Webb had ‘hard task’ admits chief Blatter July 12, 2010 FIFA president Sepp Blatter yesterday leapt to the defence of under-fire referee Howard Webb for his handling of Sunday’s ill-tempered World Cup final in Johannesburg. Englishman Webb brandished 14 yellow cards and one red to Holland’s John Heitinga in an incident-packed game, which saw Spain lift the trophy for the first time, courtesy of 1-0 [...]
BBC take ITV to the cleaners in World Cup final ratings war July 12, 2010 THE BBC proved the big winner in the ratings war with ITV for the World Cup final with almost five times as many people tuning in to their coverage. More than 21 million British viewers saw Spain lift the trophy for the first time in their history with a 1-0 extra-time win over Holland. The [...]
Schumacher may quit, warns F1 boss Ecclestone July 12, 2010 FORMULA One boss Bernie Ecclestone says he doubts that seven-time world champion Michael Schumacher will stay in the sport if he continues to under-perform for his Mercedes team. Schumacher finished Sunday’s British Grand Prix in ninth place and he lies in the same spot in the standings with 36 points – less than half the [...]
When chips were down, captain shone July 12, 2010 aI’D like to have been a fly on the wall of the England dressing room in Bristol after their defeat to Bangladesh on Saturday night. But while I’m sure some of the choice words used would’ve turned the place blue, it certainly did the trick. England’s resurgence in limited-overs cricket over the last nine months [...]
Dutch anti-football earns no sympathy from legend Cruyff July 12, 2010 DUTCH icon Johann Cruyff has torn into the Holland side, insisting they deserved to lose the World Cup final for adopting dirty, vulgar tactics. Cruyff is the poster boy for the Dutch concept of Total Football, having starred in the 1970s national team that wowed fans with their free-flowing style. And the former Barcelona coach [...]
Europeans are primed for Open success, says Gallacher July 12, 2010 THREE-TIME Ryder Cup captain Bernard Gallacher believes British players have stolen a march on their American counterparts – and fully expects a home winner in this week’s Open Championship at St Andrews. Irishman Padraig Harrington is the only European to have lifted the Claret Jug in the last decade, with the United States claiming 11 [...]
Golf buggy shame Powell on course to join Wasps July 12, 2010 WASPS are poised to swoop for Wales and British Lions No8 Andy Powell after Cardiff Blues confirmed they are to terminate his contract early. The Amlin Challenge Cup winners said Powell had “lost his way somewhat” and cited the 28-year-old’s infamous golf buggy incident earlier this year. Powell was arrested and suspended from international duty [...]
Red Bull expect Webber to see out contract July 12, 2010 RED BULL chiefs expect Mark Webber to see out his contract despite fresh tension with team-mate Sebastian Vettel. Australian Webber raced to victory at the British Grand Prix on Sunday and then immediately hit out at his team’s perceived favouritism towards Vettel. The friction has cast doubt on the future of Webber, who is contracted [...]
Wiggins hit by Gerrans exit July 12, 2010 CYCLING: Bradley Wiggins’ hopes of winning the Tour de France suffered a blow during yesterday’s rest day after his Team Sky team-mate Simon Gerrans withdrew from the race with a broken arm. Australian Gerrans, who had been selected to help Wiggins in the mountain stages, suffered the injury in a crash on Sunday. Wiggins struggled [...]
Rossi set for shock return July 12, 2010 MOTO GP: Valentino Rossi could be set for a dramatic comeback to racing on Sunday in the German Grand Prix. The six-time Moto GP champion was expected out for up to six months after suffering a compound fracture of his right shin at Mugello on 5 June. But the Italian rode in a private test [...]