Chelsea’s bankers tell bidders to commit £1bn for club’s future March 26, 2022 Chelsea FC’s bankers have told those left in the race to acquire the team to commit at least £1bn to finance the club’s future. Former British Airways and Liverpool FC chairman Sir Martin Broughton as well as former Olympian Lord Coe feature among those making a play for the team. The bidders are expected to [...]
Ollie Phillips: England rugby chiefs stuck between rock and hard place over Eddie Jones March 25, 2022 It has been a challenging week for the Rugby Football Union (RFU) following the conclusion of another disappointing Six Nations for England and Eddie Jones. The expectation, which the RFU have helped to foster, is that England should be the best team in the world. But the reality, as winning just two games at the [...]
EP: 121 Dubai, Doncaster, Kelso & Hong Kong March 25, 2022 There’s a really good mix of racing to look forward to this weekend as the new flat racing season gets underway in the UK. The Lincoln Handicap is the feature race at Doncaster on Saturday, plus it’s a magical night of racing at Meydan racecourse where the Dubai World Cup features a host of international [...]
Chelsea bankers reject bids from Saudi Media Group and Woody Johnson March 24, 2022 The sale of Chelsea took a major step towards conclusion today when a number of bidders, including Saudi Media Group and Woody Johnson, were reportedly rejected. US bank the Raine Group, hired to sell the club by sanction-hit owner Roman Abramovich, contacted a number of unsuccessful bidders as it whittled down would-be buyers. Saudi Media [...]
PM Boris Johnson dents UK and Ireland bid by suggesting Ukraine should host Euro 2028 March 24, 2022 Prime Minister Boris Johnson has appeared to undermine the UK and Ireland’s bid for Euro 2028 by suggesting Ukraine be named hosts. Johnson also joined a chorus of criticism of Russia, who only declared their interest in staging the championship hours before the deadline on Wednesday. “The idea of Russia holding any football tournament or [...]
Life is definitely Good for Dubai favourite backers March 24, 2022 Bill Esdaile’s Dubai World Cup 1-2-3: 1. Life Is Good 2. Hot Rod Charlie 3. Chuwa Wizard WHILE it may no longer be the world’s richest race, the Dubai World Cup (4.30pm) is still a huge draw, and this looks a top-class renewal of the £8.8 million spectacle at Meydan. Form from the best middle [...]
Women’s Six Nations: New dates, new sponsor, same old winners? March 24, 2022 Change is in the air at this year’s Women’s Six Nations, which now has its own slot in the calendar and a first title sponsor in TikTok – but that looks unlikely to extend to the outcome. Champions England start as hot favourites this weekend – no surprise given their 18-game winning run, which includes [...]
Ashleigh Barty hints at career in new sport following shock retirement from tennis March 24, 2022 Women’s tennis No1 Ashleigh Barty has hinted she could take up another sport professionally following her shock retirement. Barty, 25, played cricket to a high level during a previous break from tennis, competing in the Women’s Big Bash. She is said to have a single-figure golf handicap and has also been linked with a move [...]
Ed Warner: Does it really matter if Chelsea buyers are true Blues fans? March 24, 2022 Who are the wannabe owners of Chelsea trying to impress when they flaunt their fandom? Investment bank the Raine Group is only likely to give a jot when someone first stood in the Shed, or how long they’ve sat in the same seat in the Matthew Harding Stand, if this matters to HM Treasury. If [...]
Chelsea handed £30m cash boost and permission to sell tickets as government relaxes licence March 23, 2022 Chelsea have been handed a £30m boost from the government and given permission to sell some tickets again. The strict licence that the Premier League club has been operating under since owner Roman Abramovich was sanctioned was relaxed slightly today. It means Chelsea can receive up to £30m from their parent company “in respect of [...]