Manny Pacquiao “accepts” Nike’s decision to cancel his sponsorship – but reaffirms views on homosexuality February 19, 2016 Filipino boxer Manny Pacquiao says he accepts Nike's decision to drop him from their sponsored athletes roster, but has repeated the criticism of homosexuality which cost him the endorsement. Nike moved swiftly to cancel their sponsorship of the welterweight fighter this week, describing his comments that gay people were "worse than animals" as "abhorrent". Yet [...]
Delacroix at the National Gallery does this magnificent painter a disservice February 19, 2016 The National Gallery | ★★☆☆☆ Measuring the influence of one artist on another is no easy task, and the National Gallery fails to pull it off convincingly in this muddled and problematic exhibition. Curators attempt to trace the influence of Delacroix – best known as the romantic painter of the iconic Liberty Leading the People – [...]
Uncle Vanya at the Almeida is brilliantly acted, cleverly staged and gratifyingly reinterpreted February 19, 2016 Almeida | ★★★★★ Anton Chekhov is a cornerstone of modern theatre, one of the fathers of realism; he eschews action in favour of mood and character, and while his Uncle Vanya is an undoubted masterpiece, the prospect of three and a half hours of Russian misery isn’t necessarily the most enticing prospect. Rejoice then that [...]
Manchester United players face wage cut as Midtjylland loss dents Champions League qualification hopes February 19, 2016 Manchester United's squad could face a 25 per cent wage cut if they fail to turn around their stuttering form and qualify for the Champions League. Louis Van Gaal's side crashed to a 2-1 defeat to Danish champions FC Midtjylland in the Europa League on Thursday night and are six points behind fourth-placed Manchester City [...]
Cristiano Ronaldo paid over €1m for a single day’s sponsorship work by Saudi Arabian firm February 19, 2016 Cristiano Ronaldo was named as the best-paid footballer in the world last year and leaked documents have shed light on just how he makes his fortune with lucrative off the pitch endorsements. The Real Madrid superstar appears to have been received over €1m from a Saudi Arabian telecom company for just a single day's work [...]
Performing for the Camera at Tate Modern works as a history lesson but says little about the here and now February 19, 2016 Tate Modern | ★★★☆☆ Performing for the Camera asks – and generally answers – a series of questions about the role of photography in the artistic process. Does it capture or create? (The latter). Is the result different from the performance? (Yes). Does being observed, as in particle physics, somehow alter the performance itself? (Yes). These [...]
Fiorentina 1, Tottenham Hotspur 1: Pochettino warns Alli to cool it and learn self-control February 18, 2016 Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino insists teenage midfielder Dele Alli must learn to curb his devilish streak after escaping with a yellow card following a petulant kick at defender Nenad Tomovic during his side’s draw with Fiorentina last night. Spurs will take a potentially critical away goal into next week’s second leg after midfielder Nacer Chadli [...]
Augsburg 0, Liverpool 0: Klopp demands more from Reds after dour draw on return home February 18, 2016 Inpatient Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp refused to conceal his frustration at his side’s failure to beat relegation-threatened Bundesliga outfit Augsburg on his return to Germany in last night’s Europa League last-32 first leg. Striker Daniel Sturridge wasted Liverpool’s best effort on goal in a largely dour contest, while former Sunderland striker Ji Dong-won flirted with winning [...]
FC Midtjylland 2, Manchester United 1: Van Gaal blames Murphy’s Law for Old Trafford avalanche of woe February 18, 2016 Beleaguered Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal hid behind the adage of Murphy’s Law after the avalanche of woe at Old Trafford intensified with defeat at Danish champions FC Midtjylland last night. A strike from £31m forward Memphis Depay gave United a crucial away goal before Midtjylland, who were only formed in 1999, stormed back [...]
Spotlight on Tuilagi as England centre set for return in front of Jones February 18, 2016 Powerhouse centre Manu Tuilagi is set to press his claims for inclusion in England head coach Eddie Jones’s Six Nations plans after being named in Leicester’s starting XV to face Harlequins at Twickenham Stoop tonight. Jones will be in the stands to run the rule over Tuilagi, who will start at inside centre, as he [...]