Redknapp defends QPR league position and denies sacking talk February 24, 2014 UNDER-FIRE Queens Park Rangers manager Harry Redknapp has dismissed suggestions that his job is on the line as the club’s bid to return to the Premier League at the first attempt threatens to unravel. Saturday’s late defeat to London rivals Charlton was a third loss in a row and has left Rangers in fourth place, [...]
Gutsy Dubuisson wows McGinley February 24, 2014 EUROPEAN captain Paul McGinley has backed Victor Dubuisson to be an asset in the crucible atmosphere of the Ryder Cup following the French rising star’s sensational recovery shot masterclass. Dubuisson, 23, drew breathless praise from golfing greats Gary Player and Tom Watson with two jaw-dropping shots from among the briar and cactus during Sunday’s ill-fated [...]
Barca pay £11m but deny fraud February 24, 2014 SPANISH champions Barcelona paid a voluntary £11.2m in tax to authorities yesterday, despite maintaining there was no wrongdoing when Neymar was signed from Santos last summer. It is alleged Barcelona, who declared in June they had completed a £48.6m deal to sign the Brazil forward, had in fact incurred far greater costs and last week [...]
Campbell-Brown cleared to return February 24, 2014 JAMAICAN sprinter Veronica Campbell-Brown is free to compete at next month’s World Indoor Championships after the Court of Arbitration for Sport cleared her of doping yesterday. The 31-year-old, winner of seven Olympic medals, has not competed since May after being suspended by Jamaica Athletics for testing positive for a non-performance enhancing, but banned, diuretic. Campbell-Brown’s [...]
Charlton and Hull advance February 24, 2014 CHAMPIONSHIP strugglers Charlton reached their first FA Cup quarter-final since 2006 last night, with a 2-1 victory over Sheffield Wednesday at Hillsborough. Goals from Callum Harriott and Simon Church, either side of Leon Best’s effort, set up an away trip to League One giant-killers Sheffield United in round six. Hull will entertain Sunderland in the [...]
England rocked as Vunipola suffers Six Nations finale KO February 24, 2014 ENGLAND rugby coach Stuart Lancaster rued a major blow to his hopes of winning a first Six Nations title last night after No8 Billy Vunipola was ruled out for the remainder of the championship. Scans taken yesterday afternoon revealed ligament damage to Vunipola’s ankle, which the Saracens forward hurt during Saturday’s hard-fought 13-10 triumph over [...]
We can get at nervy United, claims Carroll February 24, 2014 FORMER Manchester United goalkeeper Roy Carroll believes current employers Olympiacos can capitalise on the Premier League champions’ frailties and reach the Champions League quarter-finals. United travel to the Karaiskakis Stadium in Greece tonight, where their hosts have a 100 per cent winning record in the Super League this term and are a mammoth 20 points [...]
Wright aims to compensate for Pietersen exit February 24, 2014 BATSMAN Luke Wright has vowed to use this month’s tour to the West Indies to revive his England fortunes and prove he is a worthy replacement for the axed Kevin Pietersen. England play their first tour match of the trip this morning against a University of West Indies Vice-Chancellor’s XI, with a swathe of fringe [...]
Crisford ends Godolphin role February 24, 2014 HORSE RACING: Godolphin’s racing manager Simon Crisford resigned from his post last night and will now act as owner Sheikh Mohammed’s global racing adviser. Crisford has worked with Godolphin since its inception in 1992. The stable was rocked last year by a doping scandal, prompting a self-commissioned investigation into all operations led by former police [...]
Anelka hearing set to begin February 24, 2014 FOOTBALL: The Football Association will begin their hearing today to rule on West Brom striker Nicolas Anelka’s quenelle gesture, made after scoring against West Ham in December. The gesture has anti-Semitic ties, though Anelka insisted it was merely done as a show of support to comedian Dieudonne. The hearing is expected to be completed by [...]