Summary

  • Preston v Man Utd (19:45 GMT)

  • Aston Villa must stay in Premier League - Tim Sherwood

  • Lance Armstrong receives record $10m fine

  • Heather Watson suffers first-round exit in Dubai

  • Scotland's Russell cited over tackle on Biggar

  1. Blanc wary of Mourinho mind gamespublished at 15:39 Greenwich Mean Time 16 February 2015

    Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho (left) and PSG counterpart Laurent BlancImage source, Getty Images

    Away from classic 1980s BBC sitcoms, Paris St-Germain manager Laurent Blanc has been speaking before his side host Chelsea in the first leg of their last-16 tie in the Champions League on Tuesday.

    "I know Jose Mourinho a bit and I know he'll raise the heat," said Blanc, whose side were knocked out by the Blues last season.

    "So my players need to remain cool-headed, not react and keep calm."

  2. Just as an aside...published at 15:37 Greenwich Mean Time 16 February 2015

    On the subject of Sorry!, can anyone explain why, if Ronnie Corbett's character had never left home, he was the only one in the show with a Scottish accent?

  3. Get involved: Odd reasons for sporting failurepublished at 15:36 Greenwich Mean Time 16 February 2015

    Kit Chang Wong:, external Rafa Nadal and his alignment of water bottles. Andy Murray blaming Novak Djokovic's physical problem as a distraction in the Australian Open final. Get a grip.

    Alan Simon:, external Blimey, it's after 3pm and I can't believe nobody's mentioned Adebayor and the 'mummy's curse'. That's right up there.

    If you missed this one, Tottenham striker Emmanuel Adebayor reportedly told Ghanaian radio in November, external that his poor form was a result of his mum putting a curse on him.

    Seriously? A mum thwarting her son's best efforts? We're not sure. Sounds not so much a tale of Premier League woe and more like an episode of Ronnie Corbett's 1980s sitcom Sorry!

    Ronnie Corbett, Barbara Lott and William Lumsden
  4. Man Utd knocking on the doorpublished at 15:31 Greenwich Mean Time 16 February 2015

    North West TonightImage source, BBC North West Tonight

    BBC North West Tonight:, external Man Utd kit arrives at Deepdale. They're locked out.

    Well, if they can't get in, they can't win. Assuming Louis van Gaal's side do gain entry to Deepdale, you can see how they fare against League One Preston in tonight's FA Cup fifth-round tie, with live coverage on BBC One from 19:30 GMT.

  5. Robins keep Milton & Elliott at helmpublished at 15:23 Greenwich Mean Time 16 February 2015

    Cheltenham Town will keep caretaker boss Russell Milton and his assistant Steve Elliott in charge until May.

    The duo took over last Friday following the departure of Paul Buckle, who lasted only three months in the job.

    Youth coach Milton and veteran defender Elliott oversaw the Robins' 2-1 defeat against Bury on Saturday, which left them second from bottom in League Two.

    The club confirmed a third "experienced figure" would be added to the backroom team next week.

  6. Reality check for Boropublished at 15:21 Greenwich Mean Time 16 February 2015

    Middlesbrough boss Aitor Karanka says his squad were "the opposite of lacking confidence" in their FA Cup fifth round defeat by holders Arsenal.

    The Championship side beat Manchester City in round four, but lost via an Olivier Giroud brace at The Emirates.

    In the League Cup this term, Liverpool needed penalties to knock Boro out.

    "The players thought it was going to be like those games - it just showed there is miles and miles between Arsenal and Middlesbrough right now," said Karanka.

  7. FA Cup: How the TV matches were chosenpublished at 15:12 Greenwich Mean Time 16 February 2015

    Felipe Morais and Stephen DarbyImage source, Getty Images

    "The TV match selections for the fifth round of the FA Cup caused a bit of a reaction yesterday, so I wanted to use this post to explain in a bit more detail how the selection process works. You still might not agree with our picks, particularly if you're from Bradford, but hopefully you'll see there's a bit of logic to what we try to do..."

    The words of BBC football lead executive Mark Cole, explaining how the live matches were chosen for FA Cup fifth-round weekend. His full article is available to read on the BBC Sport website.

  8. Chelsea leave for Parispublished at 15:09 Greenwich Mean Time 16 February 2015

    ChelseaImage source, Chelsea on Twitter

    Chelsea striker Diego Costa and his team-mates take part in their final training session today ahead of the first leg of their last-16 Champions League tie at Paris St-Germain on Tuesday.

    The players have now left for Paris and Blues boss Jose Mourinho will be holding his pre-match news conference later this evening.

  9. Get involved: Odd reasons for sporting failurepublished at 15:02 Greenwich Mean Time 16 February 2015

    After golfer Peter Lawrie attributed his dip in form to withdrawal symptoms from trying to give up fizzy soft drinks, we're asking for the oddest reasons you've had - or encountered - for sporting underachievement...

    Oomar Jaunmohamud:, external Eric Cantona blaming trawlers and seagulls for a Kung-Fu kick....

    Stonewall Sid:, external Every team in World Cup 2010: 'The ball was too round.'

    Andrew Tarpey:, external I had to have my two boxes of Jaffa Cakes at our town team table tennis or I just couldn't perform well. They are sporting gold.

    Two boxes? We're surprised you could move after that, Andrew, let alone win...

  10. Fulham still rebuilding, says Symonspublished at 15:00 Greenwich Mean Time 16 February 2015

    Fulham manager Kit Symons has admitted his side are still a work in progress after a recent dip in form.

    They have lost three of their last four league games, including Saturday's 2-1 home defeat by Ipswich, and are now only five points above the Championship relegation zone.

    "Confidence is still quite fragile. There is a lot of work still to be done and that is clear for everyone to see," Symons told BBC London 94.9.

  11. Alonso boostpublished at 14:53 Greenwich Mean Time 16 February 2015

    Fernando AlonsoImage source, Getty Images

    McLaren engineering director Matt Morris is confident that the team's re-signing of Fernando Alonso will improve the team.

    "Fernando is going to push us on as a team," said Morris.

    "If you look at his motivation levels, when he is in the office and in the simulator, they are massively high.

    "Obviously that then knocks on to everybody else, it pushes everybody else on, so I'm really looking forward to this year."

  12. New contract for Hulkpublished at 14:44 Greenwich Mean Time 16 February 2015

    HulkImage source, AP

    Brazilian forward Hulk has extended his deal with Russian league leaders Zenit St Petersburg until the end of the 2018-19 season.

    "I was happy to extend my contract with Zenit," says Hulk. "I hope I'll be able to bring more joy to this great club."

  13. 'Sub-standard venue'published at 14:37 Greenwich Mean Time 16 February 2015

    Ronnie O'Sullivan beat Vinnie Calabrese 4-1 but wasn't too happy with the venue, which he called "sub-standard".

    "I enjoyed it and went for my shots. It's like playing in a shopping mall. There were people walking around and getting up as and when they wanted.

    "The etiquette of snooker is not to move when a player is on his shot. If you take it too seriously you will get frustrated. I thought I would have a bit of fun and smash a few balls. It's like playing in an aircraft hangar."

  14. Rocket Ronniepublished at 14:30 Greenwich Mean Time 16 February 2015

    Ronnie O'SullivanImage source, Getty Images

    Ronnie O'Sullivan's defence of his Welsh Open championship title has begun in typical quickfire fashion. The Rocket has beaten Australia's Vinnie Calabrese 4-1 in the best-of-seven encounter.

  15. Contador to retirepublished at 14:27 Greenwich Mean Time 16 February 2015

    Alberto Contador has won the Tour de France twice and, while he plans to retire after 2016, there is a caveat.

    "I don't want to set an exact date because a lot of things could happen," he says.

    "Imagine I fall in the 2016 Tour, then I wouldn't want to retire in that way. But the truth is I don't see myself continuing for more than two more years."

  16. Contador to retirepublished at 14:21 Greenwich Mean Time 16 February 2015

    There's a bit more now on Spain cyclist Alberto Contador's plans to retire, with 2016 possibly his last year in professional cycling.

    The 32-year-old, who is expected to compete in the Giro d'Italia and the Tour de France this year with Tinkoff-Saxo team, told Spanish media on Monday: "I would like to retire being at the top.

    "This year, I will definitely be competing and also next year.

    "I cannot confirm it, but that could be my last. Yes, beyond 2016, I don't see myself [competing]."

  17. 'Big difference'published at 14:11 Greenwich Mean Time 16 February 2015

    Jeremy Guscott
    BBC Sport

    Jeremy Guscott and Jonathan Joseph in action for EnglandImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    Jeremy Guscott (left) scored 30 tries for England - can Jonathan Joseph approach that tally?

    "A lot of people have been making the comparison between myself and England's double try-scorer Jonathan Joseph, who is now filling the Bath and England midfield that I once occupied, but there is a big difference between us.

    "I would anticipate or see a space, be on course to run into it and depend on players feeding me the ball on that angle.

    "Joseph, by contrast, creates his own space with quick feet and rapid acceleration, and his speed and step will humble defences."

    Read more from Jeremy Guscott by clicking here as he analyses Joseph, Johnny Sexton & picks his team of the week from the weekend's Six Nations action.

  18. Ashe signs with Glasgow to 2017published at 14:02 Greenwich Mean Time 16 February 2015

    Scotland international Adam Ashe has signed a contract to stay with Glasgow Warriors until May 2017.

    The number eight, 21, signed his first professional contract with the Pro12 club in August. has made eight appearances for Glasgow and has won three caps for Scotland.

    He says: "This is a great club with a really bright future, so I'm happy to be staying in Glasgow for another two years."

  19. Wigan defender diagnosed with leukaemiapublished at 13:54 Greenwich Mean Time 16 February 2015

    Juan Carlos GarciaImage source, Getty Images

    Wigan Athletic have confirmed that Honduras full-back Juan Carlos Garcia has been diagnosed with leukaemia.

    The 26-year-old returned to the Latics last week from his loan spell at Spanish side Tenerife with what the club called "a blood disorder".

    Garcia joined Wigan in July 2013 on a free transfer but his only appearance came in the League Cup last season.

    "I went in to see Juan Carlos and he was incredibly upbeat and his spirits were strong," says boss Malky Mackay.

  20. Arundel switches to Wildcatspublished at 13:48 Greenwich Mean Time 16 February 2015

    Wakefield Trinity Wildcats have signed Hull FC centre Joe Arundel on a deal until the end of the season.

    The 23-year-old joins a Wakefield side that has won both Super League games so far this season.

    "His experience enables us to strengthen a position we've been looking for more competition in all pre-season," head coach James Webster says.