The Sports Matrix: Friday 12 October 2012

Wiggins stunned by new Armstrong drug revelations

Bradley Wiggins said he was "shocked" by the scale of the doping programme orchestrated by Lance Armstrong, but the first British winner of the Tour de France insisted cycling is now one of "the most successful sports for catching people."

Team Sky's director Sean Yates, a former team-mate of Armstrong, denied having seen anything untoward during his time working with the American. On Wednesday night the US Anti-Doping Agency published over 1,000-pages of detailed evidence that Armstrong had cheated throughout his seven Tour wins.

Dave Brailsford, Sky's general manager and the head of British Cycling, said: "What we want to work towards is a future where there is no doubt, so nobody questions it."

Wiggins, pictured, accepted that the Usada report damns Armstrong. He said: "It is pretty jaw-dropping the amount of people who have testified against him. It is certainly not a one-sided hatchet job, it is pretty damning. I am shocked at the scale of the evidence."  MORE

Froch feeling the pressure for bout

Carl Froch says he has "everything to lose" when he defends his IBF super-middleweight title against the unfancied American Yusaf Mack on 17 November. Froch become a three-time world champion in May.

Murray working with psychologist

Andy Murray revealed he has consulted the sports psychologist Alexis Castorri to help him with off-court matters. "[It's been about] learning how to deal with people a little bit better," the 25-year-old world No 3 said of his sessions. MORE

Del Piero turned down Liverpool

Alessandro Del Piero says he rejected Liverpool last summer, before signing for Sydney FC, out of respect for victims of the Heysel disaster. The ex Juventus forward said: "For a lot of people, Heysel is something that can never be forgotten." MORE

De Boer calls for winter World Cup

Former Netherlands midfielder Ronald de Boer, who worked on Qatar's winning World Cup bid, says the 2022 tournament would be better in the winter. He said: "The best thing for me is the winter. For the fans the best thing is the winter." MORE

Tribute to Stein

Scotland play Wales in Cardiff this evening, a fixture that saw Jock Stein's tragic death in 1985. The legendary Scotland manager's life is fondly remembered ahead of the crucial qualifier. MORE

Coleman critical of his own approach

Chris Coleman says he should have made more changes when he took over as Wales manager after Gary Speed's death. Ahead of tonight's qualifier against Scotland, Coleman said: "The worst thing we could have done is keep it the same." MORE

James criticises anti-racism groups

David James, one of England's most decorated black footballers, has accused anti-racism groups of having "an agenda to keep themselves in existence". The ex England goalkeeper said: "I don't believe that football is any more racist than society is." MORE

Bonini: San Marino will love Wembley

The former San Marino captain, Massimo Bonini, says the current squad should be grateful for playing against England tonight. Bonini, who played 19 times for his country, said: "Playing at Wembley is possibly the best thing they are going to experience in their lives." MORE

Rooney has grown up after 'stupid' red

Wayne Rooney says he has learnt from his "stupid" red card against Montenegro a year ago.Rooney, who captains England against San Marino at Wembley tonight, said: "It won't be happening again, I can assure you. After that, at club level, you saw a different person." MORE

Armstrong scandal 'taints Sky cyclists'

The Team Sky principal Dave Brailsford admits the credibility of his riders is tainted by Lance Armstrong's doping operation. He said: "When people see the huge advances we are making, because of what happened in the past it is understandable that people are sceptical." MORE