The Sports Matrix: Friday 28 September 2012

Barnes: Terry deserves another England chance

The former England international John Barnes, one of the nation's pioneering black footballers, believes that John Terry should play international football again despite an independent commission finding the player guilty of racially abusing Anton Ferdinand.

Terry, 31, was given a four match suspension and a £220,000 fine by the four-man regulatory commission who found him guilty of a racial insult directed at QPR defender Ferdinand in Chelsea's Premier League fixture at Loftus Road on 23 October last year. Terry responded with a statement from his representatives that he was "disappointed" with the verdict but would consider the commission's reasons before deciding whether to appeal.

Barnes, above, said: "You serve your punishment and that should be that. Absolutely. Luis Suarez can play for Uruguay again. Of course. [Terry] can play for England again. I don't think it's an issue for him to play for England again. The FA's decision has no bearing on that at all". MORE

Morgan shines in England defeat

Eoin Morgan impressed by hitting 71, but England lost to West Indies by 15 runs in their opening Super Eight match of the World Twenty20. The Windies made 179-5 and England slumped to 0-2 in their first over before reaching 164-4. MORE

Sri Lanka claim super-over victory

Sri Lanka claimed a thrilling five-run super-over win over New Zealand in the first Super Eight match of the World Twenty20. New Zealand needed 14 but made eight from their one over to win, after both sides had scored 174. MORE

Wood and Haskell play to impress

Northampton's Tom Wood and Wasps' James Haskell are set to play in tonight's Premiership match between the clubs. Both flankers are fighting for an England place in the autumn international series. MORE

Pardew signs new eight-year contract

Alan Pardew and his back-room staff at Newcastle United yesterday signed eight-year contracts that will keep them with the club until 2020. The length of the new deals for the manager and his No 2, John Carver, are the longest currently in the Premier League. MORE

Gazidis happy with Arsenal's profit

Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis says the club's latest financial results show they "can and will forge our own path to success", after posting group profit before tax of £36.6m in the figures for the year ending 31 May. They are up from the 2011 figures of £14.8m. MORE

Jenas returns to Forest on loan

Tottenham's Jermaine Jenas has joined Nottingham Forest on a one-month loan deal. The 29-year-old midfielder came through the youth ranks at the City Ground before he was sold to Newcastle United for £5m as a teenager in 2002. MORE

Poulter excited for 'vocal' Ryder Cup

Ian Poulter spoke of his excitement ahead of the 39th Ryder Cup. "It's passion like I've never seen before," said Poulter. "I love it. I love that chance to go out there and beat them [USA]. It's going to be vocal, it's going to be intimidating, but it's going to be brilliant."MORE

O'Neill unhappy with Cattermole

Sunderland manager Martin O'Neill has ordered captain Lee Cattermole to clean up his act. He will serve a three-game suspension after being sent off mid-week. "He is obviously very, very sorry, but 'sorry' doesn't help us now," said O'Neill.

Emotional Watson desperate to win

Bubba Watson says he will struggle to keep control of his emotions as the Ryder Cup begins today. "It's going to be challenging because we want to win so bad," said the 33-year-old American. "I'll probably get really excited. I'll need to get some normalcy." MORE

Comment: James Lawton

If Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods collide, McIlroy can show that in his youthful inventions he has surpassed Tiger more than merely in the world rankings. MORE