YP Sportsline: Breaking local and national sports news - Campbell turns pro, Stevenson retires

FIND out the latest in the world of local and national sport throughout the day.
Luke CampbellLuke Campbell
Luke Campbell

1.05pm: CYCLING - Chris Froome is certain he will lead Team Sky’s Tour de France challenge this summer ahead of defending champion Sir Bradley Wiggins.The 27-year-old was runner-up last summer as Wiggins became Britain’s first Tour winner.

Wiggins’ focus in 2013 is on next month’s Giro d’Italia and he is in line to support Froome in the 100th Tour, which begins in Corsica on June 29 and finishes in Paris on July 21.”I am 100 per cent leader,” said Froome.

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“That hasn’t changed since January. From what I understand, everyone has bought into that plan and that is the way we are going to go into the Tour.”

12.45pm: TAEKWONDO - Doncaster’s Olympic bronze medallist and two-time world champion Sarah Stevenson has retired from the sport.

The 30-year-old, who competed in four Olympics, winning a bronze in 2008 in Beijing, is to go into coaching on Britain’s world class performance programme.

Stevenson, who fought for the final time at London 2012, said: “I am relieved I’ve finally been able to make the announcement. I’ve known in my heart it’s what I have wanted to do for a while.

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“But I held off in case I missed competition and wanted to go back. I felt this way after Beijing 2008 and thought ‘I am going to stop.’

“When I did, I missed it so I didn’t want to make the same mistake again.

“However, this time I didn’t miss it and I am glad I don’t have to fight again. I have done enough and didn’t want to put my body through anymore.”

11.30am: ATHLETICS - Leeds marathon runner Sue Partridge named in GB & NI team for t the 2013 IAAF World Championships in Moscow, Russia, in August.

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Partridge, coached by Steve Jones, has been selected following a three minute personal best of 2:30:46 to finish as highest place British female at Sunday’s Virgin London Marathon, 14 seconds inside the ‘A’ qualifying standard for the IAAF World Championships.

11am: FOOTBALL - Bayern Munich have confirmed Mario Gotze will join them in July. The Bundesliga champions are prepared to meet the Germany attacking midfielder’s release clause in his contract with Borussia Dortmund.

9.30am: BOXING - Matchroom Sports have confirmed that Luke Campbell, Hull’s Olympic bantamweight champion, will turn professional. The 25-year-old is likely to fight at featherweight and debut in July at an open-air venue in Hull.

8am: FOOTBALL - Liverpool striker Luis Suarez faces an extended ban by the Football Association after he was charged with violent conduct for his bite on Chelsea’s Branislav Ivanovic.

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The FA has stated it believes a standard three-match punishment for the offence - missed by referee Kevin Friend and so dealt with retrospectively - is “clearly insufficient in these circumstances”.

As Liverpool have already fined the player for his actions in the 2-2 draw at Anfield and set about working on changing his behaviour the club will not contest the charge.

Later today they will inform the FA of that, having until 6pm to do so, and an Independent Regulatory Commission will be convened tomorrow.

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