Sports shorts: Corriere dello Sport ‘Black Friday’ headline sparks racism backlash

1. Headline sparks racism backlash

Italian newspaper Corriere dello Sport has been accused of racism after its front page headline, “Black Friday”, was used alongside images of footballers Romelu Lukaku and Chris Smalling.

The former Manchester United team-mates will go head-to-head against each other tomorrow night in Serie A when Lukaka’s Inter Milan host Smalling’s AS Roma at the San Siro.

Both clubs condemned the newspaper headline this morning with Inter tweeting: “Football is passion, culture and brotherhood. We are and always will be opposed to any form of discrimination.”

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AS Roma added: “No one: Absolutely nobody: Not a single soul: Corriere dello Sport headline writer…”

Paul Rogers, Roma’s chief strategy officer, told the BBC: “The intention of the newspaper article was actually positive. But this headline has totally overshadowed the anti-racist message contained within the story.”

2. Joshua has ‘no fear’ facing Ruiz Jr again

Challenger Anthony Joshua is confident he can beat Andy Ruiz Jr in their rematch on Saturday and has no fear of facing the Mexican after his shock defeat in New York earlier this year. British boxer Joshua said: “When I got back from New York, I didn’t lose any heart or fire in my belly and started punching the heavy bag preparing for this day. There is no fear in my heart, my eyes or mind, I am confident.”

Ruiz Jr vs. Joshua II: fight guide, predictions and where to watch

3. RM Sotheby’s F1 auction makes $31.3m

RM Sotheby’s international collector car auction at last weekend’s Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix generated total sales of $31.3m (£23.8m). A one-off 2017 Pagani Zonda Aether was sold for $6.81m (£5.18m) and Michael Schumacher’s championship-winning 2002 Ferrari F2002 was sold for $6.6m (£5m).

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4. Football agents are in the money

The Daily Telegraph reports that football agents’s fees worldwide climbed above the half a billion pound mark for the first time in 2019. Data from Fifa’s International Transfer Matching System showed that $653.9m (£500m) was spent on commissions to agents and intermediaries in the year to date.

5. Bale gets golf club from his secret Santa

Real Madrid held their Christmas party this week with players handing out secret Santa gifts and it’s been revealed that Gareth Bale was given a golf club by cheeky team-mate Marcelo. Last month Bale angered Real fans after holding up a controversial flag following Wales’s qualification to next summer’s European Championship. The flag read: “Wales. Golf. Madrid. In that order”.

6. Australian Open affected by toxic smoke

The BBC reports that golfers playing in the Australian Open have complained of stinging eyes because of toxic smoke from bushfires in Sydney. Australian No.1 Adam Scott said: “It feels like I should shove a bit of salt water up my nose or something.”

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7. Southgate linked with Man Utd

England head coach Gareth Southgate is being linked with Manchester United as a possible replacement for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. The Sun reports that United could turn to the Three Lions boss if they decide to get rid of struggling Solskjaer at the end of the season.

8. Reds thrash Blues in Merseyside derby

Liverpool thrashed Everton 5-2 in the Merseyside derby to leave Marco Silva’s job hanging by a thread. The Portuguese manager is expected to hold crunch talks with the Toffees board in the next 48 hours ahead of Everton’s match against Chelsea on Saturday.

Premier League round-up: Liverpool run riot to leave Everton feeling blue

9. No revenge for Mourinho

Manchester United spoiled Jose Mourinho’s return to Old Trafford with a 2-1 win that ended Tottenham’s recent rejuvenation under the Special One. All the talk in recent days has been about the form of Dele Alli but it was another young Englishman, Marcus Rashford, who caught the eye with two goals that took his tally to nine in his last ten games for United.

10. Bob Willis: 1949-2019

Tributes have been paid to Bob Willis, the former England captain and fast bowler, who has died at the age of 70 after a long battle with prostate cancer.

Willis took 325 wickets in 90 Tests between 1971 and 1984, also captaining his country in 18 of those matches. But it was the eight wickets he took at Headingley in the summer of 1981 that earned him his place in English cricket folklore.

Today’s back pages: cricket mourns ‘hero of Headingley’ Bob Willis

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