The Sports Matrix: Wednesday 18 January 2012

Mancini card antics earn rebuke from fellow managers

Roberto Mancini's habit of waving imaginary cards at officials has drawn the ire of his fellow Premier League managers, with Mick McCarthy yesterday joining Wigan's Roberto Martinez in condemning his actions. Manchester City manager Mancini waved his hand to signify a red card following Maynor Figueroa's deliberate hand-ball during City's 1-0 victory at the DW Stadium on Monday, an action which the Football Association considers unsportsmanlike.

"None of us should do it," Wolves manager McCarthy declared yesterday. "It is something I don't like. There is a cultural difference. Roberto is in this country now. It is a little blip on a really good career because he handles himself with such good dignity and grace. I wouldn't expect him to do it to one of my players. It looks bad and I'm sure if it's pointed out, [he] won't do it again." Martinez also criticised the action following Monday's match.

Meanwhile, wantaway City striker Carlos Tevez is expected to attract a £25m bid from French side Paris St-Germain, amid continued interest from Real Madrid and Italian sides Juventus, Internazionale and Milan. MORE

Ajmal on song as Pakistan start well

Saeed Ajmal took career-best figures of 7 for 55 as Pakistan took the early initiative on the opening day of the first Test with England in Dubai. The spinner helped restrict the tourists to 192 before Pakistan ended on 42 without loss, 150 runs behind. MORE

Murray stumbles through opener

Andy Murray's Melbourne campaign got off to a stuttering start, the No 4 seed forced to recover from a set down to beat American teenager Ryan Harrison 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-2. The Scot plays Frenchman Edouard Roger-Vasselin in the second round tomorrow.  MORE

Gabbidon header sets up Chelsea tie

Danny Gabbidon's header earned QPR a fourth-round tie with Chelsea, but Mark Hughes's side were made to work hard by MK Dons in last night's third-round replay. Bolton eased past Macclesfield 2-0 thanks to goals from Kevin Davies and Martin Petrov. MORE

Foxes and Lions make it through

Leicester City and Millwall both enjoyed heavy replay victories to make the fourth round. Leicester thrashed Nottingham Forest 4-0 to set up a tie with Swindon, while Millwall eased past Dagenham & Redbridge 5-0 and will now host Southampton. MORE

Williams continue Senna family affair

The Williams team will once again have a Senna sporting their colours this season, after choosing Bruno, nephew of the late Ayrton, to race for them in 2012. "I feel very privileged," the 28-year-old said. "I hope I can write a good chapter in their history." MORE

Home comforts suit Shakes-Drayton

Londoner Perri Shakes-Drayton says she is relishing having the Olympics on her own doorstep this summer. "It's good for my area," the hurdler tells i. "I'm glad that it's come, of all places in London, to east London. It's exciting, I just want to be part of it." MORE

Lancaster may not last Six Nations

Caretaker coach Stuart Lancaster may not be given the whole of the Six Nations to build his case to become full-time England coach. Senior figures at the Rugby Football Union have said an appointment could be made as early as the end of next month. MORE

Newcastle sign £8m striker Cisse

Newcastle United have agreed an £8m deal to sign Senegal forward Papiss Cissé from SC Freiburg. The 26-year-old has undergone a medical, and personal terms were agreed late last night to allow the striker to join his countrymen at the African Nations Cup. MORE

Opinion: James Lawton

What Saeed Ajmal did was to suggest we may be in the middle of one of the most astonishing developments anywhere in world sport. This is the rebirth of a great cricket nation, under new captain Misbah-ul-Haq. MORE