Wada expects allegations to be investigated

Allegations that American football legend Peyton Manning took human growth hormone should be investigated, says the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada). Wada also described the allegations, which Manning dismissed as "complete garbage", as "very concerning". Al Jazeera reported that Denver Broncos quarterback Manning was treated with human growth hormone (HGH) during his recovery from neck surgery in 2011. Its source - Texas-based pharmacist Charlie Sly - has since recanted. The Al Jazeera documentary linked players from the National Football League (NFL) and Major League Baseball (MLB) with performance-enhancing drugs. "Al Jazeera's allegations are very concerning, particularly as it relates to the NFL's and MLB's testing programmes," David Howman, director-general of Wada, said in a statement. "While the NFL and the MLB are not signatories to the world anti-doping code, in recent years Wada has been working with them and other professional leagues in the United States to try to bring them closer to Wada's programme. "As it relates to the particular allegations by Al Jazeera, Wada expects that they will be carefully investigated by the relevant authorities and that, if warranted, necessary and appropriate steps would be taken." The NFL collective bargaining agreement, ratified in 2011, banned HGH but players were not tested for it until 2014. No NFL player has tested positive for HGH. MLB said it would investigate allegations made in the documentary that several of its players took banned hormone supplement Delta-2.

Manchester United boss walks out of news conference

Under-pressure Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal answered only three questions before walking out of a news conference on Wednesday. The 64-year-old Dutchman was unhappy at being asked about his future following speculation that he could be sacked. The media briefing, ahead of Saturday's game at Stoke, lasted only five minutes before Van Gaal's departure. The former Netherlands boss said he had only turned up to speak to journalists because of Premier League rules. As he left, he told the reporters: "I wish you a merry Christmas and maybe also a happy new year when I see you. Enjoy the wine and a mince pie. Goodbye." United are without a win in six games, having lost their last three matches to Wolfsburg, Bournemouth and Norwich.

The secret to success

 Fewer stars, more team players -- that's the way to win one of the world's biggest football tournaments, according to Owen Hargreaves. Ahead of Saturday's draw for the 2016 European Championship in Paris, former England international Hargreaves believes many teams are missing a trick by not focusing more on togetherness rather than individual brilliance. It's a failing that Hargreaves reckons England have been guilty of in the past by trying to cram too many star names into the squad. And he points to the Greece team which stunned the football world by winning the European Championship finals in 2004 to back up his argument. Without any household names, Greece was not expected to achieve anything of note in Portugal but ended up defeating the host nation in the final.

Euro 2016: The secret to success

Fewer stars, more team players -- that's the way to win one of the world's biggest football tournaments, according to Owen Hargreaves. Ahead of Saturday's draw for the 2016 European Championship in Paris, former England international Hargreaves believes many teams are missing a trick by not focusing more on togetherness rather than individual brilliance. It's a failing that Hargreaves reckons England have been guilty of in the past by trying to cram too many star names into the squad. And he points to the Greece team which stunned the football world by winning the European Championship finals in 2004 to back up his argument. Without any household names, Greece was not expected to achieve anything of note in Portugal but ended up defeating the host nation in the final. "You think about Greece winning Euro 2004. How many of those players were star players?" Hargreaves, who enjoyed a successful career with Bayern Munich and Manchester United,

Euro 2016: Host France to open against Romania in Stade de France

Host France will open Euro 2016 against Romania as the draw for the 24-team tournament was made Saturday in Paris. The Stade de France, targeted in the Paris attacks last month, will be the venue for the first match as well as the final on July 10. The draw at Le Palais des Congres in the French capital was held amid tight security as the representatives of the participating nations learned their opponents for next summer's finals.

La Liga: 'Yellow Submarine' sinks wasteful Real

Real Madrid failed to take advantage of Barcelona's slip up and left huge question marks over its La Liga title bid as it lost 1-0 to Villarreal in Sunday's late game in Spain. Real was hoping to take advantage of Barca's disappointing 2-2 home draw with Deportivo La Coruna Saturday, but an early goal by Roberto Soldado in El Madrigal proved its undoing. To rub salt into the wound, city rival Atletico had earlier come from a goal down to beat Athletic Bilbao, drawing level with Barcelona on points at the top.

'Chelsea boss feels work was 'betrayed' by players'

Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho said he felt his "work was betrayed" in the Blues' defeat by Leicester in the Premier League. The defending champions suffered their ninth league defeat in 16 games with a 2-1 loss against the Foxes, who go top. It leaves the club in 16th position, just a point above the relegation zone. "One of my best qualities is to read the game for my players and I feel like my work was betrayed," said Portuguese boss Mourinho. "One possibility is that I did an amazing job last season and brought the players to a level that is not their level and now they can't maintain it."

China football revolution can be a financial game changer

When Chinese investors recently decided to acquire a 13% stake in Manchester City's parent firm, it put the country's renewed interest in football firmly in the spotlight. The world's second largest economy has never been a football powerhouse, qualifying for just one World Cup. Meanwhile, the population seems more interested in NBA basketball than the sport known in the UK as "the people's game". But over the past couple of years Chinese investors and firms have quietly been acquiring stakes in football clubs in England, Spain, France, Netherlands and the Czech Republic, while President Xi Jinping has professed a love of the game. So why are the Chinese now snapping up stakes in European clubs?  sours:bbc

Roy Hodgson: England boss likely to take charge until 2018

England boss Roy Hodgson is likely to remain in charge for the 2018 World Cup campaign, Football Association chief executive Martin Glenn has said. Hodgson was hired in 2012 and his deal runs until Euro 2016. "If we do well in the Euros, then he is our man for 2018 - and I believe we will do well in the Euros," Glenn said. "If we see progress, this will make us feel that Roy is the best person to take this young team forward and really fire at the next two tournaments." Glenn was speaking directly before the Euro 2016 draw, which saw England placed in a group with Wales, Russia and Slovakia.

Euro 2016 draw: Guide to the 24 finalists in France

The Euro 2016 groups and fixtures were decided on Saturday. Each qualified nation were assigned to one of four pots for the draw according to their Uefa coefficient ranking, which is based on all competitive results since September 2010. Which of the finalists is "practically the finished article", and which is "as interesting as an early morning trip to, Ikea"

Australia vs West Indies: James Pattinson stars in Australia win

 

James Pattinson took 5-27 as Australia beat the West Indies by an innings and 212 runs in the first Test in Hobart. Australia wrapped up the victory in three days after dismissing the tourists for 148 in the second innings. Playing his first Test for 18 months, the Pattinson ran through the fragile Windies top order to secure his fourth five-wicket haul in Test cricket. Kraigg Brathwaite was the only visiting batsman to show any resistance at the Bellerive Oval with a patient 94. Australia take a 1-0 lead in the three-match series, and could return to the top of the ICC Test rankings if they complete a 3-0 series win with victories in Melbourne and Sydney. Australia captain Steve Smith chose to enforce the follow-on after Josh Hazelwood and Peter Siddle took just five overs to take the West Indies' remaining three first-innings wickets. There was time for Darren Bravo, 94 not out overnight, to complete his seventh Test century as West Indies posted a first-innings total of 223 in response to Australia's 583-4 declared.

Arter praised for display days after loss of baby

 Bournemouth's Harry Arter acted with "real dignity" by playing in the 2-1 win over Manchester United shortly after the death of his daughter, said boss Eddie Howe. Midfielder Arter, 25, and his partner lost their child at birth in midweek. Despite his loss, Arter played for 86 minutes in a surprise victory as the Cherries added to last Saturday's 1-0 win over champions Chelsea. "It's been a hugely emotional week for him," said Howe. "I think he's handled himself with real dignity throughout the process, and to play the way he did today, with the emotions running through his body, I can't credit him enough for that." Republic of Ireland international Arter was close to tears after being booked after 84 minutes, and was substituted two minutes later before being embraced by his manager at the full-time whistle.

Roy Hodgson: England boss likely to take charge until 2018

 

England boss Roy Hodgson is likely to remain in charge for the 2018 World Cup campaign, Football Association chief executive Martin Glenn has said. Hodgson was hired in 2012 and his deal runs until Euro 2016. "If we do well in the Euros, then he is our man for 2018 - and I believe we will do well in the Euros," Glenn said. "If we see progress, this will make us feel that Roy is the best person to take this young team forward and really fire at the next two tournaments." Glenn was speaking directly before the Euro 2016 draw, which saw England placed in a group with Wales, Russia and Slovakia.

Euro 2016 draw: England to face Wales in France

Wales and England will meet at Euro 2016 after being drawn together in Group B for next summer's finals in France. Russia and Slovakia are the other teams in their group. European Championship debutants Northern Ireland are in Group C with world champions Germany, Poland and Ukraine. The Republic of Ireland are up against the world's top-ranked side Belgium, Italy and Sweden in Group E.