Barcelona president Josep Bartomeu wants Europe’s biggest clubs to be given wildcard entry into the Champions League February 23, 2016 Barcelona president Josep Maria Bartomeu has backed the idea of the Champions League offering wildcard entries to elite European clubs who fail to qualify for the competition. Members of the European Club Association (ECA), the representative group of the continent's biggest clubs, tabled the idea of offering wildcards as a way of ensuring well-supported teams [...]
Former Manchester United man signs huge Adidas sponsorship deal worth £31m over 10 years February 23, 2016 Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Pogba is set to sign a 10-year sponsorship deal with Adidas worth an eye-watering £31m, after spending years resisting being tied down to a particular sportswear brand. The Juventus star has so far not been affiliated to any one brand and has been happy to sport an assortment of different [...]
Fifa election: Vast majority of fans “have no confidence” in scandal-ridden governing body but would prefer Gianni Infantino over Prince Ali or Sheikh Salman as new president February 23, 2016 Less than a quarter of football fans retain any confidence in Fifa, according to a new poll conducted ahead of this week's vote to elect Sepp Blatter's successor as president. In a poll of over 25,000 fans from 28 countries, 69 per cent said they did not have confidence in Fifa, 12 per cent were [...]
Fifa election 2016 candidate Prince Ali’s lawyers attempt to suspend Friday’s vote with request to CAS February 23, 2016 Lawyers representing Prince Ali bin al Hussein, a candidate in Friday's election for Fifa president, are attempting to have the vote suspended. The Jordanian prince's lawyers have submitted an official request to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) to suspend the election after his request for transparent voting booths was rejected by Fifa. Prince [...]
Shrewsbury Town 0, Manchester United 3: We needed help from Europa League conquerors FC Midtjylland to make FA Cup progress, admits Van Gaal February 22, 2016 Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal admitted that playmaker Juan Mata’s contentious free-kick was stolen from Europa League conquerors FC Midtjylland after the 11-time FA Cup winners cruised past League One strugglers Shrewsbury Town. A second-half strike from Jesse Lingard complemented goals in the opening period by Chris Smalling and Mata as United set up [...]
All I say is ‘abracadabra’ and Messi, Suarez and Neymar conjure magic, says Enrique as Barcelona bid to outgun Arsenal February 22, 2016 Barcelona boss Luis Enrique revelled in the ease of conjuring magic from his aces in the pack Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez and Neymar as the lethal striking trident bid to outgun Arsenal. Messi, Suarez and Neymar have netted an astonishing 91 goals between them this season, while reigning European champions and La Liga leaders Barcelona [...]
Arsenal v Barcelona: Arsene Wenger admits Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez-inspired Catalan giants are almost perfect but insists the Gunners can cause a Champions League upset February 22, 2016 Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger admits his team must rediscover their ruthless streak if they are to pull off a Champions League upset on Tuesday against a Barcelona team he rates as “not far from perfect”. Barca, propelled by the free-scoring triumvirate of Lionel Messi, Neymar and Luis Suarez, are strongly fancied to condemn the Gunners [...]
Farrell in line for axing should Tuilagi earn England recall, admits head coach Jones February 22, 2016 England head coach Eddie Jones admits that vice-captain Owen Farrell is in the firing line to be axed should centre Manu Tuilagi earn a recall up for his side’s penultimate Six Nations clash against Wales next month. Jones watched from the stands as Tuilagi made his return for club side Leicester against Harlequins on Friday [...]
Rory McIlroy’s form a few weeks from the Masters is a slight worry but Bubba Watson looks in great shape for a crack at a third Green Jacket February 22, 2016 Perhaps it’s the Jordan Spieth effect, maybe it’s the prospect of a Ryder Cup later this year, or it could simply be that they are just a very talented bunch. Either way, American golfers are on song. On Sunday it was Bubba Watson’s turn to take centre stage as the two-time Masters winner conjured a [...]
Chelsea 5, Man City 1: Guus Hiddink calls for FA Cup to be protected as Blues punish Manuel Pellegrini’s decision to field five teenage debutants February 21, 2016 Chelsea 5, Man City 1 Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink issued a passionate defence of the FA Cup’s place in English football after watching his team march into the quarter-finals by trouncing a weakened Manchester City on Sunday. Goals from Diego Costa, Willian, Gary Cahill, Eden Hazard and youngster Bertrand Traore helped the free-scoring Blues hit [...]