Manchester United 2, Hull City 0: Jose Mourinho questions celebrations, while United agree to sell midfielder January 10, 2017 Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho believes his side are within touching distance of Wembley despite admitting his irritation at over-zealous celebrations after their opening goal against Hull in their EFL Cup semi-final first leg. United took a significant step towards the first major final of the Mourinho era courtesy of second-half strikes from Juan Mata and [...]
Lord Coe set to defy select committee request over Russian corruption scandal January 10, 2017 World athletics chief Lord Coe is set to defy a request to reappear before the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee despite being summoned to answer further questions regarding his knowledge of IAAF corruption and Russian doping. Chairman Damian Collins called for Coe, president of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), to face the [...]
Fifa president Gianni Infantino insists inclusion – not $1bn revenue boost – is behind World Cup expansion January 10, 2017 Fifa president Gianni Infantino insists the decision to expand the World Cup to 48 teams is motivated not by a projected $1bn revenue boost but by a desire to make the competition more inclusive. The football governing body’s council on Tuesday unanimously voted to approve controversial but highly lucrative proposals to increase the number of [...]
Why I think expanding the World Cup to 48 teams is a good idea January 10, 2017 Wembley, October 1987: I remember playing for England as we thrashed Turkey 8-0 in a European Championship qualifier, Gary Lineker scoring a hat-trick. It was our second eight-goal win in three years against Turkey, who at that stage had made it to just one major international tournament. Those days are gone. Turkey have reached the [...]
Kempton Park Racecourse to close as part of Jockey Club’s £500m plans January 10, 2017 Kempton Park Racecourse, home of the King George VI Chase, looks set to be sold off for housing as part of a Jockey Club plan to re-invest £500m back into British racing over the next decade. The 300-acre estate has been submitted for redevelopment consideration with any future housing works beginning in 2021 at the earliest. This follows [...]
Fifa votes to expand World Cup to 48 teams January 10, 2017 The Fifa World Cup will include 48 countries from 2026 onwards, expanded from the current 32-nation format, Fifa announced this morning. World football's governing body said the decision to expand the men's tournament had been 'unanimous', in a tweet posted by the Fifa press department. The FIFA Council unanimously decided on a 48-team #WorldCup as of 2026:16 groups of [...]
Millwall handed FA Cup reward with home tie against Premier League side as Chelsea face west London derby January 9, 2017 League One Millwall have been rewarded for dumping Bournemouth out of the FA Cup with another home clash against top-flight Watford in the fourth round. Millwall, who are currently 10th in the third tier, thrashed an under-strength Cherries 3-0 at the New Den on Saturday and will now face Walter Mazzarri’s Hornets in the last 32, which [...]
Fifa set to expand World Cup to 48 teams – and bank $1bn in extra revenue January 9, 2017 Controversial but highly lucrative proposals to expand the World Cup from 32 teams to 48 from 2026 are expected to be rubber-stamped by governing body Fifa on Tuesday. Critics say the plans, advanced by Fifa president Gianni Infantino, will dilute the overall standard, produce less exciting matches and could increase the likelihood of teams colluding. [...]
Fifa World Cup expansion vote Q+A: What are the proposals and how do they work? January 9, 2017 Fifa's Council is expected to approve plans to expand the World Cup to a record 48 teams from 2026 when it meets to vote on the issue on Tuesday. Here is the lowdown on how it works. What is being proposed? The first expansion of the World Cup since 1998, from 32 teams to 48. [...]
Jurgen Klopp to field Liverpool’s top brass against Southampton as playmaker prepares to make comeback January 9, 2017 Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp insists he will field the strongest line-up at his disposal during his side’s EFL Cup semi-final first leg against Southampton at St Mary’s Stadium on Wednesday. Klopp has also confirmed that Philippe Coutinho is primed for a return to action after being sidelined for more than six weeks with an ankle [...]