The Sport Matrix: Saturday 01 November 2014

Fans of Corinthians will have chance to offer eternal support

The Brazilian football club Corinthians have revealed they are building a cemetery where fans will have a chance to spend eternity buried next to their favourite players.

The Corinthians Forever Cemetery – marketed by the club under the slogan: “For those who are fans from the beginning to the end” – is under construction on the outskirts of São Paulo and will be able to house 70,000 burial places when completed.

The development is divided into three different areas to allow for different price ranges.

The most expensive area will be towards the middle of the cemetery, where a replica of a football stadium is being erected and spaces are being saved on the pitch for some of the stars of the Corinthians football team to be buried – when the time comes.

Supporters will be given the opportunity to be buried close to their favourite star, with prices ranging from around £350 to more than £2,000.

Button upbeat ahead of US test

Jenson Button may be nearing the end of his F1 career amid suggestions he may race in the World Endurance Championship series, but he is determined to keep positive. “I haven’t heard anything different [about his McLaren future] so I’m just enjoying myself and looking forward to giving it my all this weekend and getting the best out of myself,” he said ahead of the US Grand Prix in Austin.

England aim for knockout blow

England have the chance to put Australia out of a major tournament, when they meet in the Four Nations tomorrow. Depending on whether New Zealand beat Samoa this morning, a win for England could make it impossible for Australia to qualify for the final.

Wenger lavishes praise on Sanchez

Arsenal manager Arsène Wenger lavished praise on Alexis Sanchez ahead of today’s game against strugglers Burnley. “He doesn’t walk out on to the training pitch, he runs out. He has a natural level of energy that is unbelievable,” said Wenger, who feels Sanchez shares attributes with Luis Suarez. “Sometimes Suarez will give the ball to the opponent but he gets it back straight away. Sanchez is the same.”

Valencia revelling in West Ham’s rise

Enner Valencia is enjoying life at high-flying West Ham, after a rapid rise that saw him move from Mexican club Pachuca for £12m on the back of playing in the World Cup with Ecuador. “The fans are spectacular. They are always supporting. You are away from home and you feel like you’re at home, and for a player that is really good,” he said of the West Ham fans ahead of today’s match away at Stoke.