“I will have failed”: Football Association chairman Greg Clarke offers to resign if he doesn’t reform organisation February 8, 2017 Football Association chairman Greg Clarke says he will step down from his role if he fails to "deliver real change" to the under-fire organisation. Ahead of Thursday's House of Commons debate on a motion of no confidence in the FA, Clarke said he had already begun a process to improve its governance. The Commons Culture, [...]
Tom Wood injury presents question of inexperienced England back-row for Six Nations clash with Wales February 7, 2017 England could be forced into fielding a rookie back-row during their Six Nations showdown with Wales after flanker Tom Wood missed training on Tuesday due to the shoulder injury he suffered against France. Wood was last night retained in a 24-man squad for the clash at Cardiff’s Principality Stadium on Saturday despite having his arm in a [...]
Alastair Cook talks up Joe Root but throws three other names into mix for next England captain February 7, 2017 Erstwhile England skipper Alastair Cook has extolled the virtues of would-be successor Joe Root, describing his heir-apparent as someone who would command huge respect in the dressing room. Root, 26, has been installed as the frontrunner to replace Cook, who brought his four-and-a-half-year reign as England Test captain to an end on Monday, admitting he [...]
Leicester owe me for Premier League title, insists Claudio Ranieri after Foxes hand Italian vote of confidence February 7, 2017 Under-fire Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri insists he is owed the chance to stay at the club even if a turbulent season ends in relegation after being handed a vote of confidence. The Foxes are in danger of becoming the first defending champions to be relegated since 1938. They have won only two of their last [...]
Johanna Konta backed to boost Great Britain’s Fed Cup hopes in Tallinn February 7, 2017 Great Britain captain Anne Keothavong has urged her full-strength team to put women’s tennis on the map in this country by making long-overdue progress in the Fed Cup – starting this week. Britain have spent 24 years trying in vain to achieve promotion from the Europe/Africa Zone – the competition’s third tier – and are [...]
Leicester players and fans should be rallying behind Claudio Ranieri – but the next two games could decide his fate February 7, 2017 They may still end up losing their next four games, but whether they do or not, Leicester’s public backing for manager Claudio Ranieri today was the right thing to do and I take my hat off to them. These are difficult times for the Foxes, whose Premier League-winning dream season has been followed by the rude awakening [...]
Troy Deeney interview: Watford’s captain on how prison spurred him to the Premier League February 7, 2017 For most players it’s a motivational pep talk, a successful loan move or a dramatic moment on the pitch that is the catalyst for propelling a career to new heights. But for Watford striker Troy Deeney, the script really begins at the moment the door to his cell in Warrington’s Thorn Cross prison slammed shut at [...]
European football clubs crush January transfer window spending record, splashing out €200m more than previous high February 7, 2017 The biggest leagues in European football spent more money than ever before in this year's January transfer window, crushing the previous record by more than €200m (£172.6m). According to research from academics at the CIES Football Observatory, clubs in the top divisions in England, France, Germany, Italy and Spain collectively spent €742m (£640.3m) in the four-week [...]
Alastair Cook’s reign as England Test skipper in five moments February 6, 2017 NEW KID ON THE BLOCK Cook’s first tour in charge saw the tourists, together with a reintegrated Kevin Pietersen following the South Africa text message debacle earlier that year, shock MS Dhoni’s India in their own back yard – England’s first victory there in 28 years. The left-hander led from the front, notching 562 runs [...]
Alastair Cook will remain a key figure in England side for years despite quitting captaincy, insists director of cricket Andrew Strauss February 6, 2017 England director of cricket Andrew Strauss has backed Alastair Cook to remain a key figure in the side for many years to come despite quitting his role as Test captain. Cook, who succeeded Strauss as England skipper in August 2012, called time on his tenure having captained his country for a record 59 Test matches. [...]