The Daily Telegraph reports that the English Football Association (FA) was in “crisis talks” last night over the deal to allow betting companies the rights to live stream FA Cup matches.
Sports minister Nigel Adams told the House of Commons: “I’ve been very clear that the government has asked the FA to look at all avenues to review this element of their broadcasting agreement.”
BBC Sport adds that seven gambling websites - Bet365, Betfair, William Hill, Coral, Ladbrokes, Unibet and Paddy Power - acquired the rights via agency IMG, who agreed a deal with the FA.
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Brigid Simmonds, chair of the Betting and Gaming Council, says the companies would allow games to be streamed on a free platform elsewhere.
Simmonds said: “Our members did not seek exclusivity for the rights to screen FA Cup games.
“They are therefore happy for IMG to offer the rights to screen these games to the Football Association or another appropriate body so that the games can be viewed for free by the public with immediate effect.”
2. Hamilton grieves for defenceless animals
Formula 1 world champion Lewis Hamilton is the latest star from the world of sport to donate money towards the Australian bushfire appeal.
British driver Hamilton will pledge US$500,000 (£380,000) to charities affected by the fires. The 35-year-old’s donation will go to WIRES Wildlife Rescue, WWF Australia and the Rural Fire Service.
The Mercedes ace said: “It saddens me deeply to know that over 1 billion animals in Australia died a painful death, no way out, not their fault. My love of animals is no secret and I can’t help but grieve for the defenceless animals thought to have died so far, pushing certain species closer to extinction.”
Motorsport-magazin.com reports that Formula 1 team Red Bull Racing are set to reveal their 2020 car on 12 February. It has already been confirmed that Ferrari will launch their new model on 11 February and Alpha Tauri, formerly known as Toro Rosso, will unveil their challenger on Valentine’s Day.
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4. Man City Women’s boss agrees New York move
Manchester City Women’s manager Nick Cushing will leave the role in February to become assistant to New York City FC head coach Ronny Deila. Cushing, who has won six trophies with City since 2014, said: “Linking up with New York City and Ronny [Deila] is a brilliant opportunity and I’m really looking forward to working in the MLS.”
5. Woods could break PGA record at Torrey Pines
American golf icon Tiger Woods could break the PGA Tour win record when he lines up at the Farmers Insurance Open from 23-26 January at Torrey Pines. In October Woods equalled Sam Snead’s record of 82 PGA Tour victories and will head to Torrey Pines having previously won there on eight occasions.
(Image credit: Elsa/Getty Images)
6. Road to Super Bowl LIV continues
After last weekend’s dramatic wild card games NFL fans are looking forward to the divisional round of the play-offs tomorrow and Sunday. The four matches will be live on Sky Sports.
NFC divisional round play-off fixtures
Saturday 11 January: San Francisco 49ers vs. Minnesota Vikings (9.35pm GMT)
Sunday 12 January: Green Bay Packers vs Seattle Seahawks (11.40pm GMT)
AFC divisional round fixtures
Sunday 12 January: Baltimore Ravens vs. Tennessee Titans (1.15am GMT)
Sunday 12 January: Kansas City Chiefs vs. Houston Texans (8.05pm GMT)
7. Chinese TV blank Ozil
Mesut Ozil may be playing his best football in years since Mikel Arteta took over as Arsenal head coach but his rejuvenation has been overlooked in China.
The German is “facing a permanent blacklisting in China” after he went public last month with his criticism of the way China is treating the Uighur Muslim minority in the Xinjiang region.
Ozil was not namechecked once on the PPTV streaming channel despite his stunning performance in the 2-0 win against Manchester United on New Year’s Day. That included omitting his name when announcing the line-ups before kick-off.
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8. Madrid rivals through to Super Cup final
Atletico Madrid will face city rivals Real Madrid in the final of the Spanish Super Cup on Sunday in Saudi Arabia (6pm GMT). Atletico secured their place after beating Barcelona 3-2 in the semi-final last night. Real beat Valencia 3-1 in their semi-final on Wednesday.
9. Button it, Buttler
England wicketkeeper Jos Buttler has been fined 15% of his match fee from the second Test after being caught badmouthing South Africa’s Vernon Philander.
Writing in The Times, Michael Atherton doesn’t excuse Buttler but he does say tempers understandably get frayed out in the middle and the former England captain asks whether the stump microphones “should be turned down”.
10. Today’s back pages
Premier League side Tottenham have been dealt a major blow with news that star striker Harry Kane will be sidelined until April with a hamstring injury.
Spurs have confirmed that the 26-year-old England captain will need to have surgery. A statement said: “Following ongoing assessment by our medical staff over the past week, we can confirm that Harry Kane will undergo surgery to repair a ruptured tendon in his left hamstring.”
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