Wiggins saga reignites: Damian Collins says there is no evidence to back-up Dave Brailsford’s decongestant claims December 29, 2016 The teams behind five times Olympic gold medalist Bradley Wiggins have failed to provide evidence to back-up claims a mysterious package delivered to the team contained a non-banned medical substance. Controversy surrounded Team Sky – who masterminded Wiggins' 2012 Tour de France victory – and British Cycling earlier this year after it was revealed a British Cycling coach was asked [...]
Sir Bradley Wiggins has announced his retirement from cycling December 28, 2016 Sir Bradley Wiggins has announced his retirement from professional cycling. In a statement on Facebook, the Tour de France winner and eight-time Olympic medallist said: "I have been lucky enough to live a dream and fulfill my childhood aspiration of making a living and a career out of the sport I fell in love with [...]
Goals on demand: Why we’ll get an Uber for sports in 2017 December 23, 2016 We’ve all been spoilt by Uber, admit it. We now expect to get whatever we want from the touch of a button. Not several clicks, but one single touch. With fingerprints unlocking screens and the rise of voice control like Siri, even that touch will soon be one too much and next year, instant gratification [...]
The FA’s background checks for new coaches are necessary – but don’t expect them to rid organisation of scandal December 22, 2016 Now the blushes have subsided following Sam Allardyce's brief reign as England manager, brought to an end after just 67 days when he was recorded having "inappropriate" conversations about third-party ownership rules, the Football Association will appoint external companies to carry out background checks on all prospective employees. Forensic questionnaires that dig into applicants' private [...]
Crystal Palace sack manager Alan Pardew after dismal 2016 December 22, 2016 Alan Pardew has been sacked by Crystal Palace with the South London club hovering just one place and one point above the relegation zone. The former Charlton, Southampton and Newcastle manager took the Eagles to their first FA Cup final in 21 years last May, but has overseen a dramatic slump in the club's league form in [...]
Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis: Gunners will bounce back from Everton and Manchester City defeats to challenge for title December 22, 2016 Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis believes the Gunners will be in the title race right to the end, despite slipping nine points behind league leaders Chelsea last weekend. After slipping to consecutive 2-1 defeats at Everton and Manchester City, Arsene Wenger's men have fallen to fourth, just one point above local rivals Tottenham. But writing to shareholders in [...]
Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho tempted by China’s riches but wants long-term Old Trafford stay December 21, 2016 Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho admits he is tempted by the riches on offer in Chinese football but insists he wants to remain in the Old Trafford hotseat for the foreseeable future. Contrary to speculation, former Chelsea, Real Madrid and Inter Milan manager Mourinho is adamant the club have not offered him fresh terms, although [...]
Double let-off for Northampton Saints over George North concussion inquiry and European Champions Cup team selection December 21, 2016 Northampton have escaped punishment despite being told they were wrong to allow wing George North to resume playing a Premiership match after he suffered a head injury. North, who has a history of concussions, was cleared to continue this month’s fixture against Leicester, amid concerns he may have been knocked out again, after being assessed by [...]
Art at the Old Vic is a breezy dissection of male friendships December 21, 2016 Perhaps it takes a woman to really grasp the nuances of the modern man. French playwright Yasmina Reza’s comedy about male friendship is so on the nose you can take any three of your man-friends and fit them neatly into the three archetypes so proficiently and entertainingly represented here. Rufus Sewell plays Serge, a posturing [...]
Saint Joan at the Donmar is a stylish but forgettable modern retelling of the Bernard Shaw classic December 21, 2016 Gemma Arterton is the star attraction in this stylish but ultimately forgettable production of Bernard Shaw’s dense and unusual play. The action is positively shoehorned into the present day, with the court of the future King Charles becoming a trading house called Dauphin Holdings. This unexpected twist provides the backdrop for some excellent early jokes, [...]