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​The match between Tottenham Spurs and Fulham which was formerly supposed to be held on the 30th of December, 2020 was suspended a few hours before kick-off as a result of an outbreak of the coronavirus in the Fulham Team.
The Spurs coach had voiced his displeasure in the sudden reschedule saying, "I don't want to speak too much about it," said Mourinho. "Just to say I felt unprofessional, but that is the way it was.

"We were preparing ourselves for that match and of course we didn't play and that is disruptive of what is a week of work.
"The training sessions before that would be different if we weren't going to play that game. People can think it was good for me that there was no game, but only good for me if I knew there was no game because then I could have had a different cycle in the training sessions.
"But not to play and not to train like we would have liked in the days before does not help."
Spurs Premier League match with Aston Villa was scheduled for Wednesday but this was also shifted as a result of an outbreak of the virus in the Villa camp. To this end, the London derby was rescheduled to the same night and this ended up with Spurs having a 1-1 draw thereby missing their opportunity to be in third place.

Jose had asked for an apology from the Fulham team citing that they fielded their best side in the rearranged fixture, but the Fulham coach would have none of it.
"I owe no one an apology, this football club owes no one an apology," Parker said.
"You can talk from the outside and people can see what they want to see and work out exactly what the script is but it was far from that. There were two players on that pitch that had only trained for one day, they'd come back from Covid-19 and played in that game. I had players on the pitch that had just three or four days of training. The issue for me regarding this fixture wasn't having just two days to prepare for it. I understand that.” Parker said.
Jose said he wasn’t stunned by the Fulham team’s move and Parker maintained that he had to make the choice for the wellbeing of the players and their families
 

Japanese-Hawain professional tennis player, Naomi Osaka has been announced as the new face of Louis Vuitton. This move is celebrated across the sports world as she had used her influence to address racial injustice during last year’s US Open, an event that she won.
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Naomi had put on a different mask for each match at Flushing Meadows, each mask bore the names of different black victims during the tournament.
A tweet by the brand read, “Multi-faceted, independent and modern. #LouisVuitton names #NaomiOsaka, one of the most explosive and influential tennis players of all-time, as the new House Ambassador debuting in #NicolasGhesquiere’s #LVSS21 Campaign.”

The 23-year will be debuting as the House’s latest ambassador in the Spring-Summer 2021 fashion campaign.
She tweeted, “Wow this is actually crazy. Honored to be @LouisVuitton newest House Ambassador. Funny story: I first bought my mom an LV bag when I was 16 as a birthday present and it’s kinda been a tradition since. Do I call this a full circle moment? Yes”
 
"Aside from tennis, my most treasured passion is fashion; and there is no brand more iconic than Louis Vuitton,".
"It is such an honour to work with Nicolas - he's a designer I admire so much and we share a mutual love of Japanese culture and style. To become a global brand ambassador is truly a dream come true for me." Naomi had said.

Nicholas Ghesquière posted on Instagram, “I am so excited to welcome @naomiosaka as a new ambassador at @louisvuitton. Naomi is an exceptional young woman who represents her generation and is a role model for everyone. Her career and convictions are inspiring and I am in awe of Naomi. She stays true to herself and doesn’t compromise on her values. I am looking forward to sharing new projects with Naomi in the year to come!”
Naomi has already appeared in American Vogue and disclosed her first set collection at the New York Fashion Week in preparation for the opening grand slam of the year at the Australian Open in Melbourne.
No doubt the player is a professional both in the courts and on the runway.
 

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​Israeli-Russian businessman and owner of the famous Chelsea Football Club, Roman Abramovich, is thinking of bringing back Avram Grant on the team to assist Chelsea’s manager, Frank Lampard.
This move comes as no surprise as the English Club has lost five out of their recent six games, losing to Manchester City, Arsenal, Wolves, Everton and a draw with Aston Villa. The only recorded victory in the year was on Sunday, which was a 4-0 victory against Morecambe.
This performance has dropped the club to ninth place on the Premier League table.
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Avram’s return to Chelsea will most likely be on a short-term basis as the 65-year old considers himself more useful as a manager than behind the scene.
Following their loss to Man City on the 3rd of January, Avram made a video on Instagram in which he voiced out his opinion saying, "About the current situation I can say only this. You need to be strong when things are not going well, when things are going well everyone is a genius and knows what to do.

But in a situation like this when things aren't going well you need to be strong, look for solutions, and show a lot about your character."
He further said, “What I can say to Frank and the others at the club is be patient, and more than this do whatever is necessary to do that's for sure. Two things: never lost it even when things are going well, don't lose your fighting spirit at the highest level.

"And second, don't lose what you have here [points at head] you need to think right and look for solutions. If you do that then everything will be okay because the quality is there and there is a potential like there was [at Chelsea] in my time.”
In summary, he asked the club owner to give Lampard more time.
Avram is no doubt an efficient manager who has a record of getting the job done. In 2015, he led Ghana to the Africa Cup of Nations Finals, and in 2008, he led Chelsea to the finals of the Champions League, a season in which Frank Lampard scored 20 goals.
Frank acknowledges the difference that Abrahamovich makes by being present as a Club owner. Would Grant come back to Stamford Bridge? Most likely.

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​The European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) has temporarily shifted the dates for matches that were scheduled to hold on the 16th and 23rd of January.
This move was triggered by the suggestion of the French government this Saturday that their teams suspend across-border matches for now due to the new strain of Covid-19.
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The ECPR released a statement which read "Following a directive from the French authorities that the participation of TOP 14 clubs in the Heineken Champions Cup and Challenge Cup at the current time constitutes too great a public health risk, EPCR has no choice but to announce that the 2020/21 tournaments are temporarily suspended.

"EPCR and the Ligue Nationale de Rugby took part in a meeting by the audio conference last week with representatives of the French ministries of the Interior, Health and Sport, as well as of the President's office.
"Notable updates to EPCR's COVID-19 protocols were presented to the French authorities, including the addition of PCR tests no earlier than three days before matches in the tournaments, conforming to French government guidelines and supplementing the existing, meticulous contact tracing measures put in place with a view to limiting the risk of transmission.

"Against the backdrop of the recent detection of a new strain of coronavirus, the French government has directed that French clubs postpone their participation in EPCR's tournaments for the month of January, both for matches scheduled in France and for those due to be played in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
"On the basis of this directive, EPCR had no choice but to temporarily suspend the pool stage of the Heineken Champions Cup and the preliminary stage of the Challenge Cup."

Bristol’s director of rugby, Pat Lam, opined that fixtures for the premiership be moved forward so as to avoid cramping of fixtures when rugby comes back to play.
Darren Childs the Chief Executive of the English Premiership explained that everyone’s well-being is to be considered at a time as this and it was a good opportunity for the players, management, staff, and match officials to rest.
 

​The Ivorian National Team and Cardiff City center-back, Sol Bamba has been diagnosed with Non-Hodgkin lymphoma and has begun chemotherapy treatment.

A statement released by the player’s club read, "Universally admired by teammates, staff and supporters in the Welsh capital, Sol has begun his battle in typically positive spirits and will continue to be an integral part of the Bluebirds family.”
"While we request privacy for him and his family at this time, messages of support to be passed on to Sol may be sent to club@cardiffcityfc.co.uk.⁣
"We are all with you, Sol."

The 35-year old joined Cardiff City in October 2016 under Neil Warnock, since then, he has made 117 appearances and scored 10 goals.
Jim Leishman, describing his performance to Sky Sports in 2010 said, "He's certainly got the physique and he's got the potential to do it. But potential sometimes passes you by, it's all about going out and doing it. He's a great runner, he's as strong as an ox, and he's a strong tackler."

Born to Ivorian parents in Paris, Sol chose to play for the Ivorian National Team of which he has made 46 appearances. He played at the 2008 Olympics and was also present when the team reached the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations final.
So far, Bamba has played for the following clubs, Paris Saint-Germain, Dunfermline Athletic, Hibernian, Leicester City, Tradzonspor, Palermo, Leeds City and currently, Cardiff City.
The football universe has taken to various media platforms to wish the player well.

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​Undersized, slow or just not talented enough these NBA legends would probably struggle in the modern NBA. Criteria are a mixture of impact in playing day, projected impact and likelihood to still make the hall of fame.
 
Wilt Chamberlin
Chamberlin put up monster stats in the 50’s and 60’s , an era when the NBA talent pool was watered down with many people who would never make the league today. It’s hard to argue he would make the same impact.
 
Bob Cousy
Not an elite scorer, not terribly athletic and his assist numbers aren’t eye popping. He is another beneficiary of a weak NBA talent pool of the 50’s and 60’s
 
 
Bob Pettit
An undersized center who wasn’t an elite scorer. Pettit would have struggled against modern NBA bigs who are much longer and more athletic.
 
Bill Russell
The rebounding would translate but probably to a lesser extent. We see Andre Drummond in the modern NBA.
 
Paul Arizin
An undersized small forward with subpar athleticism, another easy choice.
 
Cliff Hagan
Another undersized small forward, Hagan has a resume that makes me question why he is even in the hall of fame.
 
Jack Twyman
Average athlete, not a high level playmaker, another modest resume that probably doesn’t make the hall of fame today.
 
John Havlicek
The beginning and end of his career are nothing special. He was a star in the middle , but hard to see an undersized wing with questionable athleticism succeeding in the modern nba.
 
Bailey Howell
An undersized combo forward with subpar athleticism. Howell is yet another hall of famer who benefitted greatly from playing in the 1960’s
 
Billy Cunningham
 Another undersized combo forward who starred for Philadelphia in the 1970’s.
 
 
We feel most of this list would not even make an NBA roster today. Chamberlin and Russell would still be NBA players today, but probably much closer to average. Do you agree or disagree tell us here at 420 Sports in the comments.
 

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​30 years old Center-back for the Liverpool Football club, Virgil van Dijk has undergone knee surgery soon due to the challenge by Everton’s goalkeeper, Jordan Pickford.
Michael Oliver, the referee of the Liverpool versus Everton match which was held on October 17 has been criticized after Everton's keeper challenge at the Merseyside derby. This move by Pickford left Virgil in need of knee surgery on his damaged anterior cruciate ligaments and the player is on his way to recovery.
Even though the goalkeeper’s challenge took place in the Everton penalty area, a Video Assistant Referee (VAR) who reviewed the clip proved that the Center-back was offside and so a spot-kick was not awarded. The offside position of the player however did not justify Jordan's foul play and Oliver should have dismissed him for violent conduct.

Speaking to the Daily Mail, the referee said "The thought initially was, 'it can't be a penalty because it's offside so we need to check the offside first'. I think I said to the VAR, 'if it's not offside, I'm going to give a penalty'. I have watched it back so many times. I genuinely don't think Pickford has done anything apart from trying to spread himself but he did it the wrong way, as the injury has shown.
 
"We have all, myself included, not thought about the challenge as much as we should have done. We could still have given offside and sent Pickford off. What I was surprised about looking at it afterward was that nothing was expected on-field in terms of a red card. None of the players were asking for that.
"We got sucked too much into going step by step as opposed to thinking of the bigger process, which was considering the challenge as well and not just the fact it can't be a penalty. We should have restarted with the offside, as we did, but with a different punishment for Jordan Pickford."
 
Oliver admitted that the VAR which was introduced in the Premier League last season has become an obsession. He however admitted that even with VAR, the last call still fell on him. He explained that VAR had helped in setting players at ease as there was now a chance to replay what happened and get a second opinion.

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​Never give up! Never surrender!
Those words are his slogan. And what a slogan it is. Strong and powerful as his performance and attitude towards the game of basketball. The statement: ‘’He is playing out of his world’’ said by great Dirk Nowitzki, are a reality. Can you already guess his name? No? Another hint coming from the words of an icon Lebron James: ‘’He is one bad MOFO’’. Yes, it is true, we are talking about a 6 ft 7 in 2018 round one 3rd pick in the NBA Luka Dončić himself.

Have you ever had an opportunity to read and learn more about #77 phenomena from Slovenia? Here it goes in short.
Born in Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia on the 28th of February 1999 spent his youth playing for Union Olimpija before heading to Spain to the youth academy of Real Madrid. In 2015 he made a debut for the first team aged 16 and so becoming the youngest in club history. Two years later, he already led Madrid to the EuroLeague title in 2018, winning the MVP of the season as well as the final four MVP. Imagine being a lead player at the age of 18 and by that fact also collecting personal rewards. He was also named the ABC MVP (Spanish league) and won back-to-back EuroLeague Rising Star reward and ABC Best young player awards. He was selected to the EuroLeague 2010–20 All-Decade Team. Amazing for a youngster.
Dončić made his senior debut for Slovenia National team in 2016 at only 17 years of age. And was already named in the best five All-Tournament team in 2017 EuroBasket the after helping his country win its first title working with his national team mentor Goran ‘’the Dragon’’ Dragić as its captain.
As mentioned in 2018, Dončić was drafted to NBA joining the Dallas Mavericks (picked by Atlanta Hawks but traded to Dallas – we can still Atlanta fans complaining and how true they are). He was selected unanimously to the NBA All-Rookie First Team and won Rookie of the Year for the 2018–19 season. In his rookie season, he was selected to his first NBA All-Star game and named to the All-NBA First Team. And here we can mention that for him only the sky is the limit.
His profile as a player is versatile. He was frequently described as a "position-less guard" with attributes of a point guard, shooting guard, and small forward. Standing 6 feet 7 inches (2.01 m) and weighing 230 pounds (104.3 kg), he has been praised for his exceptional size and strength for the guard position. Sports website The Ringer labeled him a "legitimate point guard with the size of a small-ball power forward.
Since his early years with Real Madrid, he was marked as one of Europe's premier talents, with Spanish newspaper Marca giving him the nickname "El Niño Maravilla" (The Wonder Boy). Entering the 2018 NBA draft, he was seen as one of the best and most accomplished European prospects of his generation by majority. Slam magazine considered him the "best international prospect ever and sports website SB Nation named him "most accomplished NBA prospect in decades. An anonymous NBA veteran said that his game was "leap years above anyone" in his draft class.  And he still has both feet on the ground and delivers as promised. He shoots, passes, jumps and steals. Reality is that we can count same types of players thru out the NBA or international basketball history, using fingers on only one of the arms.
He is versatile on the offensive end, displaying proficiency in shooting three-pointers, mid-range jump shots, floaters, and shots in the post. His basketball IQ, is on a high level and his skills are considered as his primary assets and he is seen as an elite facilitator, especially on the pick and roll.  NBA and EuroLeague coach Ettore Messina called him "phenomenal, especially mentally" for his age. And still some flaws are mentioned regarding his games (there is no perfection on this planet). His lack of lateral quickness to stay in front of most NBA point guards and wings has been labeled one of his main flaws. Dallas Mavericks head coach Rick Carlisle disputed some of the worries regarding his athleticism, stating that "for a 19-year-old, he's got a really unusual combination of size, speed, and deceptive quickness." During his rookie year, his ability to accelerate off a pick and blow by defenders to get to the basket is seen as one of his strengths. Given the false characterization of his abilities and his subsequent success in the NBA, some speculate that prejudiced stereotyping might have had a role in his negative pre-draft evaluation.  But he is strong going both ways as a person and as a player in the same manner.  
Before his draft, basketball journalist and scout, Austin Green, compared him to NBA players Paul Pierce and Joe Johnson as on the other side he compared himself to Ben Simmons due to his versatility. In his second season, LA Clippers coach Doc Rivers stated that "there's a lot of people in him." He likened his step back 3-pointers to James Harden, his passing ability to Larry Bird, and his court vision to LeBron James.  All of them positioned NBA as THE league, so comparing him with them is as standing on top of the highest mountain top. NBA analyst, Kendrick Perkins, called him "baby LeBron" due to his overall skill and dominance on the court.
In December 2019 Gregg Popovich, called his playing style "Magic Johnson-like" because "he sees the floor in that same way. In August 2020, head coach Rick Carlisle compared his playmaking and court vision to Larry Bird and Jason Kidd. He said he's a "savant-type guy" and is "in that same mold" as the two Hall of Famers. Milwaukee Bucks forward Giannis Antetokounmpo called him "one of the most talented guys I’ve ever played against." During his first career playoff game versus the LA Clippers, TV analyst and former point guard Mark Jackson, reiterated his view of him calling him "an absolute combination of Magic Johnson and Larry Bird."
Is there anything more to add? He is a rising star with the potential of becoming the greatest and standing in the same line as Michael Jordan, Magic Johnson, Lebron James and many others. He is the ONE to look after. But as an individual it is impossible to make more than personal records. So the TEAM is still important. And Dallas is making one around Luka Dončić.
For more info/stats/etc. please refer to https://www.mavs.com/team/roster/luka-doncic/.
Bojan Skol

By Contributor Estella Godwin

Weeks after being scouted by Manchester United Football Club, it has been announced that Moises Caicedo would not be joining the team in this transfer window as the club chiefs have decided to target other potentials.
Hopes were high after the Independente del Calle midfielder was checked out at Old Trafford, this move by the premier league club could only be interpreted as interest in the young lad for the January transfer window, what could have happened along the way?
It seems that the red devils were not the only ones interested in the 19-year old midfielder; Chelsea, Everton, Newcastle, and Brighton were also in the race and it seems as though the seagulls might have beaten others to strike a deal.
Sebastian Machado, a reporter at DirectTV, Ecuador tweeted that an agreement has been reached between Moises Caicedor and an unnamed Premier League club which is neither Chelsea nor West Ham.
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In the past days, the Guardian reported that Brighton FC was ‘hopeful’ about striking a deal with the teenager.
A few hours ago, the Mail reported that a 4.5 million pounds deal had been struck between the player and Brighton FC. The bid has been approved and the player is set to undergo medicals on the south coast.
Football expert, Tim Vickery speaking to Sky Sports News said, "Only 19. The way the market is going with South American football is the European clubs want to take them as early as possible," he said. "They are buying on the promise, but Caicedo is much more than a promise, he is real.

"We have just lost Colin Bell and I am not saying he is as good as Bell but Moises Caicedo is in that kind of mold. He is a terrific athlete who makes football look easy. A box-to-box midfielder”
"That kind of box-to-box midfielder that's very much in the tradition of the England game. Strong, quick, intelligent, and cool. He really does look like the genuine article."
Moises Caicedo has scored six goals throughout his 31 appearances at Independiente, he has also acquired four Ecuador caps since his international debut in October.
Brighton FC has no doubt acquired a talent that is set to be a game-changer.