Premier League clubs could be offered cash incentives to take the Europa League seriously February 17, 2016 The Premier League is considering offering its clubs in the Europa League cash incentives to take the competition seriously in order to retain its Uefa coefficient ranking. English clubs are in danger of losing one of their four Champions League spots to Italy following recent under-performance in Uefa competition from Premier League clubs. Tottenham Hotspur [...]
Manchester City join forces with Israeli web-building firm Wix.com in bid to expand digital operation February 17, 2016 Manchester City owners City Football Group (CFG) have joined forces with Israeli web development company Wix.com in a bid to boost digital fan engagement across its various platforms. CFG, who also own New York City FC, Melbourne City FC and a 20 per cent stake in Japanese club Yokohama F. Marinos, will first collaborate with Wix.com [...]
David Haye interview: I want as many people to watch me as possible, it’s hard to do that on pay-per-view February 17, 2016 Gowns, suits, and Eton-educated actors. For David Haye, such trappings will become as synonymous with the boxing as the Baftas by the time he’s finished with the sport. The former heavyweight champion of the world has already ripped up the rulebook following his return to the ring in January, bypassing the big sports channels and [...]
Paris Saint-Germain 2, Chelsea 1: Hiddink upbeat after away goal despite Cavani winner February 16, 2016 Chelsea interim boss Guus Hiddink declared his side still very much in the hunt for a Champions League quarter-final place despite substitute Edinson Cavani handing Paris Saint-Germain a slender one-goal advantage in the tie last night. PSG unleashed £55m striker Cavani in the second half and the Uruguay hitman secured victory for the hosts after [...]
Oar inspiring: Treasury advisor Phelan Hill on why he has put his day job on hold in pursuit of Olympic dream February 16, 2016 A seventy-hour working week, global financial meltdown and an incessantly vibrating Blackberry are not the ideal precursors to Olympic success, memories of which have prompted Great Britain coxswain Phelan Hill to clear his Whitehall desk. During the thick of his preparations for the London 2012 Olympic Games, Hill combined his role as a senior policy [...]
Cavendish set for World Championships reunion with Wiggins as Great Britain squad announced February 16, 2016 Manxman Mark Cavendish and four-time Olympic champion Sir Bradley Wiggins are set to be reunited at the track cycling World Championships at the London Velodrome next month after both were named in Great Britain’s squad yesterday. Cavendish has not competed at the competition since 2009 and will ride the six-discipline omnium, in which he is [...]
Turning FA Cup into a midweek competition is an experiment worth trying for sake of the England team – and it might help out clubs in Europe too February 16, 2016 There is no doubt in my mind that the FA Cup would suffer if mooted plans to move all ties to midweek and scrap replays in order to make room for a winter break do come to be implemented. Saturday afternoon FA Cup matches are still something special and doing away with them would risk [...]
Relegation-haunted Sunderland to reduce cost of season tickets February 16, 2016 Relegation-threatened Sunderland have followed the lead of fellow Premier League side West Ham by announcing reductions to season-ticket prices for the 2016-17 campaign. Adult season tickets at the Stadium of Light next term will start at £350, down by £20, and the move follows widespread supporter unrest at the growing cost of attending top-level matches in [...]
Cipriani unable to resist lure of old flame Wasps as fly-half confirms return to his first club February 16, 2016 England fly-half Danny Cipriani insists the lure of rekindling his former love affair with Wasps proved irresistible after yesterday confirming that he will re-join the club from Sale Sharks next season. Wasps fended off competition from Harlequins for the signature of Cipriani, who had a season to run on his existing deal at Sale but [...]
The FA Cup: Midweek games and no replays proposed for tournament by Premier League powers February 16, 2016 Football's oldest competition could be set for a major revamp to invigorate it for the modern era. Proposals to adopt a format similar to the League Cup, by moving games to midweek and scrapping replays altogether, have been discussed by Premier League representatives and the FA according to reports. The League Cup itself could also be [...]