Conor McNamara
BBC Radio 5 live

Image source, Conor McNamara

"Here's my view at The Ljudski Vrt Stadium in Slovenia where Chelsea play Maribor tonight."

Dan Roan
BBC sports editor

Speaking during a tour of the Football Association's training base at St George's Park in Staffordshire, Platini said: "As president of Uefa, I have no problem whether it's in November, December, January or February.

"I have no problem. For the competition of the Champions League, we have no problem.

"Your clubs in England, your league (the Premier League) has a problem… but we have to find a compromise. Everybody has to lose something but in the end I think winter will be a good date.

"It will not be in April, it will not be in May or June or July or September. It will be November, December or January."

Dan Roan
BBC sports editor

Uefa president Michel Platini has told BBC Sport the 2022 Qatar World Cup must be played in winter.

His stance puts him in direct opposition to some of Europe's biggest leagues and clubs, who want the event to be staged in May.

The World Cup is usually held in June and July, but Fifa has been told that Qatar's searing summer temperatures will put players' health at risk.

Platini said: "It'll never be in April, May or June. It will be in winter."

Manager Steve McClaren says Johnny Russell is providing the spark for much of Derby County's best attacking play.

The 24-year-old forward has started the last five matches and scored his second goal in that run in Tuesday's 2-0 win over in-form Huddersfield Town to take Derby up to fourth in the Championship.

McClaren told BBC Radio Derby: "He was fantastic. He has such energy and is the catalyst at the moment. He has done so well since he came into the team.

"It was great to score but it is not just that, it's the work off the ball."

Image source, The FA

The FA:, external Platini meets England U17s coach John Peacock and @FA director of elite development Dan Ashworth @StGeorgesPark.

Akinpelu Kayode:, external Alessandro Costacurta and Paolo Maldini playing till 41 in top flight football. Hard to leave one out so I had to mention both.

Tim Stubbs:, external Teddy Sheringham Colchester v Peterboro' FA Cup Jan08 Posh, a league below won 3-1 but at 41 he was the best player on the day.

Chris Walsh:, external Frankie Smith stills turns out twice a weekend for fleckney village cricket club (leics) at the ripe old age of 68.

Who is the oldest person you have watched or played alongside in sport? Tweet #bbcsportsday.

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers needs to explain his team selection against Real Madrid to the fans, Uefa president Michel Platini said on Wednesday.

Rodgers incurred the wrath of some Reds supporters on social media sites when he left Steven Gerrard, Raheem Sterling, Jordan Henderson, Mario Balotelli and Philippe Coutinho out of the starting line-up, with an eye on the weekend's Premier League encounter with Chelsea.

Platini said: "First of all he has to explain to his fans why he put this team - not to me, not to you. Are you sure it was not the best team? How can I say that? The coach of Liverpool, if I say something, he'll say, 'Oh, Michel Platini, I put my best team of the moment.' And I would be stupid."

Image source, Reuters

Chelsea look well on the way to winning their Champions League group once more. Two wins a draw from their first three games leaves them top of the pile. That's how you do it Man City.....

Everton manager Roberto Martinez predicts Thursday's Europa League tie against Lille at Goodison Park will be "quite special".

"The two away games so far have been phenomenal experiences, but playing at home under floodlights, facing French opposition for the first time in our history is going to be something quite special," the Spaniard said.

"We really want to grow into this competition and be as strong as we can. But, the first objective is to get through the group.

"Step-by-step, we're enjoying the demands of this season. The Europa League has brought a different challenge to our squad."

Juliette Ferrington
BBC Sport

"Everton manager Roberto Martinez has confirmed defender Antolin Alcaraz dislocated his shoulder during the 0-0 draw against Swansea on Saturday.

"He's expected to be out of action between 6 to 12 weeks.

"Martinez has no other new injury concerns ahead of their Europa League game against Lille tomorrow night."

Former Football Association chief executive Brian Barwick is to become the new chairman of the Football Conference at the end of the season.

Barwick, who previously held senior sport posts with the BBC and ITV, will continue in his role as non-executive chairman of the Rugby Football League.

"I look forward to a long and positive relationship with one of football's most enduring competitions," he said.

Barwick will succeed Brian Lee, who has held the position for eight years.

Image source, EPA

The first leg of the Volvo Ocean Race is over and Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing have claimed the 6,487-nautical-mile opening stage from Alicante to Cape Town after just over 25 days at sea.

Image source, Getty Images

Abu Dhabi Ocean Racing had been pursued for the past 48 hours by Chinese entry Dongfeng Race Team, who closed to within three miles but could not make up the gap in the South Atlantic chase into Cape Town.

Image source, Getty Images

Image source, Simon Watts

West Ham striker Andy Carroll played in a 60-minute training match, external today under the watchful eye of manager Sam Allardyce and his staff.

The £15m signing has not featured for the first team this season following ankle surgery in July.

He was joined in the Hammers side that faced Southend by Joey O'Brien, Matt Jarvis, Kevin Nolan and Ricardo Vaz Te. All five came through unscathed.

Image source, JASON SZENES

Serena Williams has a hidden talent.

The world's number one female tennis player went skating last night at the Rockefeller ice rink with pal Caroline Wozniacki, and the American impressed with some snazzy pirouettes.

Wozniacki posted a video on Instagram,, external saying: "Great times. Serena Williams showing off her pirouettes. I'm just trying to stay on my feet lol."

Image source, Aston Villa

So that's where he is hiding... Coronation Street Killer Rob, aka actor Marc Baylis, shows his true colours.

With Aston Villa, external's recent record, maybe he should have kept running.

Maribor are the only Slovenian side to have beaten English opponents in Uefa competition - which English club did they beat?

The answer is - Wigan. Maribor beat the Championship side 2-1 at home in last season's Europa League group stage.

Image source, Bernd Leno

If the above photo tweeted by Bayer Leverkusen goalkeeper Bernd Leno, external is anything to go by, it looks like the Germans enjoyed last night's Champions League win at Zenit St Petersburg.

Back-row forward Ross Moriarty has signed a new contract with Premiership side Gloucester.

He has been an ever-present for the Cherry and Whites this season and has also represented England at Under-20s level.

"He is still relatively young in rugby terms, but is already contributing hugely to what we are trying to achieve as a team," said director of rugby David Humphreys.

Andrew Priestley:, external Who could forget Tom Watson almost winning The Open at the age of 59 in 2009? Gary Player is still playing well at 78 too.

MissIsles:, external We have a lady playing for @favhockey that turns 60 in December and runs rings around some of us younger players!

Pete Berry:, external Ron Hill C'wealth & Euro marathon champion still racing at 76. Has run every day for 50 yrs 160,000 miles total.

I live around the corner from Ron Hill Way Pete and, having met him a couple of times, he is indeed a legend...

Who is the oldest person you have watched or played alongside in sport? Tweet #bbcsportsday.

Image source, Getty Images

Galatasaray players pleaded with their fans to behave after their Champions League tie at Borussia Dortmund was twice stopped by firecrackers.

Captain Selcuk Inan and midfielder Felipe Melo remonstrated with supporters who threw flares towards the corner flag in Germany on Tuesday.

Dortmund fans had to protect themselves when explosives flung from the away section landed in the home stands.

Galatasaray, who lost 4-1, were fined £40,000 over flares thrown at Arsenal.

Image source, AP