Basketball superstar LeBron James has come out fighting after Swedish football legend Zlatan Ibrahimovic told him to stay out of politics.

Ibrahimovic said in a TV interview sports figures like James should not get involved as "it doesn't look good". James fired back: "I will never shut up about things that are wrong." Pointing out Ibrahimovic's own past complaints about racism in Sweden, James said: "I'm kinda the wrong guy to actually go at... I do my homework."

The two are megastars in their respective sports.

Ibrahimovic, in an interview with UEFA and Discovery+ in Sweden, criticised the political activism of sports stars. "Do what you're good at. Do the category that you do. I play football because I'm the best at playing football, I'm no politician. If I'd been a politician, I would be doing politics.

"This is the first mistake famous people do when they become famous and come into a certain status. For me it is better to avoid certain topics and do what you're best at doing, because otherwise it doesn't look good." James's response after his LA Lakers beat the Portland Trail Blazers was unequivocal. "I would never shut up about things that are wrong," he said.

"I preach about my people and I preach about equality, social injustice, racism, systematic voter suppression, things that go on in our community. There's no way I would ever just stick to sports, because I understand how powerful this platform and my voice is."

James also appeared confused at Ibrahimovic's statements, as the football star has regularly spoken out against racism. He said: "He's the guy who said in Sweden, he was talking about the same things, because his last name wasn't a [raditional Swedish last name, he felt like there was some racism going on when he was out on the pitch."

Ibrahimovic did indeed in 2018 tell French broadcaster Canal+ he did not receive the same treatment as other Swedish athletes, saying: "This is about racism. I don't say there is racism, but I say there is undercover racism." But he has also had to defend himself, particularly after certain comments to Romelu Lukaku in a heated exchange in January's derby with Inter Milan.

For his part James has faced criticism for his political activism before. He clashed with then President Donald Trump over the act of kneeling to protest against systemic racism. Fox News journalist Laura Ingraham told him to "shut up and dribble".

Zlatan Ibrahimovic, 39, is an ex-Sweden international who has played in the top division of seven countries in a career that started more than two decades ago. He has won more than 30 trophies, scored more than 500 career goals and is still going strong in the top leagues at 39 - now back with AC Milan. Before that he was with the Galaxy in Los Angeles – James's current home town.

LeBron, 36, is widely considered one of the greatest players in NBA history.

He has won the NBA title with three different franchises - the Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat and Los Angeles Lakers - and has been the finals MVP for all of them.

The Manchester Met Mystics put on a perfect performance on defence and offence this evening, as they beat the Newcastle Eagles by 23 points to reach the WBBL Trophy Semi-Finals.

The Eagles led 6-2 two minutes into the first quarter, but after two consecutive shots made by the Mystics to tie the game, the home side did not lead again throughout the entire game as the visitors pulled away.

Ebony Horton started off the bench for the Mystics, but that did not stop her from dropping a joint game high of 19, while the visitors’ captain Georgia Jones managed 15 points, seven rebounds, four assists and three steals in a dominating performance which definitely inspired her team to victory.

Sophia Song and Nicolette Fong Lyew Quee also reached double-figures for scoring, dropping 11 and 10 points respectively and getting five rebounds each, while Hannah Shaw’s eight points and seven rebounds also proved crucial in helping the Mystics control the game.

Eagles forward Alison Gornell was the other player to reach 19 points, and she also put up five rebounds and five assists for her team, while Maddy McVicar also reached double figures as she dropped 10 and added four rebounds and three assists.

Orieoma Chukwu-Etu managed a game-high for rebounding with 12 to accompany her six points on her stat-line, with Deborah Rodriguez Perez the closest Eagle to reaching that tally of rebounds, managing six.

Birmingham 2022 released the latest version of the competition schedule for the Commonwealth Games, the biggest multi-sport event to be staged in the UK for a decade with new information including the start and finish times for all 286 sessions of the Games, plus information about when the 283 gold medals that are up for grabs will be won.

The sporting action will start in style on Friday 29 July with medal sessions on the first day confirmed for swimming, track cycling, gymnastics and triathlon, all sports in which the host nation has reigning Commonwealth champions.

Last year organisers confirmed that more medals will be awarded to women than men for the first time ever at a major multi-sport event and Sunday August 7 will be a showcase for women’s team sport in particular, with the medal matches for women’s hockey, cricket T20 and netball all taking place on the same day.

Nigel Huddleston, Minister for Sport, Tourism and Heritage said: "There will be a series of stand-out sessions in this exciting sports programme, not least the fantastic showcase of women's team sport with hockey, netball and T20 cricket gold medals all being won on the same day. The Birmingham Commonwealth Games will provide some of the most memorable moments in what is set to be an incredible year of celebration for the UK in 2022." The final day of competition will be held on Monday 8 August when gold medals will be awarded in diving, table tennis, badminton, squash and hockey – also sports where Team England has previously excelled, so it could be a magic Monday finish for the home nation.

The ceremonies team will be most in demand on Tuesday 2 August when nine sports will award medals and Sunday 7 August when the medallists in eleven different sports will be decided. The new schedule, which has been finalised following detailed conversations with Games Partners, international federations and broadcasters, has been added to the Birmingham 2022 website, with a dedicated new section allowing eager sports fans to start planning their visit to the West Midlands for the Games.

Chief Executive of Birmingham 2022, Ian Reid, said: “We’re on track to stage a magnificent edition of the Commonwealth Games and we have seen huge interest in tickets in recent weeks. Now more than ever, people are searching for something to look forward to and that is certainly what we will deliver. There are millions of sports fans out there who, because of the pandemic, have not been able to attend events for 12 months and with things moving in the right direction, and vaccines being rolled out, we are anticipating a huge amount of interest when our tickets go on sale later in the year.”

Ama Agbeze, Team England gold medallist and Chair of the Birmingham 2022 Athletes’ Advisory Committee, explained what the new schedule means for the 4,500 athletes that will be looking to compete in Birmingham: “The competition schedule for the Games is really taking shape – not only do we now know which sports will take place on each day but we also know the number of sessions and when those all-important medals will be decided.

“This will make the Games even more real for all of the athletes looking to compete at Birmingham 2022, plus it provides the teams with key information to help them plan and prepare.”

Birmingham 2022 will be the first time that women’s cricket T20 has featured at a Commonwealth Games and Edgbaston, one of the world’s greatest cricket grounds, will host matches at 11am and 6pm during the early stages of the tournament. Smithfield in the centre of the city, which is being transformed for the Games will come alive in the afternoon and evening with beach volleyball sessions starting at 2.30pm and 7pm and with basketball 3x3 and wheelchair basketball 3x3 matches from 3.30pm and 7.30pm.

Leader of Birmingham City Council, Councillor Ian Ward, said: “The publication of this version of the competition schedule really does illustrate how much will be going on in the city during the 11 days of action. It also highlights the breadth and variety of amazing venues we have including the world-famous Edgbaston Stadium, the city centre showcase at Smithfield, the beautiful surrounds of Sutton Park and the redeveloped Alexander Stadium. Birmingham will provide a brilliant stage for the best of Commonwealth sport.”

The busiest venue during the Games will be the brand-new Sandwell Aquatics Centre with 66 medal events in swimming, para swimming, and diving being held in the state-of-the-art facility. The venue which is on track to be completed in spring next year, will be in use for all 11 days of competition.

Dame Louise Martin DBE, CGF President said: “This is another significant milestone as we move closer to Birmingham 2022. We are fortunate to showcase two full weekends of world-class sport, with the event featuring the largest para sport programme in Commonwealth Games history with an unprecedented platform for women’s sport.

“It is a huge source of pride for everyone in the Commonwealth Sport Movement that Birmingham 2022 will be the first major multi-sport event to have more medals for women than men, providing a huge boost for women’s sport. After such a difficult period, I am delighted Birmingham 2022 is unveiling this exciting schedule today, to give Commonwealth athletes and fans a spectacular competition to look forward to.”

Team England Chef de Mission for Birmingham 2022, Mark England OBE, added: “Today’s announcement of the Birmingham 2022 session schedule is incredibly exciting for us as the host team. We plan to be medal competitive from Day 1 and deliver inspiring moments throughout the 11 days of competition. This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Team England athletes to perform on their home stage in Birmingham will, I’ve no doubt, provide countless memorable moments for the home support.”

England succumbed to a 10-wicket defeat against India inside two days of an astonishing third Test in Ahmedabad.

On a scarcely believable day when both sides collapsed and 17 wickets fell in two sessions, India completed the quickest Test win since 1935 not long into the final session.

England began the day with a thrilling fightback, turning India's overnight 99-3 into 145 all out. But, faced with a first-innings deficit of 33, England were bowled out for 81 as India's spinners ran riot once again.

In a frenzied start to their second innings, England lost Zak Crawley and Jonny Bairstow within three balls - both bowled by Axar Patel. Ben Stokes and Joe Root briefly calmed the raucous atmosphere but their dismissals in consecutive overs sparked a sorry procession to England's lowest Test total in India.

Spinners were responsible for every wicket to fall on the day - and 28 of the 30 in the match - Joe Root taking 5-8 in the first session, Axar 5-32 and Ravichandran Ashwin 4-48, including his 400th Test scalp. India cruised to their target of 49 inside eight overs, an incredible game wrapped up before the floodlit conditions of a day-night Test could have an impact.

A victorious India captain Virat Kohli said: "The result went our way but the quality of batting wasn't at all up to standard by both teams. We were 100-3 and hoping to get more than we needed. There was a lack of application from both sides." England captain Joe Root said: "We won the toss and batted first, but we didn't capitalise on that. We could have got 250, which would have been a good total. We don't define ourselves on a performance like that."

Victory give India, who lost the first Test, an unassailable 2-1 lead in the series with one match to play and ended England's hopes of qualifying for the World Test Championship final this summer.

British Athletics can confirm six athletes have been added to the Great Britain and Northern Ireland team for the 2021 European Athletics Indoor Championships, Toruń, Poland (4-7 March) following European Athletics’ acceptance of nominations for unqualified field event athletes.

Emily Borthwick [high jump], Joel Khan [high jump], Morgan Lake [high jump], Charlie Myers [pole vault], Jazmin Sawyers [long jump] and Amelia Strickler [shot put] all join the British team.

However, Elliot Giles has withdrawn from the Great Britain and Northern Ireland team. Following team selection, Giles and his coach have decided to withdraw from the Championships to focus on his next training block to prepare for the start of the outdoor season and the upcoming Tokyo Olympic Games.

Emily Borthwick and Morgan Lake join the women’s high jump field. Lake moved to joint third in the 2021 European rankings after clearing 1.96m in Belgrade on Wednesday, which doubled as an Olympic qualifying standard.

Borthwick cleared a personal best of 1.87m at the British Athletics European Indoor Selection Trials in Loughborough at the weekend. She will make her debut in a senior British team in Poland.

In the men’s equivalent, 2020 British champion Joel Khan also earns his first call-up to a senior British squad. The Worcester athlete improved his PB by 5cm at the British Athletics event last weekend, clearing 2.23m, and will look to continue that form as he takes on the best in Europe next week.

The women’s long jump will have double British representation following the acceptance of Jazmin Sawyers’ nomination. Abigail Irozuru was selected on Monday and will now be joined by her compatriot in the line-up for Toruń. In Belgrade, Sawyers achieved her longest leap indoors since 2017; 6.50m.

Amelia Strickler earns a call-up for her second European Indoor Championships in the women’s shot put. Additionally, Charlie Myers takes his place in the team for the men’s pole vault. Unfortunately, British Athletics’ nomination for Scott Lincoln in the shot put was not accepted.

The world’s sports media have cast their votes and the nominees for the 22nd annual Laureus World Sports Awards have been revealed. The greatest sportsmen, sportswomen and teams will discover in the next few months if they have won a prestigious Laureus Statuette. This year the Laureus Awards will not be presented at an open ceremony, but individually to winners due to the continuing global pandemic. The winners will be announced in May as part of a ‘Virtual’ Awards event.

The Awards will reflect a unique year of sport when athletes used their platforms to instil hope, influence change in society and prove that sport can change the world for the better. While celebrating the highest sporting achievements, this year’s Laureus Awards will also honour those whose actions have transcended the court, track or field of play.

Former winners Lewis Hamilton and Rafael Nadal have been nominated again for the Laureus World Sportsman of the Year Award. In 2020 Hamilton won a record-equalling seventh Formula One World Championship and Nadal won his 20th Grand Slam to tie Roger Federer. Also nominated are NBA super star LeBron James of the Los Angeles Lakers, Robert Lewandowski of Bayern Munich, winner of the Best FIFA Men’s Player award, and two hopeful Olympians – Uganda’s Joshua Cheptegei, who broke both the 5,000 and 10,000 metres world records, and Sweden’s Armand Duplantis, who created new outdoor and indoor pole vault world records.

Reflecting on his nomination, Lewis said: “It’s an honour to have been nominated for ‘Sportsman of the Year’ alongside some truly incredible athletes. When I look back at the award ceremony last year, it’s hard to believe just how much has changed. 2020 was a difficult year for so many people, for many different reasons and of course the world of sport was hugely affected. I was fortunate enough to be able to race and I’m so proud of what we, as a team, were able to achieve together. I’m even prouder of the journey we began towards making the motorsport industry more diverse and inclusive. Nelson Mandela was the inspiration behind Laureus and I’m sure he would support everything we can do, to use sport to achieve a greater good.”

On his nomination, Robert Lewandowski said: “I have been working so hard for many, many years to reach the point I did in 2020 and I am grateful that the world’s media acknowledged that. I was honoured to win the FIFA Best Player Award and now to be nominated for this Laureus Award is special. I know that Lionel Messi is the only team player to win, and he had to share it with Lewis Hamilton, so maybe I can go one better. Thank you to the hundreds of members of the international sports media who voted for me. It is a great honour for me.”

Australian Open champion, Naomi Osaka, winner of the Laureus Breakthrough Award in 2019, is nominated for the Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year Award, after her second US Open win in September. Also short-listed are Holland’s Anna van der Breggen, who won both road race and time trial at the World Cycling Championships, Italy’s Federica Brignone, skiing’s World Cup winner, Kenya’s Brigid Kosgei, winner of the London Marathon, Wendie Renard, captain of Lyon who won a fifth straight Women’s Champions League, and basketball’s Breanna Stewart, who led Seattle Storm to the WNBA Championship.

Reacting to her nomination, Osaka said: "It is an honour to once again be nominated for a Laureus Award by the world's media. For me this is special because Laureus sees the big picture – not just sport on the court or the pitch, but how it can help young people around the world. This is a time that sport can make a big difference in so many ways and really help to change the world."

Football’s Bayern Munich, winners of the Champions League, and Liverpool, who won their first English Premier League title for 30 years, are nominated for the Laureus World Team of the Year Award, along with NBA champions the Los Angeles Lakers, Formula One constructors’ champions Mercedes AMG-Petronas, the Kansas City Chiefs, who won the 2020 Super Bowl, and the Argentina Men’s Rugby Team.

The nominations for the Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year Award include some of the most incredible young sporting talent to make an impact in 2020. Slovenia’s Tadej Pogacar, 21, became the youngest rider in a century to win the Tour de France, Barcelona’s Ansu Fati, 17, is Spain’s youngest ever goalscorer, while his fellow Spaniard Joan Mir, 23, won his first Moto GP World Championship. Poland’s Iga Swiatek, 19, won the French Open to become the youngest women’s singles champion at Roland Garros since Monica Seles in 1992, while Austria’s Dominic Thiem, 27, won his first ever Grand Slam at the US Open. Patrick Mahomes led Kansas City Chiefs to their first Super Bowl win in 50 years.

The Laureus World Comeback of the Year Nominees personify the true spirit, determination and tenacity of athletes who have overcome hurdles to return to action. Top women’s skier Mikaela Shiffrin came back from a break following her father’s death to start winning again, Japan’s Kento Momota, badminton’s world No 1, returned to competition after surviving a serious car crash, Canada’s Max Parrot recovered from cancer to win two X-Games snowboarding gold medals, Alex Smith came back to play for Washington in the NFL 728 days and 17 operations after a leg injury, baseball’s Daniel Bard returned to top level pitching after a seven-year hiatus due to ‘yips’, and US football star Alex Morgan made her debut for London club Tottenham just 184 days after giving birth.

For the first time ever, three Sport for Development programmes have been shortlisted alongside the Nominees for the Laureus Awards, reflecting the outstanding contribution made by grassroots sports organisations throughout the Covid-19 Pandemic. In contention for the Laureus Sport for Good Award are; Boxgirls Kenya, a programme using boxing to empower at-risk girls in underserved slum communities in Nairobi; Fundación Colombianitos, a Colombian organisation using football and rugby to promote education and bridge gender gaps and KICKFORMORE, a football organisation that encourages participants to make positive contributions in their communities in Germany.

As well as recognising the most memorable sporting performances to have taken place in 2020, despite the disruption caused by the coronavirus pandemic, this year there will be additional special Laureus Awards acknowledging the wider impact on society made by athletes.

The Awards will tell the inspirational stories of people who have worked tirelessly to combat the pandemic, and will highlight the advocacy of sportsmen and sportswomen who have used their positions of influence to make a powerful impact on issues and conflicts which transcend sport.

Sean Fitzpatrick, Chair of the Laureus World Sports Academy, whose 68 members vote for the winners of the Awards, said: “After a challenging year, we are more determined than ever to ensure that Laureus honours the men and women who made such an effort to return to sport, in many cases in a very different environment and without spectators. They gave everybody an emotional lift at a difficult time.

“As Academy Members, we are also proud to see the three shortlisted Sport for Good Award programmes among these high achieving athletes. Working in often challenging circumstances in disadvantaged communities around the world, these programmes showcase the best of sport, and they have all done so well to continue using sport as a tool for social change in the face of adversity.”

In view of the significantly reduced amount of activity which took place in some sports in 2020, the Laureus World Sportsperson of the Year with a Disability Award and the Laureus World Action Sportsperson of the Year Award will not be presented, although sports from these categories will be recognised elsewhere in the Awards show.

List of nominees for Laureus World Sports Awards 2021:

Laureus World Sportsman of the Year Award

Joshua Cheptegei (Uganda) Athletics – broke both 5,000 and 10,000 metres world records in 2020
Armand Duplantis (Sweden) Athletics – broke outdoor and indoor pole vault world record in 2020
Lewis Hamilton (UK) Motor Racing – won record-equalling seventh Formula One World Championship
LeBron James (USA) Basketball – LA Lakers star, won his fourth NBA title and fourth Finals MVP award
Robert Lewandowski (Poland) Football – 55 goals as Bayern Munich won Champions League, Bundesliga
Rafael Nadal (Spain) Tennis – won 13th French Open; his 20th career Grand Slam to equal Roger Federer

Laureus World Sportswoman of the Year Award

Anna van der Breggen (Netherlands) Cycling – won both road race and time trial at World Championships
Federica Brignone (Italy) Skiing – first Italian woman to win Overall World Cup; also Combined and G. Slalom
Brigid Kosgei (Kenya) Athletics – won rescheduled London Marathon by more than three minutes
Naomi Osaka (Japan) Tennis – won second US Open in 2020, her third career Grand Slam, at age 22
Wendie Renard (France) Football – captain of Lyon who won a fifth straight Women’s Champions League
Breanna Stewart (USA) Basketball – led Seattle Storm to WNBA Championship; won Finals MVP award

Laureus World Team of the Year Award

Argentina Men's Rugby Team - first ever win over three-time world champions the All Blacks
Bayern Munich (Germany) Football – won Champions League, Bundesliga, German Cup under Hansi Flick
Kansas City Chiefs (USA) American Football – won the Super Bowl for the first time since 1970
Liverpool (UK) Football – under Jurgen Klopp won first English Premier League title for 30 years
Los Angeles Lakers (USA) Basketball – inspired by LeBron James, won their 17th NBA Championship
Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team (Germany) – record 7th consecutive Constructors’ Championship

Laureus World Breakthrough of the Year Award

Ansu Fati (Spain) Football – at 17, became youngest scorer for Spain and in El Clasico for Barcelona
Patrick Mahomes (USA) American Football – at 24, led Kansas City Chiefs to first Super Bowl win in 50 years
Joan Mir (Spain) Motor Cycling – at 23, won his first Moto GP World Championship
Tadej Pogacar (Slovenia) Cycling – at 21, became the youngest rider in a century to win the Tour de France
Iga Swiatek (Poland) Tennis – at 19, became the youngest French Open winner since 1992
Dominic Thiem (Austria) Tennis – won first ever Grand Slam at US Open; reached final of Australian Open

Laureus World Comeback of the Year Award

Daniel Bard (USA) Baseball – successful return to top level after not pitching for seven years because of ‘yips’
Kento Momota (Japan) Badminton – world No 1 returned to competition after surviving serious car crash
Alex Morgan (USA) Football – debut for London club Tottenham just 184 days after giving birth
Max Parrot (Canada) Snowboarding – recovered from cancer to win two X-Games gold medals in 2020
Mikaela Shiffrin (USA) Skiing – came back from break following father’s death to start winning again
Alex Smith (USA) American Football – back for Washington 728 days and 17 operations after leg injury

Laureus Sport for Good Award

Boxgirls Kenya Boxing – supports and empowers at-risk girls in underserved slum communities in Nairobi
Fundación Colombianitos (Colombia) Football & Rugby – bridges gender gaps and promotes education through sport
KICKFORMORE (Germany) Football – empowers youth to make positive contributions in their communities