Uefa outlaw long contract transfer loophole exploited by Chelsea June 29, 2023 Chelsea and other clubs will no longer be able to exploit a transfer loophole by handing new signings long contracts after Uefa outlawed the practice. Eight of Chelsea’s most recent signings, including Enzo Fernandez, Mykhailo Mudryk and new arrival Christopher Nkunku joined on extra-long contracts, some lasting until 2031. The strategy helped the Blues to [...]
Ashes: Women’s Test follows men’s in breaking Sky Sports records June 29, 2023 The only Women’s Ashes Test of this year’s series set record-breaking broadcasting figures for Sky Sports just days after the opening Test of the men’s series did the same. The Test – the only one in the Women’s Ashes series, which is contested over all three international formats – saw a peak audience of 480,000 [...]
Ed Warner: When risk in sport is a smart choice June 29, 2023 This week columnist Ed Warner looks at risk in sport and how sometimes, such as in Bazball in cricket, it can be the smartest choice. A team of sub-10 second sprinters can be beaten to 4x100m relay gold by a quartet who have never broken that magic barrier. The trick is risk management in the [...]
Root saves England face on Ashes day that goes Australia’s way June 28, 2023 Part-time spinner Joe Root took two late wickets to salvage some pride for England on the opening day of the second Test of the Ashes against Australia. The tourists concluded the final session of Wednesday’s opening day at Lord’s on 339-5 with England’s stalwart seamers Stuart Broad and Jimmy Anderson struggling on the north London [...]
Alcaraz first non ‘big four’ top seed at Wimbledon since 2003 June 28, 2023 Men’s world No1 tennis player Carlos Alcaraz will head into next week’s Wimbledon Championships as the first non big four – Andy Murray, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic – seed since 2003. The 20-year-old Spaniard heads into the only grass court Grand Slam on the circuit fresh off a victorious run at the [...]
Declan Rice: Arsenal poised to clinch British record transfer after Man City pull out June 28, 2023 Arsenal are poised to complete the signing of West Ham and England midfielder Declan Rice for a transfer fee that could reach a British record £105m. Manchester City’s withdrawal from the race to sign Rice has left the way clear for Arsenal to make the 24-year-old by far their most expensive signing. Last season’s Premier [...]
Enhanced Games ‘flies in face of world-agreed system’ – former British Olympic chief June 28, 2023 Plans for a doped-up alternative to the Olympics, the Enhanced Games, “fly in the face of a world-agreed system” requested and supported by athletes, says former British Olympic chief Sir Craig Reedie. The Enhanced Games, the brainchild of London-based lawyer Aron D’Souza, has ambitions to launch as soon as next year with the promise that [...]
Ashes: Just Stop Oil disrupt Lord’s Test – as Jonny Bairstow carries protestor off pitch June 28, 2023 Just Stop Oil protesters stopped the second Ashes Test, with England wicket-keeper Jonny Bairstow forced to take matters into his own hands. Ahead of the second over of the morning session at Lord’s, two protesters raced onto the pitch. Bairstow picked up one of the protesters and carried them off the pitch. The other protester [...]
Bayern Munich end £17m-a-year Qatari sponsor deal following fan protests June 28, 2023 Bayern Munich have ended a long-standing sponsorship relationship with Qatar following sustained protests from some supporters. Germany’s most successful football club have sported Qatar Airways’ logo on their shirt sleeves since 2018 in a deal reported to be worth around €20m (£17m) a year. That replaced a similar sponsorship agreement with Doha Airport, while the [...]
Chris Tremlett: Four seamers right call for England in Lord’s Ashes Test June 28, 2023 A Lord’s Test match is always special, even more so during the Ashes. It is the Home of Cricket and Ben Stokes and his England side will be keen to level up the series after their opening loss to Australia. The tourists played their part in an exceptional Test match and while the early declaration [...]