The fall-out of Manchester United and Jose Mourinho image rights negotiations could be worth millions as Chelsea own former manager’s trademark May 26, 2016 One of the stumbling blocks that has appeared to be holding up Jose Mourinho's expected appointment by Manchester United has been a conflict over the ownership of the former Chelsea manager’s so-called image rights. This comes as no surprise when you consider the potential costs to United should they have no control over the Special One's lucrative image rights. In particular, [...]
In England the ref doesn’t blow his whistle when you play aggressively – that suits me, says Arsenal’s new £30m hardman Granit May 25, 2016 He is no stranger to a waft of the red card and Arsenal’s new £30m signing Granit Xhaka admits that the leniency of English referees was one of the factors that attracted him to the Premier League. Xhaka arrives in north London with a reputation as an uncompromising midfielder whose enthusiasm for defending the Borussia [...]
Murray’s worry as exhausted Brit limps into French Open third round after labouring against another unheralded opponent May 25, 2016 Exhausted Andy Murray admits he needs to slash his game time or risk any chance of winning the French Open after he was taken to a gruelling five-setter by a second consecutive unfancied opponent. World No2 Murray, who arrived in Paris with high hopes of a best Roland Garros yet, was blown away at times [...]
Fabulous cricketer Chris Woakes can mitigate impact of Ben Stokes absence and help England wrap up series May 25, 2016 It may be a worry in the long-term but the knee injury that has sidelined Ben Stokes should not make any difference to the outcome of England’s remaining two Tests against Sri Lanka when the action resumes on Friday. In Chris Woakes they have a ready replacement who is bowling well and will be full [...]
Changing Lanes: Meet the Square Mile foreign exchange boss who manages a superbike team on his commute May 25, 2016 Outside perceptions of both the City and motorsport may tend to evoke masculinity; think Wall Street: Money Never Sleeps, in which the adrenaline-fuelled Bretton James and Jacob Moore combine million dollar deals with an addiction for speed on Ducatis. But Mark Smith-Halvorsen, the chief executive officer of foreign exchange specialists Global Reach Partners and boss [...]
Manchester United fans will never love Jose Mourinho, says Eric Cantona May 24, 2016 Manchester United great Eric Cantona has given a lukewarm reception to Jose Mourinho’s expected coronation at Old Trafford, saying supporters will be slow to warm to his style. Cantona, who won six trophies in five years at United, insists he is a fan of the fiery former Chelsea manager, who is set to be confirmed [...]
England all-rounder Stokes facing uncertain summer after knee operation May 24, 2016 England all-rounder Ben Stokes has revealed his anguish at facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines after undergoing surgery on a cartilage tear to his left knee. Stokes is certain to miss the remaining two instalments of the current three-Test series against Sri Lanka after aggravating his knee as England emphatically won last week’s first [...]
Andy Murray blasts Amelie Mauresmo rift talk after scraping past oldest man in French Open draw May 24, 2016 Britain's Andy Murray strongly refuted suggestions that his behaviour caused a split with former coach Amelie Mauresmo after he battled into the second round of the French Open on Tuesday. Murray completed a delayed 3-6, 3-6, 6-0, 6-3, 7-5 win over 37-year-old Radek Stepanek – the oldest man in the men’s draw – to avoid [...]
Charlie Stillitano: International Champions Cup will not turn into a European Super League — but we can offer a model to follow May 24, 2016 The man accused of plotting a closed-off competition for Europe’s biggest clubs has denied that his organisation’s pre-season friendly tournament will play a hand in forming any breakaway league. But Charlie Stillitano, the chairman of the International Champions Cup (ICC) organisers Relevent Sports, does believe that top clubs could form a new competition under the [...]
Champions Leicester only received fifth-highest Premier League prize money payment May 24, 2016 Leicester may have taken the plaudits and the silverware but Arsenal took home the biggest slice of Premier League prize money last season, becoming the first team ever to bank more than £100m. The Gunners pocketed £100.9m for finishing second, while Leicester received a relatively modest £93.2m – only the fifth highest amount of the [...]