Israel Folau: Former Australia international's Catalans debut 'will be on merit'

Catalans Dragons coach Steve McNamara has said that Israel Folau will only be selected "when he is ready to contribute positively to the team".

The 30-year-old's signing by the Perpignan-based side attracted widespread criticism after he was sacked by Rugby Australia for a homophobic post on social media.

He was not included in the squad for Sunday's postponed game at Wakefield.

Les Dracs host Castleford in the Super League on Saturday.

"It's not based on anything other than football. [He'll play] when he's ready to contribute positively to the team on the field, as simple as that, whether that be home or away," McNamara said.

"Physically he's in good shape. He's not played the game for 10 years and he's not trained with a team for seven or eight months so it's going to take him some time but, in terms of how he looks after his body, he looks in really good shape.

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Fed Cup: Great Britain to face Mexico away in play-off tie

Great Britain will travel to Mexico in April for a Fed Cup play-off tie that they must win to avoid relegation.

Anne Keothavong's team failed to reach this year's inaugural Fed Cup Finals by losing a qualifying tie to Slovakia last weekend.

If they win in Mexico they will get the chance to qualify for the 2021 Finals but if they lose they will be relegated to the Europe/Africa zone that is notoriously difficult to get out of.

The tie will be played on 17-18 April.

Mexico, who as hosts will be able to choose the surface the best-of-five tie will be played on, will confirm the venue at a later date.

Last year, Great Britain ended a 26-year wait for promotion to the World Group level of the women's team competition.

They had reached promotion play-offs five times in eight years before finally getting out of the Europe/Africa zone and will be keen to avoid slipping back so soon.

Britain were without world number 14 Johanna Konta for the 3-1 defeat in Bratislava after she opted to sit out the Fed Cup this year to protect her body following a knee injury.

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Bournemouth player Jordon Ibe guilty over Bentley crash

A footballer crashed his Bentley into a coffee shop and drove off, leaving part of the vehicle behind in the rubble.

Bournemouth midfielder Jordon Ibe, 24, smashed into The Pantry on Plaistow Lane in Bromley, London, on 30 July.

He previously admitted careless driving but was found guilty of failing to stop after an accident at the hearing at Bexley Magistrates' Court on Monday.

Ibe was served with an interim driving ban and will be sentenced by Bromley magistrates on 3 March.

The court heard the vehicle hit the premises and a parked car at about 04:50 BST.

Prosecutors had said part of Ibe's white Bentley Bentayga 4x4 was left behind in the rubble of the shop front when he drove away.

The shop front had to be removed from its foundations to be made safe, the court heard.

Jonathan Morrissey, defending, said the player had waited at the scene for a reasonable length of time but no-one was available to exchange details with.

Ibe signed with AFC Bournemouth from Liverpool in 2016 for a reported £15m fee.

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South Africa coach Rassie Erasmus' Rugby World Cup final team talk revealed

Coach Rassie Erasmus has released footage of his Rugby World Cup final team talk, in which he tells his Springboks their performance against England can change South Africa.

"You don't have the right to worry about your mistakes," Erasmus tells his team in a video on his Twitter account.

"You are not representing yourself.

"You are fighting for the things that happen in South Africa. If you play badly today, you don't have the right to drop your head. It's not about you."

South Africa went on to win November's match 32-12, securing their third world title.

The story of Springbok captain Siya Kolisi, who grew up in a Port Elizabeth township in such poverty that his favourite toy was a brick, became an emblem of South Africa's victory as they toured their home country with the Webb Ellis trophy.

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Manchester United's post-Ferguson signings - success or failure?

Odion Ighalo's loan move to Manchester United was the 31st notable signing the club have made following their last Premier League title win in 2012-13.

Since Sir Alex Ferguson's retirement at the end of that campaign, four different permanent managers have spent close to £1bn pounds on new players without adding another league crown to their record haul of 20.

The Scot's chosen successor David Moyes got the ball rolling with the recruitment of Juan Mata and Marouane Fellaini, Louis van Gaal stepped up the spending on the likes of Angel di Maria and Anthony Martial, Jose Mourinho topped the lot with the then world record-purchase of Paul Pogba, while current boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has recently overseen the big-money signings of Harry Maguire and Bruno Fernandes.

They are averaging over £30m per signing on transfer fee alone, with an FA Cup, League Cup and Europa League title to show for it.

Their finishing league positions since Ferguson left: seventh, fourth, fifth, sixth, second and sixth.

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BBC Women's Footballer of the Year 2020: Nominees to be revealed

The BBC Women's Footballer of the Year 2020 nominees will be revealed on Wednesday, and you can vote for your favourite on the BBC Sport website.

The five-person shortlist has been chosen by a panel of experts including coaches, players, administrators and journalists.

Voting will open at 07:00 GMT on Wednesday and close at 09:00 GMT on Monday, 2 March.

The winner will be announced on Tuesday, 24 March on BBC World Service.

Olympique Lyonnais striker Ada Hegerberg won the award last year.

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Kobe Bryant's widow 'refusing to accept' deaths of husband and daughter

Kobe Bryant's widow, Vanessa, says her "brain refuses to accept" the deaths of her husband and their daughter, Gianna.

Los Angeles Lakers legend Bryant, 41, and 13-year-old 'Gigi' were among nine people to die in a helicopter crash in California in January.

Bryant, a five-time NBA champion, played for the Lakers throughout his career and is considered one of the greatest players in the game's history.

"I've been reluctant to put my feelings into words," said Vanessa Bryant.

Writing on Instagram, Vanessa - who had three other daughters with Bryant - added: "My brain refuses to accept that both Kobe and Gigi are gone. I can't process both at the same time. It's like I'm trying to process Kobe being gone but my body refuses to accept my Gigi will never come back to me. It feels wrong.

"Why should I be able to wake up another day when my baby girl isn't being able to have that opportunity?! I'm so mad. She had so much life to live.

"Then I realize I need to be strong and be here for my three daughters. Mad I'm not with Kobe and Gigi but thankful I'm here with Natalia, Bianka and Capri."

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Manchester United apply for permission to install rail seating at Old Trafford

Manchester United have applied for permission to install rail seating for up to 1,500 fans at Old Trafford.

United, one of the major supporters of safe standing, made the request to their local Safety Advisory Group (SAG) in December 2019.

The club proposes to replace some existing seats in the north-east corner of the stadium.

Season ticket holders in that area have been told a safe standing trial is likely to take place later this season.

In minutes published from a recent fans' forum meeting, United said it believed the introduction of rail seating will "enhance spectator safety" in areas of "persistent standing".

It added that the SAG is still reviewing the request.

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Pele: Brazil legend 'embarrassed' to leave house because of ill health

Legendary Brazil forward Pele is reluctant to leave his house because he cannot walk unaided, his son has said.

The three-time World Cup winner, widely regarded as the greatest player of all time, was taken to hospital with a urinary infection last year.

Pele, 79, has had problems with his hip for some time and now needs a frame to walk, with many of his recent public appearances in a wheelchair.

"He is very sheepish, reclusive," his son Edinho told TV Globo.

Pele scored a world record total of 1,281 goals in 1,363 appearances during his 21-year career, including 77 goals in 91 appearances for Brazil.

His health has been a concern in recent years and he had prostate surgery in 2015 after he was admitted to hospital for the second time in six months.

"Imagine, he's the King, he was always such an imposing figure and today he can't walk properly," Edinho explained.

"He's embarrassed, he doesn't want to go out, be seen, or do practically anything that involves leaving the house.

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England recall Keaton Jennings and Ben Foakes for Sri Lanka tour

England have recalled opener Keaton Jennings and wicketkeeper-batsman Ben Foakes for next month's Sri Lanka tour.

Neither has played for England in a Test since the tour of the West Indies at the start of 2019.

James Anderson, England's leading Test wicket-taker, is omitted as he recovers from a cracked rib suffered in the 3-1 series win in South Africa.

Batsman Jonny Bairstow and all-rounder Moeen Ali will also miss the two-Test series, which starts on 19 March.

Jofra Archer had already been ruled out because of a low-grade stress fracture in his right elbow, but fellow fast bowler Mark Wood will make the trip.

Left-arm spinner Jack Leach came back to England from the tour of South Africa in January because of illness but returns to the squad of 16 players.

"The South Africa tour marked the emergence of a very exciting group of young players, creating a nice balance with an experienced core of senior players," said national selector Ed Smith.

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Premier League reverts to longer summer transfer window

The Premier League’s summer transfer window will run until September 1 after top-flight clubs voted to bring themselves back in line with the rest of Europe.

For the previous two summers Premier League clubs have had to conclude their business before the start of the domestic season, which meant while European clubs could still recruit players from the Premier League until the end of August, no replacements could be brought in.


Liverpool chairman Tom Werner admitted that arrangement had “given an advantage” to the other European leagues and he welcomed the change, which was voted on at a Premier League shareholders’ meeting in London on Thursday.

This summer’s window, which closes at 5pm on September 1 with August 31 a Bank Holiday this year, promises to be an extremely busy one as clubs take advantage of the final opportunity to recruit on existing transfer rules, before the Brexit transition period concludes at the end of 2020.

From January 2021, new rules will be in place around the recruitment of players from the European Union, which are still to be determined by the football authorities.

It is understood title-holders Manchester City had initially been proponents of a ‘hybrid’ transfer window, whereby domestic transfers had to be done before the start of the season but the international window remained open until the end of August.

However, when it came down to a choice of retaining the status quo or extending the window for all transfers, it is understood City favoured the latter.

Manchester United did not comment on how they voted this time, but voted against the decision to bring the deadline forward in September 2017.

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Tier 2 trapdoor may be triggered by score difference

Two rounds into the Allianz Football League, it already appears that points might not be sufficient to decide which teams from Divisions 2 and 3 are consigned to the second-tier championship this summer.

Left to right: Clare manager Colm Collins, Kildare boss Jack O
Left to right: Clare manager Colm Collins, Kildare boss Jack O'Connor and Cavan's Mickey Graham - all of whom have led to side's to one win and one loss in the opening rounds of the National Football League. Pictures: Sportsfile
The top six teams in Division 2 and top two in Division 3 will be rewarded with a place in the qualifiers, avoiding being pushed into the secondary championship for the 16 lowest-ranked teams.


Of course, the two relegated teams from Division 3 and the 14 others across Division 3 and 4 could yet earn a place in the backdoor system of the Sam Maguire Cup, should they reach their respective provincial championship final.

But with Cork drawn to face Kerry in a May 24 Munster semi-final and the winners of Armagh/Derry facing Donegal or Tyrone in the Ulster last four, the league would appear their best chance of full championship citizenship.

With all but Cork having dropped points across Division 2 and 3, the margins couldn’t be much tighter, and history would suggest they will remain that way up to the conclusion of the league next month.

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Liam Sheedy: 'Antrim hurling a sleeping giant’

Liam Sheedy hopes Saturday’s game between Antrim and Tipperary to open Davitt Park on Belfast’s Falls Road can generate more promotion for Gaelic games in the city and county.

Gaelfast, the €1m five-year initiative to bolster the engagement levels with the GAA in Belfast and the county under the stewardship of Paul Donnelly, has already seen foundations laid across all communities in the city.

Sheedy’s association with Antrim stems back to 2017 when he assisted with their Celtic Challenge team.

That same year, he was approached by his fellow Hurling 2020 committee member Sambo McNaughton and Gary O’Kane who convinced him to help out McNaughton’s senior hurling backroom team in July 2017 and he remained a part of the set-up for the 2018 season.

His fellow Portroe man Darren Gleeson, who Sheedy brought in as goalkeeping coach in 2018, is now manager and Sheedy’s affection for the county is obvious.

“When I was up there I went into the social centre in Casement Park and when Darren and myself were in there they played ‘Slievenamon’.

“There’s a really good core of GAA people up there and it’s sad when you see what Casement Park has turned into over the last couple of years.

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Real Madrid dumped out of Copa del Rey by Real Sociedad

Real Sociedad produced a shock 4-3 win at LaLiga leaders Real Madrid to reach the semi-finals of the Copa del Rey.

Midfielder Martin Odegaard – who is on a two-year loan at Sociedad – broke the deadlock against his parent club after 22 minutes.


Alexander Isak then scored twice in the space of two minutes early in the second half to leave the Santiago Bernabeu faithful stunned.

Marcelo pulled a goal back before Mikel Merino restored the visitors’ advantage. Vinicius saw a header ruled out by VAR, but Marcelo did make it 4-2.

Nacho set up a dramatic final few minutes of added time, but although defender Ander Gorosabel was sent off for a second caution, Sociedad closed out a famous victory.

Los Blancos coach Zinedine Zidane had opted for some seven changes from the side which beat rivals Atletico Madrid, but there was still no place in the squad for Wales forward Gareth Bale.

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Sterling injury blow for Manchester City

Manchester City have confirmed that Raheem Sterling will miss Sunday’s Premier League clash with West Ham due to a hamstring injury.

However, there remains uncertainty over the extent of Sterling’s injury, which he sustained midway through his side’s Premier League defeat at Tottenham.

There are fears that Sterling could be ruled out for up to four weeks, which means he would miss the first leg of City’s Champions League last-16 tie against Real Madrid.

City tweeted: “Raheem Sterling will miss our game against West Ham this weekend after scans revealed he has suffered damage to his left hamstring. Everyone at City wishes @sterling7 a full and speedy recovery”.

Fortunately for City, Sterling’s injury coincides with their mid-season break, which begins after the Hammers game and lasts for almost two weeks.

City are due to travel to Leicester on February 22 before facing the Spanish giants at the Bernabeu Stadium four days later.

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Premier League clubs vote for return to longer

Premier League clubs have voted to change the summer transfer window to bring it in line with the rest of Europe.

For the past two seasons, the window in England has closed the day before the top-flight campaign began.

In a statement, the Premier League said the deadline has been changed to the "traditional point at the end of August/early September".

The 2020 closing date will be 1 September at 17:00 BST.

The vote was taken at a Premier League shareholders' meeting in London on Thursday.

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Barcelona's hopes of reaching a seventh successive Copa del Rey final have ended

The tight contest was decided in the third minute of stoppage time when Spanish forward Inaki Williams headed past Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

Barcelona captain Lionel Messi wasted a good late chance when he fired at the legs of Athletic goalkeeper Unai Simon.

There was another cup shock earlier when Real Madrid lost to Real Sociedad.

It means for the first time since 2010, the Copa del Rey final will feature neither Barcelona nor Real.

The two surprise results come a day after second-tier side Mirandes defeated Villarreal 4-2. Granada, who overcame Valencia 2-1, make up the semi-final line-up.

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Erling Braut Haaland: Dortmund 'best place now

Teenage striker Erling Braut Haaland is the hottest property in Europe at the moment and his scoring rate has not slowed since joining Borussia Dortmund from Red Bull Salzburg in January.

The 19-year-old Norwegian rejected the approach of compatriot Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the Manchester United manager, and has started life in Germany in sensational fashion, netting eight goals in his first four games.

"I don't think there is any chance you could imagine him doing that," former Middlesbrough and Sheffield United striker Jan-Age Fjortoft told BBC Radio 5 Live.

"He is scoring more or less every chance he has got. He has just been brilliant and is one of the greatest prospects we have in football.

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Neymar's party and Kylian Mbappe power struggle

Paris St-Germain are no strangers to their star men attracting the headlines, and two of their most influential - Neymar and Kylian Mbappe - have taken centre stage in recent days.

Brazil forward Neymar hosted a lavish birthday party in Paris complete with all-white dress code, while France World Cup winner Mbappe and PSG boss Thomas Tuchel had a very public falling-out on the touchline.

BBC Radio 5 Live's Julien Laurens - who was at the party - and European football expert Guillem Balague discussed PSG's issues and what the future holds on the latest Euro Leagues podcast.

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Real Sociedad's Martin Odegaard scored

The Norwegian midfielder, who is on a two-year loan, opened the scoring.

Alexander Isak netted twice in two minutes, including a superb acrobatic effort, as Sociedad went 3-0 ahead.

Marcelo and Rodrygo scored for Madrid, in between Mikel Merino adding Sociedad's fourth, with Nacho heading in late on.

The defender's 93rd-minute goal set up a tense finish at the Bernabeu as the referee played eight additional minutes. Although Sociedad's Andoni Gorosabel was sent off for a second yellow card, Real Madrid were unable to find the equaliser.

Real Madrid's Vinicius Junior had a header ruled out by the video assistant referee for offside in the second half.

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Kerry captaincy: Peter Keane gets call on replacement skipper

The Kerry senior football champions no longer have a say in who captains the county in the event of the player they nominated failing to make the team on match-day.

Delegates were informed at Monday’s board meeting that if the footballer nominated by the county championship-winning club or division is omitted from the starting 15 for a league or championship fixture, then the decision as to who captains Kerry for that particular game is made by management.

Moreover, management are under no obligation to choose another player from that county championship-winning club or division.

County secretary Peter Twiss said this had always been Kerry policy, but explained it had become “loose” over the past 10 years and needed to be tidied up.

Ahead of the 2019 inter-county season, Dr Crokes nominated Gavin White as Kerry captain.

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Ro-Shaun Williams’ own goal sees Liverpool youngsters edge Shrewsbury FA Cup replay

The youngest team in Liverpool’s history justified the faith Jurgen Klopp placed in them when he absented himself and his first team from their FA Cup fourth-round replay by beating Shrewsbury 1-0 at Anfield.

Former Manchester United academy player Ro-Shaun Williams’ 75th-minute own goal proved to be the difference, moments after the League One visitors saw David Edwards’ header ruled out by VAR.

Klopp had been accused of disrespecting the cup when he chose to honour the mid-season Premier League break by sending all his stars on holiday rather than play in this game.

But their replacements did themselves, Klopp and the club proud with a performance full of confidence and commitment which belied their tender years.

With an average age of 19 years and 102 days, three debutants, 36 senior appearances between them and squad numbers ranging from 46 to 93 this was a very inexperienced team at any level never mind a somewhat controversial cup tie in front of almost 53,000 at Anfield.

There was at least some first-team representation at the match with James Milner, who has remained behind to continue his rehabilitation work at Melwood rather than going away, sat in the first row behind the dugout.

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Rooney books FA Cup reunion with Manchester United

Wayne Rooney booked a dream FA Cup reunion with Manchester United after Derby cruised past Northampton.

The striker scored from the spot to cap the Rams’ 4-2 fourth-round replay win over the Cobblers on Tuesday.

They will now host 12-time winners United in the fifth round next month.

Andre Wisdom’s first goal in almost eight years and strikes from Duane Holmes and Jack Marriott helped send the hosts through.

Nicky Adams’ goal threatened to haul Northampton, the lowest ranked team left in the competition, back into the tie while Sam Hoskins scored a late penalty.

Rooney, the Red Devils’ record scorer, returned to English football this season after 18 months with DC United.

He will now face United next month for the third time since leaving Old Trafford for Everton in 2017.

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