Mills’ Winter Games bid thwarted December 17, 2013 PARALYMPICS: Heather Mills has been told she cannot compete in the Sochi 2014 Winter Games because she uses a non-officially approved boot.
Blame Spurs chief Levy for AVB failure, says Lineker December 16, 2013 TOTTENHAM and England great Gary Lineker has pointed the finger at chairman Daniel Levy after the club sacked Andre Villas-Boas yesterday. Villas-Boas was fired the morning after losing 5-0 to Liverpool in the team’s worst home Premier League defeat this century. Lineker admitted the appointment had not worked but said those in charge of recruiting [...]
New boy Stokes shines amid the England gloom December 16, 2013 BATSMAN Ian Bell has backed all-rounder Ben Stokes to be an England cricket star of the future after his maiden Test half-century helped to delay Australia’s Ashes series victory yesterday. Stokes hit 72 not out as he and Bell enjoyed a 99-run fifth-wicket partnership that carried England to 251-5 at stumps, 253 short of their [...]
Vitali Klitschko quits boxing December 16, 2013 THREE-TIME world heavyweight boxing champion Vitali Klitschko has relinquished his WBC title in order to concentrate on his political career. The Ukrainian, 42, an opposition leader in his homeland, has been granted “champion emeritus” status by the WBC, guaranteeing him a title shot if he returns. Klitschko, who had not defended his belt for 15 [...]
Barca and Real could face fines as state aid probe gathers pace December 16, 2013 BARCELONA and Real Madrid could be hit with financial penalties after the European Commission began disciplinary action against some of Spain’s biggest football clubs over possible state aid. Spanish foreign minister Jose Manuel Garcia Margallo said the EC had begun proceedings against seven clubs over various matters, some of which it has been investigating for [...]
Arsenal renew interest in £15m Michu December 16, 2013 ARSENAL have revived their interest in signing Swansea and Spain striker Michu as they look to boost their attacking options in January, it is understood. The Gunners considered a move for the 27-year-old in the summer, after he scored 22 goals in a sensational debut season in English football. He has only netted six times [...]
Drogba set for Stamford Bridge return as English sides drawn against familiar foes December 16, 2013 FORMER Chelsea striker Didier Drogba has revealed his joy after his new team Galatasaray were drawn against the Blues in the Champions League last 16. It is one of several reunions thrown up by the draw, which sees Arsenal face holders Bayern Munich in a repeat of last year’s tie and Manchester City, who boast [...]
Cue Card prepared for King George return December 16, 2013 Bill Esdaile pays a visit to Kempton hopeful’s stable CUE Card, a dual Cheltenham Festival winner and ante-post favourite for next week’s William Hill King George VI Chase, is certainly not alone at Venn Farm. The seven-year-old shares his small, picturesque Dorset stables with 67 other racehorses and 235 dairy cows under the watchful eye [...]
Gatland sticks with Wales til 2019 December 16, 2013 RUGBY UNION: Wales head coach Warren Gatland has signed a new contract until 2019 but will be allowed to take charge of the British and Irish Lions in 2017, as he did this year, if offered the job. Wales chief Roger Lewis said: “We will do everything we can to support as we did in [...]
Zola resigns as Watford manager December 16, 2013 FOOTBALL: Gianfranco Zola last night blamed “a variety of reasons” for his decision to resign as Watford manager. Zola, who leaves the club 13th in the Championship but had lost his last five home games, said: “I feel it’s in the best interests of the team somebody new is given the chance.”