Athletics doping scandal: Blood experts criticise IAAF claims

The IAAF has been accused of trying to "muddy the waters" in the ongoing investigation into doping in athletics, by an expert involved in the case.

The world governing body defended its conduct after it was implicated in the World Anti-Doping Agency's (Wada) commission into the allegations.

Michael Ashenden was one of two experts enlisted by the Sunday Times to analyse leaked data belonging to the IAAF.

He said the IAAF's 38-page statement on Friday was "deliberately bloated".

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In the statement, the federation insisted it had used "every tool available to it to catch blood dopers in athletics and with considerable success".

British marathon world record holder Paula Radcliffe, who claimed she had been implicated by a parliamentary hearing, was declared "entirely innocent" by the IAAF and the UK Anti-Doping Agency after what the IAAF called a "gross misinterpretation of raw and incomplete data".

The IAAF said documents showed that it had "consistently been a pioneer" in the war against doping and sought to demonstrate that it had been rigorous in its testing and use of the blood data it held.

But Ashenden responded: "Faced with the life-threatening blood values which they knew existed amongst their athletes, I say they should have tried to push the legal envelope.

Australian Open: Jordan Spieth three off the lead in Sydney

World number one Jordan Spieth cut Matthew Jones' lead in the Australian Open to three shots going into Sunday's final round in Sydney.

American Spieth, 22, shot a four-under-par 67 to move seven under for the tournament and into second place.

Overnight leader Jones, from Australia, carded a second successive 68 to move to 10 under overall.

Northern Ireland's Darren Clarke trails Jones by nine strokes after a one-under-par 67 left him tied for seventh.

The European Ryder Cup captain is joined on one under by Australian Adam Scott, who recovered from a 73 on Friday to shoot 68, including an eagle on the 18th. The 36-year-old former world number one is trying to avoid finishing winless for the first season in his professional career.

It was a disappointing day for England's Lee Westwood, however, as he carded his worst round of the tournament - a four-over 75 to leave him tied for 35th on four over.

While the day ended well for Spieth, he first endured a rollercoaster front nine that included four bogeys - three of them in the first four holes - and three birdies.

However, three birdies and an eagle - at the 17th - in his back nine kept this year's double major winner in contention.

"I made a couple of bad swings and a couple of bad decisions," said Spieth. "Not many pars.

"It was one of the great fightbacks I've had. I fought hard."

Nico Rosberg beat Lewis Hamilton to Abu Dhabi pole

Nico Rosberg out-qualified Mercedes team-mate Lewis Hamilton for the sixth race in a row to seal pole for the season-ending Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.

He beat Hamilton by a substantial 0.377 seconds after a qualifying session that see-sawed between the two.

Rosberg was quicker on the first runs in the top 10 shoot-out, Hamilton beat his time by 0.124secs with his final lap, only for Rosberg to top it.

Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen beat Force India's Sergio Perez to third place.

Raikkonen's team-mate, Sebastian Vettel, will start 16th after Ferrari miscalculated the lap time he needed to progress beyond the first knock-out session.

Rosberg's stunning final lap

Hamilton had been determined on arriving in Abu Dhabi to try to end Rosberg's impressive run of poles, which stems back to the Japanese Grand Prix in late September.

But in the end his team-mate was too strong, producing a stunning final lap to continue his resurgence following the disappointment of Hamilton winning the title in the US Grand Prix last month with three races still to go.

Despite the championship being over, the two have been playing mind games with each other as they seek a psychological edge going into the winter and preparations for the 2016 season.

Hamilton has talked of a change to the Mercedes car altering its feel, and reducing his confidence in it, following the team's struggles at the Singapore Grand Prix.

Rosberg has spoken this weekend about his higher-mileage engine giving him a disadvantage.

The team have played down the significance of both.

Andy Murray set for Rafael Nadal showdown at World Tour finals

Andy Murray can move within sight of a semi-final place with victory over Rafael Nadal at the ATP World Tour Finals on Wednesday.

The pair will meet in their second group match at 14:00 GMT, with the contest live on BBC TV and radio.

Murray will qualify for the last four if he beats Nadal and the evening match sees any result other than a straight-set win for Stan Wawrinka.

A victory would also guarantee Murray the year-end number two ranking.

"It would be obviously nice to finish number two because I haven't done it before, but it's not a goal that I'd set for myself at the beginning of this year or throughout the whole year really," said the Briton.

European Tour: Pelley promises prize money and 'players first'

A whirlwind is blowing through the European Tour in the shape of its new boss Keith Pelley.

The 51-year-old Canadian has been in charge for three months since succeeding George O'Grady and is intent on radical changes, with the aim of making the tour a "viable alternative to the PGA Tour".

Pelley spoke at length publicly for the first time before the season-ending DP World Tour Championship in Dubai, his energy and ambition more than evident as he addressed the assembled media.

Mitchell Johnson: Fear & brilliance of retiring Australia fast bowler

Mitchell Johnson's cricketing career might be remembered for several stellar achievements.

For 313 Test wickets at a strike rate better than Shane Warne or Glenn McGrath, for defining one Ashes series with his misery and another with his brilliance, for reviving both flat-out fast bowling and the handlebar moustache that once characterised its greatest exponents.

You might remember him for that song; not since Paul McCartney released the Frog Chorus had a simple tune wrecked a reputation so effectively. You might remember him for the remarkable renaissance that followed, one of the great redemptive stories in any sport.

Lewis Hamilton & Rosberg should race in Abu Dhabi - Coulthard

Mercedes have done an admirable job of handling Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg as fairly as possible during the course of two occasionally fractious Formula 1 seasons.

They have done so by running race strategy in such a way that reduces the chances of intra-team friction while giving each driver as much of a chance as possible to win the race.

As a team, that is exactly the right thing to do - maximise the collective result while also allowing the drivers to race freely, within certain parameters set by the team.

However, for the outside world, it can often lead to grands prix like that in Brazil last Sunday, where the drivers' ability to race and take risks in an attempt to beat their rival is compromised by the team's requirement to stick to a pre-determined strategy.

With one race of the season to go, though, wouldn't it be cool if Mercedes - now they have nothing to lose and both championships are tied up - just let their drivers and their respective engineers off the leash and ran a gloves-off race in Abu Dhabi next weekend?

France v/s Germany - Highlights Of Bomb Blast

Graeme McDowell earned his first title this year with a play-off success at the delayed OHL Classic in Mexico.

The Northern Irishman, 36, was tied on 18 under par with USA's Jason Bohn and Scotland's Russell Knox, who bogeyed the last in regulation play.

McDowell then birdied the 18th in sudden death to prevail.

"It has been a tough year but this is special. I have been dreaming of this day and I said to myself I was going to appreciate it when it came," he said.

"You go through a year like this and you think 'am I finished? Am I good enough?'

"I have stuck to my task the last couple of months and this is a nice step back up to where I want to be."

McDowell and Knox shared the lead at 19 under when play was suspended because of darkness at the El Camaleon Golf Club on Sunday after a rain-interrupted day.

Both men finished with five-under rounds of 66 on Monday as Bohn shot 68.

Knox was bidding for back-to-back victories, having picked up his maiden tournament win at the WGC-HSBC Champions tournament in Shanghai.

McDowell, who has fallen to 85 in the world rankings after only one top-10 finish in 25 events this year, three-putted the 16th and had to drain a 10-footer for par at the 18th.

Knox immediately picked up a shot at the 13th when play resumed on Monday but bogeyed the next.

The US-based Scot was leading as he teed up at the last but found a bunker, left a chip well short of the hole with his third shot and could not convert a 15-foot putt.

There was a delay of over three hours after Sunday's storms and Monday's closing holes were played out in gusty conditions.

However, McDowell, the 2010 US Open champion, was completely unflustered as he clipped a sweet iron to within a few feet of the target in the play-off, while Knox, who hit the longest drive, tugged his ball wide of the green.

Third-round leader Derek Fathauer finished on 16 under after a final round of 71.

Paris attacks: Belgium v Spain off after security fears

Belgium's friendly with Spain on Tuesday in Brussels has been called off because of security fears following the deadly attacks in Paris.

A total of 129 people were killed in the attacks on Friday, which included the targeting of France's friendly with Germany at the Stade de France.

French prosecutors have identified a Belgian as the attacks' mastermind.

Belgium's government raised the terror threat level to three on Monday, indicating a serious threat.

The Belgian FA said it had taken the decision to cancel the game, set to be played at the King Baudouin Stadium in the Belgian capital, following consultation with its Spanish counterparts.

"Taking into account the exceptional circumstances, we cannot take any security risk to our players and fans," the Belgian FA said.

It added it "deeply regretted" the late decision to cancel the match and "understands the disappointment of many supporters".

Spain coach Vicente del Bosque said of his team's short stay in Belgium: "We weren't scared. We were calm in the hotel, there wasn't any problem.

"We trained with tranquillity, we've prepared for the game like any other, but the authorities will have felt they couldn't guarantee the security of everybody, the players and spectators.

"Hopefully there won't be any more suspensions. We're here to play sport and entertain people."

Police have named Brussels-born Salah Abdeslam, 26, as a key suspect.A huge manhunt is under way for surviving members and accomplices of the group responsible for the killings.

The French Football Federation (FFF) has opted to go ahead with its national side's friendly fixture with England at Wembley on Tuesday night.

Republic of Ireland reach Euro 2016: The secrets of their success

Two goals from Jon Walters helped the Republic of Ireland seal a 2-0 win over Bosnia-Herzegovina to clinch a 3-1 aggregate play-off victory and a place at Euro 2016.

But what were the secrets to their success?

Injured Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Shay Given, former internationalsMark Lawrenson and Ray Houghton, as well as Irish football journalistMiguel Delaney spoke to BBC Radio 5 live about Ireland's qualification.

The quartet looked at the secrets behind Ireland's success, how they have benefitted from 'a club atmosphere' and how they could fare in France.

Chris Robshaw: England captain signs new Harlequins contract

England captain Chris Robshaw has signed a new contract with Harlequins.

The 29-year-old flanker, who has spent his entire career with Quins, has skippered the national side since 2012 but came in for criticismfollowing their pool-stage exit at the World Cup.

Robshaw was also Harlequins captain between 2010 and 2014 and led the club to the Premiership title in 2012.

He said he was "honoured" to extend his stay at the Stoop, although the length of his new deal has not been disclosed.

Robshaw came through the south-west London club's academy and has made 210 appearances since his first-team debut in 2005.

"The club feels like an extended family to me with its amazing players, management and supporters," he said.

"I'm looking forward to seeing what the future holds and I'm extremely excited to keep pushing for silverware with both Harlequins and England."

Robshaw won the first of his 43 caps for England against Argentina in 2009 and has been captain since making his second international appearance.

However, he was criticised during this year's World Cup for turning down the chance to kick a late penalty in the 28-25 defeat by Wales.

Quins director of rugby Conor O'Shea said Robshaw had "everything you want in a rugby player".

"Chris has achieved incredible things in his career to date," the Irishman told the club website. "He deserves recognition for what he has done, and will continue to do, for this game.

"I'm sure everyone at Harlequins will be delighted with this announcement and will look forward to seeing Chris playing in a Harlequins and England shirt for many years to come."

Manchester United set for record £500m+ yearly revenue

Manchester United look set to become the first-ever football club to record revenue in excess of £500 million in 2015, with positive quarterly results released yesterday.

Manchester United's quarterly revenue up until September 30 has increased by 39.3 percent, with the Old Trafford side bringing in £123.6 million.

This has led to the projection that revenue for the year will be £500-£510 million.

The Red Devils have been undergoing a revamp on the pitch following the retirement of legendary manager Sir Alex Ferguson in 2013. The team missed out on Champions League football last season.

However, a return to Europe’s major club competition and a record-breaking £750-million kit deal with Adidas have played their part in favorable recent results on the profit-and-loss account.

Doping in sports: systemic, insidious and everywhere

With Russia in the midst of a drugs scandal following a WADA-published report alleging systematic state sponsored doping, it is clear that the use of banned substances is still very much an issue in professional sports and Russia is far from being alone.

Arguably the most high profile doping scandal in modern sport involved the American cyclist Lance Armstrong. A winner in his year long battle with cancer in 1996 and a seven-time winner in the Tour de France; Armstrong was once the standout star of his sport.

In 2012, following an investigation by the United States Anti-Doping Agency, Armstrong was branded as the instigator of"the most sophisticated, professionalized and successful doping program that sport has ever seen.” He had been engaging in performance-enhancing drugs over the course of his career, and was stripped of his seven Tour titles in disgrace.

Cyclists have been embroiled in many doping scandals over the years, with the famous Festina affair which surrounded the 1998 Tour de France just one other major example.

The punishment for cheating is severe, and rightly so. An equal playing field in sporting events is essential in the competitive arena, as Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday when speaking about the current doping saga engulfing his country.

"The battle must be open," he said. "A sporting contest is only interesting when it is honest."

England friendlies preview: What the Three Lions can take from Spain & France clashes?

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As England prepare for the first of two high-profile friendly clashes against Spain on Friday in Alicante, fans back home will be watching closely to evaluate England's preparations for Euro 2016 against pre-tournament favorites.

These matches will be key to England boss Roy Hodgson, who rarely has the chance to experiment with his squad as major competitions loom large.

France 2016 is just on the horizon and these friendly matches are the training sessions, with Hodgson ready to run the rule over the in-form English players and attempt to gel his side before the competition proper.

Jack Butland’s big chance?

With England number one Joe Hart producing a glaring error during Manchester City’s close-fought 2-1 win over Norwich last month, many believe Stoke City’s Butland deserves a crack between the sticks in at least one of the two friendlies.

 

The 22-year-old has been in fine form for Mark Hughes’ side, keeping four clean sheets in his last five games, the last of which coming against champions Chelsea on the weekend. Statistically, Butland has the better of Hart, having played one game more, and Hodgson could well be intrigued to see how the young keeper fares against strong opposition with England.

All strikers to play

Roy Hodgson announced on Thursday that captain Wayne Rooney will not start Friday’s clash with Spain, with the England boss keen to give other squad members the chance to impress.

Rooney understands his manager’s wish to rotate the squad, saying: “It’s important especially in these games that the manager has a chance to see as many players as he can before the tournament in the summer. As a player you want to play, but you have to understand that there are bigger things to consider.”

With Premier League top scorer Jamie Vardy an injury doubt, Tottenham striker Harry Kane is tipped to lead the line against Spain, with the 22-year-old having recently rediscovered his goal-scoring touch, bagging five in his last three top flight matches.

Sterling the senior

Man City attacker Raheem Sterling is one of just nine England squad members to have started 10 games or more for the national side, but despite their relative youthfulness on the international stage, the 20-year-old believes his side can throw down a marker for next summer’s tournament in France.

“We are going to be playing some of Europe’s best teams and this is where we really get to see where we are in terms of the tournament in the summer. Hopefully we can show what we can really do – and if we can, it’s a real barometer of where we are.”

Ross Barkley is likely to be in the midfield with Sterling on Friday, behind Kane, with much hope pinned on the Everton youngster after a host of dynamic performances for England.

Both Spain and France will provide stiff opposition, or so Hodgson hopes, with his new-look side in need of firm tests ahead of the Euros.

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