Johnson boost as Thomas leaves RFU and Cotton review scrapped November 2, 2011 EMBATTLED England manager Martin Johnson received a welcome boost last night with the news that a review to be led by Fran Cotton, one of his harshest critics, is to be scrapped following Rugby Football Union acting chief executive Martyn Thomas’ decision to step down. The 67-year-old’s position has come under increasing scrutiny in recent [...]
Heart surgery won’t force Harry into retirement, insists Bond November 2, 2011 TOTTENHAM manager Harry Redknapp is recovering after minor heart surgery but he won’t be forced to consider early retirement, according to his assistant Kevin Bond. Redknapp was admitted to hospital on Tuesday with a cardiac problem and had two stents inserted to unblock coronary arteries on yesterday. Spurs have already announced that the 64-year-old will be [...]
Missing out on the World Cup was not a blessing in disguise November 2, 2011 CRUSHING as it may have been to miss out on last month’s World Cup through injury, Harlequins scrum-half Danny Care could be forgiven for feeling his international aspirations have been enhanced as a result of the damaged toe which meant he was unable to travel to New Zealand. In Care’s absence England limped into the [...]
Wasps fury as Shaw decides to jump ship November 2, 2011 WASPS believe they have been let down by veteran lock Simon Shaw who has reneged on a contract he signed before departing for last month’s ill-fated World Cup in New Zealand. The 38-year-old has been heavily linked with a move to Toulon in recent days, with the French side thought to have gone as far [...]
Murray in race to be fit for season’s finale in London November 2, 2011 BRITISH No1 Andy Murray faces a race to be fit in time for the ATP World Tour finals at London’s O2 Arena later this month after he was forced to pull out of the Swiss Indoors because of a right gluteal muscle strain. Murray (right), who has won fifteen consecutive matches since his US Open [...]
SPORT | IN BRIEF November 2, 2011 Correction In Wednesday’s edition we wrongly reported that Chelsea had condoned chants directed at Anton Ferdinand during the 1-1 draw against Genk. The club had, of course, condemned them. We apologise for the error. Beckham wants England recall FOOTBALL: Former captain David Beckham wants an England return, despite having not won a cap in two years. [...]
PAKISTAN TRIO GUILTY November 1, 2011 Former captain Butt and bowlers Asif and Amir face prison after being found guilty of spot-fixing offences DISGRACED Pakistan cricketers Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir face the prospect of up to seven years behind bars after they were all found guilty yesterday of spot-fixing during last summer’s tour of England. Former Test captain [...]
Guilty verdict must trigger change November 1, 2011 IT’S CERTAINLY no exaggeration to hail yesterday’s dramatic events at Southwark Crown Court as a watershed and landmark moment in cricket’s rich history. The guilty verdicts handed down to Salman Butt and Mohammad Asif – allied to the news that Mohammad Amir had admitted wrongdoing back in September – must surely act as the ultimate [...]
Police begin Terry race investigation November 1, 2011 THE METROPOLITAN Police have launched a formal investigation into allegations Chelsea skipper John Terry racially abused Anton Ferdinand after spending a week assessing a complaint from a member of the public. The move means the Football Association’s own investigation into the incident, which is alleged to have taken place during QPR’s win over Chelsea last [...]
Edwards puts RFU on red alert November 1, 2011 WASPS head coach Shaun Edwards is set to leave the Premiership club before the end of the week, putting England and his other suitors on red alert. Edwards’ future at the club had been in doubt after he recently revealed that he expected to return from the World Cup, where he helped Wales to a [...]