Paper Round: Cristiano Ronaldo and Jose Mourinho deny claims they hid millions in tax havens

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho's agent has denied he is part of a tax avoidance scheme that reportedly involves some of the biggest names in football, and which involved more than £100 million. The Sun says that Mourinho has denied his involvement with a scheme that is said to involve Radamel Falcao, Cristiano Ronaldo, Mesut Ozil, Jorge Mendes and many more prominent players. Gestifute, Joges Mendes' company representing Ronaldo and Mourinho, described the tale in a French newspaper as "unfounded allegations".

Paper Round's view: There is little to be gained by speculating on the truth of the specific rumours, but it would be naive to think that football will not be as aggressive in its tax avoidance as any other cash-soaked industry. We know that HMRC has clamped down on footballers in England and Glasgow Rangers in Scotland using artificial ruses to cut their tax bill. We can assume that other schemes will be in existence across the world. It remains to be seen if these allegations stand up to scrutiny.

Derek Richardson, who played for Chelsea's youth team, has alleged that scout Eddie Heath preyed on youngsters. Southampton are working with police to work through allegations about their own club, and there is police activity in Kent and the West Midlands regarding the scandal. The Football Association produced a video including Wayne Rooney and others, explaining how people can raise concerns if they have any worries about people working in football, in order to prevent similar abuse.

Paper Round's view: It would no longer be shocking if more allegations of abuse came as the story gains more attention, and people feel more comfortable speaking out. The FA and clubs appear to be working sensibly to investigate the matter. We can only hope this is the case with more revelations sure to further stain the national sport.

The Daily Express report that Alan Pardew could be about to depart his role as Crystal Palace manager. Pardew admitted that he is under pressure: "The chairman and the board here have been fantastically supportive, but this club is in crisis, and we need to get through that," he said. Pardew spoke to his players in a consultation over a change to tactics and to training, and the board are expected to see if it has an effect this weekend when they take on Southampton.

Paper Round's view: Pardew has a history of overseeing long, fruitless runs of form with his teams. He didn't turn it around at West Ham, and lost his job. At Newcastle United, he seemed to only get an improvement once the players realised Mike Ashley wasn't going to sack him. Palace players must know that if they want rid of Pardew they can continue to underperform (whoever's fault that is), but perhaps the teamtalk has made the difference this time.

Having endured a season of Lewis Hamilton chasing after him, and a final race of the season where Hamilton ignored team orders to attempt to trip him up and deny him the world title, Nico Rosberg has retired from Formula 1. Rosberg has said he, "climbed his mountain", quotes the Guardian, with his first title win, and will not race again. Mercedes are rumoured to be considering replacing him with Max Verstappen, Fernando Alonso, Daniel Riccardio, Sebastian Vettel.

Paper Round's view: Rosberg was not a man for whom winning titles became a habit. As Lewis Hamiton pointedly said, it was the first he'd won in 18 years. To that end, to Rosberg it would feel a natural time to stop racing and spend more time with his family. Others, like Hamilton, are used to success and will find it harder to walk away. The question is now whether Hamilton will be as combative with or tested by his new partner.