There are simpler ways to boost interest and avoid empty seats than points-based system, cut ticket prices for one April 20, 2016 I don't have a problem with innovation or trying something new but I’m not convinced the proposed points-based system, mooted for the Sri Lanka tour this summer, is destined to be a rip-roaring success. The premise would be for the men’s game to follow the lead of the women’s and the winner of the series [...]
Arsene Wenger accepts blame as supporter unrest leads to threat of 20,000 empty seats for West Brom match April 20, 2016 Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger admits the collapse of his team’s title challenge could lead to a club record low attendance for a Premier League fixture when West Brom visit on Thursday evening. The Gunners have been sucked into a now-traditional scrap for a Champions League place by a dismal run that has yielded just 18 [...]
London Marathon 2016: Prize money, registration fees and finishers compared to New York, Boston, Berlin, Chicago and Tokyo April 20, 2016 If you're trying to worm your way through traffic on Sunday or in the crowds at the Mall to cheer on a relative, it will be hard to picture any other race matching the sheer size and scale of the London Marathon. Yet the scuttle through the Big Smoke is just one of the world's six [...]
Rio Olympic Games 2016: Russia stakes claim for ban to be lifted by announcing anti-doping crackdown April 20, 2016 Russia has stepped up efforts to have the ban on its athletes lifted in time for this summer’s Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro by announcing measures to tackle its doping crisis. The country’s anti-doping system, accused of being complicit in the state-sponsored and widespread use of banned substances, is to be overseen by two independent [...]
Euro 2016: France to prolong state of emergency across tournament April 20, 2016 France will extend its state of emergency for a further two months in order to cover Euro 2016. Over 2.5m football fans are expected to converge on France for the month-long football tournament, and security services want the extra powers granted to them by an official state of emergency to help ensure their safety. Read [...]
Conor McGregor retirement: Dana White confirms UFC 200 will not feature Irish fighter April 20, 2016 Has Conor McGregor fought his last fight? It certainly looks that way after the UFC followed up a tweet from the Irish fighter signalling his retirement by withdrawing him from its main event this summer. McGregor was lined up for a rematch against American Nate Diaz, who defeated him at UFC 196 last month, at [...]
Newcastle United 1, Manchester City 1: Pellegrini adopts brave face despite City opening Champions League door to rivals April 19, 2016 Manchester City boss Manuel Pellegrini brushed off his side’s failure to overcome relegation-haunted Newcastle despite their draw opening the door to rivals Manchester United in the race for a top-four finish. The Magpies recovered their poise following a contentious opener from City’s prolific marksman Sergio Aguero — his 100th Premier League goal — to earn [...]
F1 grid girls should stay, says women in motorsport ambassador and former Williams driver Susie Wolff April 19, 2016 Formula One does not need to get rid of grid girls or become more politically correct to attract female drivers, according to the leading ambassador for women in motorsport. Susie Wolff, the former Williams F1 test driver and the only woman who has taken part in a Grand Prix weekend in the past 25 years, [...]
Leicester City and Tottenham Hotspur: this is how to come out on top in a title race – and how to let it slip April 19, 2016 Suddenly pressure is mounting on Leicester in this, the most exciting Premier League season yet, after they dropped points against West Ham on Sunday and Tottenham cut their lead to five points 24 hours later. I can relate to the experience of both teams from my playing days at Everton, where we won the Division One [...]
Sir Ben Ainslie interview: Eponymous team will win the America’s Cup, asserts most decorated sailor in Olympic history April 19, 2016 They've made me angry – you don’t want to do that,” Sir Ben Ainslie famously fumed when two gold-medal rivals raised his heckles by accusing the most decorated sailor in Olympic history of foul play during the London 2012 Games. The blue-touch paper was lit and a trademark Ainslie revival duly saw the Briton claim [...]