Joey Barton was stripped of the QPR captaincy on this day in 2012. The midfielder was sent off during Manchester City’s dramatic final-day 3-2 win over QPR in May – which saw them win the title with Sergio Aguero’s last-gasp goal. He was sent off by referee Mike Dean after elbowing Carlos Tevez and, as he left the pitch, Barton kicked Sergio Aguero before aiming a headbutt at Vincent Kompany. He was fined six weeks’ wages, on top of a £75,000 fine from the Football Association and was given a 12-match ban from the FA. Barton said: “My behaviour was wrong and I accept the punishment that has been imposed upon me as a result. I apologise to the manager, my team-mates and of course the QPR fans for my actions. I also apologise to the Manchester City players, staff and supporters.” The current Bristol Rovers manager was loaned out to Marseille the following season but stayed at Loftus Road until 2015, making 99 appearances, before joining Burnley. He also played for Rangers and returned to Burnley to finish his playing career in 2017. In 2018, he was named Fleetwood manager before becoming Rovers boss in 2021. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live

David Brooks does not want to be picked on sentiment on his return to the Wales stage. Brooks is back in the Wales squad for Friday’s Euro 2024 qualifier at home to Armenia – the first time he has featured for the Dragons since October 2021 when he was diagnosed with stage-two Hodgkin lymphoma while on international duty. The 25-year-old winger announced he was cancer-free in May last year and returned to club action for Bournemouth in March, starting the Cherries’ final two Premier League games. Brooks signed a new four-year Bournemouth deal last August and says he must be chosen for Wales on merit. “I was out of contract this year before I signed my new one,” Brooks said. “Even before talks had kicked in I wanted to make it clear I wasn’t there for sympathy. “I don’t want to be there if I’m not going to play or wasn’t in the plans. “Once they saw me training and how I was determined to get back to, I did earn what I was given. “It’s the same with Wales. I don’t just want to be called up to be a spare part. I’m working hard to get back in the Bournemouth XI and be starting for Wales as well.” Brooks underwent chemotherapy treatment following his cancer diagnosis, the draining effects of which he has said left him with night sweats, weight loss and struggling to climb the stairs. Now he is close to peak playing condition – “I probably need to change a bit of the fat to muscle” – and says that returning to the Wales camp where he was diagnosed was a “very nice feeling”. Brooks said: “The first step after the treatment was to get back into the Bournemouth dressing room and be part of that. “As soon as that was completed, to get back in the Wales set up was the aim. The lads have welcomed me with open arms.” On meeting up with Wales’ chief medical officer, Jonathan Houghton, who detected that Brooks’ had cancer symptoms, Brooks said: “I do owe him a lot, he’s obviously done a lot for us. It’s always nice to see him. “Whenever my mum and dad see him they burst out crying and give him a big hug. I can’t thank him enough. “Getting that awful news drops and crushes your world, at that moment you hope it will get better and go back to normal at some point.” Brooks won the last of his 21 Wales caps against Denmark at the delayed 2020 European Championship in June 2021. His perspective on life might have changed in that time, with Brooks saying “he did not have a single care about football” when he was diagnosed “as I just wanted still be on Earth”. But Brooks said: “I just love playing football and so as soon as I got the diagnosis, that was snatched away in the blink of an eye. “But it’s not the end of the world if you don’t end up playing football. Football is not life or death, the main thing is being happy and healthy. “My ambitions haven’t changed. I still want to try and get to the very top. “The hunger and drive is the same for all the lads. We all have the same goal of reaching the Euros, the World Cup – that’s what everyone wants to play in. “There’s a lot of new faces, people I’ve not met prior to this camp, and a lot of new staff. “But the brief time I’ve worked with them over the past week, we’re all pushing in the same direction and trying to achieve the same goal.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Jon Rahm looking forward to US Open test that has ‘everything’ Steve Smith holds fond memories of Edgbaston as he prepares for Ashes battle Michael van Gerwen down in the mouth over World Cup absence

Aaron Boone didn't shut down the idea of a fan-favorite slugger getting back to the Bronx to help quell the Yankees batting issues.The New York Yankees have the second-worst batting average in the MLB and are 21st in runs per game. These are not the sluggers fans in the Bronx have come accu...

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Real Madrid face AC Milan in Pasadena, California in the Soccer Champions Tour. Preview includes how to watch on TV, team news and predicted lineups.

Arsenal forward Bukayo Saka insists he is not concerned about burnout and is ready to answer manager Mikel Arteta’s challenge of playing 70 games this season. The England winger, 22, captained the Gunners to a 5-0 victory over Sheffield United on Saturday afternoon to keep them within two points of the top of the Premier League. Saka has started all-but one of Arsenal’s Premier League and Champions League games this season, sitting out the victory over Manchester City with a hamstring complaint. Missing the win ended a streak of 87 successive league appearances for Saka, stretching back to May 2021. Saka’s durability has been an asset for club and country as Arteta called for him to keep playing and contributing to Arsenal’s quest for silverware. “Look at the top players in the world, they play 70 matches and every three days and make the difference and win the game. You want to be at the top, you have to be able to do that,” the Spanaird said last year. Saka, who notched up 62 appearances for both Arsenal and England last season, believes he can produce the kind of numbers Arteta is demanding. When you look at the top players, they are there every three days and they are winning games for their team Bukayo Saka “I think it’s possible,” Saka said. “When you look at the top players, they are there every three days and they are winning games for their team. “So I’m trying to be at that level, and to obviously be at that level I need to push myself. Of course, it’s difficult, but I’m trying to do it and give it my best. “I think I’m really focused on the next coming games and what I can do for the team. My focus is not really there (on talk of potentially burning out). “I’m a guy who always wants to be on the pitch, always wants to give my best, and if I’m injured and I have to be forced to be out, then of course I will sit out. “But as long I’m there and I’m ready to play, I am always going to give my best and tell them that I want to play.” Saka is expected to be rested as Arteta shuffles his pack for Wednesday’s Carabao Cup fourth-round trip to West Ham. But he could once again be sporting the captain’s armband when Arsenal travel to Newcastle in the Premier League on Saturday, with skipper Martin Odegaard nursing a hip problem and regular stand-in Gabriel Jesus out with a hamstring injury. “It was a really special moment for me,” Saka said of leading out Arsenal as captain for the first time. “To be honest, I can’t really describe how I was feeling when I was walking out. I just tried to take in the atmosphere and just realise where I am and where I’ve come from. “Then obviously I had to switch my focus to the game and we did, and we got the three points – which is the most important thing at the end of the day. “We are close to the top of the table in the Premier League, we are top of our Champions League group and we are still in all the other competitions. “I think that is something we can be proud of, but I agree there is another level for us to go to. We are pushing.” Read More Early exit puts Champions Trophy at risk – England’s dismal World Cup defence Luis Rubiales banned from all football-related activity for three years by FIFA A Premier League winner and ex-England international – Danny Drinkwater retires On this day in 2008: David Beckham heads to Milan to boost England hopes The sporting weekend in pictures Joel Embiid scores 35 points in big win for Philadelphia 76ers

Preview of Sheffield United's Premier League meeting with Manchester City, including how to watch on TV and live stream, team news, predicted lineups and predicted score.

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Has Aaron Boone lost the New York Yankees clubhouse? A bad series against the Boston Red Sox can (and should) be the final straw.Aaron Boone has preached losing baseball in New York. While consistently talking about a turnaround in the Bronx, the Yankees have continued to lose ground in the AL W...

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What the papers say Manchester United are reportedly ready to part ways with forward Anthony Martial. According to The Sun, the club’s hierarchy are ready to consider offers for the 27-year-old Frenchman, who has scored just eight goals in 27 appearances this season. The Daily Mail says Liverpool are the latest club to join the growing list of suitors for Crystal Palace defender Marc Guehi. Manchester United, Arsenal and Tottenham are all believed to be interested in the 22-year-old England international, but his valuation of as much as £50million could prove a significant obstacle for any deal to get across the line. Arsenal have set a £26m price tag on striker Folarin Balogun, according to the Daily Express. Citing Calciomercato, the paper says AC Milan have made the 21-year-old American their primary transfer target this summer, while RB Leipzig are also weighing up a potential move. And The Sun says Manchester United are in the process of trying to make a deal for 26-year-old South Korea defender Kim Min-jae, who has helped Napoli win the Serie A title this season. Social media round-up Players to watch Neymar: Manchester United are weighing up an approach for the 31-year-old Paris St Germain forward, L’Equipe reports. Declan Rice: Sky Sport Germany says Bayern Munich view the 24-year-old West Ham midfielder as a primary target for the summer transfer window. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live