1. Reds wanted Allez Allez Allez trademarked
Liverpool tried to trademark Allez Allez Allez last November only to withdraw the application, i News reports.
The Kop’s favourite chant has been sung during the Merseyside club’s run to two successive Champions League finals – the second of which they won against Tottenham in Madrid in June.
However, there was one major issue with the Allez Allez Allez application – the fans of at least six clubs have sung the song before Liverpool adopted it.
Meanwhile, in a nod to the number of times they have won the Champions League the Anfield club also recently applied to have “6 times” trademarked.
2. FC Andorra pay for promotion
FC Andorra, who are owned by Barcelona centre-back Gerard Pique, have been promoted to Spain’s third tier after paying €452,022 (£411,000). The BBC reports that FC Andorra have replaced Reus after they were relegated because of financial problems.
3. Murray close to singles return
British tennis star Andy Murray could make his return to singles at the Cincinnati Masters 1000 in August – two weeks before the US Open grand slam. Following his hip resurfacing operation in January, Murray played doubles at Wimbledon alongside Serena Williams. The 32-year-old said: “I’m closer than maybe what I thought I was. Best-case scenario probably would be Cincinnati. And then if I wasn’t able to play in Cincinnati, there’s a good chance I would probably wait until after New York, because I wouldn’t want my first tournament, either, to be playing best-of-five.”
4. Jose’s ‘full of fire’
Jose Mourinho is “full of fire” and ready to return to football management, but he insists he will be patient for the right opportunity. The former Manchester United boss told Sky Sports: “I miss my football, I have the fire, I have a compromise with myself, with people that love me, with so many fans that I have around the world, so many people that I inspired.”
5. Players want Garcia banned
The Daily Telegraph says that golf’s authorities are under pressure to ban Sergio Garcia following the Spaniard’s latest tantrum at the World Golf Championship event in Memphis. A video has emerged of Garcia “gouging the teebox” after a poor drive on the 16th hole. A leading player told the Telegraph: “We are starting to wonder what Sergio has to do to get a couple of involuntarily weeks off.”
6. Reid will continue kneel protest
NFL player Eric Reid will continue to protest during the US national anthem this coming season, The Guardian reports. Carolina Panthers safety Reid, who was the first player to kneel alongside Colin Kaepernick, told the Charlotte Observer: “If a day comes that I feel like we’ve addressed those issues [of injustice], and our people aren’t being discriminated against or being killed over traffic violations, then I’ll decide it’s time to stop protesting. I haven’t seen that happen.”
7. England captain Root to bat at No.3
Joe Root will bat at No.3 in the first Ashes Test at Edgbaston on Thursday in a bid to bolster England’s fragile top order against the Australia bowling attack. The England captain prefers to bat at four but in recognition of the problems his side have had in the last season or two he will move up a place.
Ashes 1st Test: Joe Root is ready to step up for England
8. Rosberg: Verstappen is simply the best
Nico Rosberg believes that Max Verstappen would be ahead of Lewis Hamilton in the Formula 1 championship if they were both driving for Mercedes. Former Mercedes driver Rosberg said: “He is incredible this year, he is doing very well this season and is currently only 61 points behind Lewis. That is quite impressive halfway through the season.”
F1 news: Sebastian Vettel fights for the German GP’s future
9. Maguire misses training
England defender Harry Maguire did not take part in Leicester City training yesterday and it’s believed that the Foxes are ready to allow their star asset to join Manchester United. Old Trafford power-broker Ed Woodward “remains in talks with Leicester”.
Premier League transfer news: Lukaku, Dybala, Pepe, Malcom, Dembele
10. Toshack slams Bale
Former Real Madrid and Wales manager John Toshack has launched a scathing attack on countryman Gareth Bale. Liverpool legend Toshack says it’s an insult Bale has not learnt Spanish during his time at the Bernabeu. He said: “Come out Gareth, do an interview, speak yourself. You’ve been there for six or seven years now – you don’t speak the language. That’s an insult to the people you are working for.”
Today’s back pages: Gareth Bale’s ‘insult’ to Spain
