Egyptian businessman and Chelsea season ticket holder Loutfy Mansour has pulled out of the running to buy the Blues from Roman Abramovich.

He is the chief executive officer of Mantrac Group of Nigeria which has outlets in Lagos, Nigeria.

Mansour was linked with taking over the club following the announcement that Abramovich was walking away, although, according to UK publication, Mirror, a consortium led by Swiss billionaire, Hansjorg Wyss  and American Todd Boehly is currently leading the race.

The prospect of that consortium being successful in their bid was given a boost on Friday with the news that billionaire Mansour has pulled out.

A spokesman for the businessman said : “In light of the recent media speculation, we want to make it clear that we are not pursuing a bid for Chelsea Football Club at this time.”

Russian billionaire Abramovich remains fearful of sanctions from the UK government in the wake of the ongoing war in Ukraine although he continues to deny any links to president Vladmir Putin.

Having initially stated that he was handing over “stewardship and care” of the club to Chelsea’s charitable foundation, Abramavich dramatically released a statement on Wednesday when he confirmed that his 19-year reign at Stamford Bridge was coming to an end.

“The sale of the club will not be fast-tracked but will follow due process,” said Abramovich.

“I will not be asking for any loans to be repaid. This has never been about business nor money for me, but about pure passion for the game and club.

“Moreover, I have instructed my team to set up a charitable foundation where all net proceeds from the sale will be donated.

“The foundation will be for the benefit of all victims of the war in Ukraine. This includes providing critical funds towards the urgent and immediate needs of victims, as well as supporting the long-term work of recovery.

Please know that this has been an incredibly difficult decision to make, and it pains me to part with the club in this manner. However, I do believe this is in the best interest of the club.”

Abramovich is yet to be sanctioned by the government, who did move to restrict Russian billionaire Alisher Usmanov – who has previously had ties to Arsenal and more recently Everton – on Thursday.

With 17 days to the anticipated tough World Cup qualifying play-off with Nigeria in Cape Coast, Ghanaian international, Mohammed Salisu has suffered hamstring injury.

According to media report from different sources, Ralph Hassenhutti, the Southampton manager gave that as the reason for the centre-back’s absence from the Saints squad on Wednesday when the team defeated West Ham United 3-1 in the English FA Cup.

Speaking in an interview after the game, Southampton coach Ralph Hasenhuttl explained that Mohammed Salisu was absent as well as some other players missed the game because they are nursing various injuries.

“(Shane) Longy I think was a harsh impact in the first-half, that’s why we left him in the dressing room at half-time.

“Kyle (Walker-Peters) had a little bit of problems with his hamstring, this was also the reason why we subbed him. From yesterday’s game that’s it so far.”

“We had also problems with (Mohammed) Salisu, and Moi (Elyounaussi). Moi with his heel, Sali also with his hamstring I think,” the Southampton manager shared.

He added, “This is the reason why they were not available, so a few issues but we will have a rook how they are for the weekend.”

BA is led by Russian Umar Kremlev, but that has not saved boxers from his country being banned from competition following the invasion of Ukraine ©IBA

The International Boxing Association (IBA), led by Russian Umar Kremlev, has followed the recommendations set out by the International Olympic Committee (IOC), banning boxers and officials from Russia and Belarus from competition, following the countries’ involvement in the invasion of Ukraine. 

Gazprom, the Russian state-owned energy company, has still been retained by IBA as its general partner, despite the threat of sanctions from Western nations.

Previously, IBA said its Board of Directors would meet to discuss what action would be taken against Russia, who initiated the invasion of neighbouring Ukraine, and Belarus, who allowed the use of its borders for the attack.

“While condemning the breach of the Olympic Truce and the military activities against Ukraine, IBA adopted the IOC recommendation with regard to the participation of boxers and competition officials (including referees and judges) belonging to the IBA’s National Federations of Russia or Belarus,” said the IBA. 

“Accordingly, they shall not be invited or allowed to participate in international boxing competitions.”

The organisation condemned the action of Russia in their statement, but also left the door open for athletes from the countries to compete neutrally “on short notice for organisational or legal reasons”.

Ukrainians boxers received support from IBA following the invasion of their country ©Getty Images

IBA is the third International Federation led by a Russian to have suspended athletes from that country.

It follows the International Sport Shooting Federation, headed by billionaire Vladimir Lisin, and the International Fencing Federation, whose President Alisher Usmanov has temporarily stood aside after being sanctioned by the European Union and United Kingdom for his alleged close links to Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Kremlev, the former secretary general of the Boxing Federation of Russia was elected IBA President in December 2020, has vowed to get the organisation restored as the governing body for Olympic boxing after it was suspended by the IOC following several years of corruption and financial problems.

He is due to stand for re-election at the IBA Electoral Congress in Istanbul on May 13 and 14. 

The first major event that Russian boxers will miss is set to be the IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships in Istanbul, due to take place between May 6 and 21.

At the last Championships in Ulan-Ude three years ago, Russia finished top of the medals table with three golds for Ekaterina Paltceva in the light flyweight, Liliya Aetbaeva in the flyweight and Zemfira Magomedalieva in the light heavyweight. 

IBA is led by Russian Umar Kremlev, but that has not saved boxers from his country being banned from competition following the invasion of Ukraine ©IBA

Events in both countries sanctioned by IBA have also been cancelled.

“IBA is completely committed to putting sport at the service of the peaceful development of humanity,” read the statement. 

“Consistent with these commitments, the IBA Board also offered its full support for measures aimed at helping the Ukrainian boxers.”

Ukraine was invaded by Russia on February 24, just four days after the Closing Ceremony of the Winter Olympics in Beijing, leading to condemnation globally, including in the sporting community. 

Russia and Belarus were banned from the Winter Paralympic Games – which opened in the Chinese capital today – after mounting pressure on the International Paralympic Committee from National Paralympic Committees.

Andy Murray and Ivan Lendl have worked together twice before

Ivan Lendl and Andy Murray are getting back together again, with the two due to start work in the United States next month.

They will spend several weeks training after this month’s Miami Masters as Murray prepares for the grass-court season which starts in June.

Murray had already decided to skip the clay court season from April to June.

He won two Wimbledon titles, the 2012 US Open and two Olympic gold medals while working with Lendl.

Murray also became the world number one under the coach

He was distraught when they first split in 2014, having realised the eight-time Grand Slam champion was not prepared to commit to the number of weeks on tour he required.

Lendl returned to the team in 2016: the year Murray won his second Wimbledon title and finished the year as the world number one.

The partnership formally ended in November of the following year, with Murray unable to play much because of his serious hip injury, which later required two operations.

Murray also plans to appoint an additional coach, who will travel with him and work closely with Lendl.

The 34-year-old world number 84 has been without a permanent coach since his five and-a-half year spell with Jamie Delgado came to an end late last year.

He has since had trial periods with Johanna Konta’s former coach Esteban Carril and the German Jan de Witt.

Another of Murray’s former coaches Dani Vallverdu has offered his assistance in recent weeks, but he is committed to Stan Wawrinka, who is due to return to the tour in April.

Murray said last month in Dubai that he needs a consistent message on the practice court, and hinted that despite all of his experience he really misses a coach.

After reaching the final of the Sydney International in January, Murray has lost in the second round of the four tournaments he has played. After an excellent five set win over Nikoloz Basilashvili in the first round of the Australian Open, he was beaten in straight sets by Taro Daniel.

Murray has complained about how poor he has been mentally in recent weeks, something which Lendl – as another former world number one – was able to help him with significantly in their earlier time together.

Lendl spent just under a year working with Alex Zverev after his second spell with Murray, but has not been coaching on tour since that partnership came to an end in July 2019.

Murray has a wildcard for this month’s Masters Series events in Indian Wells and Miami, and will then have two months to train and prepare for the grass-court season.

Lendl will not be in Indian Wells, but is likely to be offering advice remotely, and could potentially appear in Miami as he lives nearby.

In June and July it looks likely Lendl will once again be by Murray’s side on the grass courts at The Queen’s Club and Wimbledon.

Dayana Yastremska is ranked 128 in the world

Ukraine’s Dayana Yastremska has reached the semi-finals of the Lyon Open a week after fleeing the Russian bombing of her home city of Odessa.

Yastremska, 21, got past Italian fifth seed Jasmine Paolini 6-4 7-6 (7-3) in the quarter-finals to reach the last four of a WTA event for the first time since the summer.

“That’s another win for Ukraine,” Yastremska said.

“I feel so much support from everybody.”

Compatriot and former world number three Elina Svitolina was defeated in the quarter-finals of the Monterrey Open.

Top seed Svitolina let a 4-1 lead slip in the third set as she lost 1-6 7-5 7-6 (7-5) to Colombia’s Camila Osorio.

Svitolina previously said she would donate all of her prize money from the event in Mexico to the Ukrainian army.

‘FOOTBALL STANDS TOGETHER’ was displayed ahead of last Sunday’s Carabao Cup final.

Chinese rights holders have told the Premier League they will not broadcast English top-flight matches this weekend because of the league’s planned shows of support for Ukraine, the BBC has learnt.

China is a close political ally of Russia, which has invaded Ukraine.

The Premier League has said it “wholeheartedly rejects Russia’s actions” and is set to show solidarity with Ukraine.

“We call for peace and our thoughts are with all those who have been impacted,” it added, when announcing its plans earlier this week.

That will include captains wearing special armbands in Ukrainian colours, while stadium screens will display ‘Football Stands Together’ in front of the country’s blue and yellow flag.

Fans have also been encouraged to join “a moment of reflection and solidarity before kick-off at each game”.

When asked about the Chinese refusal to show matches, the Premier League declined to comment.

The Premier League rights in China are held by iQiyi Sports which took over last year after the collapse of a deal with PPTV.

The row comes with the Premier League reviewing its broadcast contracts in Russia.

This week Premier League chief executive Richard Masters said that, with teams demonstrating their support for Ukraine following Russia’s invasion, he would “like the Russian people to see the strength of feeling in the Premier League and in English football this weekend”.

He added: “But we are looking at them [the contracts] very closely in terms of suspension or termination, given the current circumstances.”

In 2019 China’s state broadcaster CCTV removed an Arsenal

-Manchester City game from its schedule after comments made by then-Gunners midfielder Mesut Ozil.

Grygorii Vovchynskyi is one of the most experienced members of the Ukraine team

Ukraine topped the medal table with three golds on the first day of the Winter Paralympics in Beijing.

Biathlete Grygorii Vovchynskyi triumphed in the men’s sprint standing event to win Ukraine’s first gold at these Games.

Oksana Shyshkova then won the women’s sprint vision impaired, before Vitaliy Lukianenko led a Ukrainian one-two-three in the men’s event.

Ukrainian athletes claimed seven medals in total on the opening day.

There are 20 Ukrainian athletes and nine guides in Beijing.

The delegation travelled to China despite the Russian invasion of their country, which began on 24 February.

“It was difficult for me when the war began. I cried every day,” Vovchynskyi said.

“I didn’t understand what happened.

“What can I do? I can dedicate this race to Ukraine, for peace [for the] people in Ukraine.

“Please stop war, it’s very important for our children.”

Vovchynskyi, who won gold in the long distance event in Sochi in 2014, beat Germany’s Marco Maier by 45.8 seconds to win his event.

He said: “I was thinking before the race, I must try to do everything for Ukraine. I must think about war, about my country, about my people, about my president. I love Ukraine.

“I love sport, but today I ran because I want life in Ukraine to move to the future.”

Shyshkova held off Germany’s Linn Kazmaier to claim Ukraine’s second gold.

Lukianenko added a third in the men’s sprint vision impaired event, with compatriots Oleksandr Kazik and Dmytro Suiarko claiming silver and bronze respectively.

There were also silvers for Liudmyla Liashenko and Taras Rad.

Liashenko, 28, won her fifth Games medal in the women’s sprint standing where China’s Guo Yujie, 17, emerged victorious.

It was a second Paralympic medal for Rad, 23, following his middle distance gold from Pyeongchang, after he finished 17.5secs adrift of China’s Liu Zixu in the men’s sprint seated event.

Before the Games, Valeriy Sushkevych, the Ukrainian Paralympic chief, said his team’s presence at the Games was a “symbol that Ukraine is alive” and that it was a “miracle” they made it to the competition.

They were warmly welcomed into the Bird’s Nest Stadium for Friday’s opening ceremony.

The Russian Paralympic Committee and Belarus were banned from competing.

A minute’s silence was held before Australia men and women’s matches as tributes to continued to pour in for Shane Warne, who died on Friday.

Leg-spinner Warne, one of the greatest cricketers of all time, died of a suspected heart attack aged 52.

A stand at the Melbourne Cricket Ground will be permanently renamed the SK Warne Stand as a tribute.

Australian fast bowler Glenn McGrath described Warne as the “ultimate competitor”.

McGrath, who formed a formidable partnership with Warne for Australia, saod.

“Warnie was larger than life. I thought nothing could ever happen to him.

“He thought the game was never lost, that he could turn it around and bring us to victory, which he did so many times.”

Fans left flowers, beer cans and photographs at Warne’s statue at the MCG.

Warne took his first Test hat-trick at the MCG and also claimed his 700th Test wicket at the ground in 2006.

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has offered a state funeral to the family of a man who he said “defined a generation”.

“To us, he was the greatest – but to his family, he was so much more. Our hearts are breaking for Shane’s family and friends,” Andrews said.

“I have offered a state funeral to his family so Victorians can pay tribute to his legacy and contribution to our state, community and country.”

State funerals are held to honour people of national significance.

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison has also offered his family a state funeral for Warne.

Former Australia batter Ricky Ponting, who captained Warne from 2004-2007, called him “the greatest bowler I ever played with or against”.

“He gave me my nickname [Punter]. We were team-mates for more than a decade, riding all the highs and lows together,” Ponting wrote on Twitter.

“Through it all he was someone you could always count on, someone who loved his family, someone who would be there for you when you needed him and always put his mates first.”

Australia and Pakistan men wore black armbands and held a minute’s silence before play on the second day of the first Test in Lahore.

Australia’s women also wore black armbands in their Women’s World Cup victory against England and observed a silence for both Warne and Rod Marsh, who died on Thursday.

Leg-spinner Alana King touched her armband after dismissing Tammy Beaumont as a mark of respect to Warne.

Cricketers in the Sheffield Shield, Australia’s domestic competition, also wore black armbands and AFL players observed a minute’s silence.

Tom Mitchell, who plays for Victoria-based Hawthorne in the AFL, left a football by Warne’s statue to pay respect to “a guy who just loved sport”.

Warne died in his villa on the Thai island of Koh Samui on Friday of a suspected heart attack.

Thai police told Reuters one of three friends staying with Warne found him unconscious and performed CPR on him before medics arrived.

They added the death was not being treated as suspicious.

“The case is still under investigation, and will need a detailed autopsy result to prove the real cause of death,” Thai police spokesperson Kissana Phathanacharoen said.