WORLD OF SPORT

Music an Oasis for Man City manager Guardiola

Don’t Look Back In Anger by Manchester band Oasis has become the city’s anthem since last year’s terror attack, and is one that has had a powerful impact on Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola. The 47-year-old Spaniard’s wife and daughters escaped unharmed from the bombing at the Ariana Grande concert at the Manchester Arena in May last year which left 22 dead. Guardiola said in a wide-ranging interview that he and his family sing it in unison when they go out together. “I like that, after what happened in Manchester at the arena, now it is a song for the people, you know? “Guardiola told the BBC website. Guardiola admits the song “puts me in the best of myself when I listen – it’s a masterpiece”. On the night of the attack, Guardiola and his son did not attend the concert, but endured some nervous moments when they could not contact the rest of the family. “At the end, we were lucky,” he said.

Froome’s bid for fifth Tour win to start in Brussels

Chris Froome’s bid to equal Eddy Merckx’s five Tour de France titles will begin in Brussels next year after organisers announced the route for the threeweek race on Thursday. The 2019 edition will mark the 50th anniversary of Belgian great Merckx’s first win and the 100th anniversary of the introduction of the fabled yellow jersey first worn by Eugene Christophe in 1919. Froome was denied a fifth title last year by Sky teammate and fellow Briton Geraint Thomas and both men were in attendance along with the 73-year-old Merckx for the route presentation at Paris’ Palais des Congres. It will be the fifth Grand Depart in Belgium and the second in Brussels.

SLC sacks beverage supplier for England tour

Sri Lanka Cricket has sacked its food and beverage supplier for selling alcohol without a licence during England’s tour of the island, sparking a mid-match raid by tax agents. The decision followed revelations that tax officers seized bottles of whisky and wine being served to England fans during the fifth oneday international match in Colombo. The SLC said its hospitality partner, Classic Destination, did not obtain the necessary licences to serve hard liquor at the ground. “As the firm has failed to act within the law ... and bringing disrepute to Sri Lanka Cricket, SLC decided to immediately terminate Classic Destination from delivering further hospitality services during the England tour,” the board said in a statement. There was no immediate comment from the company.