The week in sport
Pitch magazine ; Stories of Modern Sport
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Cantona 30 years on, Sven's family auction his stuff, Hamilton at Ferrari, Murray at the Australian Open
30 years ago, this weekend
This weekend, 30 years ago, in a Crystal Palace vs. Manchester United game at Selhurst Park, United striker Eric Cantona is sent off for kicking Palace defender Richard Shaw. As he walked towards the tunnel Cantona leapt into the crowd, initially feet first followed by a series of punches. Cantona was sentenced to 120 hours of community service. He called a press conference to explain his actions, the full transcript of which is as follows: “When the seagulls follow the trawler, it's because they think sardines will be thrown into the sea. Thank you very much” - at which point he got up and left, leaving behavioural psychologists struggling to explain what on earth that was about.
In a bid to raise funds, Sven-G?ran Erikssen’s indebted family are staging a special auction.
The auction site went live on Tuesday, with 98 items initially being put up for sale. At the top of the site, a tagline reads: "Awards, prizes and personal items from Sven-G?ran Eriksson's incredible career. More items will be published before bidding starts."The items all have a starting price of 100 Swedish Krona, equal to roughly £7. The collection includes several Armani and Burton jackets from Eriksson's time as England manager.
Also from his England days are a set of four diaries, a series of match plaques from World Cups, commemorative plates and awards from Euro 2004. Other prize items include his Serie A winners' medal from the 1999/2000 season and his Coppa Italia winners' medal from 2000.
There is also his Premier League Manager of the Month award from his time in charge of City. A raft of other trophies and awards are also available to buy for both the public and collectors.
Eddie Jones will cast a critical eye over England’s make-or-break Six Nations campaign with the former head coach signed as an ITV pundit for the forthcoming championship.
Jones was sacked as England head coach in late 2022 and was lined up for a TV job for the 2023 Six Nations, only to agree to an ill-fated spell in charge of Australia. Having left the Wallabies in November 2023, he returned to Japan for a second term at the helm of the Brave Blossoms but will join the ITV team for this year’s competition.
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Lewis Hamilton described his maiden drive in a Ferrari car as one of the best feelings of his life after he realised a childhood dream by completing his first laps for the Italian team. Hamilton, who turned 40 this month, left his garage at Ferrari’s private test circuit in Fiorano in foggy conditions before posting 30 laps.
The seven-time world champion, who will be paid more than £100m across his new two-year deal with the Italian team, tested a 2023 Ferrari – the latest model he is allowed to use. Hamilton will complete further miles at the Circuit de Barcelona?Catalunya next week before Formula One’s official three-day pre-season test starts in Bahrain on 26 February.
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The Australian Open confirmed its status as the Most Fun Tournament again this year. Here’s Andy Murray creaking, against his protege Novak Djokovic.