English football to boycott social media giants Facebook, Twitter and Instagram

1. ‘Social media companies must do more to eradicate online hate’

Football

English football organisations will switch off their Facebook, Twitter and Instagram accounts for four days in response to online abuse directed at players and many others connected to the sport.

Scheduled to take place across a full-fixture programme in the men’s and women’s professional game, the social media boycott will begin at 3pm on Friday 30 April and end at 11.59pm on Monday 3 May. The FA, Premier League, EFL, FA Women’s Super League, FA Women’s Championship, PFA, LMA, PGMOL, Kick It Out, Women in Football and the FSA will unite in the protest.

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In a statement, the Premier League said the boycott “shows English football coming together to emphasise that social media companies must do more to eradicate online hate, while highlighting the importance of educating people in the ongoing fight against discrimination”.

Earlier this month, following online abuse of players, Swansea City announced a club-wide social media blackout for seven days and were followed by fellow Championship side Birmingham City and Scottish champions Rangers.

2. Jadeja hits 37 runs off seven-ball over in IPL

Cricket

Indian Premier League (IPL) history was equalled last night after Chennai Super Kings star Ravindra Jadeja hit 37 runs off a seven-ball over in the 69-run victory over Royal Challengers Bangalore.

Off the bowling of Bangalore pacer Harshal Patel, India all-rounder Jadeja hit six, six, six (off a no ball), six (free hit), two, six, and four. Jadeja, who scored an unbeaten 62 off 28 balls, said: “I was a bit tired before the last over after running a lot of twos... I was looking to hit the ball hard but didn’t expect it to connect five times, so I’m happy.”

In 2011 West Indies batsman Chris Gayle scored 37 runs in one over for Bangalore against Kochi Tuskers Kerala.

3. Guardiola urges City to go and secure the ‘nicest’ title

Football

After seeing his side lift the League Cup yesterday, Pep Guardiola has now urged Manchester City to go on and win the “most important title of the season” - the English Premier League. Aymeric Laporte’s 82nd‑minute header gave City the 1-0 victory over Tottenham at Wembley and they can now add the Premier League with six more points.

“The Premier League is the nicest one, the one where I am most proud when we are able to do it,” said City boss Guardiola. “We are ten points clear, we need two victories, and in between the games in this crazy schedule we are going to try to win the next one against Crystal Palace.”

City have a treble in their sights this season. They are also in the Champions League semi-finals where they will play Paris Saint-Germain.

4. Smith’s mullet is here to stay after Zurich Classic win

Golf

Australian duo Cameron Smith and Marc Leishman - “Team Mullet” - won golf’s Zurich Classic after beating South Africa’s Louis Oosthuizen and Charl Schwartzel on the first play-off hole at TPC Louisiana in New Orleans yesterday.

Sporting his now-famous “mullet” hairstyle, Smith had promised his girlfriend he would have his “do” cropped once he had a PGA Tour event victory. However, he lied, says the Golf Channel. “I would have to apologise to my girlfriend, it’s not going away,” said Smith. “I mean, I feel like it’s part of me now. It makes people laugh. I love it.”

5. ‘King of clay’ Nadal reigns supreme in Barcelona

Tennis

Rafael Nadal saved a match point before beating Stefanos Tsitsipas in the Barcelona Open final yesterday - his 12th career victory in the event.

Speaking after his 61st tour-level title on clay, the 34-year-old said: “Winning the trophy here means a lot. I have been increasing my level and this was an important victory for me.”

“King of clay” Nadal, who is a 20-time grand slam champion, now looks in top form ahead of next month’s French Open clay-court major at Roland-Garros. The defending champion will head to Paris aiming for a 14th victory.

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