1. Salazar banned from athletics for four years
British athletics star Mo Farah says he’s “relieved” that the United States Anti-Doping Agency (USADA) investigation into former coach Alberto Salazar is now complete.
It was announced by the USADA that Salazar, 61, has received a four-year sanction for “orchestrating and facilitating prohibited doping conduct while acting as head coach of the Nike Oregon Project”.
Farah trained under Salazar at the Nike Oregon Project from 2011 to 2017. The four-time Olympic gold medal winner said in a statement: “I’m relieved that USADA has, after four years, completed their investigation into Alberto Salazar.
“I left the Nike Oregon Project in 2017 but as I’ve always said, I have no tolerance for anyone who breaks the rules or crosses a line. A ruling has been made and I’m glad there has finally been a conclusion.”
2. Team GB name first Tokyo 2020 squad members
Olympic champions Hannah Mills and Giles Scott are among 12 sailors named today by the British Olympic Association as the first Team GB athletes selected for the Tokyo 2020 summer games.
Mills and Scott are joined in the sailing squad by windsurfers Tom Squires and Emma Wilson, who will be making their Olympic debuts.
Team GB’s sailing squad for Tokyo 2020
- Finn: Giles Scott
- 470 women: Hannah Mills and Eilidh McIntyre
- 470 men: Luke Patience and Chris Grube
- 49er FX: Charlotte Dobson and Saskia Tidey
- 49er: Dylan Fletcher and Stuart Bithell
- Laser Radial: Alison Young
- RS:X Women: Emma Wilson
- RS:X Men: Tom Squires
3. Stars confirmed for The Hundred draft
England’s World Cup-winning captain Eoin Morgan, West Indies star Chris Gayle and Australian duo Steve Smith and David Warner have confirmed they will enter the player draft for The Hundred.
The new 100-ball cricket competition will be held in England next summer from 17 July to 16 August. The draft on Sunday 20 October will be shown live on Sky Sports at 7.30pm.
4. All-British clash in China Open
British tennis players Andy Murray and Cameron Norrie will go head-to-head in the last-16 of the China Open tomorrow.
Murray progressed to the second round after beating Matteo Berrettini 7-6 (7-2), 7-6, (9-7). Norrie secured his spot after opponent Cristian Garín retired with the Brit leading 7-6 (7-5), 1-0 in the second set.
5. Fury vs. Wilder II in the balance?
Sky Sports reports that Tyson Fury’s cuts are healing but it remains unclear if the British boxer will recover in time for a potential rematch against WBC heavyweight champion Deontay Wilder.
Fury suffered two major cuts in his win over Otto Wallin last month and his rematch against Wilder is planned to take place in February 2020. Meanwhile, Wilder will face Luis Ortiz in a rematch on 23 November.
6. Spurs and City in European action
Uefa Champions League football returns tonight with Tottenham Hotspur taking on Bayern Munich in group B and Manchester City hosting Dinamo Zagreb in group C.
Tomorrow night holders Liverpool take on FC Red Bull Salzburg in group E and Chelsea travel to Lille in group H.
Tottenham vs. Bayern Munich: preview, predictions and team news
Man City vs. Dinamo Zagreb: preview, predictions and team news
7. Verstappen Snr bemoans Red Bull progress
Max Verstappen’s father Jos has bemoaned Red Bull’s lack of progress since returning from Formula 1’s summer break.
In the past four races Ferrari and Mercedes have dominated the front of the grid and shut out Red Bull drivers Verstappen and Alexander Albon from regular podium places.
Jos Verstappen said: “We should have been closer, but that is more difficult than we thought. It is very frustrating.
“In the last races before the summer break it went really well, but after the summer break we did not progress while the other teams did.”
F1: ‘Sebastian Vettel has no future at Ferrari’, says Helmut Marko
8. Sexton captains much-changed Ireland team
Ireland head coach Joe Schmidt has made 11 changes to his team to face Russia on Thursday as they look to bounce back from their shock 19-12 loss against Rugby World Cup hosts Japan.
Jonathan Sexton will captain a team that only has Rob Kearney, Garry Ringrose, Keith Earls and Peter O’Mahony retained from the defeat against Japan.
Schmidt said: “With a five-day turnaround there’s always going to be a bit of attrition so we’re hoping to freshen it up.”
Sexton, who returns from injury, will be the 106th player to captain Ireland.
Ireland team to face Russia
- Starting XV: Kearney, Conway, Ringrose, Aki, Earls; Sexton, McGrath; Kilcoyne, Scannell, Ryan, Kleyn, Beirne; Ruddock, O’Mahony, Murphy
- Replacements: Cronin, Porter, Furlong, Henderson, Stander, Carty, Carbery, Larmour
9. Mandzukic to Man Utd or the MLS?
Juventus are ready to sell Mario Mandzukic in January but Manchester United could face competition from Major League Soccer (MLS) side Los Angeles FC.
The Croatian marksman has been linked to Old Trafford for several months and Juve are expected to move the 33-year-old on now that he’s become surplus to requirements in Turin.
Jadon Sancho: Dortmund admit they can’t keep Man Utd target forever
10. Glory days are long gone for Prem rivals
It was a Monday night of mid-table mediocrity and a painful reminder to supporters of Manchester United and Arsenal of just how far their clubs have slipped.
Scott McTominay gave United the lead before half-time with a rising drive. However, Arsenal levelled when Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang’s cool finish was awarded by VAR after he was initially flagged offside.
It was a battle of the “fallen giants”, says The Daily Telegraph, with the glory days “long gone” for both clubs.
Man Utd 1 Arsenal 1: reactions to the drab show at the Theatre of Dreams
Today’s back pages
VAR rescues Arsenal in a battle of the fallen giants
