a lot of cloud across pressure. a lot of cloud across scotland and the east of england. some drizzle over the north sea coast. the wind flow around the high move this cloud sheet over the scottish mountains. a bug that some dry air can mixed down, evaporating the cloud. full sun, clear, blue, sunny skies like here in the highlands in scotland. also good breaks in western areas of wales. tonight the cloud will link the wrist across the bulk of england and wales. where we keep the cloud, a largely frost free picture. a sharp frost in scotland quickly get down to -10 frost in scotland quickly get down to —10 in rural areas. probably the best of the day's sunshine tomorrow. the cloud may well break in northern ireland and the north west of england and wales. that leaves a good part of england and wales with

a good bit of cloud and drizzle over the north sea coasts. on to their weekend weather prospects, probably more chance of the cloud thinning and breaking up. the wind a more north—westerly direction. temperatures still below average. it will continue a little on the cold side. similarweather on will continue a little on the cold side. similar weather on sunday into next week northerly winds moving in. they will bring snow to scotland, could be disruptive. there is the prospect of seeing something further south. still uncertainty about that. the signal is there for the weather potentially full some of us to bring disruption due to snow into next week. thanks, chris. and that's bbc news at six. now, it's time to join our colleagues for the news where you are. goodbye. hello and welcome to sportsday this thursday night, i'm chetan pathak —

coming up on the programme... yorkshire's former chairman apologies for racism at the club as his controversial return moves a step closer. the rise and rise of andy farrell — today named british and irish lions head coach for the 2025 tour to australia. and we hear from the former england manager sven—goran eriksson — as he reveals he has cancer and best case a year to live. i have a cancer where you can't operate. and you have to try to slow it down as much as that is what i'm doing. also coming up on sportsday before 7... we'll tell you who the british players will face in the opening round of the australian open. as emma raducanu is drawn against a player she beat en—route to her us open triumph in 2021 as she makes her return to grand slam tennis.

and the end of an era — after 2a years and 6 super bowl titles, the man labelled the greatest coach in the history of american football leaves the new england patriots. welcome along, thank you forjoining us. we start with the latest from yorkshire county cricket club — after its board approved a takeover from a consortium headed up by former chairman colin graves. he first served as chairman between 2012 and 2015, presiding over a period for which the club was fined for failing to address the systemic use of discriminatory or racist language. details of that emerged in the summer of 2020, when the former yorkshire player azeem rafiq came forward to highlight his experiences whilst at the club, saying english cricket

was "institutionally racist" and that racist language was used "constantly" during his time there. that prompted a major inquiry into his allegations. and almost two years later, 6 former yorkshire players were sanctioned for their use of racist language and the club were docked points and fined for their handling of the rafiq scandal. graves denied any knowledge of racist behaviour during his time at the club but was strongly criticized by the england and wales crickey board when he suggested some incidents were just "banter". with yorkshire struggling financially — last night a takeover deal by a consortium led by graves moved a step closer with board approval which means he'll return as chair if members vote it through. with mounting scrutiny, in a statement today, for the first time, graves said he...

azeem rafiq, who turned whistleblower and triggered a reckoning with racism across cricket, is against colin graves�* return to yorkshire and believes it's a moral and financialfailure to allow him back. this to allow him back. is all about choices. you can't on this is all about choices. you can't on one and say zero tolerance and on the other end say actually, it's not really. what message does it send out? i woke up this morning to a barrage of abuse. races, islam a phobic photo all sorts of things i've had of my dvms. actually, this is what this empowers. when peoples message come up talk about messages, this empowers them idiots out there who feel like they can be racist. it's an absolute circus. fundamentally it's all about choice that cricket is making a choice loud and clear.

today the chair of the house of commons culture, media and sport committee said the return of colin graves to yorkshire and to english cricket "risks undermining what progress has been made so far." hopefully people have seen colleagues very forthright and frank, full apologies that he's issued today. also the commitment that heaved scott to continue the great work on edi. indeed, what's really important for anybody is without this funding coming in new consortium coming in and given all the sureties that the new board will be diverse, inclusive, i've absolutely no reason to doubt that. without this funding none of that work continues with the advent given reassurance that it's going to continue apace.—

continue apace. you said in a statement — continue apace. you said in a statement that _ continue apace. you said in a statement that you _ continue apace. you said in a statement that you spoken . continue apace. you said in a | statement that you spoken to continue apace. you said in a - statement that you spoken to more than 300 possible investment partners for that was a really nobody else other than the former chairman to go to? win; nobody else other than the former chairman to go to?— chairman to go to? why him? we were a- roached chairman to go to? why him? we were approached by — chairman to go to? why him? we were approached by lots _ chairman to go to? why him? we were approached by lots and _ chairman to go to? why him? we were approached by lots and lots _ chairman to go to? why him? we were approached by lots and lots of - approached by lots and lots of different cricketing organisations. many ipl teams, for example. however, where eight members cooperative, where members club. none of those ipl teams and other people in the sporting world could reconcile in their own minds a loan situation. they want to own the club. where members club. the only way we could have done that if we go to the members, asked to vote and become a nonmembers club in a deal which may or may not happen. which would have had time to say and be, not the kind of gift of the board to just throw away that we can do that. a number of things played their part. the reality is that the deal we have now and we've been working and got it negotiated is the right

want to take the club forward. 50 want to take the club forward. so want to take the club forward. 50 you can guarantee members want to take the club forward. so you can guarantee members club will remain a members club, it won't be turned into a private limited company?— turned into a private limited coman ? , ., ., , ~' ., company? yes, naturally i don't know what the future _ company? yes, naturally i don't know what the future holds _ company? yes, naturally i don't know what the future holds for _ company? yes, naturally i don't know what the future holds for that - company? yes, naturally i don't know what the future holds for that you - what the future holds for that you can never say never in these circumstances. what i will say is the offer we been exposed to any offer they will be exposed to has no mention of the mutual isolation of the members. what colin and his leadership team do in the future is completely down to them. there is no knowledge at all that that's going to be the case. d0 knowledge at all that that's going to be the case.— to be the case. do you accept it's not a good _ to be the case. do you accept it's not a good luck— to be the case. do you accept it's not a good luck given _ to be the case. do you accept it's not a good luck given everything | not a good luck given everything that's happened in yorkshire? —— good luck. that's happened in yorkshire? -- good luck-— that's happened in yorkshire? -- ood luck. �* ~ ., , ., good luck. i've known this part over 20 ears good luck. i've known this part over 20 years and _ good luck. i've known this part over 20 years and also _ good luck. i've known this part over 20 years and also understand - good luck. i've known this part over 20 years and also understand the l 20 years and also understand the perception is reality. i also believe that now is the time for people to understand the dire financial situation that this board is picked up due to the allegations previously put in place. the fact we

will be left in a much stronger position that it was previously. i do believe that colin and the new board in should be given the second chance, time, space to explain. there's been a full apology. i've been speaking to partners and sponsors, the mayor, city council, everybody else for that when you put it into context they will absolutely get it. they know the brilliant work that has gone on needs to continue. there's only one way that can happen. that takeover deal — now approved by yorkshire's board will be voted on by members on the second of february. next tonight — the british and irish lions have today named andy farrell as their head coach for next year's tour to australia. it's one of the most prestigious roles in the game, with farrell previously serving as assistant under warren gatland. he's had an impressive four year reign as ireland's head coach and will need all his experience to deal with the challenges to come as jane dougall reports.

in 2023 he was named world rugby coach of the year. so when arguably the top coaching job on the uk and ireland came up it was in the ferrules name is on everybody�*s lips. no surprise when it was officially confirmed today he will be the new british and i am doing irish lion code. it be the new british and i am doing irish lion code.— irish lion code. it means the world to be to be — irish lion code. it means the world to be to be thought _ irish lion code. it means the world to be to be thought of— irish lion code. it means the world to be to be thought of as - irish lion code. it means the world to be to be thought of as a - to be to be thought of as a candidate for the head coaches roll, it's pretty special. but to be chosenis it's pretty special. but to be chosen is pretty magical. it definitely is. i suppose being on a couple of lion's already gives me the feel of what it's all about for me to be chosen as head coach is beyond words. me to be chosen as head coach is beyond worde— me to be chosen as head coach is beyond words. varro will stay on as ireland's head _ beyond words. varro will stay on as ireland's head coach _ beyond words. varro will stay on as ireland's head coach where - beyond words. varro will stay on as ireland's head coach where he's - beyond words. varro will stay on as i ireland's head coach where he's been credited with developing exciting attacking sign. —— farrell. farrell

has led ireland to a six tournament win last year and a position as world number one. he's been heavily involved with lions tours in the past but this will be the first time he will have final say on selecting his son, owen farrell. england's world cup captain is taking a step back from international duties citing mental health issues. but family is a sore point for farrell senior. when asked about the treatment of his son on social media last year he made his feelings clear. ~ ., , , last year he made his feelings clear. . ., , , ., last year he made his feelings clear. ~ ., ,.,,.,_ ., ., clear. what i probably would say at this moment _ clear. what i probably would say at this moment in _ clear. what i probably would say at this moment in time _ clear. what i probably would say at this moment in time is _ clear. what i probably would say at this moment in time is at - clear. what i probably would say at this moment in time is at the - this moment in time is at the circus that's going around all this is absolutely disgusting. in that's going around all this is absolutely disgusting.- absolutely disgusting. in my oinion, absolutely disgusting. in my opinion, disgusting. - absolutely disgusting. in my opinion, disgusting. as- absolutely disgusting. in my opinion, disgusting. as a - absolutely disgusting. in my . opinion, disgusting. as a player absolutely disgusting. in my - opinion, disgusting. as a player it was the other code of rugby that andy excelled winning seven super lead and five challenge cops but coaching union has brought him wider recognition and its hope the admiration he's experience from irish fans will now be embraced by the uk. andy farrell's role with the lions will start at the end of this year.

after today's press conference he sat down to speak to our rugby reporter sara orchard: it feels fantastic. it actually feels great that it's finally, a lot of speculation and everybody�*s grateful to me to start the process. off we go from here i wouldn't take this on if i wasn't excited about doing the bestjob that i can possibly do. ultimately, that's to be successful. in british and irish lions tour. i know how difficult thatis lions tour. i know how difficult that is to do and to achieve. and the work that has to go into that. that's what i love, that's what i'm passionate about. but coaching of all that. this is what the tours all about, embracing all, the length of the torah, the pressure of the tour, the torah, the pressure of the tour, the games that are coming rapidly the games that are coming rapidly the whole time, games closer together that you've not done for so long. having no excuses, trying to

make sure that you mix with absolutely everyone and everyone becomes your best mate and what you're trying to get on the back of thatis you're trying to get on the back of that is memories, bonds that will last forever. that's what it's all about. that's what it's all about. and you can hear more of sara's interview with andy farrell on a special rugby union weekly podcast on bbc sounds. former england boss sven—goran eriksson says he has "best case a year" to live after being diagnosed with cancer. now 75, he's the first non—british coach to manage the national side and led them to the quarter—finals of the 2002 and 2006 world cup as well as the last eight of the euros in 200a. i have cancer and i have a cancer where you can't operate. and you have to try to slow it down as much as possible, that's what i'm doing.

i was told i was fully healthy but suddenly i got like a stroke, small strokes. ifalland suddenly i got like a stroke, small strokes. ifall and my children strokes. i fall and my children took me to the hospital. and after one day of examination they told me that i've got smart dues by small strokes or that they said ok, you will recover 100% from that. they also said you have cancer, which we can't operate. we will give you treatment, medicine and... will live as long as possible, of course with the i live a totally normal life. not in hospital for that now and then i go for a visit but i live at home, i

have friends here and christmas, new year, the whole family was here, a lot of people. i'm going out, i try to exercise as much as possible. which is less of course that it was one year ago. but i have a normal life. when you get a message like that i think you appreciate every day and you are happy when you wake up in the morning and you feel, okay. so that is what i'm doing. time now to have a look at some of today's other sport stories and... manchester united and england winger jadon sancho has rejoined former club borussia dortmund on loan for the rest of the season. he moved to old trafford for 73 million pounds from dortmund two and half years ago but hasn't played for united since august after a falling out with manager erik ten hag. tottenham defender eric dier is also set to move to germany —

he's close to completing a move to bayern munich for a fee of around 3.4 million pounds. of around £3.11 million. he'll reunite with his former spurs team—mate harry kane. and in the wsl, arsenal have signed usa defender emily fox from north carolina courage. the 25—year—old right—back has won 39 caps, including four at last summer's world cup. arsenal have been looking for defensive cover since laura wienroither suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury in may. the start of the australian open is less than three days away, and we now know the opening round matches after today's draw in melbourne. emma radcuanu, who spent most of last year out injured, will face america's shelby rogers first — a player she beat enroute to her incredible win at the us open in 2021. and the 21—year—old, who had wrist and ankle surgeries last may, could play british number one katie boulter in the third round. boulter, who's only ever been past the opening round once in melbourne,

will start against china's yuan yue, with 12th seed zheng qinwen potentially looming in the second round. jodie burrage, who'll be making her debut in the australian open main draw, takes on german world number 81 tamara korspatsch. burrage reached the second round of wimbledon and the us open last year. but sadly, there'll be no franjones in the main draw. she had to retire from her qualifying match. she led four love in the deciding set against germany's ella seidel before cramping up in her left leg. jones missed the second half of last season through injury. agonising pictures here as she has to be assisted off court at the end. andy murray's hinted that this could be his last year before retiring from tennis, he turns 37 in may. it's another tricky grand slam draw for him in australia. he's the only british player to land a seeded opponent in the opening round — murray, 44th in the world now — will play argentina's tomas martin etcheverry — who unlike him is seeded —

he's the 30th seed. but remember murray had that impressive run to the third round last year and is a five time beaten finalist in melbourne. cam norrie is the british number one — he's seeded 19th and will faces peru'sjuan pablo varillas in a part of the draw which appears to be kind for him. that's not the case for dan evans, coming back from a calf injury, waiting for him in the first round wil be italy's world number 46 lorenzo sonego. if evans wins that — carlos alcaraz most likely awaits in the next round. and as forjack draper — on a good run of form at the moment, here he is in adelaide earlier beating america's tommy paul to reach the semi finals in straight sets, 6—1, 6—4. at the australian open, his first round opponent will be another american — marcos giron — who's ranked 60th and has never been past the first round in melbourne. despite playing what he callled awful snooker at times — ronnie o'sullivan is through to the semi—finals of the masters for the fifteenth time after beating barry hawkins.

seema jaswal�*s leading the bbc�*s coverage today alongside steve davis: hello and welcome back to alexander palace where the court of fine girls are well underway. steve davis and mark in the studio. we just witness ronnie o'sullivan make it through to his 15 semifinal at the masters. it wasn't the prettiest. he’d his 15 semifinal at the masters. it wasn't the prettiest.— wasn't the prettiest. he'd beat barry hawkins, _ wasn't the prettiest. he'd beat barry hawkins, ronnie - wasn't the prettiest. he'd beat barry hawkins, ronnie and - wasn't the prettiest. he'd beat l barry hawkins, ronnie and barry wasn't the prettiest. he'd beat - barry hawkins, ronnie and barry to club players just about manage and entertain the crowd. it was one of the most wool fool standards... actually, it shows you how tough snooker is. they had so many mistakes made for them it was fascinating to watch a ronnie o'sullivan dug himself out of the hole. hawkins failed to miss the trick. missed opportunities. absolutely. frames and had chances but ronnie, first chance he got to win the match cleared out. that but ronnie, first chance he got to win the match cleared out. that is a side of a champion _ win the match cleared out. that is a side of a champion to _ win the match cleared out. that is a side of a champion to wind up - side of a champion to wind up playing at your best for that ronnie

will play the winner of sean murphy and liz out ski tonight. what can we expect from that encounter? and sean murh and expect from that encounter? and sean murphy and jack _ expect from that encounter? and sean murphy and jack liz — expect from that encounter? and sean murphy and jack liz i _ expect from that encounter? and sean murphy and jack liz i was _ expect from that encounter? and sean murphy and jack liz i was peeved - expect from that encounter? and sean murphy and jack liz i was peeved to i murphy and jack liz i was peeved to very open players with that love to go for their shots, do not like to get tied up in tactical place unless their preferred method of play. you expect loads of balls and pockets and quickly. in expect loads of balls and pockets and quickly-— expect loads of balls and pockets and uickl . ,, ., , ., , and quickly. in sean is a player you know well- — and quickly. in sean is a player you know well- he _ and quickly. in sean is a player you know well. he said _ and quickly. in sean is a player you know well. he said he's _ and quickly. in sean is a player you know well. he said he's been - know well. he said he's been practising a lot of the christmas period for the buyer expecting a good performance from him? im and jack too. good performance from him? im and jack too- they _ good performance from him? im and jack too- they play — good performance from him? im and jack too. they play really _ good performance from him? im and jack too. they play really well - good performance from him? im and jack too. they play really well for - jack too. they play really well for that visual— jack too. they play really well for that visual will match a or he would fire a _ that visual will match a or he would fire a century in the best of 11 for that ridiculous standard for the unexpected and good sir from sean. he said _ unexpected and good sir from sean. he said he'll shot so will see what they do. jack is a real talent, he hasn't been the distance to the big tournament. will this be the year? people waiting for it to happen. somewhere in the night he'll convert chances and raises standard. just getting the balance of his game

right. he's more mature a player than ever before. flan right. he's more mature a player than ever before.— right. he's more mature a player than ever before. can you take the next step up _ than ever before. can you take the next step up that _ than ever before. can you take the next step up that ladder? - than ever before. can you take the next step up that ladder? looking| next step up that ladder? looking forward to that taking plays at seven tonight. uninterrupted seven tonight. uninterru pted coverage seven tonight. uninterrupted coverage of the masters on bbc iplayer. he's to the nfl what sir alex ferguson is to football here. bill bellichick is regarded as the greatest coach in american football history and for the best part of 20 years he and tom brady spearheaded new england patriot's to glory as the most prolific head coach—quarterback combination the nfl's ever seen. he steered the team to six wins from nine super bowl appearances as well as clinching 17 afc east division titles. but things haven't been as good of late and after his 24th season ended in disappointment — bellichick has today parted company with the patriots. pushed — rather than choosing to go — this is what he said. after a series of discussions with meet robert and i have agreed

mutually to part ways. for me this is a day of gratitude and celebration. we had a vision of building a winning championship football team here for that that's exceeded my wildest dreams. and expectations 4am very proud of that. always had those great memories that i will carry with us, and the rest of my life. for more on this — i've been speaking to adam kilgore from the washington post, and first asked him where things went wrong from bellichick: all lot of his supporters over the years have less dues laughing left a brain drain in the organisation. his draughting was particularly bad. his acquisitions particularly when it came to offensive skill players yielded very little productive assets for the team. he never found assets for the team. he never found a replacement for tom brady that was adequate for the back shows, the

quarterback that began as a starter seem to show promise as a rookie three years ago when they made the playoffs, the last time they made the playoffs. he regrets badly. there was really bad staffing decisions last year when he brought in a defensive coach as an offence of coordinator. that was a disaster thatjones and the team never really recovered from. i think there is a bigger picture of where the message was not connected with players put it whether that's generational or are the kind of players in the organisation, whether the message wasn't as effective as it once was for the i think there was a disconnect between what bill belichick was selling and how the players were taking it in this year. he is ranked third in the list of all time coaches 302, 26 away from the great donjulie's record. 71 years old now for the according to not wanting to step away and fade

into retirement, he was to keep going. into retirement, he was to keep anoin. , into retirement, he was to keep oiiin _ , ., into retirement, he was to keep anoin. , ., ., , �* into retirement, he was to keep ioini. , ., ,, into retirement, he was to keep ioiin. , ., ,, going. yes. that doesn't surprise me whatsoever- — going. yes. that doesn't surprise me whatsoever- i — going. yes. that doesn't surprise me whatsoever. i don't _ going. yes. that doesn't surprise me whatsoever. i don't think _ going. yes. that doesn't surprise me whatsoever. i don't think there's - whatsoever. i don't think there's much out there in the world that interest bill belichick other than football. if you want to talk about something other than football you need to find somebody other than bill belichick to do it with. that's always about. i definitely think he still compelled by, obsessed by the challenge of determining a teams weakness, how to exploit the weakness, how to exploit the weakness, how to exploit the weakness, how does commit those plans to players, be a part of the team. that still gets him up in the morning to get them excited. i think it's the only thing he really cares about. ~ ~ ., ,, �* about. we think about sir alex feri uson about. we think about sir alex ferguson think— about. we think about sir alex ferguson think of _ about. we think about sir alex ferguson think of all— about. we think about sir alex ferguson think of all the - ferguson think of all the great things he achieved in english football. what's different is when he stepped away he wanted to retire and he did it on his own terms. how will build bill belichick be feeling at the moment? this is not how he wanted to end at the patriots and he

didn't presumably want to walk away. i would imagine he's of two minds, one, maybe a little bit disrespected, maybe a little bit that he's been shown a lack of gratitude for all he accomplished for robert kraft and the patriots. on the other hand his management style has always been what is best for the team, did you produce and he cut those players mercilessly the minute they couldn't produce victories and winning football for him. i think victories and winning football for him. ithink if victories and winning football for him. i think if he's being honest with himself, if he was one of the patriots bill belichick would probably want to move on from bill belichick. �* ., ., ., belichick. before we go a reminder of our to . belichick. before we go a reminder of our top story _ belichick. before we go a reminder of our top story on _ belichick. before we go a reminder of our top story on sportsday - belichick. before we go a reminder of our top story on sportsday for i of our top story on sportsday for the chairman colin graves has apologised for the york shire racism scandal as he looks set to return to power in the club for the takeover from the construction has been approved by yorkshire is bored and

will be voted by members on the 2nd of february. much more reaction to that story on the bbc sport website. for me and the team that is all for now. good night. hello. it has been a cold day again up and down the uk. mostly dry though, thanks to the high pressure and that area of high pressure will be with us again for friday to bring another cold and dry day with variable amounts of cloud, a little bit of sunshine, but there will be quite a bit of cloud around i think through friday across england and wales. best of the clearer spells across scotland and northern ireland with the best of the sunshine. but through tonight, under those clear skies, light wind scotland, northern ireland could see some fog developing and it really will turn quite cold. a sharp frost developing in places particularly central scotland, down to minus eight celsius. but where we have more cloud for england, wales,

then it should remain frost free. but it does mean friday will be a rather gray, gloomy morning for england and wales. cold, frosty stuff, crisp start for scotland, northern ireland, best of the sunshine here. stubborn mist and fog could linger all day in places and we could see a few breaks in the cloud further south till off some sunny spells here and there. temperatures again struggling to get much of a two or three across scotland, seven or eight for england and wales. as we move through friday night, we'll see this weather front bring some patchy rain, maybe some hill snow to northern scotland for a while. elsewhere, it's patchy cloud and clear spells. and where we have clear skies and it'll be frosty where we hold on to the cloud, then frost free. this weather front seeing south was weakening into a band of cloud. as we head on into saturday, another one will push into northern scotland to bring further showers here. and then by sunday, much colder air pushes in across northern scotland to bring frequent snow showers. here, it'll turn cold and windy. saturday, then a chilly day to come, variable cloud, the odd spot of rain with those weak weather fronts, some sunny spells here

and there temperature wise, generally range between five and eight celsius. as we head into sunday, though, we'll see this weather front, we'll see this weather front sink southwards and weaken. there'll be some patchy rain on it, some sunshine to the south. it turns windy, cold and snowy across northern scotland. these snow showers becoming quite frequent, even down to lower levels. and there'll be significant accumulations by the end of the day, but less cold in the south. into next week it stays cold across the northern half of the country. further snow showers, maybe even an area of more prolonged snow for a while. then we need to keep an eye on this area of low pressure which could approach the south. if it pushes northwards into the cold air, it's likely that we could see a spell of sleet and snow across the south of the country. but it's quite a lot to play for here, so stay tuned to the forecast.

live from london, this is bbc news. south african lawyers outlined their case to the international court of justice alleging that israel's military amounts to genocide and we will hearfrom a military amounts to genocide and we will hear from a former israeli ambassador to south africa. the inquiry into the post of a scandal from an investigator for the

prosecution of this and postmasters. a wave of violence in ecuador, hundred prison guards and staff are held hostage. in we will have the latest from new york where donald trump is in court in the closing arguments of the trial. will give you the top stories from will give you the top stories from around the globe. we will start in the core lawyers have outlined their case of the un top court, alleging that israel's military offence in gaza amounts to genocide. south africa also alleges of the international court that israel possible his plan to destroy gaza comes from the highest level of state. israel, which will present its case on friday, as denounced the allegations is atrocious and

baseless. they claim to be