Rugby League World Cup chiefs confirm tournament will go ahead in England this year despite Australia refusing to commit yet July 15, 2021 The Rugby League World Cup will go ahead in England later this year, officials have said, despite Australia still not committing to playing. The participation of around 500 Australia-based players and staff has been in doubt due to the strict quarantine rules they would face on their return. And although Australian rugby league chiefs have [...]
Lionel Messi accepts 50 per cent pay cut to stay at Barcelona – but will still earn £59m a year July 15, 2021 Lionel Messi has ended speculation over his future by agreeing a 50 per cent pay cut to stay at Barcelona. The Argentinian superstar, 34, has been a free agent since his €138m (£118m)-a year contract expired last month. Messi had discussed a two-year extension but will instead sign for five years on a lower wage, [...]
Sam Torrance’s Open Championship preview 2021: I’d love to see Lee Westwood emulate best mate Darren Clarke at Royal St George’s July 14, 2021 It’s the Open Championship this week: one of the best tournaments you’ll ever play, with history that is second to none. I have so many great memories of The Open, from scaling a lamppost on the last fairway of the Old Course at St Andrews, aged 10, to watch “Champagne” Tony Lema win the Claret [...]
Johnson confirms football banning orders to be given to online racial abusers July 14, 2021 People who racially abuse footballers online will be banned from attending matches, Boris Johnson has confirmed. The Prime Minister also said social media firms that do not get racism off their platforms will face fines amounting to 10 per cent of their global revenues as a part of the future Online Harms Bill. Three black [...]
What Amazon is doing with French football rights and the clues it offers to its plans for the Premier League July 14, 2021 Amazon is yet to make its widely anticipated big move for Premier League football rights, being content so far to buy up handfuls of live games and bundle them with its Prime Video subscription. But it is a different story in France, where the e-commerce behemoth is embarking on its first season as the main [...]
Covid-19 forces Johanna Konta out of Tokyo 2020 Olympics weeks after British tennis ace said she was undecided about vaccine July 14, 2021 British tennis star Johanna Konta has pulled out of the Tokyo 2020 Olympics after contracting Covid-19. Konta was forced to miss Wimbledon earlier this month when a member of her support team tested positive. She subsequently also developed Covid-19 while isolating. “I have been unable to train for the last two and a half weeks [...]
Anton Ferdinand: England should be barred from hosting 2030 World Cup July 13, 2021 England’s Euro 2020 final against Italy on Sunday evening was marred by scores of ticketless fans trying to break into Wembley, while Marcus Rashford, Jadon Sancho and Bukayo Saka were subjected to racist abuse on social media. Following the debacle, Anton Ferdinand said this evening he believes England should be barred from hosting another major [...]
The England stars that defined Euro 2020: From Luke Shaw and Harry Maguire to Bukayo Saka July 13, 2021 Following Sunday’s merciless Euro 2020 final penalty shoot-out defeat to Italy, England’s 55-year long wait for a major tournament win goes on. But on and off the pitch they inspired the nation, going closer than any other Three Lions side since Sir Alf Ramsay’s heroes lifted the World Cup in 1966. Here, we take a [...]
Uefa confirms investigation into crowd chaos at Euro 2020 final, denting UK and Ireland bid to stage 2030 World Cup July 13, 2021 European football chiefs have confirmed they are investigating the crowd chaos at the Euro 2020 final on Sunday. Some fans without tickets managed to gain entry by overwhelming stewards, while mobile phone video footage showed fights inside Wembley, where England lost to Italy on penalties. Governing body Uefa has now confirmed a probe into the [...]
Hong Kong Racing Tips: Sun Of Makfi looking to go back-to-back July 13, 2021 JOCKEY Chad Schofield bounced back into the limelight with a double at Sha Tin on Sunday following a week of self-isolation with a bout of chickenpox. The former Australian champion apprentice and Group 1-winning jockey took his seasonal winning tally to 26, which is well down on previous years. This was due to the stylish [...]