Embattled FIFA president Sepp Blatter has been stripped of the honorary degree he received from Leicester’s De Montfort University. The Swiss received the honour 10 years ago, but the British higher education establishment revealed that it took the step of removing his title two months ago. A spokesperson for De Montfort University said: “The university has long been concerned by the nature of the allegations, had been closely monitoring events at FIFA, and in October formally withdrew the honorary doctorate in Arts and Humanities awarded to Mr Blatter in 2005.”

Chelsea keeper Thibaut Courtois says new manager Guus Hiddink can get the Blues back up the table. Chelsea lie 15th and sacked manager Jose Mourinho last week. But Courtois told the club’s website: “Hiddink was here before, he did very well and I think he’s a very good manager. “Hopefully together we can climb back up the table and we’re looking forward to starting working with him. “We know we have to react, we’ve started well and have to move forward. Whatever has happened stays in the past and now we want to work hard with the new manager to get a good result against Watford.”

Former boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. posted this on Instagram, a shot of him lying on a blanket of cash. Is this really role model like?

Spain coach Vicente del Bosque plans to retire after next summer’s Euro 2016 finals in France. Former Real Madrid manager Del Bosque, 64, guided Spain to victory at both the 2010 World Cup and the Euro 2012 finals. “My retirement is close. If everything goes according to plan it [Euro 2016] will be the end,” he said. “I am a man of the Federation and I have to speak to them before taking a final decision.” Spain are two-time defending champions having also won Euro 2008 under the late Luis Aragones, Del Bosque’s predecessor. They could become the most successful side in European Championship history if they can win the title for a third consecutive time, and fourth overall, in France next year.

FIFA presidential candidate Tokyo Sexwale has appeared before a US grand jury in New York as part of an on-going investigation into World Cup bribes. He was questioned in relation to an alleged $10m corrupt payment from South Africa to ex-FIFA vice president Jack Warner. Sexwale appeared as a potential witness at the FBI’s request on December 17. He was a member of the bid board that successfully campaigned for his home country to host the 2010 World Cup. A US criminal indictment claims the money was paid to Warner via a FIFA account, disguised as football development cash, in order to secure votes for South Africa’s bid. A grand jury is empowered under US law to investigate potential criminal conduct and determines whether criminal charges should be brought. Sexwale is one of five candidates in the running for the Fifa presidency, with the election taking place on 26 February.

FIFA has confirmed that both Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini have been banned from all football-related activities for eight years with immediate effect. In a statement, FIFA confirmed that “The proceedings against Mr Blatter primarily related to a payment of CHF 2,000,000 transferred in February 2011 from FIFA to Mr Platini. “Mr Blatter, in his position as President of FIFA, authorised the payment to Mr Platini which had no legal basis in the written agreement signed between both officials on 25 August 1999. “Neither in his written statement nor in his personal hearing was Mr Blatter able to demonstrate another legal basis for this payment. His assertion of an oral agreement was determined as not convincing and was rejected by the chamber.” The FIFA ethics committee found Blatter and Platini had demonstrated an “abusive execution” of their positions. “I will fight for me and for FIFA,” Blatter, 79, said at a news conference. Swiss Blatter and 60-year-old Frenchman Platini have also been fined $40,000 and $80,000 respectively. Both men continue to deny wrongdoing and a spokesman for Blatter confirmed he will appeal against the ban and is prepared to take the case to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in Lausanne. Platini is expected to do the same. FIFA boss since 1998, Blatter had already announced he was quitting with a presidential election in February. Platini was tipped as a future leader of football’s world governing body and is a three-time European Footballer of the Year. He is also a former captain of France and has been in charge of UEFA – European football’s governing body – since 2007.

Gareth Bale took home the match ball after his four-goal display in Real Madrid’s 10-2 win over Rayo Vallecano and put it  on top of his Christmas tree. The Wales forward tweeted  to say it was the “perfect Christmas present”.

Gareth Bale scored four goals as Real Madrid hit nine-man Rayo Vallecano for double figures in a remarkable game. Real trailed before Tito’s red card – Danilo putting the hosts ahead before headers from Antonio Amaya and Jozabed. Bale levelled with a header before Raul Baena was sent off in conceding a penalty which Cristiano Ronaldo scored. As the game opened up, Bale added three more, Ronaldo scored a second and Karim Benzema netted a hat-trick – including number 10. Real boss Rafael Benitez has been under pressure after losing three of their last five La Liga games. But it remains to be seen if the farcical circumstances of their win over neighbours Rayo will ease much of that, as they were playing poorly before the sendings off. It was the first time they hit double figures in a La Liga match since 1960, when they beat Elche 11-2. Real remain two points off leaders Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, who both have a game in hand.

Watford profited from Liverpool’s calamitous opening at Vicarage Road to continue their remarkable rise with a fourth consecutive Premier League win. Adam Bogdan dropped a corner with the very first touch of his league debut, allowing Nathan Ake to stab the home side ahead after just three minutes. Odion Ighalo doubled the lead, firing in off the post from a tight angle. And the Nigerian sealed a deserved victory with his 12th of the season, nodding in from Valon Behrami’s cross. The Hornets, promoted from the Championship last term, move to within a point of the Champions League places. Defeat for Jurgen Klopp’s Liverpool, who are now without a win in their last three league games, leaves them ninth – four points behind Quique Flores’ side in seventh.

Saturday 19 Decemeber 2015:

Chelsea 3 – 1 Sunderland

Everton 2 – 3 Leicester

Man Utd 1 – 2 Norwich

Southampton 0 – 2 Tottenham

Stoke 1 – 2 Crystal Palace

West Brom 1 – 2 Bournemouth

Newcastle 1 – 1 Aston Villa

Barcelona won their fifth trophy of 2015 after clinching the FIFA Club World Cup for a third time with a comprehensive victory over River Plate of Argentina. River could not cope with Barca’s Luis Suarez, Lionel Messi and Neymar. Messi scored the opener after returning from a kidney problem when he controlled Neymar’s pass to finish. Suarez latched onto Sergio Busquets’ brilliant ball over the top to double their lead and then added his second with a header from Neymar’s cross. Uruguay striker Suarez finished the tournament with five goals in two games after scoring a hat-trick in the 3-0 semi-final win over Guangzhou Evergrande. Less than a year ago Luis Enrique was reported to be on the verge of being sacked, but the club’s board stuck by him and since then they have won five of the six possible trophies 2015 had to offer. Only a Spanish Super Cup defeat by Athletic Bilbao denied them the chance to match the 2009 sextuple under Pep Guardiola. They are top of La Liga for now [on goal difference from Atletico Madrid, who play later on Sunday], and in the last 16 of the Copa del Rey and Champions League – as they bid to do it all again in 2016.

Tottenham have confirmed that their Cameroon international, Clinton N’jie, has undergone knee surgery. The forward suffered a ligament injury during Spurs’ 4-1 Europa League victory against Monaco earlier this month. Tottenham have not said how long N’jie will be out for. A club statement read: ” Our medical staff will monitor Clinton’s progress during his rehabilitation  to determine when he will be ready to return to training.” Njie, who signed from Lyon on a five-year deal this summer, has made 13 appearances, but is yet to start in the English Premier League for Spurs this season and is also yet to score.

Pep Guardiola is to leave Bayern Munich at the end of the season and will be replaced by Carlo Ancelotti. Guardiola, 44, has been linked with Manchester City, Manchester United, Chelsea and Arsenal. The former Barcelona coach has won two league titles and the German Cup since joining Bayern in summer 2013. Ex-Chelsea boss Ancelotti, 56, has been on a break since being sacked by Real Madrid in May 2015 and has signed a three-year deal with Bayern. The German champions are eight points clear at the top of the Bundesliga and will play Italian club Juventus in the last 16 of the Champions League. “We are grateful to Pep Guardiola for everything he has given our club since 2013,” said Bayern chief executive Karl-Heinz Rummenigge. “I am convinced that Pep and our team will now work even more intensively towards achieving our major sporting goals – especially as it is now confirmed that Pep is to leave FC Bayern.” Ancelotti has won the Champions League three times, twice with AC Milan and once at Real Madrid, and guided Chelsea to the Premier League title and FA Cup in 2010. He recently suggested a preference to return to the English top flight but has instead decided to join Bayern. “Carlo is a calm, balanced expert, who knows how to deal with stars and favours a multifaceted style of play – we were looking for this, and we have found it,” added Rummenigge. “We are looking forward to working with him.” If Ancelotti wins the Bundesliga with Bayern next season, he will become the second coach to have won league titles in four of Europe’s top six leagues.

Former Netherlands boss Guus Hiddink has been appointed interim Chelsea manager until the end of the season following the sacking of Jose Mourinho. The 69-year-old also managed the Blues on a temporary basis for the final three months of the 2008-09 campaign. “I am excited to return,” said the Dutchman. “Chelsea is one of the biggest clubs in the world but is not where it should be at the moment. “However, I am sure we can all turn this season around.” Mourinho was sacked on Thursday with champions Chelsea 16th in the Premier League table, one point above the relegation zone. Hiddink watched Saturday’s visit of Sunderland from the stands, sat next to Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich and former Blues striker Didier Drogba. Coaches Steve Holland and Eddie Newton were in charge of the team for the game against the Black Cats. “It’s a fantastic appointment. I’m very happy about it. This club needs an experienced manager at the helm and Guus Hiddink is clearly that,” said Holland.

Guus Hiddink has arrived in the UK and is currently at a London hotel holding discussions with the Chelsea hierarchy. He is yet to sign a contract, but is leaving that to his advisors while he talks about the technical aspects involved in helping Chelsea out of their perilous position. He will be the new manager on an interim basis.

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Sepp Blatter claimed he “did not violate FIFA’s code of ethics” as the suspended president made his defence to the ethics committee of world football’s governing body on Thursday. The Swiss, 79, is under investigation on suspicion of criminal mismanagement and misappropriation of funds at FIFA, but denies any wrongdoing. He was suspended on 8 October from all football-related activity for 90 days. UEFA chief Michel Platini was banned too – his case will be heard on Friday. “President Blatter looks forward to a decision in his favour, because the evidence requires it,” Blatter’s lawyer Richard Cullen said in a statement. “The evidence demonstrates that President Blatter behaved properly and certainly did not violate FIFA’s code of ethics. This investigation should be closed and the suspension lifted.” The adjudicatory committee intends to announce its verdicts before Christmas, with announcements possible as early as Monday. FIFA is investigating allegations that a £1.35m payment was made in 2011 for work Platini did as Blatter’s adviser. There was no written contract for the payment for the consultation work, which Platini received nine years later. The pair could face seven-year bans from football if found guilty of corruption claims.

Chelsea’s players were not to blame for manager Jose Mourinho’s sacking, says technical director Michael Emenalo. The defending champions are one point above the relegation zone after losing nine of their first 16 Premier League matches this season. Emenalo said there was a “palpable discord between manager and players”. Asked about the role of the squad in Mourinho’s exit, he told Chelsea TV:  “It’s very easy to make that inference but it is not one the club accepts.” Emenalo said the squad consisted of the same group of players who won the league and League Cup “in style” last season while “sweating tears and blood”. He added: “The players have a responsibility to go out and prove everybody wrong and show a commitment to the decision that has been made to try and get the club up the league table. “This club is in trouble and something needed to be done.”

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The Zimbabwe Football Association has fired national team coach Kalisto Pasuwa and disbanded the team’s training camp a month before the African Nations Championship. The move came 12 days into the tenure of new ZIFA president Philip Chiyangwa. BBC Sport understands that Pasuwa was not willing to accept the appointment of Wellington Mpandare as team manager. Mpandare was campaign manager for Chiyangwa for the 5 December ZIFA elections. Pasuwa had been working without a contract and had gone unpaid for five months. He was unbeaten in six games with the senior men’s team, and also qualified the Under-23 team for this year’s African Games. “At an extraordinary meeting of the ZIFA National Executive Committee on 17 December at Harare, it was resolved that the entire technical team for the men’s national team headed by Mr Kalisto Pasuwa be relieved of its duties,” said ZIFA vice president Omega Sibanda in a statement.

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Chelsea captain John Terry says Jose Mourinho’s exit as the Stamford Bridge club’s manager is a “sad, sad day”. Mourinho made Terry skipper aged 23 in 2004 in his first spell as Blues boss. Terry led Chelsea to all three Premier League titles under Mourinho, who was sacked on Thursday, in addition to an FA Cup and three League Cups. “Going to miss you boss. The very best I have ever worked with, unbelievable memories together. Thank you doesn’t seem enough,” Terry said on Instagram  . Since coming through the ranks to make his debut in 1998, Terry has played under 13 managers at Chelsea including Guus Hiddink, Carlo Ancelotti and Rafael Benitez. He was one of Chelsea’s most consistent performers both in Mourinho’s previous reign at the club and then as they won last season’s league title.

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Chelsea have sacked manager Jose Mourinho – just seven months after being crowned Premier League champions. The decision comes after the Blues fell to their ninth defeat of the season in the Premier League, losing 2-1 away at Leicester, who rose to the top of the table – 20 points ahead of the London side. Following the game, the Portuguese said he felt ‘betrayed’ by his players and conceded they would will not finish in the top four this season. The defeat leaves the Blues 16th in the table, having won only four of their opening 16 fixtures, amassing a measly 15 points along the way. Mourinho steadied the ship in his first season back in charge at Stamford Bridge in 2013/14, before bossing a title-winning side last term. It has, however, been a limp defence of their crown, and even a top-four finish seems a long shot at this stage. The Blues have made it to the last-16 in the Champions League, where they will play Paris Saint-Germain, but it has been the champions’ domestic form which has been the undoing of Mourinho.

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