Great Britain's Davis Cup quarter-final with Italy to be held in Naples

Great Britain's Davis Cup quarter-final against Italy will take place on clay in Naples.

Leon Smith's team reached the last eight for the first time in 28 years when they beat the United States at the beginning of February.

Sochi 2014: William Frullani and German fail drugs tests

Italian bobsleigh brakeman William Frullani and an unnamed German biathlete have failed drugs tests at the Sochi Winter Olympics.

Padraig Harrington reveals he has had skin cancer treatment

Three-time major winner Padraig Harrington has revealed that he has undergone treatment for skin cancer.

Harrington, whose father Patrick died from cancer, underwent surgery for "sun spots" on his face and decided to speak out in a bid to raise awareness.

"I've had a number of skin cancers removed off my face," the 42-year-old Dubliner told Irish radio station Today FM's Last Word programme.

"When you get a symptom, don't ignore it. Do something about it."

Harrington withdrew from the 2005 Open at St Andrews after the death of his father from oesophageal cancer on the eve of the event.

Padraig Harrington factfile

• Born 31 August 1971
• Played in Walker Cup 1991, '93 and '95
• Turned professional late 1995
• Won 1996 Spanish Open in first year on European Tour
• European Order of Merit winner 2006
• Beat Sergio Garcia in play-off to win 2007 Open
• Retained Open in 2008 and won USPGA title a month later
• Played in sixth European Ryder Cup team in 2010
• Without a European or PGA Tour win since 2008 USPGA victory

The two-times Open champion added: "My father had symptoms but didn't do anything about it. It's the nature of men in Ireland and certainly older men.

"I would be much more inclined to go and do something about it.

"Dealing with cancer is not what it was 10 years ago. Instead of just one treatment they are now looking at combining different types of treatment of dealing with oesophageal cancer.

"It is easier to clear these things up at the start rather than waiting until there is a problem. You can get treated and go on to live a much longer life."

Harrington won three majors in the space of 13 months between July 2007 and August 2008, achieving consecutive Open triumphs and also clinching the USPGA title.

Wayne Rooney: Man Utd striker agrees new £300k per week deal

Manchester United striker Wayne Rooney has agreed a new five-and-a-half year contract worth up to £300,000 a week.

The 28-year-old England international will extend his current contract by four years, tying him to the club until June 2019.

Ejike Uzoenyi excited to join Mamelodi Sundowns

 

The 24-year-old Nigeria international, who was named 2014 CHAN most valuable player has expressed his delight after completing a move to 'The Brazilians'

New Mamelodi Sundowns signee Ejike Uzoenyi has expressed excitement at joining up with the South African Premier League club on a four-year contract.
The Nigeria international had earlier rejected a move to team up with Romanian club FC Vaslui that offered him a deal worth €600,000.
Speaking about the deal, Uzoenyi said he was delighted to have joined the South African outfit describing the Brazilians as a "great deal".
“Joining a club like Sundowns is a great deal for me because their ambitions to conquer Africa are in line with my career objectives as a player,” he told the club's official website.
“The other thing that made me join the club is that Coach Pitso had a chat with me before I joined and we had a discussion about his plans for me and I feel that I’m ready for the challenge,” he concluded.
Uzoenyi is expected to join his new teammates in June.
After scoring three goals and being named best player at the CHAN, he is expected to be in the Super Eagles squad to Brazil for the World Cup.

From Les Corts to the courts: the Neymar case and what it means for Barcelona

The case continues. When Sandro Rosell stepped down as president of Barcelona and new man Josep Maria Bartomeu publically revealed the details of Neymar's troublesome transfer from Santos last year, it briefly looked like all would die down at Camp Nou. Far from it.

Bayern are Champions League favourites, admits Martino

Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino says Bayern Munich are the favourites to win the Champions League this season following their fine performances in the past few months.

Bayern skipper Philipp Lahm already stated earlier this week that the Catalans are no longer the team to beat in Europe and Martino has conceded that the Bundesliga champions are the new benchmark.

Sochi 2014: Russia men fail to make ice hockey semis

Russia have been dumped out of the Olympic men's ice hockey tournament following a 3-1 defeat by Finland at the quarter-finals stage.

David Luiz: We must win World Cup

 

The five-time world champions are yet to claim the title on home soil after falling at the final hurdle to Uruguay in 1950 and the Chelsea defender believes it’s their turn to take the crown.

"We need to win the World Cup," he told the Daily Mail.

"I’m very excited. I think it will be a great World Cup for everyone, but for Brazilian people even more.

What Bright Dike's injury means to Nigeria's World Cup plans

Nigerians the world over woke up on Tuesday to the sad news that hulking striker Bright Dike had torn his Achilles tendon in a training session with club side Toronto FC. While the exact length of time he will be out is yet to be definitively determined, the prognosis is grim: four months at best till he can play football again.
He will almost certainly miss the World Cup.

Lahm fears 'punisher' Ozil

Mesut Ozil will "punish" Bayern Munich if the holders take the threat of Arsenal lightly in their Champions League last-16 clash, according to Philipp Lahm.

Bayern's weakness is defence, says Effenberg

Bayern Munich legend Stefan Effenberg believes Arsenal can trouble the reigning European champions if they deploy an attacking strategy in both legs of their Champions League clash.

Chicharito, Dos Santos in Mexico squad to face Nigeria

Mexico have called up eight Europe-based players to their squad for the friendly against Nigeria on March 5.

Sochi 2014: Putin visits skier Maria Komissarova in hospital

Russia president Vladimir Putin has visited Maria Komissarova in hospital after the freestyle skier fractured her spine in training on Saturday.

Camp renewed but Manchester City & Madrid will be true test of Martino's Barcelona

The Spanish champions produced their most complete display of the season to thrash Rayo Vallecano 6-0 ahead of far tougher examinations

COMMENTBy Ben Hayward | Spanish Football Writer

It was quite a performance. When Barcelona last played Rayo Vallecano, the Catalans conceded possession to a rival team for the first time in 317 games amid questions over their Tiki Taka philosophy. On Saturday, however, Gerardo Martino's men were simply sublime.

The Blaugrana passing philosophy looked very much intact in the Camp Nou clash. Lionel Messi scored two superb strikes, with Pedro, Alexis Sanchez, Adriano and Neymar all on target, the latter with a remarkable run and shot from distance to mark his comeback from injury in style. And assisting from midfeld, Andres Iniesta and Cesc Fabregas pulled the strings in what was the Catalans' most complete display of the season.

"We have to congratulate the whole  team," Adriano said afterwards. "We played a really good game - both in defence and attack."

Meanwhile, Martino added: "When these players enjoy themselves, they play better. It's the best message we could send to ourselves: playing this way, our chances [of success] increase and if you are going to choose a way to play, that's the way to play."

Just how much can truly be learned from a 6-0 win at home to one of the worst sides in La Liga, however, is unclear. Barca were superb, stunning, brilliant; breathtaking at times. But Rayo were and are pretty poor to say the least. The Madrid side sit second bottom and have now conceded 58 times in their 24 games, meaning theirs is the worst defensive record in the division. Indeed, the capital club even lost 5-0 at Malaga earlier this season - and Bernd Schuster's side are currently 16th in the Primera Division, just above the relegation zone.

TOUGH TESTS AHEAD FOR BARCA
Man. City (a)	Feb 18	UCL
Man. City (h)	Mar 12	UCL
Madrid (a)	Mar 22	Liga
Madrid (-)	Apr 19	Copa
Villarreal (a)	Apr 27	Liga
Atletico (h)	May 18	Liga

So Martino will be extremely encouraged by the result, the nature of the performance and the fabulous form of many of his players. Tougher tests await, however, and only those will determine exactly how good this team really are.

First up is Manchester City on Tuesday in the Champions League.

"We're in the best possible shape for meeting Manchester City - especially physically," Martino said. And Adriano added: "This win is a boost for our morale ahead of Tuesday's [first-leg] game."

No doubt. But Manuel Pellegrini's side statistically boast Europe's finest attack and, unlike Barca, have had the benefit of facing rivals of real quality on a consistent basis this term. And while not all of those fixtures have brought favourable results for the Premier League side, City have beaten Arsenal 6-3, Manchester United 4-1 and thrashed Tottenham twice: 6-0 at home and 5-1 away.

Spurs have had their troubles in 2013-14, but the North London side remain in contention for a place in the top four. And they are no Rayo Vallecano. Indeed, Iago Falque, who is on loan from Tottenham and considered one of Rayo's better players, was nowhere near the first team at White Hart Lane.

Time will tell, but City are unlikely to allow Barca the time and space enjoyed and exploited by the Catalans on Saturday night at a buoyant Camp Nou. Nor will Real Madrid in the two big Clasico clashes in March and April.

Barca beat Madrid in the sides' first Clasico of the season, at Camp Nou in October, but neither team impressed particularly in that match and Carlo Ancelotti's men were still very much finding their feet in those first few months under the Italian coach.

In the meantime, Barca have been unable to beat Atletico in the teams' three meetings so far this term - with all of those ending in draws.

So as brilliant as the performance was on Saturday, the true tests await. After the tie against City, Barca's next big game comes at Madrid in La Liga in late March, with a Clasico Copa del Rey final also in store in April at Mestalla and a possible title-decider at home to Atletico on the last day of the season.

Those games will tell us much about what this team are truly made of. A 6-0 win at home to Rayo Vallecano, however brilliant, does not.

PHOTOS: Inside Nigeria’s World Cup Base Camp

Located in the city of Campinas, the beautiful Vitoria Hotel Concept has been chosen by the Nigeria Football Federation as base camp for the Super Eagles during the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.
Their Group F opponents Argentina, Iran and Bosnia-Herzegovina have opted for Cidade do Galo in Belo Horizonte, Joaquim Grava and Guaraja both in Sao Paulo respectively.

Jesse Ryder: NZ drop batsman and Doug Bracewell for drinking

New Zealand have dropped Jesse Ryder and Doug Bracewell from their squad for the second Test against India for going on a late-night drinking session on the eve of the first Test.

Rory McIlroy to play at Scottish Open at Royal Aberdeen in July

Rory McIlroy is to finalise his preparations for the Open Championship at Hoylake by playing in the Scottish Open at Royal Aberdeen in July.

The world number six previously competed in the tournament in 2008 and 2009 at Loch Lomond.

Yaya Toure: Manchester City midfielder awaits FA decision

Manchester City's Yaya Toure could face a three-game ban for appearing to kick out at Norwich's Ricky van Wolfswinkel.

Yobo craves Nigeria World Cup place

On-loan Norwich City defender Joseph Yobo has disclosed that he would like to be a part of the Nigeria squad to the 2014 Fifa World Cup.
Yobo has fallen out of the Eagles since his criticism of Stephen Keshi for leaving him out of the squad that faced Kenya in a World Cup qualifying game in 2013.