Football
Photo from BBC
Reported from : BBC
Former Sunderland midfielder Julio Arca has told BBC World Service that he still believes the Stadium of Light club will see a change of luck, but it will be a tough task.
"It'll be a very hard decision to choose the person to turn Sunderland's fortunes around. I'm sure the club is going to find the right person to hopefully work out another escape," he said.
"They can still turn the situation around, but it's not going to be easy because they've only got another nine games. They are going to be nine finals. Every point they take now is going to be really important.
"It's hard just to blame one person because the manager is trying to pick the best eleven. Some of the players haven't been performing really well. I believe he [Poyet] is a good manager. He did really well last season to put the team in the Capital One Cup final and escape from the relegation battle."
Ex-Sunderland boss Mick McCarthy has given his views on the Black Cats decision to sack manager Gus Poyet.
McCarthy, now manager of Championship side Ipswich Town, was in charge at Sunderland from March 2003 to 2006.
He said: "It was only 12 months ago that you were seeing those 'Miracles do happen, Gus' banners. You are either loved or loathed there. You're either a God or a dog.
"It's a particularly demanding job there. I was loved, then loathed but I have seen so many men follow suit. It's a brilliant job there. It's a fantastic club and a great one to manage."
Aurier faces Uefa charge
Football
Paris St-Germain defender Serge Aurier is facing a Uefa charge for insulting a Champions League referee on social media.
The 22-year-old Ivory Coast international has been charged with 'insulting acts' after posting a video on Facebook last Wednesday after PSG knocked Chelsea out of the competition.
Aurier, who missed the game through injury, appeared to insult Netherlands referee Bjorn Kuipers, who sent off PSG forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic in the first half at Stamford Bridge.
Six Nations trophy explanation
Wales will not receive the Six Nations trophy in Rome next Saturday if they win this season's title.
There are only two Six Nations trophies - the original and a replica - with tournament organisers confirming those will be at Twickenham and Murrayfield on the competition's final day.
England, Ireland and Wales are all currently tied on six points, with England leading courtesy of their superior points difference. Ireland are second and Wales third.
If England win the title, the trophy presentation will take place on the Twickenham pitch after their match against France, while if Ireland are crowned champions, there will also be a pitch presentation, but in a closed stadium, as spectators will have left the ground after the game against Scotland.
However, if Wales take a third Six Nations crown in four years, their trophy presentation would not be until Sunday, with talks currently ongoing about logistics between Six Nations officials and the Welsh Rugby Union.
Swansea v Liverpool-team news
Swansea striker Bafetimbi Gomis has been cleared to play by specialists following his collapse at Tottenham in his side's last league game. Kyle Bartley has a knee injury and is the only confirmed absentee.
Liverpool will be without striker Mario Balotelli for the Premier League game at Swansea because of illness. Reds captain Steven Gerrard is fit after seven games out with a hamstring injury, while Martin Skrtel and Mamadou Sakho are also available.
Balotelli has not travelled with the Reds squad to Wales, but Liverpool expect the striker to be back for Sunday's match with Manchester United.
