Sport news in brief
Cardiff and Nantes agree to extend deadline over Emiliano Sala transfer fee
Cardiff and Nantes have agreed to extend the deadline on the first instalment of the £15million transfer fee for Emiliano Sala until February 27.
The Bluebirds had been asked to make the first payment of 6million euros (£5.27m) to Nantes on February 20, but the clubs have agreed a delay of one week.
Sala was killed when the private plane bringing him to Cardiff crashed into the English Channel on January 21, just two days after his record move to the Premier League club.
Arsenal Supporters Trust complain over ‘unacceptable’ kick-off time
The Arsenal Supports Trust have complained over what they deem an “unacceptable” kick-off time for their Europa League clash with BATE.
The Gunners will begin the second leg against the Belarusian side at the Emirates at 5:55pm.
The time has caused uproar amongst fans, many of whom claim they simply cannot attend due to work commmitments.
The group demanded: “Football has to stop putting TV companies ahead of match going fans.”
Federer confirms first clay court appearance in two years
Roger Federer will play on clay at the Madrid Open in May, the tournament has announced.
Federer has skipped the entire clay swing for the last two years but revealed after losing in the fourth round of the Australian Open to Stefanos Tsitsipas last month that he would return to the surface this season.
The rest of the Swiss star’s schedule has yet to be revealed but Madrid is an obvious choice given he is a three-time champion and the relatively high altitude makes it significantly faster than other clay events.
Federer, who has slipped to seventh in the world rankings, will be joined at the tournament by Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.
Steve Stricker named 2020 US Ryder Cup captain
Steve Stricker was forced to hold back tears in his press conference as the 51-year-old was confirmed as 2020 US Ryder Cup captain.
A three-time vice-captain, who served as Jim Furyk’s right-hand man at Le Golf National last September, Stricker is hoping to make amends when facing Padraig Harrington‘s Europe at Whistling Straits.
“It is truly, truly a dream come true,” Stricker said. “It is an honour to represent the PGA, the competition itself, truly humbled by this opportunity because I’m very passionate about this competition.”