The Sport Matrix: Thursday 16 April 2015

Six-month ban for repeat biter Labadie

Dagenham and Redbridge midfielder Joss Labadie has been banned for six months for biting Stevenage’s Ronnie Henry last month. The 24-year-old served a 10-game ban for the same offence while at Torquay last season. Elsewhere in denture-related news, Atletico Madrid’s Mario Mandzukic has denied claims Real Madrid defender Dani Carvajal bit him during Tuesday’s Champions League match.

Wiggins to take on the Hour Record

Sir Bradley Wiggins will attempt the Hour Record at the Olympic Velodrome on 7 June. The four-time Olympic champion and 2012 Tour de France winner described it as “a holy grail for cyclists”.

“It’s been fought over tooth and nail by some of the greatest names in our sport for over 100 years and it’s time for me to have a crack at it,” he said. “I like the idea of challenging myself and want to motivate people to do the same.”

Toon fans unhappy over £34m cashpile

Newcastle United’s accounts have revealed a surplus of more than £34m for the last financial year.

The club announced record profits last month of £18.7m for 2013-14, but records also show £38.6m was transferred into the club from cash flow. A £4.5m overdraft was paid off, leaving £34.1m available.

The revelation has infuriated fans, although £29.8m was spent since June on Siem de Jong, Remy Cabella and Daryl Janmaat.

Hillsborough victims remembered

Steven Gerrard, the Liverpool captain, and his Everton counterpart Phil Jagielka released 96 balloons as part of the remembrance services for the Hillsborough disaster. Margaret Aspinall, who helped secure fresh inquests into the deaths of the 96 Liverpool fans 26 years ago yesterday, said: “We can’t go away from here and see a job part done. We will get it done.” The new inquests into the deaths will resume on 20 April at Birchwood Park, Warrington.

Djokovic named sportsman of year

Novak Djokovic has been named Sportsman of the Year at the Laureus World Sports Awards in Shanghai, the Serb winning the award for a second time. The Ethiopian middle-distance runner Genzebe Dibaba was named Sportswoman of the Year, while the Germany football team took the Team of the Year award for their success at the World Cup.