Survey reveals shocking impact on footballer injuries of Qatar World Cup March 9, 2023 More than half of footballers who took part in a major new study say they were exposed to increased risk of injury by the scheduling of last year’s World Cup in Qatar. Some 54 per cent of players surveyed by professional footballers’ union Fifpro in January reported an injury or felt more likely to suffer [...]
Women’s Tour of Britain at risk of cancellation over sponsor issue March 9, 2023 This year’s Women’s Tour is at risk of cancellation if fresh sponsorship cannot be found. Britain’s longest-running major international stage race, which counts Lizzie Deignan, Marianne Vos and Elisa Longo Borghini as former winners, is in peril after the loss of key partners has left a £500,000 shortfall in funding. Organisers Sweetspot announced the route [...]
England captain Farrell DROPPED for Six Nations clash with France March 9, 2023 Owen Farrell has been dropped for the first time since 2015 with England head coach Steve Borthwick naming Marcus Smith at No10 for his side’s Six Nations clash against France. Smith was released back to his club for last weekend’s fallow week and impressed in Harlequins’ Big Game at Twickenham. His reward is a first [...]
Newcastle United’s Saudi takeover won’t be re-examined by Premier League, says lawyer March 9, 2023 The lawyer who represented Newcastle United in a battle with the Premier League over the club’s Saudi Arabian takeover expects top-flight chiefs to reject calls to re-examine the deal. A US legal case has raised questions about the influence wielded by the Saudi state over the Tyneside football club, leading to fresh pressure on the [...]
Raducanu may pull out of her Indian Wells opener tonight with injury March 9, 2023 British No1 women’s tennis star Emma Raducanu could pull out of her Indian Wells opener tonight with a wrist injury. The 20-year-old is due to be on court this evening – around 8:15pm – against Montenegro’s Danka Kovinic. The Brit – who won the US Open in 2021 – trained with wrist strapping, however. “The [...]
So you want to go to… Six Nations Super Saturday? Here’s how March 9, 2023 This time next week millions of Brits will be preparing to tune in to Super Saturday, the final round of Six Nations action involving three games back-to-back. This year’s finale sees Scotland host Italy before Wales travel to France, with Ireland’s match against England on St Patrick’s weekend closing the show. Here’s how to be [...]
I’m glad sport has moved on from distasteful ‘Plastic Brit’ debate – Ed Warner March 9, 2023 Dazzled by Great Britain’s three golden moments at the European Athletics Indoor Championships in Istanbul last weekend, you’ll likely have missed the home nation’s unexpected victory in the women’s triple jump. Reeling from last month’s earthquake devastation, Turkey will have drawn some comfort from Tugba Danismaz’s winning leap. And she was only ranked ninth in [...]
Ten Hag backs Fernandes as United captain despite Liverpool humiliation March 8, 2023 Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has come out in support of his club captain Bruno Fernandes despite being part of the humiliating 7-0 loss to Liverpool on Sunday. The Portuguese midfielder also faced calls to be banned from football for a number of games for an alleged “nudge” on an assistant referee on Sunday [...]
Manchester City face wait until 2027 for punishment in Premier League dispute March 8, 2023 It may take as long as four years for Manchester City to receive punishment if found guilty of perpetrating the biggest financial scandal in Premier League history. City were charged last month with more than 100 alleged rule breaches dating back to 2009, including falsely reporting income and the salaries of players and managers, and [...]
Andy Murray expects Wimbledon to lift ban on Russian and Belarusian players for 2023 March 8, 2023 Andy Murray says he expects Wimbledon to lift its ban on Russian and Belarusian tennis players for this year’s championships. The Grand Slam tournament imposed the ban last year, under pressure from the UK government, in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. But Murray is anticipating the sanction being lifted, paving the way for [...]