Sport shorts: Man City’s Bernardo Silva charged with misconduct over tweet and Simone Biles plays down superstar status
Ten things from the world of sport on Wednesday 2 October
1. Silva charged over Mendy tweet
Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva has been charged with misconduct by the English Football Association (FA).
The Portuguese had sent a tweet to City team-mate Benjamin Mendy comparing the French left-back with a character used by a Spanish chocolate peanut brand Conguitos.
In a statement the FA said: “Bernardo Silva has been charged with misconduct for a breach of FA Rule E3 in relation to a social media post on 22 September 2019.
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“It is alleged that the Manchester City player’s activity breaches FA Rule E3 (1) as it was insulting and/or improper and/or brought the game into disrepute.
“It is further alleged that the activity constitutes an ‘Aggravated Breach’, which is defined in FA Rule E3(2), as it included reference, whether expressed or implied, to race and/or colour and/or ethnic origin.”
Silva, who has until 9 October to respond to the FA’s charge, could face a six-match suspension.
2. Cardiff to appeal Sala transfer fee ruling
Cardiff City will appeal against Fifa’s ruling that they must pay the first £5.3m transfer fee instalment to Nantes for £15m striker Emiliano Sala.
The Championship club will take their appeal to the Court of Arbitration for Sport in Lausanne, Switzerland.
Argentine Sala, 28, died in a plane crash in January.
3. Murray beats Norrie in all-British tie
Andy Murray is through to the quarter-finals of the China Open after beating fellow Brit Cameron Norrie 7-6 (8-6), 6-7 (4-7), 6-1 in Beijing. Murray will play Austria’s Dominic Thiem or China’s Zhang Zhizhen next.
4. Towcester Racecourse closes
The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) has announced that Towcester Racecourse has been permanently closed and its remaining ten fixtures have been sold to Arena Racing Company. The Northamptonshire racecourse went into administration in August last year.
BHA chief operating officer Richard Wayman said: “We’re saddened to see the closure of Towcester, a beautiful racecourse which will undoubtedly have created fond memories for many racing fans and participants.”
5. Ill Parker ruled out of Chisora bout
Illness has forced New Zealand boxer Joseph Parker to pull out of his heavyweight fight against Britain’s Dereck Chisora on 26 October. Promoter Eddie Hearn said: “We are working on a suitable replacement and will make a further announcement this week.”
6. Biles plays down superstar status
She may be a four-time Olympic gold medalist but American gymnast Simone Biles does not see herself as a “superstar”, the BBC reports.
The 22-year-old, who competes at the World Gymnastics Championships from 4-13 October, said: “I feel like if I were to label myself as a superstar it would bring more expectations on me. I would feel more pressure in the limelight. I’m still a human being before I’m ‘Simone Biles the superstar’.”
7. All Blacks thrash Canada at RWC
At the Rugby World Cup this morning France were 33-9 winners against the United States in pool C. France secured the bonus-point victory thanks to tries from Yoann Huget, Alivereti Raka, Gael Fickou, Baptiste Serin and Jefferson Poirot.
In the day’s second match reigning champions New Zealand thrashed Canada 63-0 in pool B.
The three Barrett brothers - Jordie, Beauden and Scott - scored for the All Blacks while Sonny Bill Williams, Rieko Ioane, Scott Barrett, Shannon Frizell and Brad Weber (two) also touched down.
New Zealand were awarded one penalty try and Richie Mo’unga added the extras with eight conversions in Oita.
Rugby World Cup: fixtures, TV guide and UK start times
8. Odegaard in, Ozil out at Arsenal?
Arsenal are “lining up a bid” for Real Madrid playmaker Martin Odegaard. According to reports Gunners head coach Unai Emery wants the Norwegian to replace Mesut Ozil in his squad. Currently on loan at Real Sociedad, 20-year-old Odegaard has been identified by Emery as a star for the future.
Arsenal target Martin Odegaard to replace outcast Mesut Ozil
9. Klopp: Salzburg will surprise a lot of people
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has warned his side that Red Bull Salzburg have the potential to “surprise” them in tonight’s Champions League group E match at Anfield.
Klopp said: “It’s a proper unit - a young exciting team, full of power and excitement [for them] to be part of that opportunity. Really strong, really good opponent and well organised.
“Salzburg will surprise a lot of people. The way they play is made to surprise other teams. But if anyone knows the way they play it’s probably me.”
Chelsea are also in action tonight with an away trip to Lille in group H.
Champions League: Liverpool vs. RB Salzburg preview, team news and predictions
Champions League: LOSC Lille vs. Chelsea preview, team news and predictions
10. Bayern hit seven past sorry Spurs
Last night Tottenham Hotspur were blown away by Bayern Munich after the German giants secured a 7-2 away win in north London.
Former Arsenal winger Serge Gnabry scored four times in the Champions League group B fixture.
Manchester City secured their second win in group C, beating Dinamo Zagreb 2-0 at the Etihad Stadium.
Tottenham 2 Bayern 7: reactions as Gnabry paints north London red
Today’s back pages: seven and hell for humiliated Tottenham
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