NO MEDAL FOR TWEDDLE October 14, 2009 BRITAIN’S Beth Tweddle suffered heartache at the World Gymnastics Championships in London yesterday when she fell from the asymmetric bars, her specialist event. It meant the European champion, 24, failed to qualify for Saturday’s final, although she is still in contention for the floor event at the O2. Tweddle missed out on an Olympic medal [...]
Gerrard injury forces England boss Capello to try Belarus experiment October 13, 2009 ENGLAND head coach Fabio Capello is used to being depicted as a strict headmaster, but tonight he is preparing to play the experimental scientist.With qualification for next summer’s World Cup already assured, the Italian has promised to tinker with selection and tactics when Belarus visit Wembley. His decision is made easier by the unavailability of [...]
Pompey warn James suitors to forget bids October 13, 2009 PORTSMOUTH chief executive Peter Storrie has told Tottenham and Manchester United to forget about trying to lure goalkeeper David James from Fratton Park. Both clubs have been linked with January swoops for the veteran England No1, who has admitted to being unsettled by the club’s turbulent past few months. Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp, who is [...]
Proud Oxx calls time on Stars’ career October 13, 2009 SEA THE STARS, the brilliant Irish colt who completed a unique treble in landing the 2,000 Guineas, the Derby and Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, was hailed yesterday after being retired to stud by his connections. The six-time Group One winner, trained by John Oxx, was being lined up for next month’s Breeders’ Cup Classic [...]
Younus to step down in ‘fix’ row October 13, 2009 YOUNUS KHAN has resigned as captain of Pakistan despite being cleared of match-fixing allegations by a parliamentary sports committee. Younus, 31, informed the Pakistan Cricket Board of his decision yesterday when attending a hearing to discuss his side’s performance in the ICC Champions Trophy. National Assembly committee chairman Jamshed Dasti had implied that Pakistan had [...]
Schumacher backs Vettel to ruin Button title dream October 13, 2009 SEVEN-TIME world champion Michael Schumacher is backing Sebastian Vettel to pull off a sensational comeback and pip Jenson Button to the Formula One title. With two races of the season to go, Vettel lies third in the standings with Rubens Barrichello two points ahead in second and Button a further 14 points in front. But [...]
Azam fails in appeal against 12-week ban October 13, 2009 GLOUCESTER hooker Olivier Azam was last night ordered to serve his full 12-week ban for kicking England captain Steve Borthwick in the eye. The Frenchman appealed the original punishment for an offence that left the Saracens skipper fearing for his sight and severely swollen. A panel agreed with Azam that the offence merited a less [...]
Phillips: Don’t over-hype the Three Lions October 13, 2009 FORMER England striker Kevin Phillips believes Fabio Capello’s men are primed for World Cup success in South Africa next summer – but has warned against over-hyping their chances. The Birmingham City front man says England boss Capello has a wealth of talent at his disposal, but knows from personal experience that it does not necessarily [...]
MANCINI FOR COUNTY? NOTTS LIKELY October 13, 2009 ROBERTO MANCINI’S agent has rubbished suggestions the former Inter Milan boss could take charge at Notts County. Mancini, who won three Italian titles at Inter, has been linked with the ambitious League Two club due to his friendship with director of football Sven-Goran Eriksson. But Maurizio de Giorgis said: “There is no truth in it [...]
SPORT IN BRIEF October 13, 2009 FAwarn Benitez over gestureFOOTBALL: Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has escaped with a warning for making an offensive gesture in relation to referee Phil Dowd. Benitez responded to a question about Dowd’s performance following a 2-1 defeat to Tottenham in August by removing his glasses from a pocket and inspecting them. The Football Association deemed the [...]