Wednesday cannon fodder: Mesmerizing, long overdue

Finally. Edgar Martinez is Officially a Hall of Famer - Lookout Landing
NOT SOCCER DON’T CARE
The tenth time’s the charm — #EdgarHOF is a reality!

Cardiff City’s Emiliano Sala was on missing plane, French authorities say | Football | The Guardian
Emiliano Sala, the Argentinian footballer who signed for Cardiff City last Saturday, was on a plane that disappeared near the Channel Islands.

Ronaldo agrees to pay €19m fine to settle tax fraud case | Football | The Guardian
Juventus footballer pleads guilty after agreeing to fine and suspended sentence in Madrid court.

Tottenham’s Dele Alli set to miss at least six weeks with hamstring strain | Football | The Guardian
Dele Alli has been ruled out for at least six weeks with a hamstring strain.

Ronaldo accepts €18.8m deal over tax evasion - BBC News
The football superstar has signed a deal with Spanish prosecutors that will spare him jail time.

Usain Bolt signals professional football dream is over: 'It was fun while it lasted'
It's the end of an era; the only question now is which club gets the statue.

Barcelona news: 'If Messi doesn't deserve the Ballon d'Or I know nothing about football' – Atletico Madrid's Filipe Luis | Goal.com
Atletico Madrid full-back Filipe Luis has weighed in on the 2018 Ballon d'Or debate, insisting that Lionel Messi should have scooped the award ahead of Luka Modric.

For Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Year 2 with LA Galaxy is about unfinished business | MLSsoccer.com
Zlatan has some work to do.

Police vowed to close Hillsborough tunnel to stop crushes, court told | UK news | The Guardian
Leppings Lane entrance kept open at 1989 FA Cup semi-final despite previous assurances.

Marc Skinner: ‘Orlando Pride are mesmerising. It’s a different level’ | Football | The Guardian
The young manager is relishing working with global stars such as Marta and Alex Morgan in the NWSL.

Scottish Premiership is tight at the top … but is there really a title race? | Ewan Murray | Football | The Guardian
Three points separate the leading four clubs but the managers of Kilmarnock and Aberdeen have dismissed claims their sides can challenge Celtic.