The Anti-Sports Personality of the Year awards 2019 | Simon Burnton

While the more deserving await the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year award verdict on Sunday night, here is our list of sporting anti-heroes from 2019

The Military World Games may have received little publicity in Britain, which is not one of the 140 countries from Albania to Zimbabwe who participate, but it was one of the year’s greatest festivals of sport, attracting nearly 10,000 participants to the Chinese city of Wuhan in October.

The Breakdown | Lions will become endangered unless they can collaborate with Premiership

The British & Irish Lions are the lifeblood of the international game, and efforts must be made to secure the team’s future

Roberto Soldado: ‘Someone should have slapped me and said: what are you doing?’

The former Tottenham striker talks about being a spoilt brat at Real Madrid, thriving at Granada and his son’s love for Harry Kane

Never mind Zinedine Zidane, Ronaldo Nazario or Roberto Carlos, forget Raúl, Luis Figo and David Beckham, and as for Iker Casillas and Sergio Ramos, Xavi and Andrés Iniesta, nah. Ignore the galácticos, the hundreds of footballers who have shared his 14-year journey across eight clubs, three countries and the Spanish national team; when Roberto Soldado really wants to impress his son, he tells him he used to play with Harry Kane.

There is a big grin, a flash of pride, and the former Tottenham striker imitates conversations with nine-year-old Enzo, all wide-eyed in wonder. “He’s really into football and if we’re watching the Premier League or Harry scoring for England, I’m there saying: ‘I played with this guy.’ ‘Yeah?!’ ‘Yeah.’ It’s nice. I’m really happy for him, his success, especially because of the person he is.” Soldado pauses, then bursts out laughing. “I’d have just liked him to have waited a little bit.”

Nat Sciver century leads England women to series win over Pakistan

• England 327-4; Pakistan 200 – England win by 127 runs
• Second ODI victory seals unassailable 2-0 series lead

Natalie Sciver scored a series-clinching unbeaten century as England women made it back-to-back wins over Pakistan with victory by 127 runs in the second ODI in Kuala Lumpur.

Sciver made 100 off 85 balls while captain Heather Knight made 86 off 100 and Fran Wilson clubbed three sixes as she contributed 85 off just 49 balls, helping England set an imposing target of 328.

Premier League ends chief executive search by appointing Richard Masters

• Masters has held role on interim basis for more than a year

• Move comes after two previous picks never started the job

The Premier League has appointed Richard Masters as its chief executive, ending a long and troubled attempt to fill the position vacated by Richard Scudamore.

Masters took the role of interim chief executive after Scudamore departed in November 2018 and is the third person to have accepted the job.

Ferrari ‘very flattered’ Lewis Hamilton has had talks about F1 move

• Ferrari admit they have spoken with world champion
• Ferrari would veto bid by Mercedes chief Toto Wolff to run F1

Ferrari have admitted for the first time that Lewis Hamilton, whose £40m-a-year deal with Mercedes expires at the end of next season, has discussed joining them.

Ferrari’s no-nonsense chief executive, Louis Camilleri, also scuppered any ambition Toto Wolff has of leaving Mercedes to run Formula One by stating the Scuderia would be prepared to block such a move.

Paris chooses Tahiti as surfing location for 2024 Olympics

Organisers criticised over environmental impact as site is thousands of miles from host city

The 2024 Paris Olympics has chosen Tahiti as the site for its surfing events arguing that the waves are more dependable than the French coast, despite being nearly 10,000 miles (more than 15,000km) from the host city.

Tahiti is part of French Polynesia, an overseas collectivity, which is an administrative division of France with semi-autonomous status. The International Olympic Committee still has to approve the choice, but Paris organisers believed the famous waves at Teahupo’o in Tahiti – among the most spectacular and powerful in the world – meant it would be a more predictable wave site than the Atlantic coast of France.

Liverpool in advanced talks to sign Salzburg's Takumi Minamino for £7.25m

• Liverpool discussing five-year contract for forward
• Marseille and Bayern Munich also interested

Liverpool are in advanced talks with Red Bull Salzburg to sign the Japanese forward Takumi Minamino for a fee of £7.25m.

Marnus Labuschagne hundred gives Australia control against New Zealand

Ronnie O'Sullivan swaps handshake for fist bump as 'I'm OCD about germs'

• The 44-year-old declined to shake hand of rival James Cahill
• O’Sullivan won 4-0 to reach third round of Scottish Open

Ronnie O’Sullivan caused a stir over his reluctance to shake hands before his Scottish Open match against James Cahill before comfortably progressing to the third round.

O’Sullivan attempted to fist bump both his opponent and the referee, explaining his actions later when he said: “I’ll admit I’m a bit OCD with germs.”

The 100 best female footballers in the world 2019

Losing every point in a tennis match, on-pitch magic and floorball trickery | Classic YouTube

Also featuring a confused Tiémoué Bakayoko, an NFL-style NBA pass and Damon Hill on Reeves and Mortimer

Ruthless but unloved: Is James Harden the NBA's Cristiano Ronaldo?

The Rockets superstar has a kindred spirit in the Juventus frontman, bound by a robotic ruthlessness that will never win over the masses beyond the confines of their home arenas

Not even his most ardent critics – and there are plenty of them – dispute James Harden’s greatness. His numbers are undeniable, he efficacy is unimpeachable, and his continued evolution, still adding wrinkles to his game at 30, is inspiring.

Yet it’s unlikely the Houston Rockets guard will ever be universally adored, at least not to the extent of a LeBron James or even a Stephen Curry. It is a question of style, rather than substance, that prevents so many basketball fans truly taking Harden into their heart. And, in this regard, there are parallels to be drawn between the NBA scoring machine and soccer superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.

Anthony Rendon to join three-time AL MVP Trout at Angels in $245m deal

• Infielder set to become third big free-agent signing in a week
• Angels have reached playoffs just once in a decade

Third baseman Anthony Rendon and the Los Angeles Angels agreed to a $245m, seven-year contract Wednesday, a source has told the Associated Press. The news was also reported by MLB Network and ESPN.

Rendon will get a $4m signing bonus, and salaries of $25.5m next season, $27.5m in 2021, $36m in 2022 and $38m each year from 2023-26. He would receive a $250,000 bonus for World Series MVP, $150,000 for League Championship Series MVP, $125,000 for election as an All-Star starter and $100,000 for selection as a reserve.

Freeman’s lawyer claims British Cycling coach covered up Sutton doping offence

• Freeman’s barrister makes explosive allegations at tribunal
• Shane Sutton says he never tested positive in career

Richard Freeman’s barrister has claimed a current British Cycling coach used a Coke can containing urine to try to help Shane Sutton cover up a doping offence during his riding career.

The allegation was among several against Sutton raised by the former British Cycling doctor’s barrister, Mary O’Rourke QC, during Dr Freeman’s medical tribuna lon Tuesday.

Talking Horses: Trainers revolt over increased fees for apprentice jockeys

Andrew Balding is among those to question new rules that would see apprentice Flat jockeys keep more prize money

New rules which will mean apprentice Flat jockeys keep a greater percentage of prize money and riding fees have prompted a series of complaints from leading trainers.

The British Horseracing Authority (BHA) announced the revised structure last week, but Andrew Balding, whose former apprentices include Derby winner William Buick and the new champion jockey, Oisin Murphy, has voiced his disapproval after Richard Fahey and Richard Hannon did so on Wednesday.

BOA demands the ‘fullest possible sanctions’ be taken against Russia

• British Olympic Association support calls over Wada ban
• Russian speaker suggests country host alternative Games

Gabriel Jesus hits hat-trick in stroll for Manchester City against Dinamo Zagreb

Gabriel Jesus was Manchester City’s star performer with a hat-trick that made it 500 goals in an impressive 199 games of Pep Guardiola’s management. “It’s nice, these four years together we’ve had fun and an incredible amount of good moments. Hopefully we can [do] 500 more – in two months,” said the manager, joking.

Jesus said: “When I was young, I’d think about the Champions League. It’s a very special moment when I score and a hat-trick as well.”

Houston Astros cheating probe widens to almost 60 witnesses, 76,000 emails

• MLB has met with nearly 60 witnesses in cheating investigation
• Astros are alleged to have used a television camera to steal signs

Major League Baseball has interviewed almost 60 people and obtained tens of thousands of electronic messages in its investigation into allegations the Houston Astros broke rules by using a television camera to steal signs.

Former Houston pitcher Mike Fiers sparked the investigation when he told the Athletic last month the Astros had used the camera to steal signs in 2017 during the team’s run to its first World Series title.

I’m taking a break from Test cricket to prolong my career | Moeen Ali

Having some time away has felt liberating so I don’t want to rush my return, but I’m eager to experience the buzz of playing for England again

Representing England has always been a privilege and my decision to take a break from Test cricket at the end of the home summer was made to ensure that, hopefully, I can do it for a lot longer.

Sky Brown, the 11-year-old Olympic hopeful: 'I want to push boundaries for girls'

Skateboarder could become GB’s youngest summer Olympian. She talks falling, food and hopes for the future

“Woah, did you see how high she went? That was four or five feet!” exclaims one of the kids at the Huntington Beach skatepark in California as Sky Brown launches herself into the air and performs a frontside grab.

She soars above the head of her younger brother, Ocean, who’s watching from the rim, and bails out of the landing at the last minute, dropping more than 10 feet into a concrete bowl before grinding safely to a halt on her knee-pads.

Travel baseball: a world where eight-year-olds are treated like pros

Swearing in the stands, long days of travel and night games. Sometimes junior baseball looks more like the big leagues

A baseball player strikes out. Disappointed, he turns to the stands where he makes eye contact with a man who yells, “WHAT A WASTE OF A SPACE.” The player slowly walks back to the dugout, his head hung low, a routine he seems familiar with. He is isn’t a major league superstar like Anthony Rendon, George Springer or Mike Trout, accustomed to the wrath of impatient fans. He is an eight-year-old boy and the disgusted fan is his father who, based on his body language, might as well have yelled, “What a waste of a life.”

This happened a month ago in a midst of an under-nine tournament as we waited for my son’s game, which happened to be against the kid with the angry father. I wanted to hug that kid or at least compliment him in front of his dad. That wasn’t necessary. His team demolished ours and the boy walked away with his father, who looked a little less incensed than he had a couple of hours prior.

Tired, worn Old Trafford a symbol of Manchester United's faded grandeur

Stadium was once a jewel but now it needs an urgent upgrade as Tottenham and others lead the way

Old Trafford is one of football’s most vibrant amphitheatres. During the 109-year history of Manchester United’s home, Billy Meredith, George Best, Diego Maradona, Zinedine Zidane and Cristiano Ronaldo are a few of the greats to grace the stage of England’s record title winners.

Yet the venue has become tired and worn. When the Manchester rain poured hard last season the Sir Bobby Charlton Stand leaked. The seating is crammed and wifi patchy. The directors’ box has an antiquated feel and the bars and suites a faded glamour. A venue that hosted 1966 World Cup and Euro 96 matches has not staged a showpiece game since the 2003 European Cup final.

Shake-up bears fruit as Australia’s cyclists get back on track | Kieran Pender

Rio dejection has given way to Tokyo hope with Australia tipped for success at this weekend’s Track Cycling World Cup in Brisbane

Australia’s track cyclists travelled to Rio de Janeiro in August 2016 with high hopes. The Australian Olympic Committee had predicted that the team would return from the Olympics with three gold medals. They had collected two gold, two silvers and a bronze medal just months earlier at the UCI Track World Championships. With the AOC and Australian Institute of Sport desperate to halt the nation’s slide down the Olympic medal tally, track cycling was seen as a safe bet.

They returned dejected. Two medals – one silver and one bronze – were all that Australia’s track cyclists had to show for millions of dollars of funding and thousands of hours of exertion at Cycling Australia’s high performance headquarters in Adelaide. “We did not have a great performance in Rio,” admits Steph Morton, who finished fourth in the team sprint. “It was hard to handle coming home,” says Annette Edmondson, part of the team pursuit squad that had their medal hopes dashed when they crashed in training.

FAI in meltdown: debts and dysfunction put Irish football in peril

With sponsors dropping out and the government withholding funding many wonder if the FAI can – or should – survive

‘Who said Mourinho is in control of Spurs?’ Rose aims apparent dig at Levy

• Left-back has no plans to discuss his future with manager
• Mourinho optimistic Luis Campos will join as sporting director

The discussion with Danny Rose had turned towards José Mourinho and how it felt to have a manager of his winning mentality in control at Tottenham. “Who said he’s in control of the club?” Rose shot back.

United and Juventus refuse to give up on Haaland but German clubs lead race

• Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig to push for January transfer
• Playing time key but Norwegian will talk to United and Juve

The Red Bull Salzburg striker Erling Braut Haaland is considering offers from Borussia Dortmund and RB Leipzig after visiting the two Bundesliga clubs but is expected to hold talks with Manchester United and Juventus before deciding on his future.

Gabriel Jesus admits he feels weight of Manchester City expectation

• City’s hat-trick striker finds not scoring hard to bear
• ‘Sometimes I miss because I put too much pressure on myself’

Gabriel Jesus has opened up about the anguish he experiences when he fails to score for Manchester City.

Ferguson and Carroll turn back time but is old-fashioned a new winner? | Paul Wilson

Everton’s stand-in manager and Newcastle striker triumphed this past week with traditional values but science is also needed

Champions League’s full English another staging post in march of the superclubs | Barney Ronay

For the third year in a row all the Premier League clubs are in last 16, with Manchester City perhaps the most likely winners

Well, fancy seeing you here. For all the pep and vim, the high-energy caffeine-football combinations of Red Bull Salzburg, there was a feeling of certainty about Liverpool’s progress to the last 16 of the Champions League.

The ability of Jürgen Klopp’s team to win even when the opposition bring their A-game has been a feature of the season. A simple explanation, beyond luck and “LiVARpool” conspiracy theory, is that their base levels are just so high. This is a team of extreme qualities: physical strength, speed, attacking skills. They have more ways to win, more ways to wear you down, like a heavyweight champ who can dawdle through five rounds and still produce at any stage that lights-out right-hander.

Kieran Trippier puts penalty miss behind him to focus on last-16 draw

• ‘I was confident but it was a good save,’ says Atlético defender
• Englishman not worried about facing Premier League club

Coutinho adds finishing touch as Bayern Munich brush Tottenham aside

José Mourinho rested key players with Tottenham already certain to finish this Champions League group in second place and the manager had wanted the club’s fringe players to show their ability; to give him one or two selection headaches for the Premier League challenges ahead.

First the good news. Ryan Sessegnon, on his first Spurs start, showed flickers of his pace on the left wing, worked diligently in defensive terms, made good decisions and enjoyed a moment he will never forget when he lashed home the equaliser for 1-1. Sessegnon had plenty of time to feel the hammer of his heart but he concentrated purely on the cleanness of the finish. It flew past Manuel Neuer from 12 yards, beating the Germany World Cup-winner at his near post.

Football transfer rumours: Zlatan Ibrahimovic to Everton or Milan?

Today’s fluff got its vote in early doors

Everton fans face the prospect of a Duncan Ferguson-Zlatan Ibrahimovic buddy movie if word reaching the Rumour Mill from Italy is proved correct. Big Zlat is back in Europe having come, seen and conquered MLS by getting knocked out in the play-offs each season and is still desperate for on-field action. Milan, one of his myriad former clubs and another institution seeking a redemptive hero, may though end up being his eventual short-term destination. At 38, daring to Zlatan is only likely to be a quick fix.

Memphis Depay confronts Lyon ultras over Marcelo donkey banner – video report

Memphis Depay lashed out at Lyon fans after ultras displayed a banner branding centre-back Marcelo a donkey. The Ligue 1 side have just qualified for the next stage of the Champions League after a 2-2 draw with RB Leipzig. After the final whistle the forward ran towards his supporters before attempting to pull the banner from a fan. Marcelo was also seen aiming a middle-finger gesture at Lyon supporters. Depay, the club captain, was barely able to contain his anger when speaking to French broadcaster RMC Sport after the game. 'Look in my eyes. I’m upset, angry. I don’t know what to say.'

‘I forbid any image of it’: Mourinho bans Spurs watching Bayern defeat – video

José Mourinho has banned his Tottenham side from rewatching their 7-2 defeat to Bayern Munich. ‘I forbid any image of it [the 7-2],’ Mourinho said. ‘I watched it a couple of times: me, my staff and analysts try to go through every single aspect of that but not one single image for the boys.’ Mourinho has left Harry Kane, Dele Alli and Jan Vertonghen out of his squad because Spurs are already through to the next round of the competition.

'Their flag will not fly': Russia given four-year ban for doping offences – video report

Russia will be banned from the Tokyo Olympics and the 2022 football World Cup in Qatar after the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada) voted unanimously to ban them for doping offences. Russia now has 21 days to appeal against the decision. Individual athletes will be able to compete, however they will not be able to represent Russia but instead compete under a neutral banner. As long as they can prove they are drug free

'Simplicity is genius': Anthony Joshua savours victory over Andy Ruiz Jr – video

Anthony Joshua says his points victory over Andy Ruiz Jr in their heavyweight title fight came thanks to his new back-to-basics gameplan. ‘Tonight it was just about winning and trusting my process,’ he said. ‘ I just took it back to the old school, 70s style ... hit and don’t get hit’

Russian PM labels doping ban 'anti-Russian hysteria' – video

Russia's prime minister Dmitry Medvedev has called the decision by the World Anti Doping Agency (Wada) to ban Russia for four years 'anti-Russian hysteria'. The decision made on Monday will see Russia banned from competing at the Tokyo Olympics and the 2022 Qatar World Cup. Individual athletes will be able to compete, however they will not be able to represent Russia but instead compete under a neutral banner as long as they can prove they are drug free

Ferguson jokes he 'can't go through this again' after debut Everton win – video

Duncan Ferguson was in jovial mood after he led Everton to victory over Chelsea – but said he is taking one game at a time. The caretaker manager inspired Everton to move out of the Premier League relegation zone with a 3-1 win.

'I don't know if I can go through this again to be honest with you,' Ferguson joked. 'I need my fitness level up that's for sure, the way I ran up and down the touchline.'

Rugby World Cup 2019: the story of the tournament in pictures and quotes

Click on each image for more information.

In South Africa pressure is not having a job. It is one of your friends being murdered. Rugby shouldn't be something that creates pressure.

Rugby World Cup 2019: Guardian writers' teams of the tournament

The hosts’ Michael Leitch deserves a special mention while England’s Tom Curry and Handre Pollard cannot be omitted

While South Africa’s final surge tipped the scales in a couple of positions, Pieter-Steph du Toit is an unlucky absentee. But how could you possibly omit the incredible Japan captain, Michael Leitch, or the youthful Tom Curry from the back row? Only one All Black tells its own story but the semi-final against England defined New Zealand’s World Cup. There is one place too, for an Argentinian – the hooker Julián Montoya. Handre Pollard kicked almost everything when it mattered, Kyle Sinckler and Maro Itoje are included on merit and Faf de Klerk is selected both for his nuisance value and world-class ability to spin the ball on one finger. John Denver’s ageless Take Me Home, Country Roads is the official team soundtrack.

'We performed desperately': fans review the Rugby World Cup

Supporters from South Africa and England are considerably happier than their counterparts in Ireland and Georgia

Japan 2019 might be the moment rugby union glimpsed a more fulfilling future | Robert Kitson

Can-do spirit and a receptive host country look to have opened new markets for what has been a virtually landlocked sport

On stage at the World Rugby awards ceremony on Sunday evening the extraordinary Siya Kolisi was asked what kind of public reaction he and his team were expecting on their return to South Africa. “I’m not sure,” replied the Springbok captain, a note of uncertainty in his voice. He sounded like a bemused lottery winner still attempting to compute how much his life had just changed.

The heartfelt roar from the entire South Africa squad when Rassie Erasmus was announced as the world coach of the year was equally endearing. As Erasmus admitted, the team did not arrive in Japan necessarily expecting a successful outcome; in his view three key things – hard work, luck and destiny – propelled them to victory. His squad, he said, did not just want to boost their country’s spirits, they felt an absolute responsibility to do so. To paint their triumph merely as a nice rugby story ignores the inspirational bigger picture surrounding it.

Ten key themes as World Cup says sayonara to Japan | Paul Rees

Momentum proved a myth, cracking down on high tackles was a success and emerging nations showed their worth

It looked like advantage to the holders after they effectively decided the pool pecking order on the opening weekend, but it prompted South Africa’s head coach, Rassie Erasmus, to make a significant change. The Springboks conceded only four tries in the tournament, two against the All Blacks. Erasmus used a conventional split of five forwards and three backs on the bench on that evening, but he changed it to six-two for the pool match against Italy and the three knockout games, giving him an alternative tight five to maintain physical power and mental sharpness.

World Cup offered timely reminder of rugby’s values, on and off the pitch

Japan’s hosting showed what the game might become while South Africa’s victory offered succour to its people

So in the end Jack did not kill the 15 giants. But still the Rugby World Cup had a different kind of fairytale finish. Siya Kolisi, South Africa’s first black captain, a kid from a township outside Port Elizabeth, led his team to a famous victory. And a team that once epitomised the apartheid regime was reborn, at last, as one offering the promise of togetherness. It was not long ago that the Springboks were jeered by black South Africans. Now they are being cheered by them. They have made good on Nelson Mandela’s words from 1995. “Sport has the power to unite people in a way that little else does,” Mandela said, “Sport can create hope where once there was despair.”

Rugby World Cup awards: the best player, the best match – our verdicts

From Japan’s Michael Leitch and England’s win over the All Blacks to TJ Perenara’s try of the tournament, the Guardian’s rugby experts hand out their awards

Robert Kitson Michael Leitch. Japan’s all-court rugby was among the tournament’s high spots and their captain was never far from the action. Semi Radradra might have pipped him had Fiji made the last eight.

England’s World Cup final defeat to South Africa proves Warren Gatland was right | Nick Evans

Eddie Jones’s team played their ‘final’ against the All Blacks and could not reproduce this level when it mattered most

The Fiver | Storming into Lyon's den to berate successful young athletes

David Squires on … football and the 2019 general election

It’s election week, which means the worlds of football and politics have collided. With dismal consequences

Which football teams have had underwear models as managers? | The Knowledge

Plus: quickfire sackings of derby rivals, trading away-day thrashings and managers sent packing at half-time

Buy a classic sport photograph: the big splash

Sports quiz of the week: clothes, coins and a heavyweight contest

Who is flying the flag? Who lost his job? Who is a hypocrite?

Duncan Ferguson will take charge of Everton for their match against Chelsea this weekend after Marco Silva was sacked. Which of these statements about Ferguson is false?

He once scored a hat-trick of headers in the Premier League

He was in the Everton team the last time they won a trophy

He has scored more goals in the Premier League than any other Scottish player

He is Scotland’s all-time top goalscorer

Vivianne Miedema had an eventful afternoon when Arsenal played Bristol City in the Women’s Super League last weekend. What did she do?

She came on as a substitute in the 89th minute, scored in the 90th minute and was sent off in the 91st minute

She signed for Arsenal from Bristol City in the morning of the game and went on to score the winning goal against her old club

She was the referee and had to send off five players – and both managers

She scored six goals and set up four more

Andy Ruiz Jr is defending his heavyweight world titles against Anthony Joshua on Saturday at the Diriyah Arena in Saudi Arabia. How long did it take to build the 15,000-seat stadium?

56 days

Nine months

Eight years

Seventeen years

Joshua and Ruiz have lost one fight each as professional fighters. Joshua’s defeat came against Ruiz. Who is the only boxer to have beaten Ruiz?

Tyson Fury

Joseph Parker

Wladimir Klitschko

Deontay Wilder

Paris is hosting the Olympics in 2024. Where do they want to hold the surfing tournament?

In a swimming pool below the Eiffel Tower

The River Seine

Biarritz

Tahiti

Angry Bordeaux fans invaded the pitch this week at the start of their league match against Nîmes. What happened when the game resumed 25 minutes later?

The Nîmes fans held their own pitch invasion to protest against their team

The Bordeaux fans left the stadium and went home

Bordeaux won 6-0

Bordeaux conceded three goals in 10 minutes and the fans invaded the pitch again

Roger Federer has been honoured many times in Switzerland. In the past he has featured on postage stamps and been given cows for winning trophies. How did the country pay tribute to Federer this week?

They renamed their stretch of the Rhine river the "Roger river"

He is becoming the first living person to have his face printed on a Swiss franc

The city Fribourg is being renamed "Federbourg"

They are giving anyone called Roger free personal training sessions

Which of these rules is changing next season in Formula One?

Cars will have to take at least four pit stops per race

Cars will not be allowed to carry adverts

Races will finish when the chequered flag flies – rather than the electronic panel they used this year

Driver will have to start races by running to their cars – like they once did in Le Mans

Paul Scholes criticised Freddie Ljungberg’s choice of clothing for his first game in charge of Arsenal, saying: "You would think he’d be out in a suit to show a bit of proudness that he took the job – a shirt and tie to show some discipline. I don’t think he’ll be the right man.” Why was this criticism a bit harsh?

Ljungberg was only put in charge 45 minutes before the match

Ljungberg had just led his team to a 4-1 win

Scholes didn’t wear a suit in his first game as a manager either

Scholes said it while wearing a snood

Watford have sacked two managers this season. How many league games have they won?

One

Three

Five

Seven

There was a local derby between two college football teams in Mississippi this week. It was a tight match but wide receiver Elijah Moore scored a touchdown in the final few seconds to almost certainly guarantee his team would win. But what happened next?

The electricity in the stadium failed, the digital scoreboard did not record his touchdown and the result stood as a draw

Moore celebrated on all fours like a dog taking a pee, the referee penalised his team and they lost the game

The referee ruled the touchdown illegal as a cat had been on the pitch

A mass brawl kicked off and the game was called off

1 and above.

Ah well. Have a good weekend

2 and above.

Ah well. Have a good weekend

3 and above.

Ah well. Have a good weekend

4 and above.

Ah well. Have a good weekend

7 and above.

A fine score. Have a great weekend

5 and above.

A solid score. Have a good weekend

6 and above.

A fine score. Have a great weekend

8 and above.

A fine score. Have a great weekend

9 and above.

You are a genius. Have a fantastic weekend

10 and above.

You are a genius. Have a fantastic weekend

0 and above.

Ah well. Have a good weekend

11 and above.

You are a genius. Have a fantastic weekend

The Breakdown | Kidney and Boyd show coaches are worth weight in gold in Premiership

The salary cap and CVC cash have turned the league on its head, putting an emphasis on who gets most out of players

In Saudi Arabia the fight for rights puts Joshua v Ruiz in the shade | Sean Ingle

When international sport comes to the Arabian kingdom it must be with a raised voice on issues of human freedom

As Saturday night spilled into Sunday morning in Saudi Arabia, something unusual happens. The shrieking bass line of House of Pain’s Jump Around starts pumping out across the Diriyah stadium, where Anthony Joshua’s heavyweight showdown against Andy Ruiz Jr is about to begin. A few people stand up. Then several more. And suddenly hundreds of men and women in traditional dress are pogoing and waving their hands in delirium.

This, to put it mildly, is not something one expects to see in a country that is a byword for patriarchy and religious extremism. But when I speak to one local, he tells me this is another sign of the dizzying change of the past two years. “Although I agree a lot of bad things are still happening, it is improving,” he says. “In 10 years’ time we won’t be living in the same place.”

Six Nations coaches need to freshen up squads or face falling behind | Robert Kitson

In 2000 Warren Gatland used World Cup players and Ireland lost so he tore up the teamsheet and turned things around

Irresistible Rashford delivers on the biggest of stages for United | Barney Ronay

Is there a better attacking player in England at present than Marcus Rashford, key to Manchester United’s derby win at City?

Is there a better attacking player in the country right now than Marcus Rashford? There’s a sentence you wouldn’t have expected to read eight weeks ago.

The answer, to be fair, is probably maybe; or may I introduce you to Sadio Mané, Son Heung-min and Jamie Vardy; or better still – never mind that, just enjoy the show.

Sam Kerr the best in the world? Tell us something we don't know | Samantha Lewis

Judged this week by the Guardian as the best female footballer on the planet, Matildas captain Sam Kerr now has her chance to prove it on the European club stage