Sport shorts: Chelsea now free to sign players in January window and Brendan Rodgers pens new Leicester City contract

1. Chelsea transfer ban reduced

Premier League club Chelsea will be free to make signings in the January window after their Fifa transfer ban was reduced.

After being handed a two-window ban last February for breaching rules on signing young players Chelsea took their case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

BBC Sport reports that the court has halved the ban to one transfer window, which was served during summer this year. The court also reduced Chelsea’s fine from £461,000 to £230,000.

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2. Three epic clashes this weekend

It’s going to be a huge weekend for sports fans in the UK with two football derbies and a heavyweight boxing title clash on the schedule.

At 5.30pm tomorrow Manchester City host rivals Manchester United in the Premier League at the Etihad then at around 9pm British challenger Anthony Joshua takes on champion Andy Ruiz Jr in their heavyweight rematch.

On Sunday Glasgow rivals Celtic and Rangers go head-to-head in the Scottish League Cup final at Hampden Park (3pm).

3. Fighters step on the scales

Andy Ruiz Jr and Anthony Joshua have had their final weigh-in ahead of the title fight in Saudi Arabia.

At the weigh-in Joshua was 16st 13lbs, the lightest he has ever been for a world title fight and 10lbs lighter than the first bout. Ruiz Jr weighed in at 20st 3lbs, 15lbs heavier than the first fight.

Ruiz Jr vs. Joshua II: fight guide and predictions

Where to watch the rematch: official screenings, pubs and bars

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4. Rodgers pens new Leicester deal

Leicester City have confirmed that manager Brendan Rodgers has signed a new five-and-a-half year contract that will keep him at the club until 2025.

The 46-year-old, who had been linked with Arsenal, has led the Foxes to second in the Premier League table this season.

Former Celtic and Liverpool boss Rodgers said: “I’ve inherited an outstanding team of staff that are dedicated to progress and improvement and we have a group of players that are a joy to work with every day.”

5. From cycling to bobsleigh

Team GB athlete Vicky Williamson will switch sports from track cycling to bobsleigh. The 26-year-old said: “I’m sad to be moving on from cycling, but I’m excited about what could happen in bobsleigh.”

6. Hamilton and Rossi set for swap

Formula 1 driver Lewis Hamilton and MotoGP star Valentino Rossi are getting prepared for their much anticipated “machine swap”. In Valencia on Monday Hamilton will ride a MotoGP bike and Rossi will drive a Mercedes 2017-spec W08. Italian Rossi has shared an image having a seat fitting at the Mercedes factory.

F1: Webber tips Hamilton and Ferrari to win the titles in 2020

7. UN urges sport to tackle climate change

United Nations (UN) director of climate and environment Martin Frick believes sports associations and event organisers can do more to tackle climate change. He said: “The target is out there, we know that 1.5 degrees is really the maximum increase this planet can take... to do so we need to bring our emissions down by 7.5% every year. Now, if you take that as a target for any sports club, that would be a very good start.”

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8. Pearson favourite for Watford job

Nigel Pearson is the favourite to take over at Premier League club Watford. The Hornets sacked Quique Sanchez Flores earlier this week and former Leicester boss Pearson, 56, has reportedly held talks with the club.

9. Arsenal’s bad run continues

The last time Arsenal were in such a winless rut, Margaret Thatcher was still dreaming of becoming prime minister and the Bay City Rollers were the kings of pop. Last night’s 2-1 defeat against Brighton means the Gunners are without a win in their last nine matches in all competitions. It’s Arsenal’s worst run of form since 1977.

Abject, dire and toxic: it’s open warfare at the Mayhemirates as Arsenal lose again

10. Who next for Everton?

Everton are on the search for a new manager after Marco Silva was sacked last night. According to reports David Moyes and Vitor Pereira are the early favourites for the vacant role at Goodison Park. First-team coach Duncan Ferguson will take charge for tomorrow’s home clash against Chelsea.

Today’s back pages

Marco gets the ‘Silva bullet’ at Everton

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