In this crazy season, don’t rule out West Ham of top-four race March 8, 2016 West Ham have proven they can cling to the coattails of the leading pack and in this crazily unpredictable Premier League season I wouldn’t rule out a top-four finish. Three successive wins have propelled the Hammers to fifth, just a point behind Manchester City and three adrift of Arsenal. I don’t really see them finishing [...]
Maria Sharapova: Nike and Tag Heuer deserve few plaudits for jumping ship from overvalued endorsements March 8, 2016 Maria Sharapova has been the most marketable female sports star for the last 10 years with earnings of £21m in 2015 alone. £16m of these earnings were mainly from endorsements from Nike and Tag Heuer, both of which provided her with possibly 40 per cent of her endorsement revenues. Porshe, Evian, Sugarpova, Head, Avon, Netjets, [...]
Sunderland chief executive Margaret Byrne resigns following Adam Johnson child abuse case March 8, 2016 Sunderland chief executive Margaret Byrne has resigned for allowing Adam Johnson to continue playing for the Premier League club after he was charged with two counts of sexual activity with a 15-year-old schoolgirl last May. Johnson remained a first-team regular for Sunderland until last month when he was sacked after pleading guilty on one count [...]
Maria Sharapova drugs test scandal “a load of nonsense” claims Russian tennis boss March 8, 2016 The head of Russian tennis has hit back at the drugs scandal engulfing Maria Sharapova, describing it as "just a load of nonsense". Russian Tennis Federation president Shamil Tarpishchev said Sharapova's failed drugs test at this year's Australian Open would not prevent her from competing at the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. On Monday [...]
Nike suspends £43m Maria Sharapova endorsement deal following failed drug test at Australian Open March 8, 2016 Maria Sharapova could lose millions in future sponsorship earnings, after partners such as Nike, Tag Heuer and Porsche moved responded with concern to her admission of failing a drugs test. Sportswear giant Nike said it was "saddened and surprised" by Sharapova's confession that she had tested positive for meldonium, a substance added to the World [...]
Maria Sharapova career in doubt after testing positive for banned substance at Australian Open 2016 March 7, 2016 Former world No1 and five-time grand slam winner Maria Sharapova has shocked the tennis world by announcing she had failed a drugs test at this year’s Australian Open. The Russian tested positive for banned substance meldonium, which she has been taking since 2006 for health reasons. Meldonium has been on the banned list since 1 January [...]
Hockey star Simon Mantell targets Olympic success and boost to employment prospects in City post-Rio de Janeiro March 7, 2016 While there are more conventional and less arduous methods of career development, Great Britain’s Simon Mantell is convinced that the pursuit of Olympic hockey gold is boosting his credentials for future employment amongst the City’s financial elite. Mantell was a member of the Great Britain side that finished fourth at London 2012 after losing 3-1 [...]
McIlroy back on form and new cross-handed technique looks to suit him, but Scott simply imperious March 7, 2016 Former world No1 Rory McIlroy would have been extremely disappointed to let a maiden victory of 2016 slip through his fingers in Florida on Sunday but if it’s any consolation he lost out to the hottest player on the planet at the moment, Adam Scott. McIlroy has had his problems and concerns over form this [...]
England remain tight-lipped on Tuilagi selection for Six Nations showdown against Wales March 7, 2016 Defence coach Paul Gustard insists that powerhouse centre Manu Tuilagi will play an integral future role for England but has remained tight-lipped on whether he will feature against Wales on Saturday. The 24-year-old, who last played international rugby in June 2014, was included in the 33-man training squad that congregated at Pennyhill Park on Sunday ahead [...]
Arsenal’s Premier League title bid may be stuttering but it’s not extinct, says Wenger March 7, 2016 Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger remains adamant that his side’s chances of being crowned Premier League champions are very much alive despite a stuttering run of form which has given rise to oft-asked questions about their staying power. The Gunners having accumulated just one point from the last nine on offer, while the north London [...]