Jose Mourinho has vowed he "will be in Tottenham's history for the good reasons" after claiming he is "more motivated than ever" to halt the club's slide amid growing speculation over his future.

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ESPN reported on Friday that chairman Daniel Levy wants to wait until the end of the season before deciding whether the 58-year-old should continue as head coach, but Mourinho must first address a run of five defeats from six Premier League games that leaves their top four hopes hanging by a thread.

Spurs are strong favourites to progress in the Europa League as they lead Wolfsberger 4-1 heading into tomorrow's last-32, second-leg tie in north London and have an EFL Cup Final to come against Manchester City in April.

However, Spurs' dreadful League form has ramped up the pressure on Mourinho, who insists he is better equipped to handle the situation than he was when arriving in England for the first time to take charge of Chelsea in 2004.

"Thank God I am not the manager I was," he said. "Thank God, because if there is no evolution in us... I also want to believe you think you are a better journalist than you were 10 years ago or so.

"So, thank God. But I agree with you, probably I would not be as calm and confident and in control of my emotions because during my career I had sometimes problems not in relation to results.

"As you know, I didn't have many bad runs of results. But day-by-day problems that happen many times in clubs with all of us, I reacted previously in a much more emotional way. And instead of helping myself and the ones around me, I was even created kind of conflict situations that I had previously. To give you a quick example: I left Chelsea as a champion. I was champion and I left Chelsea.

"Maybe your age, your experience as a person and a journalist makes you realise that people with more experience, we are better equipped to cope with negative moments. I am calm. I am in control of my emotions. I cannot switch on and switch off I'm happy.

"My nature does not change. I lose a game, of course I am not happy but maturity helps. And I feel very confident. I believe we are going to improve and I believe that I will be in Tottenham's history for the good reasons and not for the bad reasons."

Sources have told ESPN that some players have become frustrated with the team's conservative style, while reports elsewhere have hinted at a strained relationship with several individuals including Dele Alli and Gareth Bale.

But Mourinho insisted he retains the full backing of those around him.

"In the negativity of it, it is a positive thing that you say I am not used to it and my career has been the opposite of this," he said. "That's a great thing.

"But I want to know which coach in the end of his career can say everything was blue sky, never a little bit grey or cloudy or even dark. Unless he is a coach that was always in dominant clubs where the clubs were always the top clubs in countries and then it is more difficult to have difficult moments. But I think it just shows how beautiful my career has been.

"Does this make me happy? No. Does this make me depressed? Not at all. I think it is a challenge. I always feel that work for the clubs, for the players, for the supporters. I always feel I have to give them so much and the fact that I'm giving them hard work but not the results is something that of course hurts me and is a great challenge for me.

"I believe that I can give it. I gave it everywhere I've been and I want to do it. I'm more motivated than ever and I believe that, and this is what I feel, I never felt what normally coaches they feel when the results are bad.

"Normally when the results are bad, the coach is a lonely man. In this club, in this building, I never felt that. Never. I always felt, not just respected of course, but I always felt supported. I always felt that everybody is together in the same boat.

"By one side nobody is happy, but by another side nobody is depressed. I feel positive. Maybe it can look a bit weird for you losing so many matches and you are positive but yes I am positive.

"I cannot say I'm happy but I would say I'm not unhappy. I wake up in the morning, I want to come back to work. I arrive in the building, I feel the motivation in everyone. I love to train. People are loving training and everybody is working as hard as is possible with so many matches. And we are positive.

"We want to play tomorrow, we want to play Sunday [against Burnley], we want to try to come back as soon as possible to good results and we are positive."

Stephen Fleming has stepped back from his role as Trent Rockets' coach in the Hundred, with Andy Flower confirmed as his replacement.

Fleming, the long-term head coach of IPL side Chennai Super Kings, took part in the competition's inaugural draft in October 2019, but opted against travelling to the UK this summer. It is understood that Fleming had intended to bring his family over, but was unclear whether he would be able to do so with the country still in lockdown and decided to resign from the job.

"I'm really disappointed that I won't be coach of the side this summer but ultimately family has to come first," Fleming said. "The current global crisis has made it very difficult to travel and the extra time needed for quarantines has made it hard to get the right work/home balance.  Andy is a world-class coach with experience all over the world and I'm sure the Trent Rockets men's team will have a fantastic first season of the Hundred with him behind them."

Flower, his replacement, has a growing reputation as a franchise coach. He is currently with Multan Sultans in the PSL after leading them to the top of the group stages in his first season. He has also coached Maratha Arabians to an Abu Dhabi T10 title, finished as a runner-up with St Lucia Zouks in the CPL and Delhi Bulls in the Abu Dhabi T10, and worked as Kings XI Punjab's assistant coach in last year's IPL.

Flower was involved in the Rockets' recruitment in Monday's draft, which saw them sign Timm van der Gugten and Samit Patel to complete their squad. However, it is understood that some squad members were unaware of the change of coach until Tuesday.

"Stephen will be a tough act to follow, but the guys put together a really strong squad in the original draft with a mix of international and local talent," Flower said. "We have built on it in this draft with van der Gugten and Patel joining."

Flower's appointment will reignite the debate over the absence of any British head coaches in the men's Hundred, which came in for criticism when jobs were initially offered in 2019. All eight head coaches in the men's competition are from overseas, though the majority of support staff are British.

There has also been a change of head coach in the women's competition, with Lydia Greenway stepping down from her role at Oval Invincibles. She will be replaced by Jonathan Batty, the former Gloucestershire, Northamptonshire and Surrey wicketkeeper, who was in interim charge of South East Stars in the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Trophy last summer.

It is understood that Greenway is still likely to be involved in the competition as a commentator, having previously worked for both Sky Sports and the BBC.

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said anyone leaking team news before games is "unethical and unprofessional."

Aston Villa have launched an investigation after news broke that midfielder Jack Grealish had suffered an injury in training ahead of their clash with Leicester City.

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Villa have also asked that their players no longer play fantasy football after some members of the squad removed Grealish from their teams before the defeat to Leicester -- seen as an indicator that the England international was set to miss out.

Guardiola keeps his selections close to his chest, but the City boss said he would take a dim view of anyone caught leaking information.

"I know the players play these games, but I don't know what fantasy football is," Guardiola said. "I've never played it, and I heard it for the first time in the headlines [on Monday]. I don't know what it is.

"Sometimes there's a selection, and players are friends with players from other teams and they talk. Sometimes it happens. It's unethical and unprofessional, but it can happen."

Guardiola was speaking as he prepares his team for the Champions League round-of-16 tie with Borussia Monchengladbach on Wednesday. He has won the competition twice before, while in charge of Barcelona, but has never been beyond the quarterfinals during four years at City.

"All the times when we went out, we were in a high level and so close," Guardiola said. "We have to play well, and the desire is there.

"After that, we see the second leg and then on to the quarters if we are good enough. No more expectations than that."

A remarkable 18-match winning run has propelled City to the top of the Premier League table and raised the possibility of a quadruple if they can land the title, the FA Cup, Carabao Cup and Champions League this season.

It would be an unprecedented feat in English football, but midfielder Ilkay Gundogan said the opportunity to make history is not on the players' minds.

"It's nothing that I have thought about until you just mentioned it and nothing that I will be thinking of," he said. "If it is going to happen, I will take it."

Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott, Green Bay Packers running back Aaron Jones and Los Angeles Chargers tight end Hunter Henry are targets for the NFL franchise-tag designation entering the 2021 season.

Prior to NFL free agency starting March 17, each of the 32 teams must evaluate whether they will place a franchise tag on veteran players to keep them off the open market.

The franchise tag is a labor designation that restricts a player's potential movement in exchange for a high one-year salary. Each team can put the franchise tag on one pending free agent, a decision that is pricey but also provides leverage against losing a player, ensuring the team a large return if that player ultimately departs the club.

The franchise tag window begins Tuesday, and teams have until March 9 at 4 p.m. ET to place the tag on their most valuable player.

Different challenges will happen this year for both sides because the tags will pay less because of the lowered salary cap, which has a cap floor of $180 million. (The tag is calculated by taking the average of the top five players' cap percentage at the position for the 2020 season or 120% of the player's previous year salary -- whichever is greater.)

We asked our NFL Nation reporters to identify the players most likely to get tagged and make their predictions on what will happen over the next two weeks. By our count, 21 teams are contemplating using the franchise tag:

Jump to:
ATL | BUF | BAL | CAR
CIN | CHI | DAL | DEN
DET | GNB | HOU | LAC
JAX | NE | NOR | NYG | NYJ
SEA | TB | TEN | WSH

Atlanta Falcons

Keanu Neal, safety

After missing nearly all of the 2018 and 2019 seasons because of injuries, Neal bounced back with 100 tackles and an interception in 2020 while playing on the fifth-year option. Neal thrived in his first two years too, so he's definitely an impact player when healthy. There might be a question of whether he fits into the new scheme, and that could be the reason the Falcons don't tag him, but having a consistent player in the secondary is not something to take for granted.

Prediction: Neal is a good, young safety and can be a key part of the defense, so the Falcons tag him. -- Michael DiRocco

Buffalo Bills

Matt Milano, linebacker

It's not a very likely scenario, but there is a world in which the Bills apply the franchise tag on Milano if they're unable to come to a long-term agreement. He is Buffalo's most valuable free agent -- and thus its most difficult to sign, likely commanding north of $13 million per year in an ordinary offseason. Bills general manager Brandon Beane gave Milano his blessing to seek the biggest payday elsewhere, making the franchise tag a reach; you just never know in this league, but don't hold your breath in this situation.

Prediction: The Bills won't use the franchise tag on Milano. -- Marcel Louis-Jacques

Baltimore Ravens

Matthew Judon or Yannick Ngakoue, outside linebackers

It's prohibitive for the Ravens to use the tag on either Judon or Ngakoue because it would take up nearly all of Baltimore's salary-cap space to do so, and you can make the argument that there isn't value to putting the tag on either of them. Judon totaled six sacks last season, and Ngakoue didn't seem to be a great fit. But the Ravens have to at least consider it. Without the tag, Judon and Ngakoue are likely getting more lucrative deals elsewhere. Given the cap restraints, the Ravens can address outside linebacker by re-signing Tyus Bowser and selecting a pass-rusher early in this year's draft.

Prediction: The Ravens won't use the tag this year, marking the fourth time in five years Baltimore won't tag a player. -- Jamison Hensley

Carolina Panthers

Taylor Moton, right tackle

Locking down 2017 second-round pick Moton for the upcoming season is a must for a Carolina team that has one starting offensive lineman (center Matt Paradis) under contract. Moton allowed three sacks last season and hasn't missed a start the past three seasons. If a long-term deal can't be reached, the Panthers would use the tag on him, which would cost an estimated $13.6 million. Releasing Pro Bowl defensive tackle Kawann Short gives the team cap room to make sure Moton doesn't get away.

Prediction: The Panthers will use the franchise tag on Moton if a long-term deal cannot be worked out before the new league year begins. -- David Newton

Cincinnati Bengals

Carl Lawson, defensive end

Lawson finished his rookie deal as the Bengals' most disruptive pass-rusher. However, he tallied 5.5 sacks, which could prevent the Bengals from paying the franchise tag worth an estimated $17.8 million, per Over The Cap. But Lawson is more disruptive than the raw numbers indicate. He created 10.5 sacks (via an ESPN metric powered by NFL Next Gen Stats), good for seventh in the league last season. As of now, it seems unlikely the Bengals use the tag on Lawson. That being said, don't be shocked if Lawson commands a high salary on the open market.

Prediction: The Bengals won't use the franchise tag on Lawson. -- Ben Baby

Chicago Bears

Allen Robinson II, wide receiver

The Bears' offense without Robinson, 27, looks pretty grim, which makes tagging the wide receiver, who caught 120 passes for 1,250 yards and six touchdowns last season, a strong possibility. Chicago is also prioritizing finding the quarterback who would be throwing Robinson passes and ultimately could determine whether the receiver would want to sign a long-term deal if tagged. The cost of tagging Robinson is $16.4 million. The Bears are already in a tight predicament with the salary cap, so they'll need to create space by restructuring contracts or releasing expensive veterans (e.g. Jimmy Graham). It's also wise not to rule out a tag-and-trade scenario for Robinson depending on how things play out for Chicago in free agency.

Prediction: The Bears will use the franchise tag on Robinson. -- Courtney Cronin

Dallas Cowboys

Dak Prescott, quarterback

Without a long-term deal by March 9, the Cowboys will tag Prescott for the second straight year and it will cost $37.7 million against the cap. It would also set in motion the likelihood that 2021 could be Prescott's final season in Dallas. These talks are entering their third offseason, so maybe the two sides will be able to find a compromise. Is Prescott worth it? The Cowboys went 4-7 without him in 2020, and the offense scored one touchdown in the first three games Dallas played after he suffered his ankle injury.

Prediction: The Cowboys will use the franchise tag on Prescott. -- Todd Archer

Denver Broncos

Justin Simmons, safety

The Broncos keep saying they want to work something out with Simmons, and Simmons has said he would like to stay. But both sides also say it all has to come together on their side of the negotiating table, too. Ultimately, a long-term deal makes the most sense, and it likely would not help matters toward a long-term deal if the team used the franchise tag on the safety for the second consecutive year. Simmons is really the only player among the Broncos' potential unrestricted free agents worth discussing when it comes to the tag, and it would be a potential short-term solution -- again.

Prediction: The Broncos will use the franchise tag on Simmons only to give them more time to get a long-term deal done. -- Jeff Legwold

Detroit Lions

Kenny Golladay, wide receiver

The Lions have a decision to make with their Pro Bowl wide receiver who missed 11 games last season because of hamstring and hip injuries. Golladay, 27, appeared to be a candidate for a long-term deal under the previous regime, but that never materialized. Now that the Lions are in a rebuild under a new head coach/general manager combo in Dan Campbell and Brad Holmes, the franchise must decide whether to sign Golladay to a long-term extension, tag him, tag him with the potential intent to trade him or let him walk. Detroit, which needs wide receivers desperately, could do any of those things considering its multiyear plan to return to competitiveness.

Prediction: The Lions will use the franchise tag on Golladay. -- Michael Rothstein

Green Bay Packers

Aaron Jones, running back

The Packers weren't willing to guarantee a significant portion of the contract they offered Jones during the season, but they would clearly like him back. Tagging him might be their best option, securing his services for one more season at around $11 million. But there are two things to consider: the difficulty of fitting that tag under the salary cap and Jones' potential unwillingness to play for the tag.

Prediction: The Packers won't use the franchise tag on Jones. -- Rob Demovsky

Houston Texans

Will Fuller V, wide receiver

In 2020, Fuller was well on his way to proving he could stay healthy and be a No. 1 wide receiver before he was suspended for violating the NFL's policy on performance-enhancing substances. Even after Fuller was suspended, quarterback Deshaun Watson said he wanted the receiver back in 2021. Could the Texans tag Fuller to try to make Watson change his mind about wanting a trade? Maybe. Houston saved $17.5 million by releasing J.J. Watt and have other players they could release or contracts they can restructure to make the $16.4 million franchise tag work.

Prediction: The Texans won't use the franchise tag on Fuller. -- Sarah Barshop

Los Angeles Chargers

Hunter Henry, tight end

Henry, 26, was franchised last season because of injury concerns. He played in all but the last two games of the season after being placed on the reserve/COVID-19 list. If the Chargers franchise tag him for a second straight year, his 2021 salary will be $12.7 million. The 6-foot-5 tight end had a standout season with 60 receptions, 613 receiving yards and four touchdowns. The Chargers need a reliable target for quarterback Justin Herbert.

Prediction: The Chargers will use the franchise tag on Henry. -- Shelley Smith

Jacksonville Jaguars

Cam Robinson, left tackle

Robinson hasn't progressed significantly from his rookie season (2017). His best season was 2019 when he ranked 57th among tackles in pass block win rate, per ESPN Stats & Information research, and he ranked 59th in 2020. The franchise tag, which is estimated to be around $13.2 million, looks like a better option than signing Robinson to a long-term deal. Take one more year to see if and how much he improves. The Jaguars have the most salary-cap space available (approximately $74 million), so they definitely could afford Trent Williams, who might get $18 million to $20 million annually. Coach Urban Meyer recently said he likes the offensive line, so that might be an indication the Jaguars are willing to stick with Robinson at least one more year.

Prediction: Robinson hasn't made enough progress to warrant the franchise tag. The Jaguars won't tag him. -- Michael DiRocco

New England Patriots

Joe Thuney, left guard

This seems highly unlikely, but because Thuney was tagged last year, he at least falls into the category of possibilities this year. It would be a 120% increase from his $14.7 million tag in 2020, and it's hard to believe the Patriots would want to eat up $17.737 million in cap space with other pressing needs. The sides had all of 2019 and up to July 2020 to reach an extension, and there seemed to be little momentum to do so.

Prediction: The Patriots won't use the franchise tag on Thuney. -- Mike Reiss

New Orleans Saints

Marcus Williams, safety

The Saints have severe salary-cap restraints on them this year, so it's unlikely they will use the franchise tag on anyone. But safety is the most affordable position in the league when it comes to the franchise tag ($11.4 million last year). It's not out of the question the Saints would consider using it to secure one of their most important young defensive playmakers. The free safety has been a starter ever since he was drafted in the second round in 2017 and arguably had his best season in 2020. Williams has 14 career interceptions, including the playoffs.

Prediction: The Saints won't use the franchise tag on Williams. -- Mike Triplett

New York Giants

Leonard Williams, defensive lineman

This would be more as a short-term placeholder than anything else. This isn't the year to put a $19.4 million cap charge on the books. The Giants franchised Williams last year, and now it would be 120% of that $16.1 million salary for 2021. The goal is to sign Williams to a long-term deal. But the franchise tag could buy the two sides some more time, if necessary. Williams is going to get paid. He was worth $16 million off a half-sack season. What's he worth now off a career-best 11.5 sacks? A lot.

Prediction: Williams signs a long-term deal with the Giants before the franchise tag deadline at just under $20 million per season. -- Jordan Raanan

New York Jets

Marcus Maye, safety

The projected tag amount at safety ($11.2 million) isn't ridiculous, so the Jets could utilize the tag for the first time since 2016 (Muhammad Wilkerson). The goal is to sign Maye, who was voted by teammates as the Jets' MVP in 2020, to a long-term contract. The tag would buy more time if they can't get it done by March 9. A year ago, general manager Joe Douglas admittedly miscalculated the market and lost wide receiver Robby Anderson in free agency. He doesn't want that to happen with Maye, who is likely to land a deal that pays him in the neighborhood of $10 million to $12 million per year.

Prediction: The Jets and Maye will reach a long-term agreement, avoiding New York from having to use the franchise tag. -- Rich Cimini

Seattle Seahawks

Shaquill Griffin, cornerback

Griffin likely wants to be paid like a top-five cornerback, which might be too steep for the Seahawks as they look to extend Jamal Adams on what could be a record contract for a safety. That would bring the tag into play at an estimated cost of $15.266 million, per Over The Cap. If the Seahawks aren't confident they can get a deal done with Griffin and anticipate a strong market for the 25-year-old Pro Bowler, they'd have to consider tagging and trading him like they did two years ago with Frank Clark.

Prediction: The Seahawks won't use the franchise tag on Griffin. -- Brady Henderson

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Chris Godwin, wide receiver

There's no way the Bucs will allow Godwin to leave if at all possible. But if they can't work out a long-term deal, Godwin will be their top franchise tag candidate and it would cost Tampa Bay roughly $16.5 million. Sure, they could franchise tag outside linebacker Shaquil Barrett again instead, but it would cost them 120% more than what they tagged him with last year, which would be roughly $19 million this year -- not exactly cap friendly when the team has a projected $30 million in space available for 2021.

Prediction: The Buccaneers will use the franchise tag on Godwin with the hopes of making a long-term extension happen. -- Jenna Laine

Tennessee Titans

Jonnu Smith, tight end

The Titans are well aware of Smith's value as a pass-catcher, especially in the red zone where he hauled in eight touchdowns last season. Smith has become a preferred target for quarterback Ryan Tannehill. There was a dip in Smith's involvement once left tackle Taylor Lewan was placed on injured reserve in November. The Titans utilized Smith's blocking ability to help Lewan's backups. The franchise tag will cost $10.2 million, but it will give Tennessee time to negotiate a long-term deal with Smith, who is only 25 years old.

Prediction: The Titans will place the franchise tag on Smith and work on a long-term deal to keep him in Tennessee for a while. -- Turron Davenport

Washington Football Team

Brandon Scherff, right guard

Coach Ron Rivera has said he wants to build strong lines on both sides of the ball. Scherff was a first-team All-Pro last season -- the first by any player here since 1996. He's also a four-time Pro Bowler. Durability has been a concern as Scherff hasn't played a full season since 2016 and his 13 games played this past season were his most since 2017. There's no doubt about his impact when he plays, with his ability to win at the line and on the move. However, because of his stature, he would command around $15 million per year -- the highest for a guard. Washington used the franchise tag on him last year at a cost of $15.03 million. If tagged again, he would receive a 20% bump, so there's not much incentive on his end to get a deal done knowing he could make $18 million on a one-year deal.

Prediction: Washington will use the franchise tag on Scherff, but it will be with the idea of continuing to negotiate and, ultimately, reach a deal. It might just take a while to get there. -- John Keim

The Houston Rockets are on the verge of releasing center DeMarcus Cousins on Tuesday after a mutual decision was made between the team and the big man to part ways, sources confirmed to ESPN.

Cousins, whose veterans minimum salary of $2.3 million was guaranteed by the Rockets last week as a token of gratitude, will explore interest from other teams.

Cousins, 30, a four-time All-Star attempting to resuscitate his career after a series of serious injuries, averaged 9.6 points and 7.6 rebounds while shooting only 37.6% from the floor in 25 games with the Rockets.

Sources said Cousins was not happy with his role as a backup center behind Christian Wood, wanting more playing time. Rockets coach Stephen Silas did not consider playing Wood and Cousins together, as he wants to use Wood solely as a center.

The Rockets have lost their past eight games after Wood, Houston's leading scorer and rebounder, went down with a sprained right ankle. Cousins, whose defensive limitations were an issue, averaged 12.1 points and 9.0 rebounds during the stretch before sitting out Monday's loss to the Chicago Bulls due to a heel injury.

Cousins has bounced around the league the past few seasons after rupturing his Achilles tendon during the 2017-18 season while with the New Orleans Pelicans. He then signed with the Golden State Warriors but tore his quadriceps muscle in the 2018-19 season. Cousins joined the Los Angeles Lakers for the 2019-20 campaign but tore his ACL before ever suiting up for the team.

He has averaged 20.8 points and 10.7 rebounds for his career since being drafted by the Sacramento Kings with the No. 5 pick in the 2010 draft.

The Athletic first reported news of Cousins' impending release.

Red Bull Racing has unveiled the RB16B set to be campaigned by Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez during the upcoming Formula One season.

The new car will look to build on the foundations set by its RB16 predecessor. Max Verstappen and Sergio Perez will look to return Red Bull to championship form for the first time since 2013 while piloting the RB16B.

The RB16B will also be the last Red Bull entry officially powered by a Honda engine as Red Bull is set to take over the Honda engine program beginning in 2022.

Red Bull’s new car will make its on-track debut during pre-season testing at the Bahrain Int’l Circuit on March 12-14 prior to the Bahrain Grand Prix, which will open the season on March 28.

DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. – Progressive American Flat Track and Vance & Hines have formalized an expanded support program for riders in AFT’s Production Twins Class.

Vance & Hines will take the role of presenting sponsor and will significantly increase its contingency payments in what will now be branded AFT Production Twins presented by Vance & Hines.

With the combined efforts of Harley-Davidson and Vance & Hines, competitors riding an XG750R in the AFT Production Twins presented by Vance & Hines class are now eligible for their piece of a $7,125 per-race contingency package, tallying $138,625 in total awards for 2021.

Total combined per-race contingency payout for eligible riders of the XG750R is as follows:

1st – $4,000
2nd – $1,500
3rd – $1,025
4th – $350
5th – $200

In addition to the per-race contingency payout, the combined championship bonus that is available for XG750R riders now totals $17,500 for the AFT Production Twins presented by Vance & Hines season.

“This partnership creates an even deeper connection for Vance & Hines with both Harley-Davidson and AFT,” said Vance & Hines President Mike Kennedy. “Most importantly, it’s an expansion of our support for Production Twins class riders. We’ll be at every race with technical support and are happy that this program helps riders meet the financial demands of racing.”

“The AFT Production Twins class has developed rapidly over the last two seasons and Vance & Hines have been a major factor in that growth,” said Michael Lock, CEO of Progressive AFT. “Their commitment to the class and riders competing on Harley-Davidson XG750Rs is welcomed and we are looking forward to an exciting season of racing in AFT Production Twins presented by Vance & Hines.”

To qualify for the full amount of available Harley-Davidson and Vance & Hines contingency awards, riders must compete aboard a Harley-Davidson XG750R, run an eligible Vance & Hines exhaust system, a Vance & Hines decal on their race bike and have a Vance & Hines patch on their racing leathers.

BOLOGNA, Italy – Fausto Gresini, a veteran member of the MotoGP paddock and team boss, has died after a two-month battle with COVID-19. He was 60 years old.

Gresini fell ill with COVID-19 days after Christmas in December and was hospitalized shortly thereafter, where he was put into a medically induced coma as he battled the virus.

Initially it appeared Gresini was making improvements and was taken out of the coma, but things took a turn for the worse when he contracted pneumonia and was placed back into the medically induced coma.

He eventually passed away Tuesday morning after his battle with the disease.

Prior to his career in the MotoGP paddock, Gresini captured a pair of 125cc world championships in 1985 and ’87.

After his retirement as a rider, Gresini stayed involved in the sport as a team owner. His Gresini Racing debuted in MotoGP in 2002 and has gone on to score 10 victories and nearly captured the MotoGP title three times, with Sete Gibernau (2003 and ’04) and Marco Melandri (’05) all finishing second in the standings for the team.

The team captured the 2020 Moto2 title with rider Toni Elias, the 2018 Moto3 title with Jorge Martín and the 2019 MotoE crown with Matteo Ferrari.

CONCORD, N.C. – The World of Outlaws NOS Energy Drink Sprint Car Series will return to action at the beginning of March with the addition of eight new events and four postponed events finding new dates.

The series will pick up where it left off in Florida with a weekend doubleheader, including a return to East Bay Raceway Park for the first time since 1983, before trekking through the south and Midwest to fill out a full slate of racing throughout March into April. Those events include:

-Friday, March 5 – Volusia Speedway Park
-Saturday, March 6 – East Bay Raceway Park
-Friday, March 12 – Magnolia Motor Speedway
-Saturday, March 13 – The Rev
-Friday & Saturday, March 19-20 – Cotton Bowl Speedway
-Friday, March 26 – U.S. 36 Raceway
-Saturday, March 27 – Lake Ozark Speedway
-Friday & Saturday, April 2-3 – Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55
-Friday, April 9 – Kokomo Speedway
-Saturday, April 10 – Tri-State Speedway

“A lot of work has gone into putting this revised schedule together, and I’m grateful to all the tracks that have graciously worked with us throughout this process,” World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series Director Carlton Reimers said. “While we’re disappointed in not being able to get the Spring West Coast Swing in this year, I’m excited for the fans and drivers that we’re still able to present them with a full schedule of racing at great venues.”

The series will return to Volusia Speedway Park for the third time this year when the season resumes – current points leader Logan Schuchart and defending champion Brad Sweet took home the trophies in the first two races there. On the following day, the series will return to East Bay Raceway Park in Gibsonton, Fla., for the first time in 38 years. Steve Kinser was the last driver to win at the track in 1983.

Then, the next two weekends will host new dates for previously postponed events. The new additions to the schedule this year, Magnolia Motor Speedway, in Columbus, Miss., will run on March 12, and The Rev in Monroe, La., will run on March 13. A doubleheader at Cotton Bowl Speedway will be the following weekend, March 19-20, with the Drydene Texas Two Step presented by American Lube. It’ll be the series’ first time back at the track since 2018.

The following three weekends will feature new events, leading to the originally scheduled April 16 event at Lawton Speedway and April 17 event at Devil’s Bowl Speedway.

Missouri will host a doubleheader weekend, March 26-27, with the return of U.S. 36 Raceway and Lake Ozark Speedway.

The March 27 event at Lake Ozark will be the third annual Jason Johnson Classic presented by FK Rod Ends with $15,000-to-win on the line. James McFadden, a friend of the late Jason Johnson, earned an emotional win at the event last year and will go for another this year as he runs for the Kevin Gobrecht Rookie of the Year title with Kasey Kahne Racing.

The third-mile Federated Auto Parts Raceway at I-55 returns for a spring doubleheader, April 2-3, giving the track two more dates in 2021 before the Aug. 6-7 Ironman 55 weekend.

Then, Kokomo Speedway and Tri-State Speedway return to the schedule for an Indiana doubleheader weekend, April 9-10. Both tracks brought fans to their feet last year with Sheldon Haudenschild executing spectacular passes to claim the win and Carson Macedo edging Sweet by inches to win at Tri-State.

“I’m just excited we have found some great race tracks to fill in the dates of the West Coast Swing,” said two-time defending series champion Sweet. “I was looking forward to racing in front of my friends and family in California but just still too many restrictions to race in front of full crowds. It’s always tough this time of year with weather and other factors to get races in so thanks to the Outlaws and the promoters for taking these shows on such short notice. I hope to see many fans and I’m excited to get the NAPA Auto Parts #49 back on track.”

Tickets for each new event will go on sale Wednesday, Feb. 24, at 9 a.m. (ET).

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola said anyone leaking team news before games is "unethical and unprofessional."

Aston Villa have launched an investigation after news broke that midfielder Jack Grealish had suffered an injury in training ahead of their clash with Leicester City.

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Villa have also asked that their players no longer play fantasy football after some members of the squad removed Grealish from their teams before the defeat to Leicester -- seen as an indicator that the England international was set to miss out.

Guardiola keeps his selections close to his chest but the City boss said he would take a dim view of anyone caught leaking information.

"I know the players play these games but I don't know what fantasy football is," Guardiola said. "I've never played it and I heard it for the first time in the headlines [on Monday]. I don't know what it is.

"Sometimes there's a selection and players are friends with players from other teams and they talk. Sometimes it happens. It's unethical and unprofessional but it can happen."

Guardiola was speaking as he prepares his team for the Champions League round-of-16 tie with Borussia Monchengladbach on Wednesday. He has won the competition twice before while in charge of Barcelona but has never been beyond the quarterfinals during four years at City.

"All the times when we went out we were in a high level and so close," Guardiola said. "We have to play well and the desire is there.

"After that, we see the second leg and then onto the quarters if we are good enough. No more expectations than that."

A remarkable 18-match winning run has propelled City to the top of the Premier League table and raised the possibility of a quadruple if they can land the title, the FA Cup, Carabao Cup and Champions League this season.

It would be an unprecedented feat in English football but midfielder Ilkay Gundogan said the opportunity to make history is not on the players' minds.

"It's nothing that I have thought about until you just mentioned it and nothing that I will be thinking of," he said. "If it is going to happen I will take it."