The Sport Matrix: Wednesday 24 September 2014

Kroenke takes £3m as Arsenal go out

Arsenal owner Stan Kroenke took £3m out of the club for “strategic and advisory services”, the club’s latest accounts have revealed. One of the American businessman’s companies, KSE LLC, was paid the fee in relation to the club’s broadband division.

The London club lost 2-1 at home to Southampton last night, exiting the Capital One Cup at the third round stage for the first time in 12 years.

Magpies continue to relegate cups

Their team struggling in the league, Newcastle fans may find little respite at Crystal Palace in the Capital One Cup tonight. The Magpies have failed to make it past the fourth round of a domestic cup since Mike Ashley took charge in 2007, stating their priority as the league.

Morrison bound for Cardiff on loan

West Ham forward Ravel Morrison announced on Twitter yesterday that he is to join Championship Cardiff on a three-month loan. Any move has yet to be officially announced by the managerless Welsh club and would have to be sanctioned by owner Vincent Tan.

Afridi’s pay slimmed down after he fails fitness tests

Pakistan’s Twenty20 captain Shahid Afridi will be docked 25 per cent of his salary for four months for failing to reach minimum levels of fitness, while 40-year-old Test and ODI captain Misbah-ul-Haq will get a 10 per cent rise for improving his fitness.

The Pakistan Cricket Board conducted extensive physiological tests on 28 players earlier this year.

Umar Akmal, Khurram Manzoor, Sarfraz Ahmed, Mohammad Irfan and Sohaib Maqsood are among a dozen players whose monthly salaries will be cut by 25 per cent until the end of the year after they fell below the minimum fitness level.

Wiggins backed to beat rival Martin

Sir Dave Brailsford has backed Sir Bradley Wiggins to impress in today’s Road World Championships time trial against Tony Martin. “He’s very, motivated,” Brailsford said of the clash with the German favourite. “I’m sure he’ll get the best out of himself.