Sports in brief

COLLEGE FOOTBALL

USC's Sarkisian speaks on Shaw

Southern California coach Steve Sarkisian says he shares blame with the athletic department for publicizing cornerback Josh Shaw's bogus story about injuring his ankles while saving his nephew from drowning. He also said yesterday that the suspended Shaw could "potentially" return at some point this season.

Other things need to take place, Sarkisian said, "but in the meantime he's got to take care of his health and take care of himself, and when the time is right to bring him back, we will."

The first-year coach said Shaw still hasn't told the Trojans exactly how he sprained both of his ankles.

Sarkisian had to deal with another issue when running back Anthony Brown quit the team and made apparent accusations of racism against Sarkisian on social media.

A photo of the words "Couldn't play for a racist man!!!!" was posted on what USC said was Brown's Instagram account, which was later deleted. "Sark treated me like a slave in his Office," was posted in the caption to the photo, along with the hashtag "Fighton."

"Ridiculous," Sarkisian called it. "If you ask anybody in our building, any of our players . . . that's about the furthest thing from the truth," he said. "Quite honestly, I'm shocked."

SOCCER

Real Madrid opens vs. Liverpool

Real Madrid will start its Champions League campaign against five-time winner Liverpool, FC Basel and Bulgarian club Ludogorets Razgrad. The 10-time champs, aiming to become the first team to defend the title in 25 years, were drawn into Group B yesterday . . . UEFA President Michel Platini said Europe deserves an extra team at the next World Cup. He pledged to ask FIFA after Germany made it three straight titles for Europe. -- AP