Tottenham Hotspur had to ask for the goal frames to be changed ahead of their Europa League qualifying win over North Macedonian club Shkendija on Thursday after discovering they were too small.

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Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho said his goalkeepers noticed during warmups that the goals at Tose Proeski Arena in Skopje didn't have the right height. The goals were changed by UEFA officials and Tottenham won the game 3-1 to advance to the playoff round.

Mourinho later posted pictures on Instagram of himself almost touching the crossbar, while Tottenham goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, who sat out as new arrival Joe Hart started, was easily grabbing the woodwork.

"Before the game was a funny situation because my goalkeepers told me that the goal was small," Mourinho said. "I went by myself and of course the goal was small. The goalkeepers, they spend hours and hours and hours in the goal, so they know when the goal is not the right dimension.

"I am not a goalkeeper but I know football since I was a kid and I know when I stand there and I spread my arms and I know the distance, so I felt immediately that something was going wrong."

The game was level 1-1 before Son Heung-min and Harry Kane scored in the final 20 minutes for Tottenham.

New Zealand's limited-overs tour to Australia early next year has been postponed because the quarantine requirements at both ends of the trip would make it too difficult to fit into the schedule but their home summer has been given government approval.

The international summer has been handed the green light after confirmation of quarantine and managed isolation plans for touring teams. Initially that covers the visits of West Indies and Pakistan, but NZC is hopeful it will extend to Bangladesh, the Australia men's and women's team and the England women's side early next year.

Pakistan and West Indies are due to play two Tests and three T20s on their visits with Bangladesh slated for a limited-overs tour, the Australia men's side for T20s and a women's tri-series during February in the gap created by the postponement of the Women's ODI World Cup.

"It's a huge boost for us, it's our financial lifeline," NZC CEO David White said. "International cricket funds the whole game in New Zealand so it's very important. It won't come cheap, we'll be footing the bill, but we are happy to do that."

The men's trip to Australia had been due to include three ODIs and a single T20, initially scheduled to take place from late January although there had been a possibility of those dates being altered to try and give the closing stages of the Big Bash a clear window so that Australian international players could take part.

New Zealand's one-day series in Australia earlier this year was curtailed by the Covid-19 pandemic when the team had to fly home ahead of borders closing. The first match had been played behind closed doors at the SCG with two subsequent games called off.

"That 14-day managed isolation at both sides of the Tasman is a challenge," White said. "We've worked with Cricket Australia on that will be fulfilling our obligations the following year."

The postponement of the tour means that the only men's visiting team to Australia this season could be India with the one-off Test against Afghanistan facing challenges to remain in the schedule due.

NZC will announce its home fixtures and venues next week but Christchurch is the favoured location for the managed isolation of visiting teams who would be able to train at the high performance centre at Lincoln.

There will be a phased isolation period for visiting squads, and New Zealand players returning from the IPL, with the first three days confined to hotel rooms before training can begin in bubbles that increase in size up to 15 by the end of the two-week period during which they will be tested for Covid-19 multiple times. Once that fortnight is complete players are able to move around as normal members of the public.

West Indies will be the first visitors of the season and the IPL-based players will share a flight with their New Zealand counterparts from the UAE.

White also confirmed there are plans for a series of New Zealand A matches during the visits by West Indies and Pakistan so that all the players involved in enlarged squads are able to play cricket.

Sydney and Melbourne derbies will launch the new-look WBBL season with Cricket Australia confirming the fixture list for the 59-game competition that will be played entirely in a Sydney hub starting late next month.

The opening weekend of matches on October 25 will see the Melbourne Renegades face the Melbourne Stars and the Sydney Sixers take on the Sydney Thunder at North Sydney Oval.

All eight teams will be involved on the opening day with the Adelaide Strikers playing the Hobart Hurricanes and the Perth Scorchers up against the Adelaide Strikers at Hurstville Oval.

The other grounds to be used for the tournament are the Sydney Showground Stadium, Blacktown International Sportspark and Drummoyne Oval.

The fixtures and venues for the finals series, which will take place on November 28 and 29, will be confirmed in the coming weeks.

A WBBL village will be created in the Sydney OIympic Park area - which houses the Showground Stadium - with the eight teams having exclusive use of hotels, training facilities and other areas during the month-long competition.

"Today's announcement of the changes to the rebel WBBL|06 fixture and the transformation of Sydney Olympic Park into the rebel WBBL Village sets the League up for another unforgettable season," Alistair Dobson, Cricket Australia's head of Big Bash Leagues, said.

"Last season was the biggest in the history of the women's game and now, following on from the Commonwealth Bank ODI and T20I series in Brisbane, we'll get to see the stars of our world champion Australian team in action during rebel WBBL|06."

The logistics, including required quarantine periods, for the overseas players joining the tournament will be firmed up in the next few weeks

The Pac-12 will play a seven-game conference football season beginning Nov. 6, the league announced Thursday.

The decision, voted on by the Pac-12's CEO group Thursday, represents an official reversal after the conference announced in early August that it would postpone all sports until at least Jan. 1, citing health concerns related to the coronavirus pandemic.

"This has been the result of what we said back in August -- that we'd follow the science, follow the data, follow the advice from our medical experts," Pac-12 commissioner Larry Scott said, "and that we know how badly our student-athletes want to compete, as student-athletes for the Pac-12, but that we would only do so when we felt that we could do so safely."

In a release, the Pac-12 said men's and women's basketball can begin Nov. 25 while other winter sports can begin in line with their respective NCAA seasons. Utah athletic director Mark Harlan said other fall sports, such as cross country, soccer and volleyball, will continue to plan for a spring season.

The Pac-12 move comes in the wake of a similar announcement last week from the Big Ten, which will start its football season Oct. 24.

Every team in the conference will play the five teams in its division, plus a divisional crossover game prior to the conference championship game Dec. 18. The teams that do not qualify for title game will play an additional conference game against a team from the opposite division the same weekend. The Pac-12 will release its full schedule of games in the next few days, the conference said.

The Pac-12 has not received an indication it would be ineligible for the College Football Playoff due to its reduced schedule, sources said. Even if the Pac-12 doesn't have a team worthy for inclusion in the four-team field, the eligibility component is important so it can be in position to collect the sizable payout. Last season, there was a $66 million base payout to each of the Power 5 conferences.

"Our schools, knowing we're going to be able to play a meaningful number of games, high-level games, with our championship concluding before that final CFP meeting, we absolutely have the opportunity to have a team in the mix for the playoff," Scott said, "and I know our teams and our student-athletes are coming back, eager to compete for that."

Scott said there is no serious momentum for an expanded playoff field.

No fans will be allowed to attend Pac-12 games taking place on campuses. That decision will be revisited in January, the conference said.

In August, the Pac-12 CEO group, which includes a president or chancellor from each university, voted unanimously to postpone the season. The explanation for the postponement included the need for daily rapid turnaround tests for COVID-19. At the time, there wasn't a belief that would be possible during the fall.

However, that changed less than a month later when the conference reached an agreement with a company to provide FDA-approved daily tests that are expected to be operational in early October.

Along with daily antigen testing, athletes will take at least one PCR test per week.

"The health and safety of our student-athletes and all those connected to Pac-12 sports remains our guiding light and number one priority," Pac-12 CEO group chair and Oregon president Michael Schill said in a statement. "Our CEO Group has taken a measured and thoughtful approach to today's decision, including extensive consultation with stakeholders on the evolving information and data related to health and safety."

The conference faced additional pressure after the ACC, Big 12 and SEC remained set on playing in the fall. There was a common belief in the Pac-12, sources said, that after the Big Ten postponed its season, the other Power 5 conferences would eventually do the same. When that didn't happen and the Big Ten faced significant pressure to -- and eventually did -- change course, the Pac-12 was left to find a way not to be the only Power 5 conference idle in the fall.

After the Big Ten's announcement last week, Scott quickly pointed to governmental restrictions in California and Oregon that prevented the six schools in those states from practicing. By the end of the day, governors from both states publicly indicated that nothing at the state level would prevent the Pac-12 season from taking place.

California's interim guidelines for college sports prevent teams from practicing in cohorts larger than 12 people, which isn't practical for a sport that requires 22 players on the field in a scrimmage situation. As of Thursday afternoon, the California Department of Public Health issued a statement to ESPN that it was not aware of any changes to the guidelines. But a source told ESPN that the conference is confident the cohort guideline will be amended in time to allow for a normal practice to occur.

"We've received comfort and clarifications that are very, very helpful, in terms of the confidence to move forward," Scott said. "But there's still some exact details to work out on a school-by-school basis, which will be done locally."

"It is a testament to the strength of the leadership in our football locker room and a symbol of the central role USC plays in the Pac-12 that the letter from our players to California Governor Gavin Newsom galvanized our collective return to play efforts," USC athletic director Mike Bohn said in a statement.

Santa Clara County, where Stanford is located, required the school to submit a safety plan before it would give the team the go-ahead to practice. That plan, according to the county, has been submitted and is under review.

The latest hurdle the conference faced arrived Thursday when the County of Boulder, Colorado, issued a prohibition on gatherings among university students between 18 and 22 years old. Assuming the order doesn't get extended and the Buffaloes can begin practice after 14 days, the team would have four weeks to prepare for the opener.

"We will work with our public health officials to comply with the new public health order and be part of the community solution in controlling the spiking cases so we can resume team activities as soon as possible," Colorado athletic director Rick George said during a video conference call Thursday night.

The Pac-12 said teams with health approval can begin practicing immediately.

LAKE BUENA VISTA, Fla. -- Dwight Howard started at center for Game 4 of the Western Conference finals, the Los Angeles Lakers announced shortly before tipoff Thursday.

Howard replaced JaVale McGee in the first unit to begin the second half of Game 3.

L.A. leads the Denver Nuggets 2-1 in the best-of-seven series.

The Chicago Cubs laid off about 25% of their business staff on Thursday because of a loss in revenue and in anticipation of an uncertain 2021, sources familiar with the situation told ESPN.

The move follows a significant round of cuts on the baseball side in August.

Based on advice from medical experts, as well as restrictions because of local ordinances, the Cubs are not expecting full capacity inside Wrigley Field at the beginning of next season.

It's possible only season-ticket holders will be allowed to attend games. They'll get first priority as they make up about 50% of overall ticket holders, which is about the same capacity the team is expecting to allow inside the stadium.

The Cubs expect to miss out on about 75% of their revenue in 2020, according to sources, because of the COVID-19 outbreak that has limited the season to 60 games, without fans in the stands. That could add up to a $125 million to $140 million loss.

Uncertainty in the next collective bargaining agreement between the league and its players also is contributing to the overall financial picture of the Cubs, according to sources.

"This is through no fault of their own and had nothing to do with their performance, talent or contributions," a team source said when asked by ESPN about the lost jobs. "This was a difficult decision but the goal was to restructure the organization based on the current operating environment with losses of more than $100 million anticipated next year. We're no longer a business that welcomes 3.3 million fans and we're not sure when that business will resume."

The team is hopeful to get back to full capacity at Wrigley Field later in the 2021 season, but with no guarantee from medical experts about when there might be a vaccine, the team is preparing for reduced capacity for as long as necessary.

The Los Angeles Dodgers activated Walker Buehler, who has been dealing with a blister on his right index finger for about a month, off the injured list Thursday for one final tuneup start before the postseason.

Buehler, 26, was placed on the IL because of that blister for the second time in two weeks on Sept. 10, but the right-hander threw a six-inning, 90-pitch simulated game at Dodger Stadium on Saturday, throwing the first 75 pitches with his finger uncovered.

Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said he would be monitoring Buehler "pretty closely" in his return against the Oakland Athletics and that the primary objective is to ensure he doesn't suffer a setback. Buehler recently sought advice from former Dodgers starter Rich Hill, who has dealt with blisters throughout his career.

"Walker feels really good, confident, the finger itself in a good place," Roberts said. "It's just up to all of us to make sure we just manage it tonight. He wouldn't be making this start if we didn't feel good as far as him taking on a regular start."

The Dodgers are still ironing out most of their pitching plans for the best-of-three wild-card series that begins at Dodger Stadium on Wednesday, partly because they might not learn their opponent until the end of the week.

Buehler and Clayton Kershaw are expected to start the first two games, but the Dodgers have yet to determine the order. A potential Game 3 could see the Dodgers deploy an opener, with the traditional No. 3 starter -- either Julio Urias, Dustin May or Tony Gonsolin -- pitching bulk innings later in the game.

Buehler wasn't properly stretched out when Major League Baseball restarted and has logged only 32⅔ innings heading into his final regular-season start, posting a 3.86 ERA with 36 strikeouts and 10 walks. Most of his recent work has come in controlled environments.

"He's still pitched and understood what's at stake in these sim games, and I expect him to be sharp," Roberts said. "You're one start away from the postseason, so I expect him to be sharp and ready to go."

Athletes head to Qatar for the final meeting in the 2020 series

The Wanda Diamond League series comes to a close on Friday (September 25) and fans around the world can watch the meeting in Doha, Qatar, live.

The women’s 3000m is set to see the series end on a high, with impressive depth featuring in the field.

World 5000m champion Hellen Obiri will be joined by four other 2019 world medallists – steeplechase champion Beatrice Chepkoech, 5000m silver medallist Margaret Chelimo Kipkemboi, 1500m bronze medallist Gudaf Tsegay and 10,000m bronze medallist Agnes Tirop.

Laura Weightman ran 14:35.44 in Monaco last month to move to second behind only Paula Radcliffe on the British 5000m all-time list and she followed that up with a 1500m PB of 4:00.09 in Berlin.

READ MORE: Laura Weightman impresses in Monaco 5000m

The race in Doha will see her compete over her favourite distance.

“I think I’m in very good shape and the 3000m for me is probably my favourite distance so it’s an event I’m excited to race,” said the European and Commonwealth medallist. “Hopefully I can be competitive.”

Her fellow Britons Eilish McColgan, the European 5000m silver medallist, and European indoor bronze medallist Melissa Courtney-Bryant will also be in action.

The pole vault will be another top event as the field includes Mondo Duplantis, fresh from his world outdoor best of 6.15m in Rome, as well as two-time world champion Sam Kendricks, former world record-holder Renaud Lavillenie and British record-holder Harry Coppell.

READ MORE: Mondo Duplantis breaks Bubka’s world outdoor pole vault best

Double Olympic champion Elaine Thompson-Herah will race the 100m, with a world-leading time of 10.85 having been run in Rome, and she is joined in the field by Britain’s Amy Hunt and Kristal Awuah.

Britain’s Cindy Ofili goes in the 100m hurdles, while Cameron Fillery and David King are both in the 110m hurdles.

The world and Olympic steeplechase champion Conseslus Kipruto goes in the 1500m, with that event also featuring Britain’s Piers Copeland and James West, while the world champion over that distance, Timothy Cheruiyot, drops down and races the 800m, as do Britain’s Elliot Giles and Guy Learmonth.

The women’s two-lap race features Olympic 1500m champion Faith Kipyegon, plus Britain’s Adelle Tracey and Shelayna Oskan-Clarke.

A timetable, start lists and live results are available here.

WATCH LIVE

Specific broadcasters will show the action in various territories (click here for further info), with fans in the UK able to watch via the BBC.

Fans from some territories, including the UK, will also be able to watch via the live Wanda Diamond League YouTube channel stream below.

The stream will be live from 19:00 local time (17:00 BST).

Keep an eye on our social media channels and website for updates and a report.

CONCORD, N.C. — Drydene Performance Products will be the title sponsor of the fifth annual World Short Track Championship, DIRTcar Racing announced on Thursday. With a purse of over $125,000, the mega-event will once again give the best weekly racers from across the country the chance to shine at The Dirt Track at Charlotte Motor Speedway, Oct. 29-31.

A staunch supporter of grassroots racing, Drydene has signed on as a multiyear title sponsor for the event. Drydene’s support of motorsports cuts across multiple levels and classes nationwide. The company is a proud partner of the World of Outlaws and is the official motor oil and official diesel exhaust fluid of the World of Outlaws Sprint Car and Late Model Series, as well as the presenting sponsor of DIRTVision and has a roster of teams under its sponsorship umbrella.

“We are thrilled to support the grassroots core of racing with this incredible opportunity,” said Dave Klinger, president of Drydene Performance Products. “Their passion, like ours, is unmatched, and as the hardest working brand in heavy-duty lubrication, we certainly understand how much elbow grease they put into their racing. What better way to celebrate that hard work than on a big stage like Charlotte.”

Since its inception in 2016, the World Short Track Championship has attracted more than 300 racers across eight and nine divisions during three nights of action-packed racing. And once again, the 2020 Drydene World Short Track Championship will be broadcast on DIRTVision Presented by Drydene as part of the monthly FAST PASS subscription.

The Drydene World Short Track Championship once again runs the week before the World of Outlaws Can-Am World Finals (Nov. 5-7) at The Dirt Track to kick off two weeks of dirt track racing in North Carolina. The same divisions from the previous two years will be competing for titles — Drydene DRF Crate Sportsman/Street Stocks, FOX Racing SHOX Pro Late Models, Chevrolet Performance 602 Late Models, Summit Racing Equipment DIRTcar UMP Modifieds, Hoosier Racing Tire Pro Modifieds, VP Racing Fuels DIRTcar Sportsman Modifieds, DIRTcar Pro Stocks, COMP CAMS Monster Mini-Stocks and DIRTVision FWD/Hornets/Sport Compacts.

Thursday will feature open hot lap sessions with Friday’s program including qualifying heats as well as 20-lap 20-lap all star invitational features for the pro late models, UMP modifieds, sportsman and pro stocks, plus two 15-lap FWD/hornet Features. 

Saturday, the final night of competition, will begin with last chance showdown races for five divisions and end with championship features for all nine divisions.