Today’s back pages: Tyson Fury faces fresh probe over farmer’s claim and Mason Mount defies Chelsea’s self-isolation ban
A round-up of the sport headlines from UK newspapers on 16 March
Fury and the farmer
The Guardian and The Times report that UK Anti-Doping (Ukad) has launched an investigation into Tyson Fury over an allegation that false evidence was submitted in his defence after a failed drugs test in 2015.
The story was first broken in the Mail on Sunday in which Martin Carefoot, a Lancashire farmer, alleged he was offered £25,000 by “someone linked to the world heavyweight champion to falsely claim that he sold wild boar to the Furys”.
The Times says that Fury and his cousin Hughie, also a boxer, tested positive for the banned steroid nandrolone but subsequently blamed the result on eating uncastrated wild boar or contaminated supplements.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
Carefoot said that though he didn’t receive any money he did sign two witness statements in which he falsely claimed to have supplied the wild boar.
In the ensuing legal battle, reports The Times, “the Furys agreed in 2017 to a backdated two-year ban for both boxers”.
Frank Warren, Tyson Fury’s promoter, responded to the new allegations by casting doubt on the farmer’s credibility but The Times says the world heavyweight champion “could face a ban of eight years if Ukad finds that false evidence was knowingly submitted”.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For analysis of the biggest sport stories - and a concise, balanced take on the week’s news - try The Week magazine. Start your trial today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Mount defies ban
The Daily Mirror and the Daily Express are indignant to see that Mason Mount broke Chelsea’s self-isolation ban “for a park kickabout with Declan Rice”.
Mount had been instructed to steer clear of people following Callum Hudson-Odoi’s positive test for coronavirus last week, but the young frontman defied the Blues’s ban for a Sunday kickabout.
The Mirror predicts that Mount will receive “a major dressing down from Stamford Bridge chiefs”, while West Ham may also take a dim view of Rice - who hasn’t been told to self-isolate - for putting himself at risk.
Coronavirus stops sport: what is cancelled or postponed?
Rugby League plays on
Several newspapers report on the “business as usual” approach of rugby league, which, in contrast to practically every other professional sport in the UK, fulfilled its fixtures at the weekend, although Leeds postponed their match against the Catalans on Saturday after a player was tested for coronavirus - a test which came back negative.
Castleford beat St Helens in the Super League and there’s some unintentional humour to be found in The Guardian’s report of the match.
“We shouldn’t be playing,” a St Helens fan called Dave tells the paper. “There’s a social responsibility to protect fans and help public health.”
Dave can’t have been that concerned as he and hundreds of Saints supporters travelled across the M62 to watch the match.
Today’s sport headlines
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––For analysis of the biggest sport stories - and a concise, balanced take on the week’s news - try The Week magazine. Start your trial today –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
The Pentagon faces an uncertain future with Trump
Talking Point The president-elect has nominated conservative commentator Pete Hegseth to lead the Defense Department
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
This is what you should know about State Department travel advisories and warnings
In Depth Stay safe on your international adventures
By Catherine Garcia, The Week US Published
-
'All Tyson-Paul promised was spectacle and, in the end, that's all we got'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
By Justin Klawans, The Week US Published
-
Thomas Tuchel to become next England football manager
Speed Read 'Divisive' German coach hopes to lead the men's team to victory
By Arion McNicoll, The Week UK Published
-
Is it time for Anthony Joshua to retire?
After his latest brutal defeat, British boxing's 'poster boy' has a difficult choice to make
By Rebekah Evans, The Week UK Published
-
Premier League all-star game: ‘incredibly arrogant’ or natural ‘evolution’?
Talking Point Managers and pundits dismiss US-inspired idea from Chelsea co-owner
By Chas Newkey-Burden Published
-
Tyson Fury vs. Oleksandr Usyk: the mega-fight boxing fans ‘deserve’ to see
feature Ukrainian calls out Gypsy King for undisputed clash – which could be held in December
By Mike Starling Published
-
Raheem Sterling: Chelsea move ‘makes sense for all’
Why Everyone’s Talking About England star set for return to west London from Manchester City
By Mike Starling Published
-
Life after Roman: Chelsea’s new era begins after takeover is completed
feature Todd Boehly reveals his vision for the club, plus a look at the possible ins and outs at the Bridge
By Mike Starling Published
-
2022 FA Cup final: Chelsea vs. Liverpool preview, predictions, kick-off time and TV coverage
feature Premier League rivals go head-to-head in another Wembley final
By Mike Starling Published
-
Tyson Fury: will he retire from boxing or become the undisputed ‘Lord of the Ring’?
Why Everyone’s Talking About Pundits look at what the Gypsy King will do next after his masterclass against Dillian Whyte
By Mike Starling Published