Saudi princes arrested for holding anti-austerity protest

*Saudi princes arrested for holding anti-austerity protest

Saudi authorities have arrested 11 princes for holding a protest at a royal palace in the capital Riyadh.

The group were angered by the government's decision to stop paying the water and energy bills of royals.

The kingdom has roughly doubled domestic petrol prices and introduced a 5% tax on most goods and services, including food and utility bills.

The princes also said they wanted compensation after one of their cousins was handed the death sentence for an unspecified crime, according to Sabq.

The Saudi royal family is thought to number thousands, but the wealth and status between them can vary wildly.

Matuidi claims racist abuse in Juventus win over Cagliari*

*Matuidi claims racist abuse in Juventus win over Cagliari*

Juventus midfielder Blaise Matuidi says he was the victim of racist abuse during his side's 1-0 victory over Cagliari on Saturday.

The France international revealed in a post on his official Facebook page that he was the subject of racist taunts by unspecified individuals.

"Today I experienced racism during the match," he wrote. "Weak people try to intimidate with hate. I am not a hater and can only be sorry for those who set bad examples.

"Football is a way to spread equality, passion and inspiration and this is what I am here for. Peace."

It is reported that the specific incident occurred shortly before half-time, when a furious Matuidi was seen looking towards the stands at the Sardegna Arena.

It is the second time Matuidi has endured such abuse in the last 10 days.

Bolt to have Dortmund trial in bid to earn Manchester United move*

*Bolt to have Dortmund trial in bid to earn Manchester United move*

Sprint star Usain Bolt will undergo a trial with Borussia Dortmund in a bid to earn a professional contract at Manchester United.

The Jamaican, an all-time athletics legend after winning eight Olympic golds, retired after damaging his hamstring in his last ever race at the World Championships in London last year.

After recovering from that injury, the 31-year-old has reiterated his desire to switch sports, claiming he has held talks with the club's legendary former manager Alex Ferguson over a possible United deal, while his long mooted Dortmund trial is still on the cards.

"In March we're going to do trials with Dortmund and that will determine what I do with that career, which way it goes. If they say I'm good, and that I need a bit of training, I'll do it.

"It makes me nervous. I don't get nervous but this is different, this is football now. It'll take time to adjust but once I play a few times I'll get used to it. It was the same when I started track and field.

"One of my biggest dreams is to sign for Manchester United. If Dortmund say I'm good enough, I'll crack on and train hard. I've spoken to Alex Ferguson and I told him he needs to put in a good word. He told me if I get fit and ready, he will see what he can do."

Messi equals 39-year Muller record with 365th Barcelona Liga goal*

*Messi equals 39-year Muller record with 365th Barcelona Liga goal*

Lionel Messi has equalled Gerd Muller's long-standing scoring record with his 365th Liga goal for Barcelona.

Messi played a one-two with chief partner in crime Jordi Alba and finished with a volley to put his side 1-0 up on the way to a convincing 3-0 victory.

And, in doing so, La Pulga drew level with the ex-Bayern and Germany superstar to match a record which has stood for 39 years.

He has now scored 365 times for the Blaugrana in 400 La Liga games, levelling Muller's historic mark achieved with a single club in one of Europe's top five leagues.

That record could fall as soon as next Sunday, when Barca visit Real Sociedad.

Messi had already smashed one of Muller's previous milestones in December, scoring his 526th goal for Barca in all competitions against Real Madrid to overtake the German's tally for a single club.

Tottenham 3 AFC Wimbledon 0: Kane double snuffs out hint of upset

*Tottenham 3 AFC Wimbledon 0: Kane double snuffs out hint of upset

Harry Kane's surprise inclusion paid dividends for Mauricio Pochettino as the Tottenham captain struck twice to douse a potential FA Cup upset and help beat AFC Wimbledon 3-0 at Wembley.

The England international had been widely expected to be left out on Sunday, but he captained the hosts from the start and scored a pair of quickfire second-half goals, which eased Spurs' passage into the fourth round.

Wimbledon at Wembley conjures memories of the 'Crazy Gang' and their famous Cup win of 1988 and Jimmy Abdou struck the crossbar in a goalless first half to suggest the improbable may be on the cards once again.

But Kane's double – scored in the space of 111 seconds – and Jan Vertonghen's first Spurs goal since October 2013 saw off the League One side and helped Pochettino avoid the kind of headaches brought on by last season's 4-3 epic in this competition against Wycombe Wanderers.

Pochettino took Spurs to the semi-finals of this competition last term and, with the Premier League seemingly beyond them, he may hope to go even better this time around.

Nottingham Forest: Wenger suffers first third-round exit

*Nottingham Forest 4 Arsenal 2: Wenger suffers first third-round exit

Arsene Wenger lost an FA Cup third-round tie for the first time as holders Arsenal were stunned 4-2 by Nottingham Forest on Sunday.

Wenger has lifted the famous trophy on seven occasions – including three of the last four years – but saw his much-changed side undone by two Eric Lichaj goals along with penalties from Ben Brereton and Kieran Dowell in a classic cup tie at the City Ground.

The likes of Alexis Sanchez, Mesut Ozil and Alexandre Lacazette were all rested as Theo Walcott and Danny Welbeck were afforded rare starts in an unfamiliar Arsenal XI.

But Wenger's plan backfired against a Forest side who are still without a permanent manager following the sacking of Mark Warburton last month.

Lichaj's headed opener was swiftly cancelled out by Per Mertesacker but the American restored the hosts' advantage with a stunning volley just before half-time.

Forest had a cushion when 18-year-old Brereton showed composure beyond his years to beat David Ospina from the spot following a Rob Holding foul on Matty Cash, but a late Welbeck strike threatened to make it a tense last 10 minutes for the home side.

However, Gary Brazil's men were awarded a second penalty when Mathieu Debuchy brought down Armand Traore from behind, allowing Dowell to convert from the spot, and Joe Worrall's red card mattered little as Forest held on for a famous win.