Russell 'elite' and a 'leader' - now he may have car to challenge for title

George Russell is exuding a quiet sense of confidence as he prepares for the start of what could be a defining year for him in Formula 1. The Mercedes driver is neither playing down the tag of pre-season championship favourite, nor leaning into it. It feels more like it's something that changes nothing, has no relevance to the job in hand, which is being the best he can be. Russell has been asked about it a number of times these past few weeks leading up to the Australian Grand Prix. When he is, he addresses it briefly, sometimes tangentially, and moves on. A comment about Mercedes having "a lot of potential", for example, was quickly followed by concerns about his car's ability to get off the line, compared with the Ferrari's rocket-ship starts, and about some reliability issues that hit his team in the pre-season testing in Bahrain. "It does not change my approach one single bit," Russell says. "I'm working so hard with the team, everybody here has been working flat out to really maximise this new set of regulations and I'm honestly just so excited by the challenge. "Because it is a huge challenge adapting to these new cars, how the energy management works, the re-harvesting of the batteries, getting your head around the boost system, the overtake modes, the active aero. "There's a lot of things we need to learn very quickly, but I feel I can take advantage from that and I feel confident with myself and my team."...

Fletcher banned for six games for homophobic slur

Manchester United midfielder Jack Fletcher has apologised for using a homophobic slur that has led to him receiving a six-match ban. The England Under-19 international, son of United legend Darren Fletcher, was shown a red card in the 62nd minute of a 5-2 EFL Trophy defeat by Barnsley in October. At the time it was not clear what had prompted the decision. However, the Football Association has now confirmed that Fletcher, 18, was sent off for calling an opponent "gay boy". "I am truly sorry for the offensive word I used in the heat of the moment," said Fletcher. "I completely understand such language is unacceptable and immediately apologised after the game." Fletcher said a "momentary lapse of character absolutely does not reflect my beliefs or values". The 18-year-old insisted he "had no intention to use the term as a homophobic insult", which the disciplinary commission hearing accepted but felt the player should receive a six-match ban, which has been accepted by the midfielder and his club. He was also fined £1,500 and must attend a mandatory face-to-face education programme or face further suspension until it is completed. In its written reasons, the FA said Fletcher made his comment to an opponent who had made remarks about him and his family throughout the match. Fletcher's twin brother, Tyler, was also playing, while Darren was in the crowd. Fletcher told the FA he had been thrown to the floor and his Achilles had been stamped on by the same opponent earlier in the game. United said they have been working with Fletcher to "strengthen his understanding of discriminatory language and why it is harmful". They said he will continue to take part in club diversity programmes in addition to the training he has been told to do by the FA. United's official LGBTQ+ fans group Rainbow Devils said it welcomed Fletcher's apology and that "homophobic language has no place in football or society regardless of intention or connotation". "Words matter and words hurt," it said....

Why does Scotland lead the way on football headers?

Heading in football has been under the spotlight for more than 20 years - scrutiny born of fear and confusion. Fear that the act itself could have long-term effects on the brains of those who do it most. Confusion over why it happens and how great the risks really are. Science has begun to provide some answers, but there is still a long way to go before we fully understand the impact of something that has been part of the game since its very beginning. The research to date has been worrying enough to force some rule changes by governing bodies. But, for many people, the threat still feels abstract - worthy of attention only when another of the game's greats is diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer's. Some take comfort from the belief that football has changed, that coaching is different, the balls are lighter and the modern game is played more on the ground. But is it? Well, that very much depends on which league you are watching. New data shows the Scottish Premiership records significantly more headers per match than most of Europe's top leagues. BBC Scotland looked at figures from the start of season 2021 until now, covering aerial duels and headed clearances, in the top leagues of Scotland, England, Italy, France, Germany and Spain. In the Premiership, players challenge for the ball in the air, on average, 42.5 times per match - a 71% increase on France's Ligue 1, at 28.5 times per match. Fans watching the Premier League in England can expect to see 28.7 aerial duels per match - nearly 50% fewer than Scotland. It is a similar picture in Germany, Spain and Italy, who all challenge for the ball in the air significantly less than in Scotland. ...

Man Utd eye wingers, after getting rid under Amorim

Michael Carrick has said Manchester United could look to sign a left winger this summer - even though they spent the past three transfer windows under Ruben Amorim getting rid of wide players. Historically, many successful United sides have been built around wingers. George Best, Ryan Giggs, David Beckham and Cristiano Ronaldo are regarded among some of the club's greatest players - while others such as Steve Coppell, Gordon Hill, Willie Morgan and Andrei Kanchelskis also made a significant impact. Although not a winger in the orthodox sense, Busby Babe Eddie Colman was nicknamed 'snake hips' for his ability to change direction at top speed. United began last season with five experienced wide players. Between them, Jadon Sancho, Antony and Amad Diallo cost the club £173m. Marcus Rashford and Alejandro Garnacho both came through the United's youth ranks, although the latter was at Atletico Madrid before moving to Manchester as a 16-year-old in 2020. Sancho is currently on loan at Aston Villa, having spent last season at Chelsea, who paid a £5m clause to send the 25-year-old back to United last summer rather than sign him permanently. His contract is set to expire in the summer, and it seems unlikely United will keep the England international, signed by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in 2021. Solskjaer intended to play him on the right but the player said his preference was to play on the left. Antony left for Real Betis in a £21.65m deal last September, a couple of days after Garnacho joined Chelsea for £40m. Rashford, who also prefers to play on the left, spent the second half of last season at Villa following a fall-out with Amorim, and then joined Barcelona on loan last summer. Barca have a £26m option to buy Rashford, and talks have started over the possibility of triggering it. However, sources close to the player have indicated no agreement is in place - and given Rashford has two years left on his £325,000-a-week United contract, further negotiation is going to be required. It leaves Amad as the only orthodox wide player available to Carrick, although he has also used Patrick Dorgu, who joined from Lecce as a wing-back under Amorim, in a more offensive role. Although it is not clear yet who will be in charge once the season has reached its conclusion, Carrick has repeatedly said the decisions he is making are for the club's long-term interests. Asked if left-wing specifically was an area that might need addressing, Carrick replied: "I think you're always looking at the balance of the team and the squad to give you the utmost flexibility, so it's definitely something to look at, for sure." Pressed again, Carrick said: "Quite possibly." Diomande and Gordon linked Carrick did state the situation "was not a huge concern at the moment" and that he felt there were options available to him that allowed him variety in attack. "We can still be dangerous," said the 44-year-old. "Matheus [Cunha] has played that role and caused big problems and had big moments. When he plays wide, he is tough to stop one-on-one." But Cunha is happiest drifting away from the touchline and likes to get on the ball in deeper or more central positions. In the junior ranks, Gibraltar international James Scanlon was virtually an ever-present in the Premier League 2 side for the first half of the season and is capable of playing in an attacking role on both sides of the pitch, but he has now joined League Two promotion chasers Swindon on loan. England Under-20 international Shea Lacey made a huge impact in three substitute appearances for the senior team but he prefers to play on the right. In any event, he has only been involved once since getting sent off in the FA Cup third-round defeat by Brighton on 11 January, when he was an unused substitute against Fulham last month. Few supporters would claim United were wrong to get rid of Sancho or Antony. Some believe Amorim could have handled the Garnacho situation better, although the Argentina international is yet to impress on a consistent basis at Chelsea, while Rashford's time at his boyhood club seemed to have run its course. Nevertheless, at a time when United are trying to control their budget and costs across the club are being cut, the wide-left situation highlights an historical weakness in their recruitment strategy. It also raises questions about the wisdom of hiring a coach like Amorim, whose tactics differed so significantly from what fans had been used to. United were prepared to sanction the £65m signing of Antoine Semenyo in January, but the former Bournemouth man opted to join Manchester City. Amorim wanted to use the money elsewhere in his squad. United's refusal suggests they are targeting specific areas, and the left side of their attack is one of them. They are among several high-profile Premier League clubs to be linked with RB Leipzig's 19-year-old Ivory Coast international Yan Diomande, who is likely to cost around £70m if he opts to move in the summer. Newcastle's Anthony Gordon has also been mentioned, although it is not clear whether United have an interest in the England international. United's situation is complicated by the fact they are prioritising bringing in at least one, and possibly two central midfield players. Experienced Brazil captain Casemiro is leaving at the end of the season and £50m Uruguay international Manuel Ugarte has only made three substitute appearances - totalling 27 minutes - under Carrick. No changes can be made until the transfer window opens anyway, so, for now, Carrick must make the best of his present options. "We're always thinking of that perfect scenario of mixing players together and connections and seeing how it suits on the pitch," he said. "There's different ways of doing it and we have really good options across the front line."...

Sweden defender Lundkvist agrees Man Utd deal

Manchester United have agreed a deal to sign Sweden international Hanna Lundkvist. The right-back, who left American club San Diego Wave last week, will join Women's Super League side United on 1 January on a contract running until June 2029. Lundkvist, 23, started every game for her country at Euro 2025 and has 17 international caps. The defender, who has also played for Atletico Madrid and Hammarby, will join Sweden team-mates Anna Sandberg, Fridolina Rolfo and Julia Zigiotti Olme at United. Lundkvist said she was drawn to the opportunity to compete in the Champions League and the Women's Super League, which she described as "one of the strongest leagues in the world". Manchester United are fourth in the WSL table and the Champions League debutants will play Lundkvist's former club Atletico in a knockout phase play-off in February. "Speaking with [Manchester United head coach] Marc [Skinner] and the coaches confirmed all of the great things I have heard about the culture of the team here," Lundkvist added. Lundkvist is the first addition of what manager Skinner promised would be an "aggressive" transfer window for the club....

'Gutting and frustrating' - Forest's Wood has surgery

Nottingham Forest striker Chris Wood is set for a further spell on the sidelines after having surgery. The New Zealand striker has been out since mid-October with a knee problem and is yet to feature under Sean Dyche since he replaced Ange Postecogolou as manager. The 34-year-old excelled at the City Ground last term, scoring 20 times in 40 appearances as they qualified for Europe. His playing time has been more limited this campaign, with Wood having managed two goals in nine appearances. Wood did not specify the nature of his surgery, but he has been seen wearing a knee brace while watching recent Forest matches. "The Christmas I didn't expect, you can never know what football throws at you," Wood wrote on Instagram. "From the highs of last season to now the battles and the lows personally of this season. You have to be ready for anything. "Truly gutting and frustrating that I'll be on the sideline for another period of time. It's what's needed to come back stronger and better to help my team-mates do the job needed in the Premier League and in Europe." Wood's last appearance came in Postecoglou's final game in charge, the 3-0 defeat by Chelsea on 18 October. ...

East African rivals Tanzania and Uganda played out a frenetic 1-1 draw at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon), with Uganda missing a late penalty in torrential rain in Rabat.

While the first half contained a lot of endeavour but little quality, the second burst into life just before the hour mark when the Taifa Stars were awarded a spot kick of their own for handball and Simon Msuva sent an unstoppable finish into the roof of the net. Tanzania, who have now failed to win any of their 11 matches at Afcon final tournaments, held on to their lead until the 80th minute, when substitute striker Uche Ikpeazu, who was born in London and plays in Scotland's second tier for St Johnstone, executed a classic diving header to level proceedings. The heavens opened as both sides went in search of a winner, creating some comical moments as players struggled in the chaotic conditions. Allan Okello was the man presented with a golden opportunity to claim all three points for the Cranes when full-back Haji Mnoga was adjudged to have tugged his opponent's shirt in the box, but the wideman sent his penalty high over the bar after a stuttering run up in the final minute of regular time. The result leaves the sides with one point each from their opening two games - and both now face a difficult task to make it to the second round. Tanzania finish Group C by taking on Tunisia in Rabat on Tuesday, with Uganda travelling to Fes to face Nigeria at the same time (16:00 GMT). In the later game on Saturday, Nigeria and Tunisia's encounter kicked off at 20:00 in Fes....

Arsenal in 'survival' mode as 'sensational' Raya save keeps them top

Martin Odegaard scored his first goal of the season to help Arsenal beat Brighton and regain their place at the top of the Premier League - but it was their goalkeeper who produced the moment of the match. With the Gunners holding on to a slender 2-1 lead in the final 15 minutes at a nervy Emirates Stadium, Brighton substitute Yankuba Minteh's brilliant curling strike from the edge of the box looked destined for the top corner. Step forward David Raya. The Spain international somehow produced an incredible piece of athleticism to tip the ball over the bar and prevent Brighton from coming two goals down to level. "It was sensational," Arsenal boss Mikel Arteta told Sky Sports. "I had a great angle on it. "That's what we need from players, we need those performances in the key moments." Former England captain Alan Shearer, working as a pundit for Match of the Day, described the save as "one of the best you'll see all season". "You see all the Arsenal players would have gone straight to Raya to thank him for it because it was a big save at such an important stage of the game," ex-Republic of Ireland midfielder Andy Reid added on BBC Radio 5 Live. Arsenal had dominated large parts of the match, registering 15 shots and limiting Brighton to none during the first half. Arteta said that the "margin should have been much bigger" and that "it should never be 2-1" with the amount of chances that the Gunners created. "That turned out to be a lot more difficult for Arsenal than it should have been," added Shearer. "They got huge success behind both Brighton wing-backs in the first half with Bukayo Saka and Leandro Trossard causing all sorts of damage. "But Brighton changed things at half-time with a double substitution. As soon as they got their goal Arsenal were suddenly under pressure from nowhere."...

McLaren's greatest achievement this year is arguably not what they have accomplished on track. It's something they have managed off it.

The team won the constructors' championship with six races remaining, with Lando Norris eventually pipping Red Bull's Max Verstappen and his McLaren team-mate Oscar Piastri to the drivers' title in a three-way showdown at the season finale in Abu Dhabi. Norris and Piastri got there while remaining friendly. McLaren's ability to keep two evenly matched drivers, of a similar age and career development, competing for their first title in the same team without falling out with each other is almost unprecedented in modern F1. This sort of situation turns toxic far more often than not. Not just, most infamously, Ayrton Senna and Alain Prost at McLaren in 1989. But also Nigel Mansell and Nelson Piquet at Williams in 1986-7, Lewis Hamilton and Fernando Alonso at McLaren in 2007, Sebastian Vettel and Mark Webber at Red Bull in 2010, and Hamilton and Nico Rosberg at Mercedes in 2014-16. That list underlines just how difficult it is to keep two intensely driven individuals in relative harmony with each other for an entire year, while fighting for the biggest prize in their sport in identical cars, out of the same garage. It's hard enough to stop things getting noxious even when two title rivals are in different teams, such as in the tense relationship between Hamilton and Max Verstappen in 2021. But add in the claustrophobia of the rivals being in the same engineering meetings and team briefings, balancing race strategies, and the intensity only increases. Heading into this season, McLaren Racing chief executive officer Zak Brown and team principal Andrea Stella were well aware of the jeopardy, and consciously created a culture aimed at preventing the relationship between Norris and Piastri descending into disruptive conflict. They have a carefully thought out internal philosophy, applied with intelligence and empathy to two drivers who have been convinced that keeping things harmonious is the best solution for all. McLaren operate on a principle of fairness, trust and transparency, rooted in a basic principle that the drivers are allowed to race each other with equal treatment, with the proviso that they don't crash into each other. "We are McLaren Racing," Stella says. "We are here to race. "We want to give our two drivers the possibility to express their talent, achieve their aspirations, but this needs to be done within the principles and the approach that we have contributed to build together with our drivers. Fairness, sportsmanship, and respect for one another." Stella says he "leans on the experience" he has gained - through 25 years in F1 with Ferrari and McLaren, and as a student of F1 - to construct what he considers the optimum way of running the team....

Erratic Newcastle give Howe 'horrible feeling'

Newcastle United head coach Eddie Howe says it is a "horrible feeling" to not know what he is going to get from his side. Howe thought Newcastle had "turned a corner" with a win against Manchester City in November and a more recent four-game unbeaten run, but Sunday's damaging 1-0 defeat against arch-rivals Sunderland has been a jolt to the system. Newcastle put in a limp performance after Howe sent out his team to be compact rather than bold at the Stadium of Light. They now sit 12th in the Premier League table, having won just one away league game since mid-April, and Howe cut a frustrated figure as he assessed his team's inconsistency a few days on. "It's a horrible feeling, because when you enter a game you want your players to go on to the pitch and give absolutely everything they have within their soul and their body to get a positive result," Howe said on Tuesday. "That's the only thing I ever ask a player to do. Then I back their abilities once they go on to the pitch with that mindset to deliver a really good performance. "There have been a few times this season where I've left a game unsure on that, and that's mentality. That's knowing you're representing yourself and your families when you enter the pitch. "Your job is to do your best, and I think we have lost a little bit of that, and it's up to us to try and find a way to get that glue back." Using the disappointment of a painful away defeat to bounce back has become a recurring theme for Newcastle this season, following losses against Brentford, West Ham and Marseille in the last couple of months, and Howe said that is not how he wants his team to be operating. But Newcastle have to quickly rally once again when Howe's trophy holders meet Fulham in the quarter-finals of the Carabao Cup at St James' Park on Wednesday. Captain Bruno Guimaraes recognised that Newcastle won't be able to truly "set things right", until the next Tyne-Wear derby in March, having labelled his side's weekend performance a "mess". Howe said that talking off the pitch was "important", but the head coach stressed it "pales in significance against your will to prepare". "Bruno's comments were 90% right, initially," Howe said. "I don't think we were a mess. I don't think the other parts of his original comments were wrong. "We weren't a mess – we were very well organised. We just didn't deliver the performance that we wanted to. "Bruno is very emotional and that's part of his success. That's why he's such an outstanding player for us and leader for us. "It's making sure our messaging is right to the outside world. The mindset now is we can't affect the past – we can only affect the future. We need to do that today." Newcastle will have to do so without influential defender Dan Burn, who is out for four to six weeks after breaking a rib and puncturing a lung in the derby....

Man Utd angry as Morocco rejected Mazraoui request

Manchester United are angry with the Moroccan Football Association for rejecting their plea for Noussair Mazraoui to play in Monday's 4-4 draw with Bournemouth - six days before the country's opener at the Africa Cup of Nations (Afcon). United head coach Ruben Amorim said on Friday negotiations with the relevant national bodies were continuing over the release of Mazraoui, Cameroon's Bryan Mbeumo and Ivory Coast's Amad Diallo to Afcon. Fifa announced on 3 December that clubs only need to release players from 15 December, instead of 14 days before the tournament that runs from from 21 December to 18 January. While Mbeumo and Amad were allowed to stay for Monday's match, Morocco - who host the tournament and play Comoros on 21 December - took a different view. United had anticipated all three players would be available, given the rest of the Premier League matches were played before the revised release date announced by Fifa - which it said could be negotiated with the relevant countries. Mazraoui trained with United all week ready to be involved if possible and remained respectful and professional to both parties throughout a delicate situation from a personal perspective. BBC Sport understands United escalated the matter to world football's governing body, who did not force Morocco to back down. This has led to considerable frustration at Old Trafford, with insiders saying United believe they have been unfairly treated. While they felt Cameroon and Ivory Coast were sympathetic and collaborative in their discussions, the club feel Morocco prioritised a national team training session over an important league game. Italian side Roma and La Liga outfit Real Betis experienced similar frustration in their dealings with Morocco. Fifa had urged federations and clubs to "hold bilateral discussions in good faith to find appropriate individual solutions". It added: "In cases where there continues to be a dispute over the release of players subsequent to such bilateral discussions, Fifa will, in mediating between both parties, apply guidelines that take into account the circumstances of each case, including factors related to the timing of matches of affected competitions, the stage of these competitions, the historical and planned involvement of the players in the matches in question, as well as any other pertinent factors." Mbeumo and Amad have now joined up with their national squads and will miss Sunday's Premier League trip to Aston Villa. In Mazraoui's absence, and with Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt both ruled out through injury, Amorim included 19-year-old Ayden Heaven and 20-year-old centre-back Leny Yoro - who joined for £52.18m - in his defence against the Cherries as United missed the chance to climb into fifth spot in the table....

Lewandowski in Chicago Fire talks over MLS move

Chicago Fire have held positive talks with Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski over a move to Major League Soccer. Poland's record scorer is out of contract at the Spotify Camp Nou at the end of the season and Fire want to sign the 37-year-old next summer. Sources have told BBC Sport Lewandowski is open to the move and his wages are not expected to be an issue. He still has other options - including staying at Barcelona - and joining the Saudi Pro League, but an MLS switch is a strong possibility. Fire - who made the MLS play-offs this season for the first time since 2017 - have him on their 'discovery list', meaning no other club in the league can sign him without paying a fee to them. Inter Miami have also been linked, but they cannot talk to Lewandowski while he remains on that list, with Fire in pole position should he decide to continue his career in America. Lionel Messi's Inter side have one of their designated player spots open after Jordi Alba's retirement following their first-ever MLS Cup victory against Vancouver this month. Fire - who also tried to sign Neymar and Kevin de Bruyne earlier this year - have made Lewandowski a priority for at least six months - a strategic move as Chicago has the USA's largest Polish community. The former Bayern Munich and Borussia Dortmund forward's wife, Anna, visited Chicago last month while in the States. Lewandowski has 109 goals in 164 games for Barcelona, twice winning La Liga, since joining in 2022 on a four-year deal. He has scored eight goals in 17 appearances this term, with his side four points clear at the top of La Liga. Additional reporting from Nizaar Kinsella. ...

'I'm free' - £1m Smith provides Arsenal spark

It was an all too familiar story for Arsenal on Saturday as they struggled to break down Liverpool's low block. Three shots on target and one off the woodwork inside the opening quarter of an hour of the Women's Super League game, but no goal. The exasperation of the home fans was tangible. Then a moment of magic from Olivia Smith lifted the mood from frustration to pure elation. The first first £1m player in women's football showed every bit of her star quality as she wriggled past several of her former Liverpool team-mates before breaking the deadlock with a brilliant strike from distance. "You felt she was going to have a big impact on this game," former Tottenham captain Jenna Schillaci told BBC Radio 5 Live. Smith was rightly named player of the match in the 2-1 win at Emirates Stadium, testament to her impact throughout....

Are Aston Villa in title hunt - and should Arsenal start to worry?

Unai Emery continues to deny Aston Villa are in the title race, even as his old club Arsenal start to look vulnerable at the top of the Premier League. Villa's head coach is playing down his current side's chances at a time when their form has become impossible to ignore. A dramatic 2-1 win over Arsenal on Saturday moved Villa just three points behind the Gunners, with Manchester City joining both in the top three. Villa were in a strikingly similar position two years ago but finished fourth - 23 points behind champions City. With over a third of the Premier League season gone, there is a case to be made that Emery's team should be taken seriously in the title talk this time. They have beaten Arsenal and City at home and have now won nine of their past 10 in the league - seven straight in all competitions - so why would Villa not be in the mix? Former Tottenham midfielder Danny Murphy points out one major factor that could count against them. "I don't see them as title contenders, only because of a lack of strength in depth. But their best XI can beat anybody," Murphy said. Defeat at Villa Park was Arsenal's first loss in 18 games - since going down 1-0 at Liverpool in August - and significantly weakens what had looked a commanding position at the top. With just two wins from their past five Premier League games, Arsenal fans could be starting to get nervous....

'A wonderful miracle' - how Messi & Beckham made Miami shine Guillem Balague column

When Sir David Beckham chose Miami as the location for the Major League Soccer team he intended to set up in 2013, no-one could have predicted what was to follow. After purchasing the US franchise for a discounted £15.6m from MLS - part of a financial package he negotiated when he joined LA Galaxy in 2007 as a player - the former England skipper officially launched the club in 2018, before they made their MLS debut in March 2020. Now, having signed arguably the world's greatest player Lionel Messi in 2023, Inter Miami have celebrated winning the league's greatest prize after beating Thomas Muller's Vancouver Whitecaps in the MLS Cup final on Saturday. "All the emotion came out in the final few moments of the game," Beckham said. "There was a lot of sleepless nights but I always believed in Miami. "I found the right partners and knew anything was possible. It says Freedom to Dream on our shirts and we promised our fans we would deliver. "Next year is a new year but tonight we celebrate." Success caps an exponential rise for 'Project Beckham' both on and off the field as Miami have provided a huge surge of interest in football across America. Chief business officer Xavi Asensi described the role of co-owner Beckham as "amazing". "Without David Beckham none of us would be sitting here. Everything ended up being possible," he said. "There aren't names as global as David Beckham and Leo Messi - they are combined here."...