Real Madrid and Barcelona ordered to repay millions in state aid July 4, 2016 Real Madrid and Barcelona, the world’s two richest clubs, have been ordered to pay back millions of euros after a European Commission investigation found them guilty of receiving illegal state aid. Real must pay back €18.4m (£15.4m) relating to a land deal with local authorities, who were found to have overpaid, as well up to €5m [...]
France 5, Iceland 2: Didier Deschamps wary of semi-final rivals Germany as Les Bleus reach last four after pummelling Iceland July 3, 2016 France manager Didier Deschamps admitted facing world champions Germany was a daunting prospect after the tournament hosts brutally pummelled Iceland to reach the semi-finals of Euro 2016. Les Bleus surged into a four-goal half-time lead courtesy of strikes from Olivier Giroud, who also netted after the break, Paul Pogba, Dimitri Payet and Antoine Griezmann. Kolbeinn [...]
Australian Nick Kyrgios tooled up in quest to de-rail Andy Murray’s Wimbledon bid July 3, 2016 Australia bad boy Nick Kyrgios insists he has detected an unmistakable change in the demeanour of leading title contenders, including Britain’s Andy Murray, following the Wimbledon demise of top seed Novak Djokovic. World No1 and defending Wimbledon champion Djokovic, the current holder of all four grand slam crowns, crashed out of the tournament following a [...]
Chris Froome profits as Peter Sagan takes yellow jersey on second stage of Tour de France July 3, 2016 Sprinter Peter Sagan claimed the Tour de France leader’s yellow jersey for the first time in his career on a good day for Britain’s defending champion Chris Froome. Slovakian Sagan snatched the win on an uphill finish to stage two in Normandy to replace Manxman Mark Cavendish at the head of the general classification. Team [...]
Sparks fly as Lewis Hamilton and Nico Rosberg clash at Austrian Grand Prix July 3, 2016 World champion Lewis Hamilton and Mercedes team-mate Nico Rosberg’s rivalry spilled over after the pair collided in a dramatic Austrian Grand Prix on Sunday. Both drivers accused the other of causing the final-lap crash in which Hamilton decisively took the lead and Rosberg suffered damage to his front wing, condemning him to fourth place. Victory [...]
Wales boss Chris Coleman tells players to laugh in face of fear in bid to reach Euro 2016 final July 3, 2016 Wales boss Chris Coleman has urged his side to brush off the notion of fear and stand up for their identity when they face Portugal on Wednesday for a place in the final of Euro 2016. Coleman’s side booked their place in the semi-finals of a major tournament for the first time following a 3-1 [...]
Pep Guardiola rules out trying to lure Lionel Messi to Manchester after formal unveiling as City boss July 3, 2016 New Manchester City boss Pep Guardiola has ruled out launching an audacious multi-million pound bid for Barcelona forward Lionel Messi after being officially unveiled as the club’s manager. The Spaniard conducted a question and answer session at the Etihad Stadium, having arrived at City on the back of three seasons with Bayern Munich during which [...]
Belgian Blues help entice in-demand Michy Batshuayi to Chelsea July 3, 2016 Chelsea's newest recruit Michy Batshuayi has revealed that Belgium team-mates Eden Hazard and Thibaut Courtois helped convince him to move to Stamford Bridge in a £33m transfer. The 22-year-old striker completed his move from Marseille on Sunday, signing a five-year contract, following Belgium’s elimination from the European Championship by Wales on Friday. “I am delighted to [...]
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger tips Takuma Asano for stardom after clinching deal for Japan striker July 3, 2016 Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has tipped Japan striker Takuma Asano as a star of the future after the Gunners agreed a deal for the 21-year-old. Asano is set to join from Sanfrecce Hiroshima, subject to receiving a work permit, where he scored 11 goals in 56 appearances and was in 2015 voted the J-League’s Rookie of [...]
The Tour de France: a French institution. Visit and you’ll soon find out why… July 3, 2016 It is carnival time in Normandy. Yes, France is still hosting the football European Championships, but many believe there is no sporting event that captures the hearts and minds of the French public better than the Tour de France. The event isn’t just a bicycle race. Aside from being pinnacle of professional racing, it gives the opportunity for [...]