Summary

  • FA governance to be discussed in Parliament

  • Arsenal can still win Premier League title - Wenger

  • Great Britain beat Latvia 3-0 in second Fed Cup group game

  • Get involved: How would you reform football? #bbcsportsday

  1. Goodbyepublished at 17:03 Greenwich Mean Time 9 February 2017

    And that is the end of today's Sportsday.

    The Parliament debate into FA governance can be watched live on BBC Parliament.

    It looks like Parliament will be wanting the FA to take some action on how it is governed. There could be big changes for English football in the future.

    Sportsday will be back tomorrow at 08:00 GMT on Friday with a whole host of Premier League news conferences, the third day of the Fed Cup and all the breaking news.

    Thanks for all your comments and bye for now.

  2. football

    'Root and branch reform'published at 16:58 Greenwich Mean Time 9 February 2017

    Parliament debate into FA governance

    Graham Jones, Labour MP for Hyndburn, said: "It is time for a root and branch reform of this organisation and some sense that the English game is being managed for benefit of all.

    “It can’t just be about the FA. It has got to be about other issues at grassroots level, about the funding of grassroots football."

    The MPs have passed a motion of no confidence in the Football Association.

  3. football

    Chelsea have not won title yet - Contepublished at 16:57 Greenwich Mean Time 9 February 2017

    The Premier League Show (22:00 GMT)

    BBC Two

    Watch as Chelsea manager Antonio Conte insists his side are not guaranteed to win the Premier League title this season, despite their nine-point lead over second-placed Tottenham.

    Media caption,

    Chelsea have not won title yet - Conte

    Watch the full interview on the Premier League Show, Thursday, 9 February 22:00 GMT on BBC Two.

  4. get involved

    Get Involved #bbcsportsdaypublished at 16:55 Greenwich Mean Time 9 February 2017

    How would you reform football?

    Darren King: Stop defenders ushering the ball out of play on goaline it's plain obstruction, they make no attempt to play ball.

    John Ghoti: Only a fool would majorly change the rules of the most popular game on earth. Investment in better refs would be nice though. 

    Stu: Nearest player to the ball has to take the throw-in or free kick (indirect). Stops timewasting & lost time waiting for player.

    DefenderImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    A huge annoyance - the defender protecting the ball going out of play.

  5. football

    Celtic's Rogic out for 'months' after ankle oppublished at 16:53 Greenwich Mean Time 9 February 2017

    Football

    Tom RogicImage source, SNS

    Celtic midfielder Tom Rogic faces a "few months" more on the sidelines following an ankle operation.

    The Australia international, 24, last played for the Scottish Premiership leaders on 17 December against Dundee.

    He came off at half-time of that match, which Celtic won 2-1, and aggravated the injury in training as he sought to get back to full fitness.

    "His foot stuck in the ground and he did a full twist on it," said Celtic manager Brendan Rodgers. "It was unfortunate, it was right at the end of training, the same spot where he had it before. He had to have an operation. [He] will be out probably for the next few months."

  6. football

    'Acknowledge the lack of diversity'published at 16:51 Greenwich Mean Time 9 February 2017

    Parliament debate into FA governance

    Keith Vaz, Labour MP for Leicester East, said: “Of course the FA is an organisation that needs to be reformed. I think Greg Clarke is genuine in his desire to reform and he has made it very clear that if these reforms are not followed through that he will relinquish his position.

    "What is important is that reform happens sooner rather than later.

    "Twenty-five per cent of professional footballers are of Afro Caribbean origin but only 17 of 92 top clubs have got BAME coach. It is really important to look at the way football has developed over the last few decades and acknowledge the lack of diversity."

  7. rugby league

    Live commentary as Super League season starts tonightpublished at 16:48 Greenwich Mean Time 9 February 2017

    St Helens v Leeds Rhinos (20:00 GMT)

    BBC Radio 5 live

  8. football

    Chelsea and Tottenham 'abusing the national stadium'published at 16:46 Greenwich Mean Time 9 February 2017

    Parliament debate into FA governance

    It's a bit off topic but Bob Blackman, Conservative MP for Harrow East, has criticised the decision for Chelsea and Tottenham to use Wembley.

    He said: “Wembley has always been our national stadium. It is a shrine for FA Cup finals, League Cup finals, but it is now being transformed for Tottenham play for there for a year and for Chelsea to play for three years for their home matches. 

    "That is wrong. It is abusing the national stadium. It should be kept for the all-important matches. If Wembley is turned into a stadium that clubs will use, that is an abuse of the national stadium.”

  9. get involved

    Get Involved #bbcsportsdaypublished at 16:43 Greenwich Mean Time 9 February 2017

    How would you reform football?

    Colin Muncie: Abolish parachute payments from the Premier League. Doesn't happen in other walks of life and an unfair reward for failure.

    Andy McBride: Go back to some of the traditional rules -  offside is offside, handball is handball and tackling is allowed. Bonus point for scoring four or more goals.

    Andy Salamonczyk: Premier League champions to be immune from relegation the following season.

    Tweet us using #bbcsportsday or write on the Match of the Day Facebook page., external

    Claudio RanieriImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    Someone's a big fan of Andy S's idea

  10. football

    Pleased to see MPs back our proposals - FSF chairmanpublished at 16:39 Greenwich Mean Time 9 February 2017

    Parliament debate into FA governance

    Football Supporters Federation chairman Malcolm Clarke is pleased with the Parliament debate into FA governance (see 16:22 GMT entry).

    "We're very pleased to see so many MPs back our proposals for a minimum of five fan representatives on the FA Council, representation on the FA Board, and increased diversity," said Clarke.

    “Supporters are integral to the health of our national sport yet are still shockingly under-represented in the FA hierarchy - the FA Council has only one supporter representative, yet the Armed Forces and Oxbridge have five.

    "It is also important to acknowledge the FA Council has stood up to rampant commercialism within the game and protected fans' interests - such as when the FA Council stopped the "Hull Tigers" name change."

  11. football

    'Talk without action is no longer an option'published at 16:33 Greenwich Mean Time 9 February 2017

    Parliament debate into FA governance

    Nigel Huddleston, Conservative MP for Mid Worcestershire, says: “We have the most watched, admired and financially lucrative league in the world with attendance of over 90% every week.

    “The FA does great work and invests £60m in grassroots football each year. We should acknowledge the great work of Greg Clarke in trying to reform the FA. He has given encouraging signals.

    “The problem is we have heard again and again over a number of years that they recognise the deficiencies and intend to change but they have been talking about this for 50 years.

    “If we (Parliament) have to intervene we will. Talk without action is no longer an option.”

    Greg ClarkeImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    FA chairman Greg Clarke

  12. football

    Criticism of Ranieri unfair - Clementpublished at 16:27 Greenwich Mean Time 9 February 2017

    Swansea City v Leicester City (Sunday, 16:00 GMT)

    Claudio RanieriImage source, Getty Images

    Swansea boss Paul Clement thinks speculation on the future of Leicester manager Claudio Ranieri is 'unfair.'

    The Premier League champions are level on points with Swansea heading into Sunday's relegation battle at the Liberty Stadium, with Ranieri receiving a vote of confidence this week.

    "What he did last year was remarkable and for that he deserves time to try and put it right," Clement said. ''How he is public enemy number one? I just don't understand that. The talk of unrest and players speaking to the chairman and pundits talking about who might be next Leicester boss is not right.

    "He's a very good coach, tactically very good, did amazingly well with that group, got them so tough during that run-in when everyone thought they would fall away and they kept winning 1-0, 1-0, 1-0. He deserves a chance to turn it around."

  13. football

    A fan representative on the FA board?published at 16:22 Greenwich Mean Time 9 February 2017

    Parliament debate into FA governance

    Jason McCartney, the Conservative MP for Colne Valley, says: "I back the Football Supporters Federation’s recommendation that there should be a minimum of five supporter representatives on the FA Council and a supporter representative on the FA board itself.

    "That supporter representative could then help increase diversity of the  decision making in English football."

  14. get involved

    Get Involved #bbcsportsdaypublished at 16:18 Greenwich Mean Time 9 February 2017

    How would you reform football?

    Matthew Ball: Put salary caps in place like in the US, switch transfer fees for trading of players, and take outrageous fees out of play.

    Hamza Darby: Punish play acting with a yellow. Can still give the foul but it'll stop them jumping about and rolling around as if been shot.

    CFC: When the injured player goes off after treatment, the player committing the foul should go off as well.

    Robert SnodgrassImage source, Getty Images
    Image caption,

    Robert Snodgrass, then of Hull, infuriated Crystal Palace when he 'won' a penalty in a match in December. Then Palace boss Alan Pardew said Snodgrass should be embarrassed. The player later apologised.

  15. football

    'Time has come for fans on boards of clubs'published at 16:13 Greenwich Mean Time 9 February 2017

    Parliament debate into FA governance

    An update from the Parliament debate looking at the governance of the Football Association.

    Clive Efford, the Labour MP for Eltham, says: "Construction of FA board clearly needs reform. I think we should have fans representatives on the FA board and time has come for fans on boards of clubs. 

    "It is the fans we turn to looking to save clubs and they are from the communities of which clubs sprung. We have to be clear who are we seeking to empower. The FA board clearly is too weak to deal with the EFL and Premier League."

  16. football

    Parliament debate into FA governancepublished at 16:01 Greenwich Mean Time 9 February 2017

    Football

    The Parliament debate looking at the governance of the Football Association is under way.

    Sports Minister Tracey Crouch has warned the FA it could lose £30m-£40m of funding if it does not modernise.

    Watch live coverage, via BBC Parliament. 

  17. football

    Government 'unconvinced' by safe standingpublished at 15:55 Greenwich Mean Time 9 February 2017

    Football

    Celtic fansImage source, Getty Images

    The government "remains unconvinced" by the case to reintroduce safe standing to Premier League and Championship grounds in England.  

    Scottish champions Celtic opened a standing section at Celtic Park last summer, which a report says will continue to be monitored. Premier League clubs agreed further talks on the possibility of introducing safe standing at grounds in November.

    A change to allow standing in England would need a change in legislation.

    Top flight and Championship stadiums have to be all-seater after terraces were outlawed in the aftermath of the 1989 Hillsborough disaster. Ninety-six Liverpool fans standing on the terraces died during the Reds' FA Cup semi-final with Nottingham Forest at Sheffield Wednesday's ground.

  18. football

    Cameroon rise 29 places in Fifa listpublished at 15:46 Greenwich Mean Time 9 February 2017

    Football

    Vincent Aboubakar (left) scored Cameroon's winner in the Nations Cup finalImage source, ISSOUF SANOGO
    Image caption,

    Vincent Aboubakar (left) scored Cameroon's winner in the Nations Cup final

    Africa Cup of Nations winners Cameroon have climbed 29 places to sit 33rd in the latest Fifa world rankings.

    The Indomitable Lions move from 12th to third in Africa behind the continent's top-ranked side Egypt, who they beat 2-1 in Sunday's Nations Cup final.

    Egypt moved up 12 places globally to take the top spot on the continent and sit in 25th place on the world list. Nations Cup quarter-finalists Senegal, the top African side last month, are second in Africa and 31st overall.

    Wales are 12th, England 13th, Republic of Ireland 25th, Northern Ireland 35th and Scotland 67th.

  19. tennis

    Nadal to miss Rotterdampublished at 15:46 Greenwich Mean Time 9 February 2017

    Tennis

    It could be anywhere, but Rafael Nadal has announced he will not be competing in next week's ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament in Rotterdam. 

    The 30-year-old Spaniard, who lost in a five-set Australian Open final to Roger Federer last month, said: "After last year's absence from some tournaments, I started this season well and made a significant effort during the Australian swing. 

    "It's because of this that my doctors have strongly advised me to take it easy and give enough rest to my body before competing again to avoid further injuries."

    Rafael NadalImage source, Reuters
  20. sailing

    Derbyshire to step downpublished at 15:41 Greenwich Mean Time 9 February 2017

    Sailing

    Royal Yachting Association director of racing John Derbyshire is to retire after 32 years with the national governing body. 

    Derbyshire, who joined the RYA as national racing coach in 1985 and became director of racing in 2001, will remain in the full-time post until September, but his impending departure means the RYA has two important posts to fill as Olympic manager Stephen Park is also moving on this spring to become British Cycling's performance director.