Sport news

• Chris Ashton eager to make up for lost time after winger recalled by new England coach Eddie Jones 

  14-01-2016 23:57 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Chris Ashton was called ‘mad as a cut snake’ by Eddie Jones, but the Saracens wing was deadly serious about earning another shot with England.
  
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• The only way is up for athletics after the day it hit rock bottom... we can clean the sport up thanks to the press

  14-01-2016 23:49 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  BRENDAN FOSTER: To many people, Thursday was the worst day in the history of athletics. But in many ways it was the best day because the sport hit rock bottom and the only way is up.
  
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• Paula Radcliffe effectively cleared of wrongdoing by WADA report as marathon world record holder backs Lord Coe

  14-01-2016 23:43 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Paula Radcliffe was effectively exonerated of wrongdoing on Thursday after a leaked database of suspicious blood values had forced her to deny taking performance enhancing drugs.
  
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• Lord Coe still standing after athletics' darkest day but IAAF president admits: 'We failed our sport' 

  14-01-2016 23:40 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  MATT LAWTON IN MUNICH: Lord Coe has admitted being part of a ‘failed’ organisation after athletics' governing body ,the IAAF, was accused of seriously mishandling the current doping crisis.
  
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• Lord Coe breaks bread with the powerful... so how could he know nothing about arguably the greatest sporting scandal of the modern age?

  14-01-2016 23:39 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  MARTIN SAMUEL: If anything encapsulates the existential crisis that is engulfing athletics right now it is this: Lord Coe is still seen as the best man for the job of president of the IAAF.
  
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• Robin Goodfellow's Racing Tips: All the best bets for Friday, January 15

  14-01-2016 23:38 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Sportsmail racing expert Robin Goodfellow gives his hottest selections ahead of Friday's race meetings at Huntingdon, Lingfield and Wolverhampton.
  
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• Sheik Salman deal to bring Asia and Africa closer could clinch FIFA presidency vote

  14-01-2016 23:36 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  CHARLES SALE - SPORTS AGENDA:Sheik Salman will have an unassailable lead if, as a result of this agreement, a significant number of voters from CAF add to the sheik’s support base.
  
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• Brazilian legend Pele recovering well after undergoing small repair on replacement hip 

  14-01-2016 23:35 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Pele is recovering well from a small operation to repair his replacement hip, a spokesman said on Thursday. Pele had the surgery in New York in December during his holidays.
  
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• Atletico, Valencia through to Spanish Cup quarters

  14-01-2016 23:35
  Antoine Griezmann scored twice off the bench as Atletico Madrid sealed a place in the King's Cup quarter-finals with a 3-0 win at home to Rayo Vallecano on Thursday while Valencia also advanced with victory by the same scoreline at Granada. Atletico and Valencia join holders and record winners Barcelona, Athletic Bilbao, Sevilla, Celta Vigo, Las Palmas and second-division Mirandes, the only non-La Liga side left in the competition, in Friday's draw for the last eight. Rayo held their more illust
  
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• Real Madrid and Atletico transfer bans leave Gareth Bale, Cristiano Ronaldo, David de Gea and Diego Simeone in limbo

  14-01-2016 23:30 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  PETE JENSON IN MADRID: Both clubs will appeal against their punishments and on Thursday night were torn between trying to push through transfers or bank on the appeal process.
  
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• Granada 0-3 Valencia (agg 0-7): Gary Neville's men through to Copa del Rey quarter-finals after emphatic victory

  14-01-2016 23:18 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Valencia booked their spot in this season's Copa del Rey quarter-finals following a  confident 3-0 away victory over Granada in the competition's round of 16. 
  
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• South Africa wicketkeeper Quinton De Kock left red-faced after injuring knee walking his dog and missing England clash

  14-01-2016 23:17 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  South Africa’s Quinton De Kock will go down in the annals of bizarre sporting injuries after Dean Elgar confirmed he was ruled out of the third Test against England following a freak dog-walking accident.
  
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• Arsenal set for summer midfield shake-up following £5m signing of Mohamed Elneny

  14-01-2016 23:01 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Arsene Wenger will sanction a central midfield shake-up in the summer after completing the £5million swoop for Mohamed Elneny. The Egyptian's switch was announced on Thursday.
  
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• Future of Coe aide uncertain after report criticism

  14-01-2016 22:53
  (Reuters) - The future of a key aide to IAAF president Sebastian Coe was in doubt on Thursday after Nick Davies, the federation's deputy general secretary, was criticised in a report into athletics' corruption scandal. Davies, who became Coe's chief of staff after the latter's election to the top job at the sport's world governing body, last month temporarily stood down amid an investigation into allegations against him of unethical behaviour. Davies made his decision following a leaked email of
  
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• Southampton fear Graziano Pelle will return to Italy amid Lazio and Juventus interest

  14-01-2016 22:50 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Southampton want to keep Pelle, but the fact the forward has just 18 months left on his existing deal complicates matters. Saints would look to sell Pelle in the summer if he does not sign a deal.
  
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• Atletico Madrid 3-0 (agg 4-1) Rayo Vallecano: Antoine Griezmann scores twice as hosts secure Copa del Rey progression

  14-01-2016 22:47 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Antoine Griezmann scored twice off the bench as Atletico Madrid sealed a place in the Copa del Rey quarter-finals with victory at home to Rayo Vallecano on Thursday.
  
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• Arsenal star Mesut Ozil picks up Germany national team player of the year for fourth time in the last five years

  14-01-2016 22:43 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Ozil played in all but one international last year and garnered 45.9 per cent of the votes to finish above second placed Thomas Muller (15.9%)and Jonas Hector (13.6%) in third.
  
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• Manchester United and Chelsea could stil be tempted by Alexandre Pato move

  14-01-2016 22:38 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  The former AC Milan star scored 10 goals while on loan at Sao Paulo in Brazil last season, while his contract with his parent club Corinthians expires in December
  
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• Rio cancels contract for Olympic tennis center due to delays

  14-01-2016 22:25
  The city of Rio de Janeiro canceled the construction contract for the Olympic tennis center on Thursday, just 200 days before the start of the games, fining the consortium responsible for delays and breach of contract for the mostly finished venue. Rio has slapped an 11 million reais ($2.7 million) fine on the consortium, according to an entry in the city's Official Gazette. The consortium is comprised of local builders IBEG Engenharia e Construções, Tangran Engenharia and Grupo Da
  
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• After wild-card sweep by visitors, here come the big boys

  14-01-2016 22:22
  
  Rested or rusty, here come the four NFL teams with the best records.
  
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• Too late for Russia to be ready for Rio - Tygart

  14-01-2016 22:01
  Russia's track and field athletes should not be allowed to compete in the this year's Rio Olympics as the country cannot prove it is compliant with the doping rules, America's top anti-doping official said on Thursday. Travis Tygart, chief executive for the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, told Reuters he was particularly concerned about rushing to clear Russia's track and field federation for the Aug. 5-21 Rio Olympics. "It's too late to ensure that those in this state supported doping program are not
  
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• Max Verstappen uses chain-covered tyres to take on snowy course in Austria

  14-01-2016 21:49 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  As temperatures dropped well below freezing in Kitzhbuhel, Red Bull fitted their 2011 title-winning car with chain-covered tyres as they looked to make Formula One history.
  
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• Pele recovering well from hip surgery in New York

  14-01-2016 21:45
  Pele is recovering well from a small operation to repair his replacement hip, an official who works with the former Brazil, Santos and New York Cosmos great said on Thursday. The 75-year-old triple World Cup winner had the preparatory operation at the Special Surgery hospital in New York on Dec. 3, Pepito, his long-time press officer, told Reuters. "(Pele) took advantage of his holidays to spend time in New York with his daughters and granddaughters and he had this small reparatory procedure," P
  
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• Giants name Ben McAdoo to replace Coughlin

  14-01-2016 21:44
  
  EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (AP) — Ben McAdoo has been named the New York Giants coach.
  
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• Bristol City sack Steve Cotterill just eight months after guiding club to Championship

  14-01-2016 21:41 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  The former Burnley and Nottingham Forest manager rescued the club from relegation trouble after being appointed midway through 2013-14 before winning League One the following season.
  
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• Vikings kicker meets supportive, letter-writing1st-graders

  14-01-2016 21:39
  
  BLAINE, Minn. (AP) — The first-graders at Northpoint Elementary obediently sat cross-legged on the floor, eagerly awaiting the arrival of their newfound friend.
  
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• Patriots Pro Bowl DL Chandler Jones: 'I made a mistake'

  14-01-2016 21:39
  
  FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — Patriots defensive lineman Chandler Jones apologized to his teammates and the New England fans on Thursday for "a pretty stupid mistake" that led brought him, shirtless and disoriented, to a local police station. Police who went to his house said it smelled like burning marijuana.
  
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• Rams fans sue team, alleging false statements by Kroenke

  14-01-2016 21:26
  
  ST. LOUIS (AP) — Rams owner Stan Kroenke and others violated Missouri law by lying about their desire to keep the NFL team in St. Louis, according to a lawsuit filed by fans that seeks class-action status and unspecified damages.
  
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• We’ll Leave it There So: Real Madrid transfer ban, Munster players stay put and all today’s sport

  14-01-2016 21:21
  
  Meanwhile, a damning WADA report has put Russian athletics back in the spotlight.
  
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• Copenhagen confirm Leicester bid for Daniel Amartey

  14-01-2016 21:20
  By Philip O'Connor (Reuters) - High-flying Premier League club Leicester City are in negotiations to sign Daniel Amartey from FC Copenhagen after making a bid for the Ghana international, the Danish club said on Thursday. Local media reported that Leicester, who are second in the Premier League behind Arsenal on goal difference, had offered around 60 million Danish crowns (6 million pounds) for the 21-year-old midfielder. "There are rumours today in the market that FC Copenhagen is planning to s
  
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• UN chief warns Syrian starvation a war crime

  14-01-2016 21:13
  
  Ban Ki-moon's comments come after the second international convoy reaches famine-hit Madaya to deliver humanitarian aid.
  
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• 49ers hire Chip Kelly as new coach

  14-01-2016 21:02
  
  SANTA CLARA, Calif. (AP) — Chip Kelly is the offensive-minded, experienced head coach the San Francisco 49ers have long sought, and now he needs to win — right away.
  
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• Jonny Bairstow shines as England edge poor South Africa with hosts slipping from 117-1 to 267-7 on first day of third Test

  14-01-2016 20:51 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  PAUL NEWMAN IN JOHANNESBURG: Jonny Bairstow followed on from his first England century in Cape Town with a fine display with the gloves on the first day of the third Test in Johannesburg.
  
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• IAAF accepts 'gravity' of report's findings

  14-01-2016 20:40
  By Mitch Phillips LONDON (Reuters) - The IAAF said it "fully acknowledges and accepts the extreme gravity" of the findings of the WADA independent commission on Thursday after athletics' governing body was hammered for weak governance that allowed widespread corruption at the top. The International Athletics Federation (IAAF) said in a statement that the weakness of its governance "had allowed individuals at the head of the previous regime to delay the following of normal procedures in certain d
  
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• Everton close in on £3million deal for Leeds star Sam Byram as Championship club accept bid for young right back

  14-01-2016 20:29 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  The 22-year-old has also been the subject of strong interest from Aston Villa and West Ham United, both of whom have made offers for the right back. Everton's interest goes back more than a year.
  
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• Chile says negotiations have broken down with coach Sampaoli

  14-01-2016 20:18
  Chile's football association (ANFP) said on Thursday that negotiations had broken down with coach Jorge Sampaoli, who has indicated that he is looking for a way out of his contract. Sampaoli, who led the national team to their first major trophy at last year's Copa America, said on Wednesday that he no longer feels respected in Chile and was hoping to resolve his differences with the ANFP in order to end his contract early. This was unfortunately rejected by the coach," said ANFP vice-president
  
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• WADA knew about Russian doping for years - whistleblower

  14-01-2016 20:16
  The World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) was aware of systematic doping in Russia for years but did nothing until a documentary jolted the agency into action, a former Russian Anti-Doping Agency official told CBC. Vitaly Stepanov and wife Yuliya, an international runner who was banned for doping, were the whistleblowers who provided key evidence for a German television documentary that led to the establishment of a WADA independent commission.
  
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• Roma coach Luciano Spalletti 'excited' to return to club as he takes first training session after replacing sacked Rudi Garcia

  14-01-2016 20:00 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Luciano Spalletti is looking forward to coaching in his home league again with Roma. Spalletti was welcomed by about 50 fans at the city's main airport on Thursday, before taking training.
  
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• Masters snooker: Ronnie O'Sullivan through to semi-final following victory over Mark Selby

  14-01-2016 19:59
  
  Ronnie O'Sullivan continued his successful return to tournament snooker with a Masters quarter-final victory over Mark Selby on 14 January. The 40-year-old, who returned from a nine-month break from the sport to beat Mark Williams in round one, booked his place in the last four by triumphing 6-3 at Alexandra Palace. Selby hit back with a score of 85 but another century from O'Sullivan had the 2014 champion well on his way to a comfortable win in the best of 11 match.
  
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• Vikings kicker meets empathetic letter-writing 1st-graders

  14-01-2016 19:58
  
  BLAINE, Minn. (AP) — Minnesota kicker Blair Walsh says the messages sent to him by a group of first-graders after he missed the field goal that would've won a playoff game for the Vikings were so touching that he visited the kids at school.
  
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• Ireland ‘feels like the right place’ for one of the UFC’s rising stars

  14-01-2016 19:49
  
  Makwan Amirkhani has linked up with SBG in Dublin ahead of his fight next month at UFC London.
  
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• Premier League strugglers Sunderland snap up Senegal striker Dame N'Doye on loan

  14-01-2016 19:45 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Sunderland have signed Senegal striker Dame N'Doye on loan from Trabzonspor for the rest of the season. Sam Allardyce said: 'Dame will bring something different to our forward options.'
  
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• Pirelli want top level tyre test commitment

  14-01-2016 19:45
  By Alan Baldwin BIRMINGHAM, England (Reuters) - Pirelli want triple champion Lewis Hamilton and other top Formula One drivers to find time in their crowded schedules for tyre testing ahead of potentially major changes in 2017, motorsport director Paul Hembery said on Thursday. "I’m not really sure where some of that came from," he said.
  
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• Pirelli want top level tire test commitment

  14-01-2016 19:43
  By Alan Baldwin BIRMINGHAM, England (Reuters) - Pirelli want triple champion Lewis Hamilton and other top Formula One drivers to find time in their crowded schedules for tire testing ahead of potentially major changes in 2017, motorsport director Paul Hembery said on Thursday.
  
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• Jack Russell trips up South Africa again

  14-01-2016 19:42
  By Mark Gleeson JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - It was not the first time that a Jack Russell had upset South Africa’s plans against England at the Wanderers but the bizarre injury suffered by Quinton de Kock had nothing in common with the batting heroics of a fellow wicketkeeper 20 years ago. De Kock had to withdraw from South Africa’s team for the third test just hours before play on Thursday after hurting his knee when he tripped while out walking his Jack Russell dogs on the eve of the
  
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• Ronnie O'Sullivan books semi-final berth at the Masters with victory over Mark Selby

  14-01-2016 19:40 via dailymail.co.uk
  
  Ronnie O'Sullivan completed a tremendous clearance to beat Mark Selby and book his spot in the semi-finals of the Masters. O'Sullivan cleared the table with a 73 for a 6-3 victory.
  
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