Monday Afternoon: 66th Ballon d'Or Awards Taking Place In Paris This Evening

Real Madrid's Karim Benzema favourite to win

SOCCER

Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema is the strong favourite to win the 66th Ballon d'Or in Paris this evening.

If the Frenchman does win - he will become the second player to claim the trophy outside Messi and Ronaldo in the last 14 ceremonies.

Luka Modric won the trophy in 2018.

Other strong contenders for this year's award include Sadio Mane, Kylian Mbappe and Robert Lewandowski.

Arsenal's Bukayo Saka was the only Premier League star to be nominated.

30min before the ranking reveal...

From where will you be watching?! 👀

Schedule (listed french time)

4.30PM - Start of ranking reveal

6.50PM - Red carpet

8.30PM - Start of the ceremony#ballondor pic.twitter.com/p7khwVgDzM

— Ballon d'Or (@ballondor) October 17, 2022

Manchester United striker Mason Greenwood has been remanded in custody after appearing in court charged with attempted rape.

The England international is also being held on allegations of controlling and coercive behaviour and assault.

Greenwood had an application for bail denied.

All charges relate to the same woman.

=

Manchester City say their team bus was attacked leaving Anfield after their 1-0 loss to Liverpool in the Premier League.

Their rivals are already investigating after coins were thrown from the crowd towards City boss Pep Guardiola.

Liverpool have also condemned visiting supporters who were singing about the Hillsborough disaster at the fixture.

RUGBY

Donadea's Will Connors’ injury nightmare at Leinster continues.

The province have confirmed the flanker will be out for twelve weeks, having required an operation on a bicep injury suffered in the win over the Cell C Sharks.

🏉 | Leo Cullen has issued an injury update ahead of Saturday's clash with Munster Rugby.

📰 | Read the full update: https://t.co/srmxtj2yP9#LEIvMUN #FromTheGroundUp pic.twitter.com/sZMV4l0EpK

— Leinster Rugby (@leinsterrugby) October 17, 2022

Ronan Kelleher and Harry Byrne will both be out for up to eight weeks with hamstring injuries.

Meanwhile, Jack Conan, James Ryan and Josh van der Flier are all doubts for Saturday’s game with Munster due to respective eye, knee and ankle problems.

=

Wasps’ English Premiership Cup match against Sale tomorrow has been cancelled.

The Coventry based club have been suspended from all competitions because of financial problems.

Their owners says they're likely to enter administration, which would mean they would join Worcester in being relegated from top flight

CRICKET

Ireland were defeated by Zimbabwe in their opening group match at the ICC Men's T20 World Cup.

Zimbabwe set a target of 175 after they were put out to bat first in Hobart.

Ireland could only reach 143 for 9 and lost by 31 runs.

Irish captain Andrew Balbirnie spoke to Sky Sports after the defeat:

Ireland play Scotland on Wednesday and the West Indies on Friday.