Ibrahimovic schools Lion cubs November 14, 2012 INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY SWEDEN 4 vs ENGLAND 2 MANAGER Roy Hodgson hailed four-goal Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s 30-yard overhead kick as “really extraordinary” after the Sweden captain single-handedly dismantled England in last night’s friendly in Stockholm. Ibrahimovic overshadowed Steven Gerrard’s 100th England cap with a swaggering display of virtuoso brilliance, summed up by an instinctive 91st-minute goal that [...]
FA hits back at claims of institutional racism November 14, 2012 ENGLAND football chiefs reacted angrily last night after being termed “institutionally racist” by the Society of Black Lawyers, calling the accusation “ill-informed and unhelpful”. Football Association chairman David Bernstein responded to criticism that the governing body should have reported to police Chelsea’s complaints that referee Mark Clattenburg racially abused their player John Obi Mikel. “These [...]
Wage cap on agenda as clubs look to regulation November 14, 2012 A WAGE cap in the Premier League could move closer to reality today when club chiefs meet in London to firm up plans to prevent an estimated £5bn television revenue windfall going straight into players’ pockets. Other proposals up for discussion include adopting so-called financial fair play measures similar to those introduced by European bosses, [...]
Dettori’s positive test was not for a performance enhancer November 14, 2012 THREE-TIME Champion Jockey Frankie Dettori’s failed drug test at a meeting in France earlier this year was not for a performance enhancing substance, his solicitor said yesterday. Dettori, the biggest name in flat racing over the last 20 years, faces an inquiry next week over the positive test at a Longchamp meeting in September. “There [...]
Grand Slam winner Warburton dropped by struggling Wales November 14, 2012 WALES captain Sam Warburton has been dropped to the bench for the Test against Samoa in Cardiff tomorrow. Warburton, who led Wales to a Six Nations Grand Slam this year, has admitted struggling to find his top form in a Cardiff Blues side who have lost five of their Pro12 matches this season. Interim coach [...]
Cook mind games add spice to India series November 14, 2012 ENGLAND captain Alastair Cook has urged his team to capitalise on the weight of expectation burdening the hosts as he attempts to mastermind a first Test series win in India for 27 years today. Cook could hardly have wished for a more challenging start to his tenure as permanent skipper, while the task has been [...]
Aussies facing injury crisis for Twickenham November 14, 2012 AUSTRALIA have suffered a blow ahead of Saturday’s Test against England after forward Rob Simmons was handed an eight-week ban for a dangerous tackle during last week’s defeat in France. Simmons came on as a substitute during the Wallabies’ humiliating 33-6 loss in Paris and was reported to the International Rugby Board [IRB] for a [...]
Conditions will suit us, Dhoni warns England November 14, 2012 INDIA captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni insists he never doubted firebrand England batsman Kevin Pietersen would be part of the squad for the Test series that starts today in Ahmedabad. Pietersen was dropped in the summer after a breakdown in relations with England chiefs and only recalled after apologising for sending text messages disparaging team-mates to [...]
Three charged with fraud after probe into Spurs spying claims November 14, 2012 THREE men have been charged with fraud after a probe into claims people working for Tottenham spied on officials during their failed bid for the Olympic Stadium. Police investigated after allegations from West Ham and the Olympic Park Legacy Company, the body formerly in charge of deciding the stadium’s destiny. The trio have been charged [...]
How new boys rated England November 14, 2012 Steven Caulker The 20-year-old was caught out for Ibrahimovic’s opening goal, despite a decent block, and looked cagey in the opening stages. However he redeemed himself by cleverly adjusting his run to score England’s first. The Tottenham defender struggled to keep the brilliant Ibrahimovic marked but became more assured alongside Gary Cahill as the match [...]