Sport news in brief
First All Black comes out as gay
Former New Zealand prop Campbell Johnstone has become the first All Black to come out as gay, saying on a television programme he had been “living a lie” and leading “a double life” before acknowledging his sexuality. Johnstone, who played three Tests in 2005, had already told his family and close friends before publicly coming out on New Zealand current affairs programme Seven Sharp.
“If I can be the first All Black that comes out as gay and take away the pressure and stigma surrounding the issue it can actually help other people,” Johnstone said. “If I open up that door and magically make that closet disappear, then we’re going to help a lot of people. I pushed that side of me down deeper and deeper. I went to some interesting places,” he said. Reuters
Spurs to face Wrexham or Sheffield United in FA Cup
Non-league Wrexham will get a dream FA Cup tie against Tottenham Hotspur in the fifth round, if they defeat Sheffield United in a replay next week. Wrexham are the only non-league side left in the competition but they were denied a famous win on Sunday evening at the Racecourse Ground as Sheffield United scored a late equaliser in a 3-3 thriller. Wrexham will travel to Bramall Lane on Tuesday 7 February in one of five replays next week, with a home tie against the eight-time winners Tottenham on the line in the fifth round. Elsewhere, Manchester City were drawn away to Bristol City, in one of only two complete ties to be made on Monday evening. Pep Guardiola’s side defeated Premier League leaders Arsenal on Friday night, while Bristol City knocked out West Brom.
Brighton’s reward for knocking out holders Liverpool is a trip to Stoke City, and Leicester City will host either Blackburn or Birmingham. Southampton will play at home to Luton or Grimsby, while the winner of Ipswich vs Burnley will take on either Sheffield Wednesday or Fleetwood Town. The fourthround replays will take place across 7 and 8 February, while the fifth round is scheduled for between Tuesday 27 and Thursday 29 February.
Everton appoint Dyche as new manager
Sean Dyche has set his sights on bringing “a good feeling” back to Goodison Park after being appointed Everton manager. The 51-year-old has signed a 2.5-year deal at the relegationthreatened club and vowed to remodel Everton in his own
image. Chairman Bill Kenwright said Dyche had convinced him he could become a great Everton manager and believes he will inspire their supporters.
Dyche, who won two promotions and took Burnley to a highest finish of seventh-place in the Premier League during almost a decade in charge at Turf Moor, has brought assistant manager Ian Woan, first-team coach Steve Stone and sports scientist Mark Howard as part of his backroom team. Everton turned to Dyche after sacking Frank Lampard last Monday following a run of 11 defeats in 14 games and after talks with Marcelo Bielsa broke down.
Cancelo poised for Bayern loan
Joao Cancelo could leave Manchester City to join Bayern Munich on loan for the rest of the season. The Premier League champions are in talks with their Bundesliga counterparts about a short-term move with an option to buy him for €70m. The 28year-old has spent three and a half years at the Etihad after joining from Juventus in 2019 for €65m.
Cancelo is now eager to leave to get first-team football after losing his place since the World Cup. The Portugal international has only started three of City’s 10 games since the World Cup and has not featured since the Manchester derby defeat.
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