International stars back England’s World Cup bid October 8, 2009 ENGLAND’S 2018 World Cup bid team has emphasised its multicultural credentials by employing an array of foreign stars such as Kolo Toure and Gianfranco Zola as ambassadors. Ivory Coast defender Toure, who captains Manchester City, and Italian West Ham manager Zola will canvass support at home and abroad and appear in promotional materials. Nigerian former [...]
League delays decision over QPR chief Briatore October 8, 2009 MOTORSPORT mogul Flavio Briatore’s future at QPR remains in limbo after the Football League delayed a decision on whether to ban him from the game. The Italian, who co-owns the west London club, faces being barred following his indefinite suspension from Formula One for race-fixing. Football League rules forbid someone from being a director or [...]
SPORT IN BRIEF October 8, 2009 Murray pulls out of ShanghaiTENNIS: Britain’s Andy Murray has been forced to pull out of another tournament by a persistent wrist injury. The world No3 has withdrawn from next week’s Shanghai Masters 1000 and does not expect to play until next month’s Valencia Open with one eye on the prestigious season-ending ATP World Tour Finals [...]
Now for Europe, but we’ll be taking nothing for granted October 8, 2009 WHILE it’s nice to receive plenty of plaudits for our winning start to the season, there isn’t one person in the Saracens camp taking anything for granted. This weekend we take on Italian side Rovigo in our first European Challenge Cup action of the season, but you can be assured there will be no complacency [...]
CANNAVARO FAILS DOPE TEST October 8, 2009 ITALY captain Fabio Cannavaro has failed a dope test after taking a medicine for an insect bite that contained the banned substance cortisone. The 2006 World Player of the Year, 36, has claimed an exemption with Juventus insisting the sting could have become fatal but for immediate medical care. Cannavaro will be interviewed by anti-doping [...]
Grant makes shock return to Pompey October 7, 2009 PORTSMOUTH chief executive Peter Storrie has moved to reassure manager Paul Hart that his job is safe despite yesterday confirming the sensational return of Avram Grant as director of football. Pompey goalkeeper David James warmly welcomed the appointment of Grant, who spent the 2006-07 season in the same role before being lured to Chelsea, where [...]
Mittal tops football rich list October 7, 2009 HIS stake might not even be in a top flight club, but when it comes to financial clout Lakshmi Mittal is in a league of his own. The Indian steel magnate, who owns 20 per cent of Championship side QPR, is now the richest man in British football, according to the latest research. Mittal is [...]
Carrick aims to seize England opportunity October 7, 2009 MICHAEL CARRICK is desperate for the chance to impress boss Fabio Capello in Ukraine on Saturday – and play a part in helping England maintain their 100 per cent World Cup qualifying record. The Manchester United midfielder has continually struggled to hold down a regular starting place in the England midfield, often playing second fiddle [...]
Key man Pietersen expected to be fit for South Africa tour, says captain Strauss October 7, 2009 CAPTAIN Andrew Strauss believes Kevin Pietersen will be fit for the forthcoming winter Test series in South Africa. Pietersen has not played since undergoing an operation on an Achilles tendon injury during the Ashes series in July, and was forced to miss this month’s Champions Trophy after suffering a foot infection. Strauss leads his men [...]
Sharks and Sabres eyeing a chance at world glory October 7, 2009 TWENTY20 kings Sussex Sharks and Somerset Sabres are preparing to take on the world’s best in India this week with the aim of becoming the first-ever Champions League winners. Over £3.6m is up for grabs as 12 teams from the world’s biggest cricketing nations lock horns over 23 games for the inaugural prize. Postponed last [...]