London in tier 2: You can attend a Premier League match again November 26, 2020 London’s Premier League clubs will be allowed to have up to 2,000 people attend matches from next month, after the capital was placed into Tier 2 Covid restrictions. The new restrictions mean that fans can enter through the turnstiles at their favourite grounds from 3 December. Arsenal’s Europa League fixture against Rapid Vienna next Thursday [...]
Trevor Steven: I feel lucky to have shared a pitch with the greatest footballer of all, Diego Maradona November 26, 2020 My initial reaction when I heard about the death of Diego Maradona was real sadness. I think there was a bit of sadness about his existence too. For all of his footballing genius, he often seemed a troubled soul away from the field. Of course it’s all subjective, but I consider Maradona probably the greatest [...]
Diego Maradona: Hand of God star, football genius and scourge of England dies aged 60 November 25, 2020 Diego Maradona, considered by some to be the greatest footballer of all time, has died, aged 60. Maradona suffered a heart attack at his home in Buenos Aires. The World Cup-winning former Argentina captain was best known to British audiences for the handball goal he dubbed the “Hand of God” against England in 1986. Argentina [...]
How to stage a limited capacity match in the Covid era, from socially distanced seating to ordering drinks November 25, 2020 Sports clubs across England are preparing to host limited-capacity events when lockdown ends next week, but Harlequins are one step ahead. The Premiership rugby club had 2,800 at their home, The Stoop, for a match against Bath in early September, as part of a nationwide pilot scheme. Here, Adrian Wells, chief marketing officer at Harlequins, [...]
Leyton Orient happy to lose money and keep bars closed if to means getting fans back through turnstiles November 25, 2020 Leyton Orient chief executive Danny Macklin says the football club is happy to lose money in order to get fans back into their stadium. Supporters will be allowed to return to live sport in tier 1 and 2 areas when lockdown ends next week, but the restricted numbers mean clubs are unlikely to cover their [...]
Hong Kong Racing Tips: Classic Unicorn can go back-to-back November 24, 2020 WEDNESDAY’S action takes place on the infamous ‘C+3’ course at Happy Valley, well known for its narrow width with the starting stalls only just fitting across the track and short home straight. Past records highlight horses drawn with low numbers have a big advantage over their rivals, especially in five and six furlong races, and [...]
Hong Kong Racing Tips: Hayes and Shinn to keep Fire burning November 24, 2020 IT WAS good to see former Hong Kong champion and Melbourne Cup-winning trainer David Hayes and Australian compatriot jockey Blake Shinn team up with a welcome winner in Harmony N Blessed at Sha Tin last Sunday. The pair have found it tough going since the beginning of the season, with Hayes only having trained six [...]
Hong Kong Racing Tips: Jerry’s Jazz looks smooth over six November 24, 2020 RIDING sensation Jerry Chau looks to be the jockey to follow at Happy Valley on Wednesday. There are numerous professional racing judges in Hong Kong who reckon 20-year-old Chau is the best claiming rider to have come out of the territory in the last 10 years, and it’s easy to see why. Currently lying fifth [...]
Surrey and Harlequins welcome return of fans but warn that capacity limits will lose clubs more money November 24, 2020 Two of English sport’s biggest clubs have welcomed the imminent return of fans but warned that staging matches with restricted capacity is not financially sustainable. Spectators will be able to attend live sport in limited numbers when the country’s second lockdown is lifted on 2 December, it was announced on Monday. The move is a [...]
Pots of money: Here’s how much snooker players can win at the UK Championship November 24, 2020 The UK Championship, the second most lucrative event on the snooker circuit, begins this week. Despite the absence of ticket revenue due to events being played in empty venues, prize money has remained the same. That means the winner will receive £200,000 from a total prize money fund of £1,009,000. Players are guaranteed £6,500 just [...]