Olympic Games in Rio will de devalued by Russia absence, says president Vladimir Putin July 27, 2016 Russia president Vladimir Putin insists the banning of his nation’s competitors will devalue the achievements of medal-winning athletes at next month’s Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro. More than one hundred Russians have so far been barred from the Games, which start on 5 August, including 67 of their 68-strong athletics team. The International Association [...]
Jake Ball, not Steven Finn, should replace injured all-rounder Ben Stokes for England’s pivotal third Test with Pakistan July 27, 2016 Head coach Trevor Bayliss was right to say the loss of Ben Stokes leaves a hole in the England side although the form of fellow all-rounder Chris Woakes, who is proving a real asset, can offset his absence. Stokes will miss next week’s third Investec Test against Pakistan with the calf injury he picked up [...]
US PGA Championship prize money 2016: $1.8m earnings boost on offer at Baltusrol to Jason Day, Jordan Spieth, Rory McIlroy and co July 27, 2016 Victory in the US PGA Championship in New Jersey is the joint-second most lucrative prize money pay cheque for a single event on the golf calendar. Reigning champion Jason Day earned $1.8m, the tournament’s largest ever winner’s reward, at Whistling Straits last year and the prize remains the same this time at Baltusrol. That lucrative take comes from [...]
Jason Bourne review: Matt Damon returns to the Paul Greengrass-directed franchise, but finds himself in surprisingly shallow waters July 27, 2016 Paul Greengrass returns to direct this fourth instalment of the Bourne franchise, with a plot cobbled thinly together from the previous three. Bourne (Matt Damon) is brought back from the cold when villainous Agency head honcho Robert Dewey (Tommy Lee Jones) starts a covert intelligence program – Ironhand – operating beyond the radar of the [...]
Finding Dory review: Finding Nemo sequel starring Ellen DeGeneres is another glorious Pixar adventure that avoids feeling like a cash-in July 27, 2016 The title "Finding Dory" evokes a bunch of franchise-happy studio execs sitting around, looking at financial statements and wondering how to come up with a sequel given that Nemo is no longer missing. The film's laboured opening scenes do little to dissipate this odour of a cash-in: we meet young Dory (Sloane Murray), being taught [...]
Liverpool had €40m transfer bid for Joao Mario rejected, claims Sporting Lisbon star’s father July 27, 2016 Liverpool have had a €40m (£33.6m) transfer bid for Portugal's Euro 2016 star Joao Mario rejected by Sporting Lisbon, according to the player's father. Attacking midfielder Mario, who has also been linked with Manchester United and Chelsea this summer, started in six of Portugal's seven games in their victorious Euro 2016 campaign. The 23-year-old is currently [...]
Arsenal draw a blank in bid to sign striker as Alexandre Lacazette offer rejected and Gonzalo Higuain moves to Juventus July 26, 2016 Arsenal's perennial battle to bolster their striking options has been dealt a double blow after their pursuit of Lyon forward Alexandre Lacazette ran aground and long-term target Gonzalo Higuain moved to Juventus. French side Lyon released a statement confirming the rejection of a €35m (£29.3m) offer from the Gunners for Lacazette, who scored 21 goals in 34 [...]
Good news for Sam Allardyce as Richard Scudamore confirms talks ongoing to introduce winter break into the Premier League July 26, 2016 Premier League executive chairman Richard Scudamore says there is a willingness amongst authorities to introduce the winter break called for by new England manager Sam Allardyce. England's non-stop football calendar, which in contrast to Germany, Spain and France only pauses for international fixtures, has long been cited as a possible disadvantage to the England team at major international tournaments. Read more: Tottenham's travels down under [...]
Arsenal €35m bid for Alexandre Lacazette turned down by Lyon who regard striker as “irreplaceable” July 26, 2016 Arsenal have had a €35m (£29.4m) offer for Alexandre Lacazette rejected by Lyon who warned the Gunners and other interested parties that the striker is not for sale. In a club statement Lyon dismissed reports in the French press that Arsenal had offered up to €48m for Lacazette. The speedy striker, who has scored over 20 goals [...]
Barcelona move ahead of Real Madrid with record-breaking revenue July 26, 2016 Barcelona have become the first club to announce revenue figures worth over £500m after generating record-breaking turnover of €679m (£570m) in the 2015/16 season. The Catalan club, who won both La Liga and the Copa del Rey last season, believe the results keep the club on course of meeting its revenue target of €1bn by 2021. The [...]