1. Folau fired
Israel Folau has been sacked by Rugby Australia after a panel upheld his dismissal for sending offensive posts on social media.
The Australia full-back posted last month that “hell awaits” gay people. The BBC reports that the 30-year-old requested a hearing regarding his sacking but the decision has been upheld. He now has 72 hours to appeal.
2. Rose shock at crazy question
Tottenham Hotspur left-back Danny Rose has expressed his shock after revealing that a transfer fell through last year because an interested club enquired if he was “crazy”. The England defender, who spoke out about his battle against depression, was stunned by the enquiry. See today’s back pages
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3. Injury woe for Loftus-Cheek
Chelsea and England midfielder Ruben Loftus-Cheek could be out of action for a year after he ruptured his Achilles tendon in a friendly match in the United States. He will now miss the Uefa Europa League final against Arsenal on 29 May and England’s Nations League semi-final against Holland in June.
4. Kane named in England squad
England manager Gareth Southgate has named an initial 27-man squad for the Nations League finals in Portugal. Captain Harry Kane is included despite currently recovering from an ankle injury.
5. Koepke out in front
Defending champion Brooks Koepka was in stunning form in the opening round of the 2019 US PGA Championship at Bethpage Black. The American golfer shot a bogey-free round of 63, a course record, to finish on -7. He goes into today’s second round one shot clear of New Zealand’s Danny Lee and four clear of England’s Tommy Fleetwood.
6. Why everyone’s talking about The Hundred
English cricket’s new competition, The Hundred, will make British sporting history by holding a player draft. However, the official launch of the event was overshadowed by a website photo gaffe. See the Talking Points feature to find out more.
7. FA Cup final: Man City go for the treble
Manchester City will aim to make English football history when they face Watford in the FA Cup final at Wembley Stadium. After lifting the Premier League and League Cup trophies they will look to end the season by becoming the first team to win the domestic treble. The FA Cup final kicks off at 5pm on Saturday and is live on BBC One and BT Sport 2.
8. Wilder comments ‘against spirit of boxing’
The World Boxing Council (WBC) will hold a hearing after Deontay Wilder said he is “trying to get a body” on his record. The council’s president Mauricio Sulaiman said: “I have known Wilder for a long time and he is not the person he portrays in such comments. His metaphors are against the WBC code of ethics and will be addressed in a hearing.” WBC champion Wilder faces Dominic Breazeale on Saturday and the fight is live on Sky Sports.
9. F1 to return to Africa?
Sean Bratches, Formula 1’s managing director of commercial operations, has revealed that talks are taking place about a potential grand prix in Africa. There is a “high degree of interest” from Marrakech in Morocco.
10. Kyrgios has epic meltdown
Just days after his podcast outburst against tennis rivals Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Fernando Verdasco, Australian Nick Kyrgios had a total meltdown during his Italian Open second-round clash against Casper Ruud. The 24-year-old was reported for swearing, and he then threw his racquet and a chair across the court. He forfeited the match and was fined £17,461 for unsportsmanlike conduct.
