From the Back Pages, October 25: Black players could boycott 2018 Russia World Cup, says Yaya Touré

Yaya Touré raised the spectre of black players boycotting the 2018 World Cup in Russia unless that country stamps out racism among its football fans. (The Times)
From the back pagesFrom the back pages
From the back pages

Top gun Jermain Defoe shot the Sheriff and earned himself a place in Tottenham legend. Able deputy Defoe can’t dislodge Roberto Soldado as first-choice striker at White Hart Lane - but he deserves a gold star after equalling Martin Chivers’ 40-year-old club record of 22 goals in Europe for the club. (The Mirror)

CHELSEA boss Jose Mourinho has been fined £8,000 by the FA after admitting improper conduct during a clash with referee Anthony Taylor during Chelsea’s 4-1 win over Cardiff on Saturday. (The Express)

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Russian side CSKA Moscow have denied allegations that their fans targeted Yaya Touré with monkey chants during Wednesday’s Champions League match with Manchester City. (The Independent)

If he wasn’t playing alongside Leo Messi, Neymar and Andres Iniesta, then you can imagine there might even be some envy creeping in. What would Cesc Fabregas have done alongside Mesut Ozil, Santi Cazorla, Jack Wilshere and Aaron Ramsey? Next Monday marks 10 years since Fabregas made his Arsenal debut as a 16-year-old against Rotherham. He is focused on Barcelona’s clash with Real Madrid tomorrow but the club that made him is never far from his thoughts. It’s already clear in his mind that he wants to go back one day to begin his coaching career. (Daily Mail)

Poyet bonds with his team over dinner. Sunderland’s new manager knows it is important to build a team ethic before crunch derby against Newcastle. (Telegraph)

Formula One officials insisted on Thursday that Sunday’s Indian Grand Prix would go ahead even though the country’s supreme court will hear a petition on Friday calling for the event to be cancelled because of allegedly unpaid taxes. (The Guardian)