Formula One: MEP hits back at governing body claims of malicious intent February 22, 2017 The MEP championing change in Formula One has hit back at claims by the sport's governing body that her cause is “inaccurately informed or made maliciously”. In an open letter Anneliese Dodds highlighted a conflict of interest in Formula One's regulator, the FIA, allegedly profiting from signing off on the sale of Formula One to Liberty Media. One [...]
“Outdated” Formula One has been left behind by other sports and needs to be made more entertaining, says Lewis Hamilton February 22, 2017 Three-time world champion Lewis Hamilton has called on Formula One’s new owners to drag the sport into the 21st century, warning “there is a lot of catching up to do”. Liberty Media completed its $8bn (£6.4bn) takeover last month in a move that ousted long-time boss Bernie Ecclestone, whose regime was criticised for failing to [...]
Shane Williams interview: Legendary Wales wing on how long-distance running filled the gap left by his rugby retirement February 22, 2017 After a 17-year career spent flying past and sometimes crashing into men nearly twice his size, Welsh rugby legend Shane Williams could have been forgiven for taking a breather after finally calling it a day. It notoriously took the diminutive Welsh winger a number of attempts to quit the game before he hung up his [...]
Manchester City 5, Monaco 3: Pep Guardiola promises more of the same in the second leg as City score five in eight-goal Euro thriller February 21, 2017 Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola insists his side cannot afford to curb their attacking instincts in the second leg despite taking a significant step towards the Champions League quarter-finals against a gung-ho Monaco. In a relentlessly offensive encounter, City eventually prevailed and established a two-goal cushion as John Stones and Leroy Sane emerged from the mayhem [...]
Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri reveals summer job offers after shock Premier League title win February 21, 2017 Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri has reiterated his belief that the Foxes owe him time to turn around their ailing fortunes after revealing he had offers to leave the club in the summer. Speculation over Ranieri’s job security continues to dog their bid to avoid becoming the first reigning top-flight English champions to be relegated since [...]
Jose Mourinho refuses to offer guarantees over Wayne Rooney’s Manchester United future February 21, 2017 Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has fuelled speculation that Wayne Rooney’s 13 years at Old Trafford are drawing to a close by admitting his captain could leave before next season. Rooney, 31, has lost his status as a certain starter for club and country in an injury-hit campaign, leading to suggestions he could be tempted [...]
Indian Premier League record-breaker Ben Stokes given permission to miss England one-day series February 21, 2017 Record-breaking all-rounder Ben Stokes has been given clearance to miss England’s one-day series with Ireland in May in order to feature for the Rising Pune Supergiants in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Stokes became the most expensive overseas player in IPL history on Monday after joining the Pune outfit for £1.7m, but faced the prospect of [...]
Gold Cup favourite Thistlecrack joins list of Cheltenham Festival absentees after being ruled out for season February 21, 2017 Deflated owner John Snook has expressed his disappointment after Cheltenham Gold Cup favourite Thistlecrack was ruled out for the remainder of the season with a tendon injury. The Colin Tizzard-trained nine-year-old had led the Gold Cup betting after triumphing in his first four starts over fences this season, including victory at the King George VI [...]
Jose Mourinho is on course to meet his targets at Manchester United and winning the EFL Cup can help him focus on his biggest goal February 21, 2017 He may not always look the happiest but, as he approaches a potentially landmark few days, Jose Mourinho must be very content with how his time in charge at Manchester United is now panning out. When he succeeded Louis van Gaal last summer, Mourinho and the club would have considered a par score for his [...]
Prop Joe Marler set to retain place and face Italy despite Mako Vunipola’s return to fitness February 21, 2017 Harlequins prop Joe Marler is set to start ahead of Mako Vunipola in England’s Six Nations clash with Italy at Twickenham on Sunday despite the Saracens loosehead’s return to fitness. British and Irish Lion Vunipola only made his return to action for the Allianz Park club on Friday night, having been sidelined since December with [...]