VICE Sports World News Roundup: December 8

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It's the 8th of December, 2015, and Sepp Blatter is still, technically, president of FIFA.

Former UEFA president and Blatter's ex-friend Michel Platini is taking his case to the the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) beginning today. He's appealing FIFA's provisional 90-day ban—for that non-existent contract paid out by Blatter years later via mysterious circumstances coincidentally right after Platini agreed not to run against Sepp for president—so that he can still run for FIFA president this time. Even a favorable ruling, however, wouldn't guarantee he can still run: FIFA instituted some sort of ethics requirement that all candidates must pass, that, ostensibly, is more rigorous than asking "Are you corrupt? Come on, you can tell us." FIFA's electoral committee would decide on all that. But we're getting ahead of ourselves. CAS expects to rule by the end of the week.

Oscar Pistorius was granted bail while he awaits sentencing in April on his murder conviction. After serving one year in prison and being released, a judge changed his conviction from manslaughter to murder, which Pistorius is appealing. He can stay at his uncle's house, wear an electronic tag, and travel within a 12-mile radius between 7 AM and midday.

The International Olympic Committee's executive board meets this week, and they have a lot to talk about. The list includes: Rio water pollution, the devaluation of Brazilian currency and its affect on Olympic preparation, and a report on anti-doping preparations, including Russia's moves to comply with WADA regulations. Everyone seems to expect Russia to compete in Rio this summer.

LeBron James inked a lifetime contract with Nike, but since no one will say any specifics about the deal, such as how much it's worth or whether LeBron will be repping Nike-branded wheelchairs in 50 years, this is basically worthless news. All we know is that it's more than Durant's 10-year, $300 million deal, which puts the possible number somewhere between $300 million and infinity, still resulting in infinite possibilities.

The Champions League concludes the group stage this week, starting with a slate of matches today which mostly don't matter. There's a chance Manchester United can miss out on the knockout round, but otherwise there will only be jockeying for first or second place in several groups. If you have to choose which day to sneak off and "work" from the local soccer bar, definitely hold off until tomorrow.

Today's photo of the day comes from the International Premier Tennis League, where photographer Mark Cristino used his nifty skills to show the Czech Republic's Karolina Pliskova serve.