By Tim Stannard

1) Barça fume over one-rule-for-one Real Madrid

“Scandalous!”

That was the even measured reaction in one particular Barcelona paper after a beautifully-wrapped Christmas gift for Real Madrid was handed out by the court of arbitration for sport. The Bernabeu outfit will only have to serve a ban in registering players for a single transfer window – the January coming up – as opposed to the two that had been imposed by FIFA in the original punishment for infringements on the recruitment of young players from outside Spain. Barcelona were forced to serve a one-year, two window ban, for similar infractions.

Despite being given the news that the club would be able to go transfer crazy next summer, Madrid were rather mealy-mouthed in their official response to the news. “The decision highlights the injustice of the original ban imposed by FIFA, although the club regrets that the CAS lacked the courage to revoke the ruling entirely,” grumbled the league leaders.

Barcelona president, Josep Maria Bartomeu, announced that he would go away and study the difference between the cases of both his club and Real Madrid before reacting, especially as the same law firm defended both clubs. As yet, there is no word on the fate of Atletico Madrid who are also appealing to CAS against the same FIFA punishment.

2) Bartomeu promises renewed effort to tie down Messi

Sticking on the theme of the Barcelona president, Bartomeu was out and about on Tuesday opining on a number of issues as he attempted to sum up 2016 for the Catalan club. Funnily enough, the renewal of Leo Messi’s contract was the main topic of conversation with the Barca big cheese promising that it was top of the agenda for 2017.

Messi’s deal currently expires in the summer of 2018, but Bartomeu is understandably keen to make sure that does not happen, lest there be pitchforks and burning torches on the streets of the city after Messi leaves for Manchester City for free.

“It’s the will of the club, all Barcelona fans and everyone in football that Messi continues at FC Barcelona,” declared the Barcelona president. Barcelona are live on the channel on Wednesday in the team’s Copa del Rey second leg clash against Hercules. The action starts at 4PM ET / 1PM PT on beIN CONNECT.

3) Griezmann reveals MLS dream

And that cheeky plug – as it were – leads Sports Burst nicely onto the action for Tuesday that is taking place across Europe.

And there is a heck of a lot of it. Spain has five Copa del Rey clashes, including Atletico Madrid hosting Guijuelo on the same day that Antoine Griezmann shared his MLS dream. That clash is on beIN CONNECT from 3PM ET / 12PM PT. Over in Serie A and Atalanta are trying to rediscover the form that made the club the hottest property in Italy for a couple of months. The Bergamo side is live on beIN SPORTS against Empoli from 2:40PM ET / 11:40AM PT. Catch the best action from across Europe on the XTRA from 7PM ET / 4PM PT.

4) Newcastle player hit with five-match ban for racial abuse

Championship leaders, Newcastle United, have been handed quite the blow for the Christmas period with influential midfielder, Jonjo Shelvey, being given a five-match ban and $125,000 fine by the English Football Association for racial abuse. The decision followed allegations that the Newcastle player directed racially abusive language towards Romain Saïss on 17 September in a Championship clash against Wolves at St James’ Park.

5) Petra Kvitova suffers knife attack

Rather disturbing news out of the Czech Republic, with tennis player Petra Kvitova saying that she was “fortunate to be alive” after suffering what she claims to be major injuries to her left hand defending herself against a knife-wielding attacker who attempted to break into her apartment in the eastern Czech town of Prostejov. “The injury is severe and I will need to see specialists,” said the 2011 and 2014 Wimbledon winner on her Facebook page. More details are set to be released on Tuesday.

WHAT IS SPORTS BURST?

The life philosophy of Sports Burst is that if you are not upsetting someone, then you are not trying hard enough. SB is a daily trawl and troll through the morning's sports news to bring you fact-nuggets to make you both smile and swear. Hopefully at the same time.