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Soccer

Journalist apologizes after comparing Barca's Fati to Black street vendor

A Spanish journalist has apologized for comparing Barcelona teenager Ansu Fati to a Black street vendor.

Salvador Sostres explained Thursday in an apology published by Spanish newspaper ABC that he was trying to “praise the beauty of Ansu’s movements” and that he was “deeply sorry for any misunderstanding,” according to a translation by BBC Sport.

Fati, 17, scored and provided an assist in Barcelona’s 5-1 victory over Ferencvaros in the Champions League group stage Tuesday. The goal made him the first player to score twice in the Champions League before turning 18.

But Sostres drew attention away from the impressive performance when he wrote in his match report that Fati was like a “Black street vendor … (who) you suddenly see running” as soon as the police arrive, according to BBC Sport.

Fati’s teammate Antoine Griezmann defended the winger on Twitter after Sostres’ report came to light.

“Ansu is an exceptional boy who deserves respect like any human being,” Griezmann wrote in Spanish, as translated by BBC Sport. “No to racism and no to rudeness.”

NFL

Sources: AB, Buccaneers reach deal on contract

Antonio Brown and the Tampa Bay Buccaneers have reached an agreement on a one-year deal, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter on Friday.

While contract language still has to be finalized and Brown has to pass COVID-19 protocols before he can join the team, Brown is likely to make his Bucs debut in Week 9 against the New Orleans Saints on Nov. 8.

Both sides wanted to complete a deal that reunited Brown with quarterback Tom Brady. The Seattle Seahawks were also in the mix before Brown and the Buccaneers reached an agreement.

2 Related

The Bucs have been banged up at the wide receiver position.

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Marcus Spears reacts to Antonio Brown agreeing to join the Buccaneers.

In July, the NFL announced it had suspended Brown for eight games without pay because of multiple violations of the NFL’s personal conduct policy. Brown is eligible to come off his suspension after Week 8.

Brown, 32, had been the subject of an NFL investigation following an accusation of sexual misconduct at his home by an artist who was working there in 2017. He also pleaded no contest in June to a felony burglary with battery charge and two lesser misdemeanor charges related to a January incident with a moving truck company outside his home in Hollywood, Florida.

The NFL said in July that Brown was directed to continue counseling and treatment. The league also said that any further violations probably would result in harsher discipline.

Information from ESPN’s Jenna Laine and Mike Reiss was used in this report.

Soccer

Bayern's Davies expected to miss 6-8 weeks with ankle ligament injury

Bayern Munich star Alphonso Davies is expected to miss six-to-eight weeks after suffering ankle ligament damage in the early stages of Saturday’s 5-0 win over Eintracht Frankfurt, the team announced.

The 19-year-old Canadian international collapsed on the pitch in the opening minutes at the Allianz Arena in noticeable pain after awkwardly planting his right leg.

“He sustained a ligament injury. One ligament is fully torn, another is partially torn. We reckon he’ll be sidelined for six-to-eight weeks,” Bayern boss Hansi Flick said. “It hurts when a player of this quality is ruled out.”

Davies, who’s lost first-choice left-back duties to Lucas Hernandez this season amid what Flick calls a drop in form, was replaced by the French international in the third minute.

The injury is the latest setback in what’s been a slow start to the campaign for Davies. The winger-turned-full-back has been benched for Hernandez following a stellar breakthrough season in which Davies played a vital role in Bayern’s treble pursuit.

Hernandez, who moved to Bayern in 2019 from Atleti for a club-record €80-million fee, has started three of five matches in the league and the Supercup and DFL Supercup finals. Hernandez also started in Bayern’s resounding midweek Champions League victory over Atletico Madrid.

NFL

Jets' Darnold: Lawrence talk out of my control

FLORHAM PARK, N.J. — In 2017, Sam Darnold was the college player who intrigued the New York Jets’ quarterback-starved fan base. Now Darnold is experiencing that phenomenon from the other side.

As the only winless team, the Jets could be in position to select Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence with the No. 1 pick in the 2021 NFL draft. The speculation among fans and media already is rampant, putting Darnold in an awkward position.

“Yeah, you know, I mean, I have social media,” Darnold said Thursday, addressing the Lawrence hype for the first time. “I’ve seen some of the things, but … Yeah, we’ve got a game to win this week and that’s all we’re worried about.”

Darnold is battling to get back in the lineup after missing two games with a sprained AC joint in his throwing shoulder. He appears to be trending toward a return to the lineup Sunday against the Buffalo Bills (4-2), as both he and coach Adam Gase seemed encouraged by his progress.

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