Sportsday - Thursday, 26 July - as it happened

FIFA provisionally ban Mohamed bin Hammam for 90 days while they investigate allegations of financial mismanagement during his time as president of the Asian Football Confederation. The 63-year-old had a lifetime ban from football overturned last week after being found guilty in 2011 by FIFA's ethics committee of paying bribes to Caribbean Football Union officials while campaigning against Blatter for the FIFA presidency.

Uruguay win their first match at London 2012, beating the United Arab Emirates 2-1 at Old Trafford. Great Britain are next up at the home of Manchester United, when they take on Senegal from 20:00. You can follow all the action with our live text commentary.

One of Saudi Arabia's two female Olympic team members, Wodjan Ali Seraj Abdulrahim Shahrkhani will compete in the judo tournament without a hijab. Marius Vizer, the president of the sport's world governing body, said: "The athlete from Saudi Arabia will fight in the spirit of judo and according to the principles of judo without a hijab."

Tottenham striker Jermain Defoe is to return home from the club's pre-season tour of the United States after receiving the tragic news of the death of his cousin Hannah Defoe while on holiday in St Lucia.

BBC Sport's Paul Fletcher at Old Trafford: "Much cooler now inside Old Trafford - and there is no doubt that Uruguay have taken some of the heat out of this match after going 2-1 in front. Still, that is not to say that Luis Suarez is not still being booed every time he touches the ball."

Asafa Powell finally gets asked a question: "Nine months I have been training for this so if I don't make the podium I will be very disappointed."

Usain Bolt added: "Everyone wants a win and a world record to say Happy Birthday to Jamaica but I am ready for it and I am looking forward to it because I love competing."

Uruguay take the lead at Old Trafford, against the UAE, Nicolas Lodeiro of Ajax with the goal after coming on as a second half substitute. You can watch all the action on the BBC Sport website.

British Judo performance director Daniel Lascau believes "anything is possible" from his 14-strong Olympic squad but maintains the sport's future should not be measured purely on medals at London 2012. He said: "The team want to deliver and have prepared to deliver, with confidence growing over the past months."

Usain Bolt on carrying the flag at the opening ceremony: "Carrying the flag is an honour because for my country I would do anything because I love Jamaica." He added: "This could easily be the fastest 100m people have ever seen. A lot of guys have been running very fast which you expect in an Olympic year."

Bolt added: "I wouldn't say there's any pressure, I'm just focused on winning. Times come afterwards. That's all really. I don't think it'll be the end of the world if I don't win but I won't be thinking about losing at any time. I know what it takes to be a champion and know my competition."

Usain Bolt on the speculation about an injury ahead of this summer's games: "I'm always ready. I keep telling you it's all about the Championship. My coach determines if we train in front of cameras or not. He does not like cameras. I've had slight problems but nothing too serious. I had a stiff back which was a bit of a problem but I'm ready to go."

Former 100m world record holder Asafa Powell: "I'm energised and pumped up for the Games. I'm not getting any younger so it's probably my last." Looking ahead to the 4x100m relay he said: "We can definitely go sub 37 seconds. We know we have the team to produce a very fast time. We have 36 seconds in mind."

Jamaica's triple Olympic Champion and the 100m and 200m world record holder Usain Bolt speaking to the media: "I don't think I need to watch other runners. For me I just take it easy and take it round by round. 200m is always my favourite. I love it as I put so much work into it. It comes easy to me as I run it all the time and tell my coach we need to do more work."

BBC Sport's Paul Fletcher at Old Trafford: "A very entertaining first half at Old Trafford ends with a very warm round of applause from the crowd. As curtain raisers go this has been great stuff. In fact, it might just eclipse what is served up later. UAE perhaps a touch unlucky not to go in ahead."

Uruguay level things up at Old Trafford, Gaston Ramirez with the equaliser against the Uruguay. Watch all the action live on the BBC Sport website.

BBC Sport's Paul Fletcher at Old Trafford: "Well, I honestly didn't think I'd ever hear the chant "U-A-E, U-A-E" bouncing around Old Trafford. But it just happened - and rightly so. If you knew nothing about Olympic football you would not be picking out Uruguay as the pre-match favourites and a medal contender right now."

Missy Franklin added: "Bolt or the Williams sisters - seeing them in real life was so cool, but there are so many young teenagers on the gymnastic teams - to meet them would be great and discuss life as a teenage athlete."

BBC Sport's Nick Hope at the USA swimming press conference: "The swimmers were asked who they would most like to meet in the Olympic village. Natalie Coughlin said "Usain Bolt walked into the canteen earlier and everyone started cheering, I thought it was Prince William or something. Bolt has such a presence around him and he's a legend"."

The United Arab Emirates take the lead against Uruguay at Old Trafford, Ismail Matar with the goal on 23 minutes. Watch all the action live on the BBC Sport website.

West Ham have stepped up their interest in Liverpool striker Andy Carroll by making a bid that could potentially break their transfer record. The fresh offer would see Carroll initially move to London on loan but includes a commitment to buy the 23-year-old next summer for a fee believed to be in excess of £15m.

BBC Sport's Paul Fletcher at Old Trafford: "The constant booing of Uruguay's Liverpool forward Luis Suarez could become a little boring, but then I guess he would expect nothing less at Old Trafford. And it has to be said that the smaller pro-Suarez faction are trying their best to get behind him by clapping just about everything the forward does."

BBC Sport's Lawrence Barretto at Eton Dorney: "Briton Anna Watkins, who is targeting Olympic gold alongside three-time silver medallist Katherine Grainger in the women's double scull, admits her surprise at hearing their main rival Aussie Kim Crow has decided to double up and compete in both the single and the double. She said: "I don't know what her thinking is. It's a lot of racing. It's not the way we would be doing it but good luck to her "."

Euan Burton will compete in men's 81kg judo category. He says: "I feel great, really fresh.

"I'm a better judo player now than I was four years ago in Beijing and I'm hoping to get a better result. But we all know judo's a funny sport where funny things can happen."

More from American swimmer Michael Phelps: "I have found that recovery is more important now than it was then [in Beijing 2008]. My body is older.

"Training and everything was perfect leading to Beijing, but it will be harder for me to recover, but trials gave me an idea of what I'll be up against.

"Lots of ice tubs and sleeping and saving emotional energy. I have to stay on top of it no matter how tired I get."

BBC Sport's Paul Fletcher at Old Trafford: "If Great Britain can later produce a performance to justify the level of expectation around Old Trafford, not to mention to amount of Team GB apparel kicking about the place, then everything should be OK.

"The ground is starting to fill up, but the area around the stadium remains absolutely packed. Meanwhile, very loud boos sounded when Luis Suarez's name was called out ahead of Uruguay's match."

The FL t20 will take place on 25 August at Cardiff. Sussex v Yorkshire will be the 1030 BST semi-final, while Hampshire v Somerset will be at 1400 BST. The final will take place at 1830 BST.

A shock in the football at Hampden Park as Japan hold on to a 1-0 first-half lead to beat Spain.

Tottenham defend Gareth Bale over the winger not playing for Team GB but playing for them in a pre-season friendly.

A Spurs statement says: "The club considers the recent comment and accusations regarding Gareth Bale's fitness relating to his non selection for Team GB's men's football team to be wholly unacceptable and unjustified.

"For the avoidance of any doubt and on a point of absolute clarity and transparency - Gareth sustained an injury as he built up his fitness ahead of joining up with Stuart Pearce's [Team GB] side. MRI scan reports were sent to the FA medical team on 29 June.

"He was subsequently not selected on the basis of this injury and the inability to predict recovery time."

BBC Sport's Lawrence Barretto at Eton Dorney: "British men's eight rower Moe Sbihi, whose father is Moroccan, decides not to fast during Ramadan, which started on 20 July for 30 days, as he prepares for London 2012.

Instead, Sbihi will pay for 1,800 Moroccans to be fed after the Games, 60 for every day of Ramadan he missed as is written in the Koran."

Sbihi says: "It was a difficult decision, but the opportunity is bigger than just me - there are seven other guys in the boat to consider."

British swimmer and gold medal prospect Rebecca Adlington gets some advice from Australia's five-times Olympic swimming champion Ian Thorpe.

"It is the hardest thing - the assumption that a gold medal is won before it has been swum," said Thorpe.

"Becky also has the pressure that she is defending an Olympic title as well, which adds another layer. She needs to stay relaxed over the next few days."

Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics organising committee president Dmitry Chernyshenko confirms ambitious plans to take the Olympic torch into space for the first time.

American swimmer Michael Phelps is asked if he is physically as good as in Beijing?

He replies: "Hard to compare myself now to then, my goals are different.

"Going to Beijing we were tryng to concquer everything, but I think [coach] Bob Bowman and I have been a lot more relaxed over the last four years and we're having fun.

"This is the closure and it's really about how many toppings I want on my Sundae - I want to enjoy it."

BBC Sport's Paul Fletcher: "Fans slowly making their way into Old Trafford ahead of UAE v Uruguay at 1700 BST.

"Uruguay can boast just two gold medals in their Olympic history - both came in the football, way back in 1924 and 1928.

"They have not qualified for the Olympic football tournament since then. Coach Oscar Tabarez has been showing his players grainy footage from back then to try to build a link with the past."

BBC Sport's Nick Hope: "Funny moment to open with as Michael Phelps and Bob Bowman stop to take photos of the media and tweet them.

"Well if you're taking pictures of us, we're going to take them of you," says Phelps.

American fencer Mariel Zagunis expresses her pride at being named Team USA flagbearer.

The 27-year-old won gold medals in the individual sabre at Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008.

"I found out less than 24 hours ago and it's a great honour to be nominated by my fellow athletes," she says.

BBC Sport's Nick Hope on Twitter: "HUGE media presence for the USA swim team presser, where a certain Michael Phelps & Bob Bowman are first up!"

Another blow for Spain. Inigo Martinez is red-carded with the side already 1-0 down against Japan.

Japan take a 1-0 lead against Spain in the football being played at Hampden Park. Yuki Otsu got the goal. Is a shock on the cards?

BBC Sport's Paul Fletcher at Old Trafford: "Plenty of fans milling around, doubtless trying to come to terms with sunshine in Manchester, as the hours tick down until Great Britain take on Senegal in the men's football competition.

"First up is Uruguay v UAE and the word is that the South American team, and Edinson Cavani in particular, have looked spectacular in training."

Manchester City boss Roberto Mancini isn't hiding the fact that he's getting impatient with the club's hierarchy in signing players.

"It is important [to get players quickly] because, after what we did last year, we must continue to win," says Mancini.

"This year will be harder than last so we need to improve our team. We have a man who works for this and we hope he can do a good job."

Wakefield's Australian half-back Tim Smith is given a new 12-month contract after impressing in his first season with the Wildcats.

The International Judo Federation says Saudi competitor Wojdan Ali Seraj Abdulrahim Shahrkhani - one of the country's first female athletes ever selected for the Olympics - will not be allowed to wear a headscarf during competition.

BBC commentator Steve Wilson was in Coventry on Wednesday to watch Japan beat Canada and Sweden easily win against South Africa in the Women's football.

Wilson says: "Temporarily renamed the City of Coventry Stadium, all branding has been removed for the games; yes all branding.

"Unlike at Hampden, there were few first day hitches in the West Midlands. More than 18,000 people attended the two games which, given that it's more than double the attendance for the Women's FA Cup Final earlier this year, is a remarkable figure."

Castleford captain Danny Orr, 34, is to retire at the end of the season. The former Great Britain scrum-half is to bring down the curtain on his 16-year playing career and join the Tigers' coaching staff.

British 470 sailor Luke Patience says the Australian crew that are hot favourites for Olympic gold are there to be beaten.

"If we didn't think we could be good enough to beat them it would be a demoralising place," said 25-year-old Scotsman Patience.

"We don't think about the opposition as individuals. We just focus on our own game.

"But it's not a two-horse race, there are 27 other boats in the regatta. No-one is exempt. That's the beauty of sport. There are no guarantees. We love the challenge. In some ways it's theirs to lose. We say, 'bring it on'."

Fulham midfielder Alex Kacaniklic agrees a new two-year contract with the club.

"I'm aiming to start a lot more games next season and I'm going to work really hard to achieve my goals," he says.

British Olympic Association chairman Lord Moynihan gives his slant on Gareth Bale playing for Tottenham, despite being injured for selection for Team GB.

"I understand the response from some football fans who were hoping to see him play as part of Team GB.

"My view is different. I welcome the fact that, actually, he has returned from injury earlier than anticipated."

Former Great Britain table tennis Olympian Desmond Douglas warns the London 2012 team they face a tough task to make an impression at their home Games.

"It is going to be difficult," he says. "If you are not in the top 20 or top 50, you are going to play a top seed early.

"But, then again, you could catch them cold at that stage. If you are going to cause an upset, it is going to be early."

An entertaining game in the men's football between Honduras and Morocco has just ended in a 2-2 draw at Hampden Park. Spain v Japan gets under way at 2.45pm while Mexico v South Korea starts at 2.30pm from St James' Park.

Organisers are so keen to keep Friday's eagerly anticipated opening ceremony under wraps they have ordered clips from the dress rehearsal to be removed from YouTube, report the Press Association.

Madrid vows to carry on bidding for the 2020 Games despite the current economic crisis. "This is a time when the economy is not good, not only in Spain but around the world," Madrid Mayor Ana Botella said. Madrid are bidding for the third time and face competition from Tokyo and Istanbul.

Leeds United agree a deal to sign midfielder David Norris from Portsmouth subject to a medical.

Greece's world indoor high jump champion Dimitris Chondrokoukis is to pull out of the Olympics after testing positive for a banned substance, according to his father. "Dimitris will not take part in the Olympic Games, leaving unfulfilled a dream of a lifetime," said Kyriakos Chondrokoukis, who is also his coach.

Denmark's Thorbjorn Olesen moves to the top of the leaderboard at the Lyoness Open in Aztenbrugg, Austria, after carding a second-round 68.

French sprinter Christophe Lemaitre is set to skip the 100m to concentrate on the 200m, according to his coach. Lemaitre successfully defended his European 100m title this year but Pierre Carraz said: "In the results over 100m, Christophe is only ranked 10th among those who have entered. Over 200m, we can hope for a medal."

In the tennis men's doubles first round Andy and Jamie Murray will play Austrian pair Jurgen Melzer and Alexander Peya, while fellow British duo Colin Fleming and Ross Hutchins meet Frenchmen Richard Gasquet and Julien Benneteau.

In the women's doubles, Heather Watson and Laura Robson were handed a tough draw against fifth seeds Angelique Kerber and Sabine Lisicki of Germany, with Elena Baltacha and Anne Keothavong meeting another German pair, Julia Goerges and Anna-Lena Gronefeld.

The stand-out women's first-round match is Wimbledon champion Serena Williams against former world number one Jelena Jankovic. Top seed Victoria Azarenka is up against Irina-Camelia Begu. In the men's draw, Novak Djokovic will face Italy's Fabio Fognini, while Wimbledon champion Roger Federer meets Colombia's Alejandro Falla.

More news from the tennis draw earlier today: Anne Keothavong has a tough match when she takes on Caroline Wozniacki in the first round of the women's singles. British number one Heather Watson takes Spain's Silvia Soler Espinosa while Elena Baltacha is up against Hungary's Agnes Szavay.

Morocco are leading Honduras 1-0 at half-time at Hampden Park in the men's football. The goal was scored by Barrada and you can see the goal here (UK users only).

Bristol City complete the signing of Nottingham Forest winger Paul Anderson on a two-year contract.

Australian eventing rider Megan Jones is to withdraw from the London Olympics after her horse went lame. The eventing competition at Greenwich Park begins on Saturday.

Prime Minister David Cameron reacts to the flag mix-up at last night's North Korea v Colombia women's football match. "Every effort will be taken to make sure this won't happen again," he said. "It was unfortunate and should not have happened."

Sunderland manager Martin O'Neill confirms he had given Norwich City permission to talk to Michael Turner before Wes Brown's recent knee problem.

"Norwich had asked us about it before Wes' injury and so having given permission for Michael to go down there and the clubs having agreed a fee, it was just ironic that Wes got injured at the time." said O'Neill.

The fourth and final trip behind the scenes with heptathlete Jessica Ennis follows her to Austria as she continues her build-up to the Games with a record-breaking performance in Austria. "It's very much here now - I'm ready for it, I think," says one of Britain's big gold medal hopes.

Sunderland defender Wes Brown is waiting to find out the extent of a knee injury suffered while playing against Groningen last weekend. Manager Martin O'Neill said: "He will be assessed today. He is doing some scans and I'm hoping that the news is going to be OK. But his knee is really swollen."

Former England manager Fabio Capello signs a two-year contract to become new manager of Russia.

A translated statement on the Russian Football Union's website said: "The RFU will hold a press conference of the Russian Football Union, devoted to two issues: the results of bidding for the presidency of the RFU and the signing of a contract with a new head coach of Russian national team, Fabio Capello."

Sepp Blatter, the head of Fifa, had said players who missed the Olympics but then played for their clubs could be banned if their national authority complained. But Moynihan said: "I don't agree with Sepp Blatter's comments about banning him. I think Sepp Blatter needs to get closer to Team GB and join me on the Jubilee line (on the London Underground system) in the morning."

Gareth Bale's rapid return for Tottenham is welcomed by British Olympic Association (BOA) chairman Colin Moynihan. Bale played for Spurs against LA Galaxy this week despite missing the Olympics as he was injured when the GB squad was announced.

"I understand the response from some fans," said Moynihan. "My view is different, I welcome the fact he (Bale) has recovered from injury earlier than expected," said Moynihan.

Today's Olympic action is under way. Honduras v Morocco has kicked off at Hampden Park in the men's football and you can watch live action on the BBC Sport website (UK users only).

Two weightlifters are removed from Turkey's Olympic squad on suspicion of doping offences, according to the Anatolia news agency. Fatih Baydar and Ibrahim Arat have been expelled after failing tests on 7 July.

Saracens will play one of their Heineken Cup pool matches in Brussels. The game against Racing Metro of Paris will now take place at the Stade Roi Baudouin on Saturday 20 October.

Andy Murray will play Stanislas Wawrinka, the Swiss player he beat in the 2009 Wimbledon fourth round, in the first round of the tennis singles.

Roberto Mancini indicates Brian Marwood, Manchester City's football director, is responsible for the lack of signings this summer. "For this question, speak to the man in charge," he said. "I am not in charge of this. It is important to get players quickly because, after what we did last year, we must continue to win.

Doctors are cautiously optimistic that former South Africa wicketkeeper Mark Boucher will "have a reasonable recovery of the vision in his left eye", his GP Dr Peter Sandell has said in a statement released by Cricket South Africa today. Boucher sustained the freak injury in South Africa's first tour match at Somerset earlier this month.

Winning the FA Cup would not have saved Kenny Dalglish the Anfield sack, according to owner John W Henry. "The FA Cup would not have made any difference had he won it," the American told skysports.com. "For us we were 17th over the second half of the season and Liverpool should not be in that position."

Australia cycling coach Matt White wants his competitors to take an aggressive approach to deny Britain gold medals when the cycling event gets under way this weekend.

"Most of the traditional cycling nations don't want a sprint because they've got very limited chances of a medal. I expect the race to be aggressive early," he said.

Leicester announce the signings of back-rower Brett Deacon and scrum-half Pat Phibbs ahead of the new Aviva Premiership season. Deacon is back at his former club after two years at Gloucester, while Australian Phibbs was at Exeter last season.

Maria De Villota, the Marussia test driver who lost her right eye at Duxford airfield earlier this month, is released from hospital. The Spaniard has returned home after treatment in Madrid with a hospital statement confirming: "The patient is in good general condition, so she was discharged from hospital yesterday."

Arsenal's Abou Diaby says he is raring to go for the new season after an injury-hit campaign last term. "I'm fit now, I have been training since the beginning of pre-season and also did a rehabilitation session during my holidays - so now I feel great," he told the club's official website.

England manager Roy Hodgson will watch Great Britain in their second Olympic group match against United Arab Emirates at Wembley on Sunday. However, he will miss tonight's first match against Senegal in Cardiff. He is in Brazil preparing a potential training venue for the 2014 World Cup.

Former Rangers goalkeeper Allan McGregor has been undergoing medical tests with Besiktas in Istanbul, the Turkish club confirm on their website, and is expected to sign a two-year contract.

British Olympic Association chairman Lord Moynihan criticises Fifa president Sepp Blatter for suggesting Gareth Bale could be banned from playing for Tottenham during London 2012. "I think Sepp Blatter needs to get closer to Team GB," he says.

Toulon's English flanker Steffon Armitage has an "abnormal" doping test result, but the French Top 14 club insist he has not taken a banned substance.

Following last night's flag debacle at Hampden, the official Olympic football programme lists Welsh midfielder Joe Allen as 'English.'

Chelsea boss Roberto Di Matteo says of his new £25m signing Oscar, the 20-year-old Brazilian who is competing in the Olympic football competition: "Oscar is a very exciting young talent, a creative midfield player who scores goals. He will add a lot of options and solutions for us in midfield."

On the BBC website now we have our Greatest Olympians video montage. Who do you think is the greatest of all time? Let us know via #bbcsportsday

LOCOG chief executive Paul Deighton, speaking to BBC Radio 4 today on who will light Olympic flame says 'unanimity' was reached 'pretty quickly' and adds: "I think when everyone sees our choice, they will understand why we made it."

The BBC News website is running a rolling London 2012 build-up and on there you can find their 10-point guide to tomorrow's opening ceremony.

On the World section of the BBC News website you can read about Nur Suryani Mohamed Taibi, a shooter from Malaysia, who will compete in the 10m women's air rifle event at the Royal Artillery Barracks while eight months pregnant.

It's the final #olympicthursday across the BBC and on the BBC website today there is a feature by Matt Slater on Mark Cavendish's hopes for gold at London 2012.

Hull KR confirm the signing of 28-year-old New Zealand prop forward Evarn Tuimavave from Newcastle Knights on a two-year contract.

So it's Great Britain against Senegal at Old Trafford at 2000 BST tonight and you can listen to live commentary on BBC Radio 5 live. The match is also live on BBC One from 1900. There are also group games this afternoon from 1430, Spain v Japan and United Arab Emirates against Uruguay and they will be on BBC Two.

Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany signs a new six-year contract with the Premier League champions.

Good morning and welcome to Sportsday. One day to go before the London 2012 opening ceremony, but there is Olympic competition involving Great Britain's footballers at Old Trafford tonight.

We'll look ahead to that throughout the day but we begin with three stories from today's BBC Sport Gossip Column.

Arsenal are ready to make Robin van Persie stay at the club until the January transfer window. (Daily Star). Newcastle are not prepared to match Liverpool's £20m valuation of Andy Carroll (the Sun). Manchester United's move for Brazilian winger Lucas Moura can be resurrected, the Sao Paolo president says. (Daily Mail).