains and head coaches of all the national teams, plus more than 200 media representatives, while fans can also vote.
England's Lucy Bronze, Pernille Harder of Chelsea and French defender Wendie Renard are in the running for the women's award.
However, Bayern players are only too aware of the dangers of getting their hopes up. 
Former Munich winger Franck Ribery was crestfallen in 2013 - when Bayern also won the treble - to have been voted third behind Ronaldo and Messi.
A year later, Neuer had to settle for third behind the superstars despite outstanding displays to help Germany win the 2014 World Cup. 
Lewandowski scored in Bayern's 8-2 thrashing of Barcelona in the quarter-finals of the Champions League in August with Messi on the losing team.
A footballer from a Bundesliga club has never been voted as the world's best player.
Lothar Matthaeus, the only German voted FIFA world player of the year, was at Inter Milan when he achieved the feat in 1991.
Lewandowski would not be surprised if Messi wins it again on Thursday, adding: "we'll have to wait 100 years until someone like him is born again".

Lewandowski has already been named the footballer of the year for Germany and Europe

A footballer from a Bundesliga club has never been voted as the world's best player

Lewandowski hopes to break Messi, Ronaldo monopoly as world's 'Best'

Doha will host the 2030 Asian Games, the Olympic Council of Asia announced Wednesday, while Riyadh was named as host of the 2034 edition under a compromise agreed between the rivals.
An executive board meeting of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) unanimously approved the proposal to name the runner-up in the two-horse race for the 2030 games as 2034 hosts.
-I can now announce... that the city who had the highest vote and will host 2030 is Doha- said OCA president Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah.
-The second hosting city, for 2034, is Riyadh.-
Voting was delayed by hours after technical problems with the online system, in place to allow some national olympic committees to participate remotely because of the coronavirus pandemic.
-I apologise for the technical problem we are facing during our voting- said Sheikh Ahmad. 
-Today the difficult things have been solved and the easy things have been problems.-
-I will be glad to have two games in west Asia, to be honest- added Sheikh Ahmad.
Saudi and Qatar are locked in a bitter dispute after an alliance of countries led by Riyadh cut diplomatic, economic and transport ties with Doha in 2017, accusing it of backing radical Islamists and Iran.

Qatar denies the charges and there has been progress to reconcile the dispute in recent weeks with all sides praising Kuwaiti-led mediation.
Ahead of the vote, the OCA's president said he was seeking a "win-win" situation for Doha and Riyadh.
Doha hosted the Asian Games in 2006 while Saudi Arabia has never organised an OCA multi-sport event.
-Our goal is simple. We want to see more Asian athletes in the future, on future Olympic podiums- said Qatar Olympic Committee chief Joaan bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani ahead of the vote.
-We want that to be part of your national sports history, not just ours. And we want to support you in the efforts to get there.- 
Qatar is also participating in the bidding process for the 2032 summer Olympics.
A video showcased Qatar's raft of sporting and transport infrastructure being prepared ahead of the 2022 football World Cup that would be repurposed for the 2030 games. The games will have a $1.3 billion budget. 
The Doha bid team claimed that 90 percent of the infrastructure for the 2030 games was already in place.
President of Saudi's Olympic Committee Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal Al-Saud said "when we say the games are a national priority, we mean it".
-It has unwavering political and public support- he said
-Sport has changed social life in the kingdom - especially for women.-
Prince Abdulaziz pointed to Saudi's hosting of major boxing clashes and planning for next year's Formula 1 as proof of the kingdom's readiness for the Asian games.

Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al-Faisal Al-Saud: Sport has changed social life in the kingdom - especially for women

President of the Olympic Council of Asia Sheikh Ahmad al-Fahad al-Sabah gestures as he delivers a speech during the closing ceremony of the 2018 Asian Games

Doha to host 2030 Asian Games, Riyadh 2034 edition

Newcastle coach Steve Bruce said on Tuesday two of his players are "not well at all" after contracting coronavirus.
The Magpies' Premier League match against Aston Villa on December 4 was postponed and the club's training ground was closed for more than a week after an outbreak of the illness among Bruce's squad.
Defender Federico Fernandez was one of a number of players infected, but he is in contention to face Leeds on Wednesday after his latest negative test.
Bruce refused to reveal the identities of the players still dealing with the virus, but admitted he is concerned about their health, as well as two members of his backroom staff who also remain ill.
-One of the players who had coronavirus is back - that's Fernandez- Bruce said on Tuesday. 
-He's tested negative and I can say that because he himself revealed that he's had the virus. But he's OK now.
--Players and staff have had three negative tests in the past six days so it does look as if we've overcome it. But we've got two players in particular who are not well at all and two members of staff who are still poorly.
--We're relieved that nobody else has got it but we're also concerned about the members of staff and two players who it's having a bad effect on.
--If you ever underestimated this thing then don't, because you're talking about elite professionals here and the way it got a hold of everybody was quite scary stuff.
--For everybody out there, for goodness' sake stay safe. I know it's Christmas but after what we've just witnessed then you've got to be careful.-

Defender Federico Fernandez was one of a number of players infected

Bruce says two Newcastle players 'not well at all' with virus

Tokyo 2020 organisers said Tuesday they will press ahead with a nationwide, socially distanced torch relay - 100 days before the Olympic flame begins its coronavirus-delayed journey around Japan.
Despite a recent spike in infections, Games officials believe the relay can be held safely-- and in front of spectators -- with around 10,000 runners carrying the torch around Japan's 47 prefectures.
The torch relay was postponed just two days before it was due to begin earlier this year when the decision was taken to delay the Games by 12 months because of the pandemic.
Now it will start on March 25, 2021, with Olympic officials to lay out detailed anti-virus measures in the coming weeks.
-We want to make sure that everyone's health is secure -- the spectators, the torchbearers, the officials and the citizens in the local areas," said Tokyo Games Vice-Director General Yukihiko Nunomura.
-We want the runners to smile and we want the spectators to smile as they welcome the torch. We want to generate excitement so that people really feel that the Tokyo Olympics are coming.-
The announcement comes after a poll released earlier Tuesday by national broadcaster NHK showed a majority of Japanese people oppose holding the Games next year, favouring another delay or cancellation of the massive event.
Japan has seen a relatively small Covid-19 outbreak overall, but has been battling record numbers of new cases in recent weeks.
Prime Minister Yoshihide Suga on Monday suspended a controversial domestic tourism campaign and urged residents to reconsider New Year travel plans.
Guidelines on whether Olympic torchbearers will need to wear masks have not yet been issued, but this month an interim report said participants will be told to keep their distance and refrain from talking loudly.

The Olympic flame, which had already arrived in Japan from Greece when the relay was postponed, is currently on display in Tokyo.
Starting in the Fukushima region -- which was hit by nuclear disaster after the 2011 earthquake and tsunami -- it will crisscross Japan before arriving in Tokyo for the July 23 opening ceremony.
Organisers announced some minor changes to the relay route on Tuesday, but reaffirmed their commitment to visiting every part of the country.
-We hope that the power of the torch relay can be exposed to as big an audience as possible- said Nunomura.
-We also will be providing online opportunities for people to watch the torch go around Japan, and we will be sharing that with the entire world.-
Torchbearers who were selected for the original relay will be invited back next year, although Tokyo 2020 chiefs acknowledged not everyone will be able to do so.
The relay will visit 859 municipalities around Japan, with a local celebration welcoming the flame to be held at the end of each day.
Organisers announced changes to several celebration venues, with festivities set to be simplified in a bid to cut costs.
The postponement of the Games has added at least an extra $2.4 billion to an already outsized budget, set last year at around $13 billion.
The NHK poll released Tuesday shows public sentiment has shifted little since the summer, when surveys in Japan also found only a minority backing plans to hold the Games next year, despite the imminent arrival of new vaccines.

Despite a recent spike in infections, Games officials believe the relay can be held safely

The Olympic flame is currently on display in Tokyo

Tokyo 2020 unveils plan for socially distanced Olympic torch relay

Gerard Houllier, the French coach who set Liverpool back on the path to Premier League and European glory, has died aged 73.
Houllier, who managed the Anfield giants from 1998 to 2004, died overnight Sunday to Monday after undergoing heart surgery. 
His career was blighted by health problems and he had to take a break during his time at Liverpool to recover from heart issues.
The Frenchman, who also managed Aston Villa later in his career, guided the Reds to an FA Cup, League Cup and UEFA Cup treble in 2001, the highlight of his six-year spell in charge.
He won Ligue 1 titles in France with Paris-Saint Germain and Lyon and also had a spell in charge of the French national team from 1992 to 1993, when they failed to qualify for the 1994 finals in the United States.
The cerebral Houllier played an important role in shaping Liverpool after the club that had dominated English football in the 1970s and 1980s lost their way. 
His affiliation with Liverpool began decades before he took charge at Anfield. He worked as a teacher in the city during the 1960s, first taking in a Reds match on the Kop in 1969.
Although he was unable to lead them to the Premier League title -- that had to wait until this year under German coach Jurgen Klopp -- Houllier was loved by the Anfield club's supporters.
-We are mourning the passing of our treble-winning manager, Gerard Houllier- Liverpool tweeted.
-The thoughts of everyone at Liverpool Football Club are with Gerard’s family and many friends. Rest in peace, Gerard Houllier 1947-2020.-&nbsp;

Houllier became joint team manager with Roy Evans at Anfield in 1998 but their relationship soon became strained and long-term club servant Evans resigned later that year to leave the Frenchman in sole charge.
He masterminded one of the greatest single seasons in the club's illustrious history in 2000/01, winning three cups.
In October 2001, Houllier fell ill at half-time during Liverpool's match against Leeds and required life-saving heart surgery.
He returned after five months as Liverpool finished second in the league to Arsenal.
Houllier guided Liverpool to a second League Cup triumph of his tenure in 2003 but left the following year after overseeing 307 matches and successfully re-establishing the club as a modern force.
In 2005 Liverpool, now with Rafael Benitez as manager, became champions of Europe for the fifth time in their history, inspired by Steven Gerrard, whose career was launched by Houllier.
Many of Liverpool's treble-winning squad paid tribute to their former boss.
Gerrard, now manager of Rangers, wrote on Instagram: "Devastated to hear the news my former manager Gerard Houllier has passed away. I will never forget what this man did for me and my career. Rest in peace Boss."
Former Liverpool and England forward Michael Owen tweeted that he was heartbroken, describing Houllier as a "great manager and a genuinely caring man".
Former Liverpool defender Jamie Carragher tweeted: "Loved that man to bits, he changed me as a person &amp; as a player &amp; got @LFC back winning trophies. RIP Boss."
Houllier made his name with Lens and Paris Saint-Germain, winning Ligue 1 with PSG in 1986 and later winning the title twice more with Lyon, in 2006 and 2007.
-He created a relationship of friendship- said long-time Lyon owner Jean-Michel Aulas.
-I have few friends that strong but he was one of the people who could be counted on for football and everything in between.-
Houllier became Villa manager in 2010 but suffered further health problems during his spell in Birmingham. He was admitted to hospital in April 2011 after falling ill and did not return to work before stepping down by mutual consent in June that year.
The Villa job proved to be his final role in day-to-day management. 
More recently, he worked as the head of global football for the Red Bull group, which owns RB Leipzig, RB Salzburg and the New York Red Bulls, as well as advising Lyon.

His career was blighted by health problems and he had to take a break during his time at Liverpool to recover from heart issue

Gerard Houllier celebrates Liverpool's cup treble in 2001 on an open-top bus parade with Steven Gerrard and Sami Hyypia

Ex-Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier dies at 73

Paris Saint-Germain, last season's beaten finalists, will face Barcelona in the last 16 of the Champions League while Liverpool were paired with RB Leipzig in Monday's draw.
French champions PSG will relish another chance to avenge their soul-destroying 'Remontada' defeat to the Catalan giants in 2017.
Having beaten Barca 4-0 in the French capital, PSG crashed to a 6-1 defeat at the Camp Nou orchestrated by Neymar. 
The Brazilian, who won the 2015 Champions League with Barca, then joined PSG in a world record move weeks later but has yet to taste similar European success with Ligue 1's dominant force.
They came closest last season when they were beaten 1-0 in the final by Bayern Munich, who claimed a sixth European crown thanks to a goal from PSG youth product Kingsley Coman.
With the first legs due to be played in February, PSG seem hopeful Neymar will have recovered in time from an ankle injury which forced him to be stretchered off the pitch in his side's 1-0 Ligue 1 defeat to Lyon on Sunday.
On Monday PSG said Neymar's prognosis was "reassuring" while the 28-year-old said on Instagram that his injury "could have been worse" following a rough tackle from Lyon midfielder Thiago Mendes which left him screaming in agony.
Barca may not be as intimidating opponents as in the past after a troubled start to the season influenced by boardroom chaos and Lionel Messi's attempt to leave the club in the summer.
Messi saved Barca's blushes on Sunday with the only goal in a home win over lowly Levante, but they are nine points behind La Liga leaders Real Sociedad.

Reigning champions Bayern play Italian side Lazio, who are in the knockout phase for the first time in over two decades.
-They are a very difficult opponent, we saw them in the group against Dortmund- said Bayern's sports director Hasan Salihamidzic. 
-It is always difficult against the Italian teams. But it is always nice to go to Rome.-
Lazio's Spanish midfielder Luis Alberto described the draw as "complicated".
Pep Guardiola's Manchester City team, who like PSG are still seeking a first Champions League title despite serious investment from Gulf state owners, must get past Borussia Moenchengladbach, European Cup finalists way back in 1977.
-I learned when I was in Germany how big and important and historical a team Gladbach are. I respect the beauty of their football- said former Bayern boss Guardiola.
-I want to arrive in the best condition when we play them. We want to compete as best as possible and go through.-
Frank Lampard said that Chelsea, winners in 2012, have been handed the hardest possible draw with their tie against Atletico Madrid.
-I think most people will say it's the toughest draw that we could have had- the Blues boss said.
-We have to have belief in ourselves and, when that game comes around, you're going to have to beat these sort of teams if you're going to win the Champions League.-
Cristiano Ronaldo and Juventus will play Portuguese side Porto, winners in 2004, while Real Madrid take on last season's surprise quarter-finalists Atalanta.
-We want to face them in the same manner we took on Barcelona- said Juve vice president Pavel Nedved, referring to the 3-0 win at the Camp Nou which allowed the Italians to top their group.
Liverpool will be wary of an attack-minded RB Leipzig side who ended the hopes of Manchester United in the group phase.
That match will be a clash of German managers as Jurgen Klopp's Reds face a Leipzig side led by young coach Julian Nagelsmann.&nbsp;

French champions will relish another chance to avenge their soul-destroying 'Remontada' defeat to the Catalan giants in 2017

Paris St-Germain will hope Neymar has recovered from injury in time to face Barcelona

PSG face Barcelona in Champions League knockout phase

Max Verstappen topped the times ahead of Valtteri Bottas in Friday’s opening free practice at the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.&nbsp; The Dutchman clocked a best lap in 1min 37.378sec in his Red Bull to outpace the Finn, in his Mercedes, by 0.034 seconds, while seven-time champion Lewis Hamilton was fifth on his return from his Covid-19-inflicted absence.
Esteban Ocon was third for Renault, 1.1 seconds off the pace, ahead of Alex Albon in the second Red Bull, Hamilton and the two Racing Points of Lance Stroll and Sergio Perez, fresh from his maiden win in last weekend’s Sakhir Grand Prix.
Daniil Kvyat was eighth ahead of Alpha Tauri team-mate Pierre Gasly and Kimi Raikkonen of Alfa Romeo.
The session ran in perfect weather conditions with a blue sky, warm sunshine and an air temperature of 25 degrees. The track was 39 degrees and the teams were set to use the softest range of tyres available from Pirelli on the smooth Yas Marina circuit.
Hamilton’s return for Mercedes, preceded by his arrival at the paddock in an eye-catching ‘zebra’ suit, meant George Russell returned to Williams, but it was Mick Schumacher’s appearance in FP1 for Haas that attracted attention too along with Robert Kubica’s possible swansong run for Alfa Romeo.
On a weekend of farewells, Vettel’s departure from Ferrari topped the list after his self-declared ‘failure’ with the Italians, having aimed to claim another title with them in his six-year stay.
His friend and rival Hamilton was quick to join the early fray for some ‘welcome back’ laps, but brake problems soon had him called back to the pits as Bottas went took the early initiative.
Ricciardo was also halted, after only 23 minutes, when he came to a halt on the back straight. His stranded Renault was rescued under Virtual Safety Car (VSC) conditions before Verstappen went quickest only for Bottas to respond with a determined lap.
After repairs, Hamilton returned to action and shared a waved greeting with team-mate Bottas on the straight as he worked with the ‘hard’ compound tyres.
Verstappen rose again to top the times ahead of Bottas, but in a session run in daylight sunshine, it was of little use as an indicator of what lies ahead in the twilight zone, when qualifying and the race take place.

The Dutchman clocked a best lap in 1min 37.378sec in his Red Bull

Max Verstappen topped the times ahead of Valtteri Bottas in Friday’s opening free practice at the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix

Verstappen tops opening Abu Dhabi GP practice, Hamilton fifth

Paolo Rossi, who fired Italy to victory in the 1982 World Cup after almost missing the tournament through a match-fixing scandal, has died aged 64, prompting an outpouring of grief and tributes.
Rossi's wife Federica Cappelletti announced the death in an Instagram post featuring a photo of the couple, accompanied by the comment "Forever," followed by a heart.
-There will never be anyone like you, unique, special, after you the absolute nothing...,- she added on Facebook.
The cause of Rossi's death was not revealed but Italian media reported he had been suffering from "an uncurable disease".
Tributes flooded in for 'Pablito', who was banned for three years for his part in the betting scandal, but returned to win the World Cup in Spain and the Ballon d'Or the same year.
Rossi scored 20 goals in 48 appearances for Italy, and more than 100 Serie A goals with Italian clubs including Juventus, Milan and Verona. In the 1982 World Cup he was top scorer with six goals.
Goalkeeper Dino Zoff, who captained the 1982 winning side, described Rossi as an "extraordinary footballer, excellent teammate and friend".
He said Rossi's ban -- later reduced to two years -- did not bother him, as "we knew who Paolo Rossi was, what a serious person he was and what an extraordinary footballer we had with us". 
-He was irreplaceable in that group. And the relationship with him was great. We were a team of friends, a great group- Zoff said.
Juventus said on the club's website: -Pablito' has passed away: for the entire nation, he was the man of an unforgettable Mundial, and for us, he was so much more.-
Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte paid tribute to an "unforgettable champion", saying that his goals that summer "gave a dream to an entire generation".
His death comes just two weeks after Argentina football legend and former Napoli star Diego Maradona died aged 60.

Rossi won the hearts of Italian fans when his goals propelled Enzo Bearzot's Azzurri -- who started the tournament with three uninspiring draws -- to a third world title.
But he almost missed the whole tournament.
In 1980, he was caught up in match-fixing scandal known as "Totonero" -- a play on the Italian for football pools -- that also led to top teams including AC Milan and Lazio being relegated.
Rossi was banned for three years, missing out on the 1980 European Championship on home soil, where Italy finished fourth.
After protesting his innocence he was cleared to play after two years and was rehired by Juventus, going on to earn his spot in the World Cup squad.
A slight winger who converted to centre-forward, Rossi had an uncanny ability to be in the right place at the right time.
He exploded onto the stage of the 1982 tournament with a hat-trick in the 3-2 defeat of Brazil.
In the semi-finals he scored both goals as Italy beat Poland 2-0, and he hit the opening goal in the 3-1 win over West Germany in the final.
He was voted European Footballer of the Year in 1982.
Along with Christian Vieri and Roberto Baggio, he holds the Italian record for nine goals scored in the World Cup.

Born in Prato in Tuscany, Rossi made his professional debut at Juventus in 1973, but his initial two-year spell at the Turin club was blighted by knee injuries.
His first successes were with Vicenza, helping the club into the top flight. However, following relegation he left for a loan spell at Perugia, where scandal struck.
After his suspension Rossi returned to Juventus, and the 1983-1984 season was his most successful at club level.
He formed a formidable trio with Michel Platini and Zbigniew Boniek and accumulated trophies -- two Serie A titles, the Italian Cup, Cup of Cups, and European Supercup. 
-Paolo was a friend, a golden boy: benevolent, humble and intelligent- Platini said in a statement to AFP. 
-He will be forever remembered by the (Juventus) team and everyone with a black and white heart.-
In 1985, Juventus won the European Cup amid the tragedy of the Heysel Stadium final against Liverpool, where 39 fans were killed. It was to be Rossi's last match with the 'Bianconeri'.
He went to rivals AC Milan for an unsuccessful season which was overshadowed by injury, as was his final season at Hellas Verona. 
In 1987, aged 31, Rossi decided to turn the page after nearly 400 league games and 154 goals, and 48 caps and 20 goals for Italy.
After his career as a footballer, Rossi worked as a TV pundit. 
Rossi is survived by his wife and three children.

Rossi's wife Federica Cappelletti announced the death in an Instagram post

Rossi made his professional debut at Juventus in 1973.

Italy's 1982 World Cup hero Paolo Rossi dead at 64

The World Indoor Athletics Championships scheduled to take place in the Chinese city of Nanjing next year have been postponed until March 2023, World Athletics announced on Thursday.
The event had already been moved from this year to March 19-21, 2021, because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
-While we have been liaising with the organising committee and the Chinese Athletics Association to evaluate the staging over the past few weeks, given the current global situation, there is still significant uncertainty about the state of the Covid-19 pandemic in the early part of 2021- track and field's governing body said in a statement.
The Nanjing event will now take place a year after the 2022 world championships in Belgrade.

The Nanjing event will now take place a year after the 2022 world championships in Belgrade

Nanjing will now host the 2023 IAAF World Indoor Championships

2021 World Indoor Athletics Championships postponed two years

Czech referee Pavel Kralovec, who officiates in the Champions League, has been implied in a local match-fixing scandal, Czech media said Wednesday.
The case involves former Czech Football Association (FACR) deputy head Roman Berbr, who has been in custody over suspected match-fixing since October.
Citing police wiretaps, the DNES broadsheet said Berbr had called Kralovec ahead of July's Czech Cup final, in which Sparta Prague beat Slovan Liberec 2-1 to reach the Europa League group stage.
-Very simply, I need just one political thing, OK? You will understand. Josef Krula stopped by on Monday- Berbr said, according to the wiretap.
Krula is Sparta's sports manager and a former referee.
Kralovec, who answered that he did understand, came under fire after the game as he had notably refused to send off Sparta midfielder Martin Frydek for stepping on an opponent, despite calls from the video referee.
On Tuesday night, the 43-year-old Kralovec managed the Champions League game pitting Chelsea against Krasnodar.
Sparta, who have lost a chance to advance from the Europa League Group H also comprising AC Milan, Lille and Celtic Glasgow, have denied any wrongdoing and said they want "thorough investigation" of the case.
Berbr was one of 19 people detained by police in October as part of an organised group in the match-fixing case, four of whom have ended up in custody.
He stepped down from his position as a result.
A 66-year-old former referee, Berbr held his post since 2013 and according to local media has been pulling the strings in Czech football for years.
Media have made allegations over Berbr in relation to corruption cases and bullying at the FACR, but he has never been charged.
His wife Dagmar Damkova, the first female referee in the Czech Republic, stepped down from a post on the UEFA referees committee following the charges.

The case involves former Czech Football Association (FACR) deputy head Roman Berbr

Champions League referee implicated in match-fixing case

Lewis Hamilton is in a race against time as he battles to recover from Covid-19 and return to action for Mercedes at the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, according to team chief Toto Wolff.
The Austrian boss told reporters after Sunday's dramatic Sakhir Grand Prix, in which the seven-time champion's substitute George Russell excelled, that Hamilton's condition was improving every day.
But, he added, he had to complete a full recovery and return a negative coronavirus test result by Thursday – and, if not, super-sub Russell, on loan from Williams, would take his seat again.
-If Lewis recovers - and he is getting better every day - and he is being considered Covid-free and negative then he will be fine- said Wolff. -I think we need to see how well Lewis recovers.-
-That's the most important - that he's well - and he says he's a bit better so he's made a big step.
-If the test is negative, it's his car and then, I am sure, he will drive a brilliant race. But, if the test in Abu Dhabi is positive, then George is in the car.-
Wolff rejected suggestions that the prodigious Russell's dazzling display for Mercedes –- he looked certain to win the race until a pit-stop bungle and a puncture ended his challenge -– was a useful factor in negotiating a new contract with Hamilton.
-No, they are two different things- he countered. -Lewis has been with the team for eight years. We have had great success in the past.
--He is a team member and I have said it already - none of the events will interfere or change any of our negotiations. That wouldn't be fair against him and it wouldn't be fair against us.
--It could have gone the other way around and been a race weekend where George wouldn't have been on the pace. Our negotiations go much beyond that.-
Hamilton will be out of contract at the end of this season. Talks, postponed due to his illness, are expected to resume later this month.

Toto Wolff: I think we need to see how well Lewis recovers

Hamilton will be out of contract at the end of this season. Talks, postponed due to his illness, are expected to resume later this month.

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Sports

Maradona mourned, Kobe's tragedy: Sports deaths in 2020

English clubs avoid punishment over booing of players taking a knee

eSports becomes medal event at 2022 Asian Games

Russia banned for two years in 'catastrophic blow to clean sport'

Premier League agrees to concussion substitutes

Lewandowski hopes to break Messi, Ronaldo monopoly as world's 'Best'

Doha to host 2030 Asian Games, Riyadh 2034 edition

Bruce says two Newcastle players 'not well at all' with virus

Tokyo 2020 unveils plan for socially distanced Olympic torch relay

Ex-Liverpool manager Gerard Houllier dies at 73

PSG face Barcelona in Champions League knockout phase

Verstappen tops opening Abu Dhabi GP practice, Hamilton fifth

Italy's 1982 World Cup hero Paolo Rossi dead at 64

2021 World Indoor Athletics Championships postponed two years

Champions League referee implicated in match-fixing case

Hamilton in race against time to prove fitness for season finale