The great-grandson of former Italian fascist dictator Benito Mussolini is a right-back at Lazio's under-19 team, it was revealed on Tuesday.

Romano Floriani Mussolini is the son of European parliament member Alessandra Mussolini and has made two appearances for the club's U19s.

The news came to light following a report on Tuesday in Italian daily Il Messaggero. Asked about it, the 18-year-old's mother told Italian news agency Adnkronos: "It does not concern me. It's his life and on his things and he doesn't want any interference."

Floriani's manager at youth level, Mauro Bianchessi, spoke positively about his attitude.

"He is a humble boy who has never complained, not even when he didn't play for two years," Bianchessi told La Repubblica. "I like him.

"He's not a seasoned player yet, but he looks promising."

Asked specifically about whether the player's last name would be a burden, Bianchessi said: "I have never spoken to his parents, and the only thing that matters is whether a player deserves to play. Nothing else."

Benito Mussolini was a dictator who was Italy's prime minister from 1922 after a fascist coup d'etat until 1943.

His granddaughter Alessandra is a member of the European parliament for the Italian political party Forza Italia.

As the NBA continues to tighten its health and safety protocols to combat the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the league will begin requiring players to wear K95 or KNF94 masks in all instances where required, sources told ESPN.

The policy will go into effect sometime in the next week, sources said, as the league is in the process of getting the masks to all 30 teams before making it mandatory that they will have to be worn. The NBA also plans to more strictly enforce its current rules regarding the use of facemasks in games beginning with Friday's games.

Under the league's health and safety protocols, whenever players, coaches or staff members are required to wear them -- including while sitting on the bench during games -- they will now need to wear the K95 or KNF94 masks. Players are allowed to sit by themselves in a "cooldown" area immediately after leaving games to catch their breath, but once they do are then supposed to return to the bench area and wear a mask.

This is just one of several adjustments the NBA has made in recent weeks to tighten its protocols to keep the season going while there are still more than 100,000 new cases of COVID-19 per day, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention's data tracker, and as the league has had to postpone nearly two dozen games. Others include preventing players from having guests in their hotel rooms on the road, as well as limiting interactions between them on the court before and after games.

The NBA was forced to postpone its 23rd game of the season Monday night, when the game between the Detroit Pistons and Denver Nuggets was called off because of an inconclusive test within the Pistons travel party, according to ESPN's Adrian Wojnarowski, who later reported that the team traveled to Salt Lake City and will be able to play Tuesday night's game against the Utah Jazz as scheduled.

In addition, the league has begun to reschedule games that had previously been postponed in an effort to begin making up the ground it has lost in an attempt to get each team to its originally scheduled 72 games. One of those rescheduled games, between the Washington Wizards and Portland Trail Blazers, will take place Tuesday night.

The league is also in the process of getting its G League bubble off the ground in Orlando, with games there scheduled to begin next week and play to continue for the next several weeks.

PITTSBURGH -- Grant Jackson, the winning pitcher in Game 7 of the 1979 World Series for the "We Are Family" Pittsburgh Pirates and a reliable left-hander for 18 seasons in the majors, died Tuesday from COVID-19 complications. He was 78.

The Pirates said Jackson died at Canonsburg Hospital in Pennsylvania.

"This pandemic has affected every family throughout our community, and the Pirates family is no different," team president Travis Williams said.

Williams said Jackson "remained dedicated to the Pirates and the city of Pittsburgh" and was "an active board member of our alumni association who was always willing to help make an impact in our community."

Known for bringing the ball far behind his back and then slinging it toward the plate, Jackson was 86-75 with 79 saves and a 3.46 ERA in 692 games from 1965 to '82. He was 3-0 with a 2.55 ERA in 13 postseason appearances.

Jackson was an NL All-Star in 1969 with Philadelphia as a starter and pitched in relief during the World Series with Baltimore in 1971, the New York Yankees in 1976 and the '79 Pirates.

In that Game 7, Jackson entered in the fifth inning with the Pirates trailing Baltimore 1-0. He pitched 2⅔ hitless innings at Memorial Stadium and was replaced by Kent Tekulve in the eighth with Pittsburgh ahead 2-1.

Pittsburgh won 4-1, completing a comeback from a three games to one deficit. Led by Willie Stargell, the Pirates celebrated to their theme song, "We Are Family" by Sister Sledge.

Jackson spent parts of six seasons with the Pirates, going 8-5 with a 2.96 ERA in 72 relief appearances for the 1979 champions. He made six scoreless appearances during that postseason.

Jackson began his career in 1965 with the Phillies. He was a starter for them in 1969, throwing four shutouts, and in 1970 and made some spot starts for the Orioles in 1971. After that, he shifted almost exclusively into a relief role.

In June 1976, he was part of a 10-player trade, sent with Ken Holtzman and three others from Baltimore to New York for a package that included Rick Dempsey, Scott McGregor and Tippy Martinez. Jackson went 6-0 with a 1.69 ERA in helping the Yankees reach the postseason.

Jackson was taken by the Seattle Mariners in the expansion draft after the 1976 season and quickly traded to Pittsburgh. He later played for Montreal and Kansas City and returned to Pittsburgh in late 1982 to pitch one last game.

Curiously, Jackson was a switch-hitter, batting .136 in 236 at-bats. He hit two career home runs, both tiebreaking drives in the late innings that made him the winning pitcher.

Jackson became a bullpen coach for the Pirates from 1983-85 and was a bullpen coach for Cincinnati. He also coached in the minors.

Jackson is survived by his wife, Millie; children Debra, Yolanda and Grant Jr.; and 10 grandchildren.

Private funeral services will be held Saturday.

The Los Angeles Angels have suspended pitching coach Mickey Callaway in the wake of a report by The Athletic in which five women accused Callaway of lewd behavior.

In a statement on Tuesday afternoon, Angels spokeswoman Marie Garvey wrote: "Late yesterday we were made aware of the allegations reported in The Athletic. This morning we suspended Mickey Callaway and will work closely with MLB to conduct a full investigation."

Callaway has initially denied wrongdoing, a source told ESPN, which prevents the Angels from firing him without the just cause that could be reciprocated from an investigation. MLB and the Angels are hoping to wrap up that investigation relatively soon, perhaps before the start of spring training, the source said.

The five women, all of whom spoke to The Athletic anonymously and work in sports media, accused Callaway of inappropriate behavior that included sending shirtless photos, requesting nude pictures and, in one instance, thrusting his crotch in a reporter's face while she attempted an interview. The behavior spanned five years and his employment with three organizations, including his stint as Cleveland Indians pitching coach and New York Mets manager.

In an emailed response to The Athletic, Callaway wrote: "Rather than rush to respond to these general allegations of which I have just been made aware, I look forward to an opportunity to provide more specific responses. Any relationship in which I engaged has been consensual, and my conduct was in no way intended to be disrespectful to any women involved. I am married and my wife has been made aware of these general allegations."

The Athletic's story came two weeks after ESPN reported on a string of explicit, unsolicited text messages sent by now-former Mets general manager Jared Porter to a female reporter in 2016, one of which included an image of an erect penis. Porter was promptly fired, but he owned up to the transgression.

CONCORD, N.C. – Two existing Hendrick Motorsports partners have joined the organization’s No. 5 NASCAR Cup Series team with driver Kyle Larson.

Machine tool maker Cincinnati Inc. and heavy-duty truck manufacturer Freightliner will expand their NASCAR programs to become primary sponsors of the No. 5 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 1LE for two races each and be featured as full-time associate sponsors of the team.

“We’re pleased to have Cincinnati and Freightliner grow their respective partnerships with us,” said Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports. “The best way we can show our appreciation is with high performance on and off the racetrack. NASCAR has tremendous momentum going into 2021, and Kyle and the No. 5 crew will certainly be one of the most exciting teams to watch this year. We look forward to seeing Cincinnati and Freightliner at the front of the field with them.”

Cincinnati joined Hendrick Motorsports in 2019 following a 10-year agreement. With the addition of primary sponsorship of the No. 5 team, the leading machine tool manufacturer has grown its racing program for the 2021 season. Cincinnati is Hendrick Motorsports’ Official Metal Fabrication and Additive Equipment Provider.

“We are very happy to announce the expansion of our NASCAR program in 2021,” said Tim Warning, president and CEO of Cincinnati Inc. “Our entire team takes great pride in knowing that Cincinnati machines contribute to the success of Hendrick Motorsports on the racetrack, including last year’s Cup Series championship. It was also extremely powerful to see the Cincinnati car in victory lane at Auto Club Speedway in 2020, which ignited incredible enthusiasm inside our company and with our customers. We’re looking forward to building a strong relationship with Kyle and sharing in the excitement of winning more races with the No. 5 team.”

With a three-year contract renewal through 2023, Freightliner will become a Hendrick Motorsports primary sponsor for the first time. Since 2004, the team has trusted Freightliner’s efficient and reliable trucks to transport race cars and equipment to NASCAR events across the country, logging more than 4 million miles on the road.

“We take great pride in growing our relationship with Hendrick Motorsports and expanding our support of Kyle Larson and his team,” said Pete Hobbs, Freightliner’s vice president of on-highway market development. “Freightliner is dedicated to delivering efficiency and performance to our customers, and it’s how we set the pace for the rest of our industry. We look forward to cheering on the No. 5 this season.”

Larson, 28, joined Hendrick Motorsports this year after spending most of 2020 focused on dirt racing, winning more than 40 races along the way. Prior to that he was fired by Chip Ganassi Racing following the use of a racial slur during an iRacing event last season.

He’ll make his return to NASCAR during the Daytona 500 on Feb. 14.

“I’m excited Cincinnati and Freightliner have increased their partnership with Hendrick Motorsports and are now part of the No. 5 team,” said Larson, who signed with Hendrick Motorsports in October and will be paired with crew chief Cliff Daniels. “Cliff has built a team that I know can battle for wins on a weekly basis. With the support of great partners like Cincinnati and Freightliner, I can’t wait to get back to the track and go to work. It’s great to have them along for the ride.”

Dates for the Cincinnati and Freightliner events have not been determined. NationsGuard will be primary sponsor of the No. 5 Hendrick Motorsports team in the Daytona 500.

TURNERS FALLS, Mass. – Mayhew Steel Products Inc. will continue its support of six-time NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour champion Doug Coby this season.

This will be Mayhew Tools’ fifth-straight year sponsoring the Whelen Modified Tour six-time champion driver, and Coby’s second year racing as owner and driver of the Doug Coby Racing team.

“Our company is thrilled to be continuing our sponsorship with Doug Coby who, from our perspective, has really become an integral part of the Mayhew family,” said John Lawless, President, Mayhew Tools. “This partnership extends from Doug, to the crew, and the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour at-large and it is one that we are very proud to be a part of.”

In addition to sponsoring Coby, this will be the third consecutive year Mayhew will sponsor the NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour’s Pole Award. This sponsorship awards the winning driver a $1,000 check and the crew chief of the winning driver a Mayhew Dominator heavy-duty curved pry bar.

“Mayhew truly is a partner. Their sponsorship goes well beyond writing a check and displaying a logo; they are fully committed to supporting me, the team, the crew, and the series as whole,” said Coby. “Coming into year two with Doug Coby Racing, especially after such a shaken-up season last year, I am very eager and excited to get back out on the track and am confident that with the backing from Mayhew, Doug Coby Racing will continue to elevate.”

The NASCAR Whelen Modified Tour season is scheduled to begin April 8 at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway.

Nick Hardy saved his best for last to earn another spot in a PGA Tour event.

The 25-year-old Illinois product birdied each of his final two holes Tuesday morning after darkness suspended play at the Monday qualifier for the Waste Management Phoenix Open, and his 7-under 65 secured him a spot in a two-for-one playoff opposite Anirban Lahiri, whom Hardy beat after two more birdies in extra holes.

“I knew I had to get two birdies just to have a chance,” Hardy told reporters, including Monday Q Info, afterward, “and I just came out with the attitude that I was going to make two birdies no matter what it took.”

Hardy got up and down for birdie at McCormick Ranch’s par-5 seventh hole in the dark before calling it quits for the day. He then woke up and chipped in from 20 feet at the eighth hole before sinking a 10-footer for birdie at the ninth, his last hole of regulation.

After the putt dropped, Hardy let out a flurry of fist pumps.

“It’s just a lot of emotion there,” said Hardy, who two years ago lost in a four-for-three playoff in this very event.

“That moment was crushing to my soul,” Hardy added. “I think about that all the time. I had six other moments like that, where I miss the cut by one or just coming close right when I turned pro. Those experiences were huge for me.”

After both Hardy and Lahiri birdied the par-5 18^th hole to kick off the playoff, Hardy fanned his drive right and onto the cart path the second extra time around the three-shot closer. He eventually needed to make an 8-footer for birdie to put pressure on Lahiri, who had about 4 feet left for his birdie, and he did, walking it in in the process.

Lahiri would then miss the shorty to give Hardy the third and final ticket to TPC Scottsdale alongside Mark Anguiano and Vince Whaley, who each carded 64.

For Hardy, this will be his second Tour start of the year. He Monday-qualified into the Sony Open a few weeks ago and tied for 14^th. He’s also currently 15^th in points on the Korn Ferry Tour, which resumes its wraparound season later this month in Florida.

“I proved myself in Hawaii that I can hang the top of the board a little bit,” Hardy said. “…I feel like I can play out there.”

FC Dallas and United States youth international defender Justin Che has agreed to join Bayern Munich on loan, sources have told ESPN.

Che, 17, has agreed a move to the Bundesliga champions with the move pending FIFA approval as he is classified as a "minor," sources told ESPN.

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Che has a German passport which has helped negotiations, but if the move gets approval -- with sources confident it will get the green light -- the move will see him link up with Bayern Munich for six months on loan, with no option to buy included.

Che has been training at Bayern Munich over the past three weeks as part of their player development programme. That same link-up saw Chris Richards join Bayern Munich in 2019 from FC Dallas, and he has since made his USMNT debut and joined Hoffenheim on a six-month loan deal.

Che trained at Bayern from Jan. 6 to Jan. 29 and the German champions wanted to take a closer look at him, so offered him a six-month loan deal with Che likely to feature for their reserves in 3. Liga.

Che has come through the Dallas Academy and plays at centre-back but can also cover right-back. He has featured for the U.S. under-16s at international level.

For the first time, golf's governing bodies appear poised to allow for significant rules differences between elite players and other golfers as a way to combat the distance gains the sport has seen with the advancement of technology.

Known as "bifurcation,'' it would mean the professional tours and elite amateur competitions could require competitors to use equipment that is restricted while allowing everyday players the benefits that those technological gains bring them.

The United States Golf Association and the R&A jointly announced Tuesday that they are proposing equipment standards changes, including a potential local rule for club and ball specifications. They are also proposing changes to club length.

A year ago, the USGA and R&A released their "Distance Insights Project," in which they stated that the continuing increase in length was "detrimental' to the game.

On Tuesday, they announced three proposed changes:

• A limit on the maximum driver length from 48 inches to 46 inches. U.S. Open champion Bryson DeChambeau is one of the high-profile players who has experimented with the longest-shafted driver in order to attain more distance off the tee.

• Changes to how drivers are tested for distance, which is known as the spring-like effect, and changes to how golf balls are tested by revising the conditions.

• The driver-length maximum will have a one-month review period, while the other testing proposals will be reviewed over six months.

As part of the proposal, the governing bodies gave the example where a committee could limit the maximum driver length through a "model local rule'' and that the change is ''recommended for use only in competitions limited to highly skilled players.'' That means golfers at the recreational level would still be playing by the rules even if using the longer clubs.

The professional tours, including the PGA Tour, European Tour, LPGA Tour as well as the major championships, all play by USGA or R&A rules, depending on jurisdiction. The exceptions made at the highest levels -- such as the "one-ball'' rule used on the pro tours -- are all covered in the rule book, typically under local provisions.

After years of discussion on the topic, the governing bodies now appear ready to act on distance gains.

"The research ... clearly shows that hitting distances have consistently increased through time, and if left unchecked, could threaten the long-term future of our game at every level and every golf course on which it is played,'' said Mike Davis, chief executive officer of the USGA. "This is the first forward step in a journey and a responsibility the USGA and the R&A share with the worldwide golf community, to ensure that golf continues to thrive for the next hundred years and beyond.''

Said Martin Slumbers, chief executive of the R&A: "The research topics and the proposed changes we have announced will be the focus of our attention in the coming months, and we look forward to gaining insights from the golf industry and fully understanding their perspectives in key areas. We remain fully committed to conducting this hugely important exercise for the sport thoroughly, efficiently and collaboratively.''