Man City are 2-0 down at half time, as they face Barcelona today in the quarter final tie of the Champions League.

Barcelona’s second goal has come from a penalty given, after a challenge from Demi Stokes.

This is the first time the two sides have met competitively.

Man City are playing without their captain, Steph Houghton, who has an achilles injury from last months match against Fiorentina, which they won 5-0.

Manager Gareth Taylor said: “it’s got all the ingredients of a fascinating game.”

Saliva concussion test hailed as a ‘game changer’

A “game-changing” trial of a pitch side saliva test to detect concussion has been carried out on male elite rugby players across the UK. 

Hywel Segwick Jones reports:

According to the research team, who carried out the study, technology to carry out tests during competitive matches could be introduced within three to five years. 

However, the salvia test cannot yet be used on women due to a lack of data.

Some reports suggest that concussion risks may be higher for female athletes than their male counterparts.   

The issue of concussion and brain injury in sport has been brought to the fore in recent years by high profile cases of early onset dementia in both professional rugby and football, with many ex-players joining legal action against governing authorities as a result.   

Andy Murray unsure of return

The former tennis champion Andy Murray has pulled out of the Miami Open after yet another injury setback.  

After arriving in Miami last week, the 33-year started developing groin problems and has not been able to practice since.

He said: “I had no issues while training, felt fine, did some gym work Friday, no problem, and then I woke up about 3 in the morning, felt pain in the groin, not on the side I had my surgery, and when I got out of bed I struggled quite a bit to walk.” 

Murray has struggled with health issues in recent years,

He was forced to miss the Australian Open this year after contracting Covid and earlier took a long break due to hip surgery.  

Manchester City to install rail seats for ‘safe standing’ 

Manchester City have confirmed they are preparing to install 5,620 rail seats at the Etihad Stadium in order to “enhance safety in an area where persistent standing occurs”. 

This comes ahead of an expected shift in government policy to allow fans to stand during top tier games.  

Fellow Premiership clubs have installed similar “safe seating” including Tottenham and Wolves, with Manchester United looking to follow suit later this year. 

Standing in the top two divisions of English football was banned following a review of safety measures in the wake of the Hillsborough disaster in 1989, in which 96 fans died.