Justice – at last.

Let’s get on with the sports stories of the week

YOU CAN’T PROVE A NEGATIVE

Although Rafa Nadal is damn well trying. I’ve heard Nadal drugs rumours for years, but he’s going all out to show his innocence. The problem is that, as ever, you can’t prove you haven’t ever taken something. The doubters will never be convinced. So we end up in game theory – would someone go so far releasing documents etc if they were guilty of drug taking? Or is that the double-bluff they want you to believe? (FWIW, I’m a believer in Nadal.)

MARATHON (NOT A SPRINT)

What’s more likely? Running a negative split or hitting the wall? John Burn-Murdoch and I run the numbers.

When coming last ain’t so bad.

FOOTBALL MANAGEMENT

Is rotation bad? As the Guardian reports, the lessons of Tottenham and Leicester this season suggest it’s certainly over-rated.

Are football managers done at 40? Simon Kuper makes an interesting case.

DIVING

A few weeks ago we looked at the greatest football sin: diving. But sometimes you just have to admire it, as Vice does here over Vidal’s “sublime” moment against Werder Bremen.

BREXIT

Might Euro 2016 swing the referendum vote?

NFL: HAVE LAWYER WILL TRAVEL

The Raiders to move to Las Vegas. What could go wrong? As Quartz points out, the Oakland Raiders, one of the most litigious franchises in pro sports, is in serious discussions to move to Las Vegas and play in a new dome financed by Las Vegas Sands, the casino company run by Sheldon Adelson – one of the most litigious executives in the business world. Fun.

STEPHEN CURRY

There’s a lot to say about Curry. Here are two takes: The Cauldron sums up the on-court stuff, suggesting he is to three-pointers as Babe Ruth was to home runs – a big comparison. And off-court, he’s endorsement gold – because people relate to him.

BLOWS TO THE HEAD

Here’s an idea: want to make American football safer? Ban helmets during practice. The WashPo makes a good argument.

PRINCE

God he was good, wasn’t he? He even hijacked a Super Bowl press conference. A great I-was-there story via Forbes.

PAY DAY

In the US, the players on the World Cup-winning US women’s national soccer team earn less money than their counterparts on the men’s national team. As the NYTimes reports, it’s a complicated situation.  The thing is, can you even imagine a similar discussion in Europe?

THE STRANGE ENGLISH FAN AS SEEN FROM THE US

The NYTimes looks at one fan’s quest to join the 92 Club – those who have watched a match in every stadium of the top four football divisions.

STRANGE QUESTION

Who was the first footballer to be worth their weight in gold?

Bye.