Record ban for Wigan’s Flower October 14, 2014 WIGAN prop Ben Flower was handed the longest ban in Super League history yesterday following his Grand Final dismissal for punching St Helens’ Lance Hohaia. The 26-year-old will serve a six-month suspension until 14 April, which includes 10 Super League matches as well as the World Club Series clash with Brisbane Broncos. Hohaia accepted a [...]
Exclusive: Hodgson made to look stupid in Sterling row, says Verheijen October 14, 2014 RENOWNED fitness guru Raymond Verheijen has branded England boss Roy Hodgson “stupid” for dismissing medical evidence which suggests explosive players such as Raheem Sterling require a two-day recovery period after matches. Liverpool winger Sterling has been at the centre of a club versus country storm since complaining of fatigue ahead of England’s Euro 2016 qualifier [...]
Steenkamps called £20,000 Pistorius offer blood money October 14, 2014 PARALYMPIC star Oscar Pistorius offered to pay his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp’s family more than £20,000 as compensation for killing her, a court heard yesterday in Pretoria, South Africa. The Steenkamps rejected the payment, calling it “blood money”, probation officer Annette Vergeer told a hearing to determine Pistorius’s sentence for culpable homicide. Vergeer added that Pistorius [...]
O’Shea heroics seal Irish draw October 14, 2014 VETERAN defender John O’Shea marked a century of caps by scoring a last-gasp equaliser as Ireland secured a share of the spoils against World Cup winners Germany last night to remain level on points with Poland at the top of Group D. Poland claimed a 2-2 draw against Scotland in Warsaw after Gordon Strachan’s side [...]
Fitness expert Raymond Verheijen blasts “stupid” Roy Hodgson over Raheem Sterling fatigue October 14, 2014 Roy Hodgson has made himself look “so stupid” with recent comments over players’ recovery time, said leading football fitness coach Raymond Verheijen. In the wake of Raheem Sterling’s request to be rested for England, Hodgson questioned Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers’ claim that players needed a two-day recovery period between matches. Hodgson said: “I [...]
Debt on agenda as Man City and Euro elite mull changes to FFP October 13, 2014 Europe’s top football clubs, including Premier League champions Manchester City, have held talks with governing body Uefa over a possible clampdown on debt levels. Such a move could prevent teams from accumulating large debts, as City’s neighbours and rivals Manchester United have, and was one of several changes to controversial financial fair play (FFP) rules [...]
Fifa like intelligence agency, says investigator October 13, 2014 THE LAWYER tasked with investigating allegations of Fifa corruption has urged football’s world governing body to stop operating under a cloak of secrecy better suited to an intelligence agency. Michael Garcia used an appearance yesterday in the City of London to call for Fifa to implement greater transparency and a change in tone of leadership [...]
Pistorius should avoid jail term, sentencing told October 13, 2014 PARALYMPIC superstar Oscar Pistorius should be spared jail and instead serve three years of house arrest and community service for killing girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, a probation officer told his sentencing hearing in Pretoria, South Africa, yesterday. Prosecutor Gerrie Nel criticised the suggestion, calling it “shockingly inappropriate”. Pistorius was last month found guilty of culpable homicide [...]
Ferdinand backs Sterling’s fatigue concerns October 13, 2014 FORMER England captain Rio Ferdinand has leapt to the defence of Raheem Sterling, insisting the Liverpool winger was brave to raise his tiredness concerns with boss Roy Hodgson. The 19-year-old replaced club-mate Jordan Henderson in the second-half of England’s Euro 2016 qualifier against Estonia in Tallinn on Sunday after complaining of fatigue to Hodgson and [...]
Anfield owners to sell naming rights for new Liverpool stand October 13, 2014 LIVERPOOL owners Fenway Sports Group [FSG] have confirmed their intention to sell naming rights for the new main stand at Anfield in order to offset the total £75m cost of stadium redevelopment. The Merseyside club have been granted planning consent to reconstruct two sides of Anfield, with work expected to start in early 2015 subject [...]