out how paris is preparing for find out how paris is preparing for the next wave of so—called yellow vest protests, due to take place this weekend. and later this evening, we will find out what is on the front of tomorrow's front pages with our reviewers. the political correspond of the times and jason beattie, head of politics at the daily mirror, willjoin us. that is all head on bbc news. now it's for sportsday. hello and welcome to sportsday. ben stokes and alex hales won't miss any more cricket for england — despite being found to have to have brought the game into disrepute. jurgen klopp, the liverpool boss, isn't happy at his player being branded as "cheating" by the burnley boss sean dyche. england will miss influential midfielderjordan nobbs for the women's world cup in france next year after she's ruled out

for the rest of the season... for the rest of the season. and also coming up: it's england against irealnd at the hockey world cup in india — a place in the knock—out stages is the prize for the winner. and, ronnie o'sullivan takes a step closer to a record seventh title at the uk snooker championship in york. hello, and welcome to sportsday. we start with what the england and wales cricket board will hope is the final chapter of a saga that has lasted well over a year for their players ben stokes and alex hales. stokes was cleared of affray after an incident outside a bristol nightclub in september of last year but today both players faced sanction from the independent cricket disciplinary commission. our sports editor, dan roan, joins me now.

dan — just tell us exactly what the cdc had to say today? and alex holes were handed bans and fines. this stems back to a brawl outside a bristol nightclub in september of last year. following which, ben stokes was charged with affray. he was found not guilty at a criminal trial. both men which are by the ecb for bringing the game into disrepute. in the case of ben stokes, he was handed a age—matched ban and a £30,000 fine. of those bands, he doesn't have too said any more because of the panel decided because he missed the ashes series last winter, he was already deemed to have served the punishment. six

of those matches are for what happened in bristol, the other two are for what was called inappropriate video which appeared on social media. in the case of alex hales, he was hit with a six match ban. but because he had already missed two matches and for all those matches were suspended, he is also free to play for his country again. in this case, it was again divided between what happened in bristol and the others were in relation to inappropriate imagery that appeared on social media. he was fined seven at —— is an thousand £500. this can play england. there were no inevitably be some degree of debate as to whether that is sufficient punishment for what happened. something of what has been a shadow over the game for the last few months. there will undoubtedly be relief for both players today? absolutely, yes. the two say,

condition, as well. in the last couple of hours, both players have issued statements and public apologies, for the first time, for what had happened. ben stokes thing, it had been a heavy burden. he had to go through that criminal trial backin to go through that criminal trial back in august. both players expressing their regret and determination to learn from their m ista kes determination to learn from their mistakes and put it behind them. wanting to get on with playing for england. ben stokes, the premium all—rounder in the world, hugely important for england. he can now look forward to what will be a landmark summer for england next year. there were doubts that he would be available if the panel decided to punish and further. he will be free to play next month. as

will be free to play next month. as will alex hales. thank you for joining us. now, time to talk football: it's been a busy week in the premier league already, with more important games to come this weekend. but we will reflect on a spat that emerged midweek between burnley boss sean dyche and liverpool managerjurgen klopp. liverpool won the game but a "tough tackling" burnley side left klopp unhappy — particularly after his defender, joe gomez, fractured a leg. dyche defended his team, accusing liverpool's daniel sturridge of diving and calling the act "cheating." the pair spoke again today and the issue hasn't gone away. my my reference point was to see if you start questioning tackling and you think it's better to have cheating in the game, to make that clear again, i'm talking about no contact whatsoever and go on the floor— that cheating. simulation or clever play isa cheating. simulation or clever play is a whole different ball game. it's been there forever. gamesmanship is the ec ‘s way to describe it. if you

quit someone and they go down, it's absolutely acceptable. it's a professional gay. daniel sturridge was not cheating. here's not the kind of person who tries to do that. someone could about but, i'm not sure if you talk about but, i'm not sure if you talk about that. if you talk about the challenge against alberto mourinho. what are we talking about? we all have our own interests and games. that's how it is. well, on that, the former chelsea and aston villa midfielder, steve sidwell, joins me from our london newsroom. steve, what is hurting football more — people who dive and simulate injury, or teams not being able to show their physical side? we wa nt we want the tough tackling to stay. that is the competitive edge of this high level, elite sport. a good

strong, fair tackle can ignite a game. that's what the fines want to see. just as well as a fair players taking on one another and scoring goals. we want the tough tackling to stay, as long as it fear. we don't wa nt stay, as long as it fear. we don't want the assimilation and diving. i can see where you can call is coming from, sticking up for his players. dyche‘s saying we don't want to see that in our game. we seen it in the world cup and we don't want it in the piddly. a big game to come this weekend — a surprise defeat for chelsea in midweek, and now they host champions manchester city? i don't see chelsea stopping manchester city. i don't see anyone stopping them. the way but they're playing football. the movement, the players that they've got. look out

the form at the moment. they are still stea m the form at the moment. they are still steam rolling teams with injuries. chelsea need to be at their best. they are on a bit of a dip at the moment. they've had disappointing results last week. they will be looking to bounce back from that. it would be a great statement is they came out with a victory but i do see manchester city coming out on top. manchester united host your former side fulham, but no wins in three league games for united. rumours about managerjose mourinho leaving the club denied by his agent today — is it time for a change? i don't think so at the moment. we haven't seen that the fans are turning on the manager. the manchester united fans have been first class, sticking by the team.

we wa nt first class, sticking by the team. we want to see manchester do well, we know what the team and the players are capable of. actually moment, they are underperforming at the moment. the players had to take accountability for themselves as does jose accountability for themselves as doesjose mourinho. accountability for themselves as does jose mourinho. they accountability for themselves as doesjose mourinho. they are in big need of getting back on winning ways. the goodwill midweek against arsenal. coming out on the front foot and playing aggressively. you could say, holding out until the end, which is unlike them at old trafford. i see manchester united coming out on top against fulham. another bit of footbal news — and not great for arsenal. they've confirmed that their defender, rob holding, ruputured his knee ligaments in wednesday's draw with manchester united. it's likely he'll now be out of action for the rest of the season. and another sad bit of news related to arsenal today. jordan nobbs, one of the star players of their women's team has been ruled out of next year's world cup in france. to tell us more is our sports reporter emily croydon. just bring us up to date on what's a

significant injury. it's just less than three weeks sincejordan it's just less than three weeks since jordan norms it's just less than three weeks sincejordan norms ruptured her and she recruited ligament in her left kneein she recruited ligament in her left knee in a match against everton. she had surgery on monday, before taking to twitter the next day. she posted a thumbs up later from to twitter the next day. she posted a thumbs up laterfrom her to twitter the next day. she posted a thumbs up later from her hospital bed and thanked everyone for the support that she has received. today, the fa announced her recovery will not be concrete in time for her to ta ke will not be concrete in time for her to take part in the world cup in june. england coach, phil neville, said naturally we're disappointed that a player like jordan will said naturally we're disappointed that a player likejordan will not be able to take part in the world cup. the priority is that she returns to full fitness and can look forward to many exciting years ahead, playing for her country club. the world cup draw takes place in

paris tomorrow. england will not have too high for that tournament. the talisman. what will phil neville be missing out on? nobbs is a real driving force in the midfield. she has 56 caps and seven international goals. in 2015, she was named england's player of the year. at the last world cup, she was pa rt year. at the last world cup, she was part of the squad but did not play a much. at this point, she undoubtedly would have had a pivotal role to play. neville is not short of players but that is not to say that losing one of his most influential players is not a blow. england game and hope to win the world cup, it must be genuinely heartbreaking for her. now it's a game that has had the eyes of the world upon it for many of the right, but also many of the wrong, reasons in recent weeks. two of the biggest clubs in football history, river plate and boca juniors,

go head to head in the second leg of the copa liberatadores — south america's version of the champions league. the only issue is the match won't take place in their home city of buenos aires after an attack on the boca team bus. instead, the game will be in madrid this weekend. which is where we find our reporter mani djazmi. when i was coming here, i thought to myself, is this still as big a game as it was? i was billing it as the biggest club might of 2018, and i think it was. the atmosphere here is muted so far. it's still a huge game for the players. carlos peres said that she was what all the truth is that she was what all the truth is that lieberman and his career to win this match. what happened was a huge embarrassment and caused shame for argentinian football. to think that

isn't a single city and stadium in the whole of superman, to host the match. it is hugely embarrassing for the football association. its strange and it's bizarre. the build—up has been muted, precisely because we're marked in south america. but not in south america. 0k let's take a look at some of the other stories making headlines today. australia's batsmen faltered but an unbeaten half—century from travis head on his home debut has given them hope going into day three of the first test with india. they ended on 191—7 in the first innings — 59 runs short of india's total. new zealand have won their first away series against pakistan for 49 years. they beat the hosts by 123 runs in the third test in abu dhabi to take the series 2—1. and, a british women's football team at the tokyo 0lympics remains a possibility after the scottish fa

decided not to block it. however, they won't actively support or promote it — and will review their position after 2020. good news today for england's men at the hockey world cup in india. in they beat ireland 11—2 to reach the play—off stage and eliminate their opponents. it was an entertaining and hard fought win for england who go on to face new zealand next. patrick gearey has more. england versus ireland, winners stay on. two teams are so close, it was personal. it was 1—1 in the third quarter. lee mansell was inducted into the squad late on, some twist of fate. but even a minute later, ivan ‘s short corner. just the chance that they needed. ten of this

irish water had taken off work to be a better. and england attack so fast, you could barely see it. it turned the game. the goal was crucial. ireland a string for the equaliser that would keep them in the tournament. the final seconds of his world cup spent watching his brother scoring for england. no celebration. all too personal. also coming up in the programme: "born in ghana, made in britain" — boxer isaac dogboe gives us the lowdown on himself ahead of his wbo world super—bantamweight world title defence. the receiver of isaac dogboe, blue warrior of africa. i know prince charles. balldogs take the place of ball boys and girls at the royal albert hall.

ronnie 0'sullivan has stayed in ominous form as he contimues his charge towards a record seventh title at the uk snooker championship. he came past martin o'donnell six frames to one in york. hazel irvine, along with john parrott and alan mcmanus casts an eye over the day's action. quarterfinal stage here in york. we've heard to cracking matches to enjoy. the defending champion ronnie 0'sullivan against martin o'donnell. this was a really the case, concentrated performance form the rocket today wasn't sometimes, they don't quite know the style. he was very focused and as ever, be read to seek win the match. there was a shaky part what she then recovered and does what ronnie 0'sullivan does. he's few to an 11th semifinal

and this is dead. the record still lies. something of a surprise, he's playing tom ford. great day for him. yes. i'm good pulse with tom and i'm really pleased for him. he has lived in mock selby's shadow for a number of years. it is good to see him up there challenging. we wish him well. he has a tough ask against ronnie 0'sullivan but he has a game which is the important thing. what kind of evening could be be in for this evening? a slugfest. there is the players, no quarter given between them. they will block at work. players, no quarter given between them. they will block at workm players, no quarter given between them. they will block at work. it is going to be build—up stuff tonight. i look forward to it. you'll be a

distiller on bbc two between seven and 8pm. then online and with the red button. time to talk rugby union. and, an injury to one of england and saracens forward maro itoje. his club say he suffered the knee problem on international duty in the autumn, but he did manage 70 minutes against wasps in the premiership last weekend. 0ur rugby correspondent chrisjones told me more. it turns out she suffered the injury on england today but he wasn't picked up until after that game, saracens versus wasps. questions about how much rugby he has been playing and whether he should have been thrust back into club duties is seen after the autumn. whether it will affect his involvement in the six nations in too much time, we will have to wait and see. england play ireland in if there's a

saturday of february. this is a 6—8 week injury, it will be touch and go. it is a blow for saracens, certainly, it might be a blow for england as well. so he would be in action this weekend. the subset of good games are very important. tonight, a big game for newcastle. they've defied the big form in the competition so far. taking on edinburgh. not only have newcastle became too long away from home, which doesn't really happen. there have also beach end montpelier and 110w have also beach end montpelier and now they're going up against edinburgh. they've a load of injuries. i wonder if newcastle are targeting next weekend's game at kingston park on this bit more than tonight at edinburgh. maybe that presents an opportunity for edinburgh who have also started the season edinburgh who have also started the season well in europe. well, it's a big weekend of rugby rnion across the weekend.

you can hear newcastle's trip to edinburgh on radio 5 live sports extra this evening. with three more matches to come tomorrow from one o'clock. including exeter against gloucester, and wasps against toulouse. 1a sports have been given a share of a £3 million funding pot from uk sport, in the run up to the 2020 tokyo olympics and paralympics. skateboarding, weightlifting and wheelchair rugby are among those who'll get the money — but is it enough to make a difference? this is about a specific act fleets ona this is about a specific act fleets on a specificjourney to tokyo. it isn't about developing the system of support in each of these sports. 0ur work or invested in the other sports, where millions of pounds we re sports, where millions of pounds were invested, is about long—term sustainable pathway for athletes. to be supported and be the very best that they can be. notjust at be supported and be the very best that they can be. not just at the next games but also at future games.

well the aspirational funding is targeting athletes and teams that they believe can do well in their respective disciplines and we are joined by one of those beneficiaries now, british surfing champion, peony knight. just tell us how you've been funding yourself up until now and the challenge that has poised? it has been a struggle. i've had to work over the summer to get to the qualifying process. i've had a bit of support from sponsored but it has been a real struggle. i had to budget a lot of the trap. so what kind of difference do you think this new investment can make to you and those in surfing? i think it's so exciting. i really hope that the british 13 can train together and have coaching and had a better process in place before the run—up to the events. say we will feel more possible and we can go and

train and it will improve results massively. what will your goal be now with just under two years before surfing debuts at tokyo 2020. ? i really hope i can be in the top five in europe. that will be really hard. i'm tuning in portugal at the moment. my first competition as in january and then i'll be competing all year. it will be very tough. there are a lot of surfers in the uk saw the bill be a lot of competition between us guys. tim and hard and really going for it. i'm really excited. we wish you the best of luck. thank you for taking the time to speak with us. boxing now, and the nerves may well be building for wbo world super—bantamweight champion isaac dogboe. the 2li—year—old, who describes himself as "born in ghana, made in britain" fights mexico's emanuel navarrete tomorrow. but he does seem a rather relaxed individual. he's been talking to bbc sport

about meeting prince charles, sleeping in the gym, and becoming a world champion. do you see with isaac dogboe, the warrior of africa. i met prince charles. i'm going to tell you a story. that out to ghana, prince charles came out and he was looking around and he asked. which of them is isaac dogboe? and i was like, i was so is isaac dogboe? and i was like, i was so shy because there were a lot of people around. i raise my hand and said, hello! . icome of people around. i raise my hand and said, hello! . i come from one

of the royal family in and said, hello! . i come from one of the royalfamily in ghana. i was born in ghana but i was raised in great britain. 0ne born in ghana but i was raised in great britain. one of my coaches wa nted great britain. one of my coaches wanted to me, give it five years and you will go to the other bits and you will go to the other bits and you will go to the other bits and you will be a world champion. we're on the road for so long, to extent, we almost became homeless. we had to sleep at the gym at some points. we we re sleep at the gym at some points. we were actually sleeping in the gym for about three months. i still continued training. if we didn't go through this phase of life, then we wouldn't know that we can do anything. from london, madison square garden, trojan

there's going to be fireworks, who knows? may be prince charles will come and watch? maybe she will say i wa nt to come and watch? maybe she will say i want to go to that fight and support isaac dogboe. thank you bbc for having me. ball boys and ball girls have been replaced by canine counterparts at the opening of the champions tennis tournament at the royal albert hall. the dogs helped retrieve stray balls between the points at the event which features former grand slam winners and world numbers ones. the three dogs, called hattie, tina and melvin, were provided by the charity canine partners, which trains dogs to help people with disabilities. that's all from sportsday. a reminder of our top story: ben stokes and alex hales will remain available for england after their disciplinary hearing into an incident in bristol last year. both have been fined and given bans

of eight games retrospectively. that's all from sportsday — have a good night. good evening. it has been stormy and the far north of the country but things are starting to quieten down. the area of oprah show sitting across the far north of scotland. the wind very much a feature over the next few hours. we could see goss of wind, 50-60 hours. we could see goss of wind, 50—60 mph. some of those showers persisted as well. a blustery end to friday. some of those showers starting to push up east. elsewhere,

the charlotte few and far between, could be a relatively quiet day to come. if you isolated showers but temperatures holding up widely. we will see it at 5—8d. saturday morning— a quieter note. the wins will be a quieter feature. morning— a quieter note. the wins will be a quieterfeature. going through the morning, there will be plenty of frequent showers. sunday looking like the driest of the days of the weekend but it could be cooler with the winds coming from the north. 0n cooler with the winds coming from the north. on saturday, the early bird will get the best of the weather as the shall discover and push along the west. high—temperature is between 9—13d. a su btle high—temperature is between 9—13d. a subtle change to the weather. that's because winds are pushing down from the north. going through the night, we could see winds coming down to the channel coast. 50—60 mph, for a

time. a frequent rush of charlotte is being driven down from the north of the country. sunday morning, we could see showers in england and wesley. a drier and brighter after—dinner for wesley. a drier and brighter after—dinnerfor most of wesley. a drier and brighter after—dinner for most of us. in a double dip in the field. getting colder as the day goes on. sunday night into monday morning, we keep those clear skies. if you scattered showers to the west. with the clear skies and the ear from the north, temperatures will fall away. through scotla nd temperatures will fall away. through scotland and the north of england we will see their new single fingers and a touch of frost on monday morning. worth bearing in mind, it will be a chilly start to the new working week. but it is not

happening. why not join working week. but it is not happening. why notjoin us tonight at 7:45pm here on bbc news. this is bbc news. i'm martine croxall. the headlines at seven... warnings that channel ports could face six months of disruption if britain leaves the eu without a deal. it comes as 30 government ministers tour the country, trying to sell theresa may's brexit plan. police in new zealand say a missing british backpacker was last seen with ‘a male companion'. grace millane's father appeals for help in finding her. we last had contact with her on saturday the 1st of december. and as afamily we saturday the 1st of december. and as a family we have been extremely concerned for her welfare. a bbc investigation reveals how black and arab university academics are paid less than their white colleagues. british yachtswoman susie goodall is rescued after being stranded in the southern pacific for two days. her boat had capsized during the golden globe race. and on news watch, broadcasters and