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All Star nominations revealed; Newcastle confirm Saudi-backed takeover

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Human rights charities say the Saudi-backed takeover of Newcastle United represents “a clear attempt by the Saudi authorities to sportswash their appalling human rights record with the glamour of top-flight football”. Photograph: Tom Wilkinson/PA
Fri Oct 08 2021 - 06:46

All-Ireland football champions Tyrone have 15 nominations in this year's PwC All Stars long list for 2021 - with Kieran McGeary and Conor Meyler joining Mayo's Lee Keegan in the shortlist for Footballer of the Year. The All-Ireland football champions emulated their hurling counterparts Limerick with 15 players nominated - seven of them in defence, as well as super sub Cathal McShane. Former Mayo corner forward Andy Moran is the new Leitrim football manager, the 37 year-old has brought in Mike Solan as assistant manager, along with former Leitrim players Barry McWeeney and James Glancy as selectors.

Stormers lock Adre Smith has been suspended for eight weeks after allegations of biting in his side's United Rugby Championship defeat by Munster last Saturday night. Leinster will host Bath in their opening Champions Cup fixture at the Aviva Stadium on December 11th with a 3.15pm kick-off time. The competition's fixture dates and TV details were released on Thursday. Ulster host Benetton in Belfast tonight, with their URC clash kicking off at 7.45pm.

Newcastle United yesterday evening confirmed the club's takeover by a Saudi Arabian-led consortium, ending Mike Ashley's 14-year ownership. The controversial £300 million (€353.5 million) deal received Premier League approval almost 18 months after it was first proposed. The takeover has been met with a strong backlash from human rights groups, most notably Amnesty International, who have long warned that the Saudi regime is trying to "sportswash" its reputation. However, news of Ashley's departure will provoke joy and relief among many fans. France came from 2-0 down at half-time to beat Belgium in a thrilling, topsy-turvy Nations League semi-final thanks to Theo Hernandez's superb late winning goal.

Meanwhile, Séamus Power shrugged off a missed cut on his return to competition in last week's tour stop by rebounding with a solid five-under-par opening round in the Shriners Children's Open at TPC Summerlin in Las Vegas. That leaves him in a tie for 17th, five shots off the first round lead.