Ollie Phillips: Habits die hard as the Premiership reaches half way January 7, 2022 After this week’s Premiership action, each of the 13 teams will be halfway through their seasons. Some have outperformed my expectations, like Gloucester, and others have – thankfully – lived up to my predictions, like Leicester. The Premiership, though, despite its lack of relegation and jeopardy, has proven that habits are hard to break in [...]
FA Cup: Chesterfield eye biggest upset in their history against Chelsea January 7, 2022 While just one team has ever won the FA Cup while outside of the league set-up – Tottenham Hotspur, 121 years ago – the dream of a run in the famous competition hasn’t lost its fizz for clubs further down the pyramid. Tomorrow, non-league Chesterfield are due to enjoy their moment in the spotlight when [...]
Art Balls: The Australian Open serves up interactive NFTs and a metaverse January 6, 2022 The Australian Open has announced plans to launch a line of interactive NFTs linked to on-court game play and a metaverse for fans.
Cricket round-up: Just who fills the gap when international stars retire? January 6, 2022 If one sport has matched the fireworks of New Year, it is cricket. In the space of a week, New Zealand’s Ross Taylor, South Africa’s Quinton de Kock and Pakistan’s Mohammad Hafeez announced their retirement from the sport. Each a key figure in their Test side, their impact on the game should not be underestimated [...]
British & Irish Lion Williams joins rugby outfit Cardiff January 6, 2022 Cardiff Rugby have announced the signing of British and Irish Lion Liam Williams. The Wales full-back will join the United Rugby Championship club next season. Williams, 30, started his career at Scarlets before joining Saracens in the English Premiership. The back-three player, who has 72 caps for his country, then returned to Scarlets, where he’s [...]
Manchester United name Arnold CEO and confirm Woodward exit January 6, 2022 Manchester United have confirmed that managing director Richard Arnold will take over as chief executive when Ed Woodward steps down next month. Arnold, who has worked under Woodward since joining the football club in 2007, is to succeed him from 1 February. “I am honoured to have the chance to serve this great club and [...]
England Ashes woe down to batting failure, says Stuart Broad January 6, 2022 England bowler Stuart Broad has laid the blame for a miserable Ashes series at the feet of the tourists’ batters as they look to avoid another defeat in the fourth Test. Broad revived debate about his controversial omission earlier in the series by taking five wickets on the first two days in Sydney. His performance [...]
Rafael Nadal: Djokovic to blame for Australian Open visa row January 6, 2022 Rafael Nadal says the visa row that has threatened Novak Djokovic’s participation in the Australian Open is a result of his rival’s choices. Djokovic was refused entry into Australia on Wednesday after failing to satisfy officials that he had sufficient grounds for the medical exemption against Covid-19 vaccination that he was granted by tournament chiefs. [...]
Tennis star not deported: Novak Djokovic handed reprieve in bid to defend Australian Open title as court adjourns visa appeal until Monday January 6, 2022 Novak Djokovic was handed a reprieve in his bid to defend his Australian Open title after the Federal Court of Australia adjourned his appeal against the decision to refuse him a visa. Djokovic challenged the Australian Border Force’s refusal to allow him a visa to enter the country and his appeal has been adjourned until [...]
The New York Times snaps up The Athletic for £406m in a subscriber push January 6, 2022 The New York Times has agreed to acquire subscription sports site The Athletic in a deal valued at around $550m (£406m), according to insiders.