Six Nations: Launchbury injury blow opens door for Itoje to make full England debut versus Ireland February 24, 2016 Saracens lock Maro Itoje is in line to make his first international start after fellow second row Joe Launchbury was last night ruled out of England’s Six Nations showdown against Ireland at Twickenham on Saturday. Launchbury had been named in head coach Eddie Jones’ 23-man matchday squad for the clash but has failed to recover from [...]
Tottenham v Fiorentina: Dele Alli warned by Mauricio Pochettino to curb temper as Spurs prepare to go for jugular in Europa League February 24, 2016 Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino has admitted taking Dele Alli to one side in an attempt to transmit some of his own placid sensibilities to the tenacious teenage midfielder. Alli has hurtled from MK Dons to the forefront of Spurs’ title challenge and a place in the England squad in just seven months, although the journey [...]
Fifa cuts Sepp Blatter and Michel Platini bans on eve of election to decide which of Sheikh Salman, Gianni Infantino, Prince Ali, Tokyo Sexwale or Jerome Champagne takes charge of scandal-hit body February 24, 2016 Fifa president Sepp Blatter plans to take his fight to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) after his appeal against an eight-year ban succeeded only in reducing it to six years. The scandal-hit world governing body, whose top officials are scheduled to elect Blatter’s successor tomorrow, issued the same judgement on Michel Platini, the [...]
Tiger Woods hits back at rumours of injury setback to offer fresh hope of Masters comeback February 24, 2016 Former world No1 Tiger Woods has attempted to quell speculation that he is losing his battle to recover fitness and resume golf by posting a video clip of himself practising. The 14-time Major winner, who last played competitively six months ago and has not won since 2013, had been the subject of suggestions that his back [...]
Leeds United financial results: Losses reduced by £20m as owner Massimo Cellino heralds commitment to resolving financial issues February 24, 2016 Leeds United reduced losses by 91 per cent in the 2014/15 season, a result under-fire owner Massimo Cellino says demonstrates his commitment to resolving the club's financial issues. In the first full accounting period of Cellino's ownership, losses were brought down to £2m from the £22.9m posted a season earlier while turnover dipped slightly from [...]
Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger should consider recalling Theo Walcott or Danny Welbeck for misfiring Olivier Giroud in bid to restore fluency before vital Premier League games against Man Utd and Spurs February 24, 2016 Defensive mistakes attracted the majority of Arsene Wenger’s wrath as the Arsenal manager picked over the bones of another costly Champions League defeat, this time against free-scoring Barcelona, on Tuesday night. Yet there is another malfunctioning aspect of his team that has garnered less attention as they enter a run of fixtures that could determine [...]
Fifa election 2016: Presidential candidate Sheikh Salman accused of using football development funds on 2009 campaign February 24, 2016 Fifa presidential candidate Sheikh Salman has been accused of using Fifa development funds on a previous election campaign in 2009. The frontrunner to replace Sepp Blatter as head of football's governing body, whose campaign has been rocked by allegations of being complicit in human rights abuses, now faces accusations of using money earmarked for infrastructure and [...]
Arsenal 0, Barcelona 2: Lethal Messi gives Gunners deja vu February 23, 2016 Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger blamed his team’s failure to learn from previous mistakes after Barcelona condemned them to an all-but certain Champions League exit at the first knockout round for a sixth year in a row. Two goals in the last 20 minutes from star Lionel Messi, the second a penalty, decided this first leg [...]
Rookie Daly set for England bow in Six Nations clash with Ireland February 23, 2016 Uncapped Wasps centre Elliot Daly is in line for his international debut after being named in England head coach Eddie Jones’s 23-man squad for Saturday’s Six Nations clash with Ireland at Twickenham. Daly’s inclusion coupled with the omission of Northampton lock Courtney Lawes is the only change from the matchday party on duty against Italy [...]
Pellegrini denies shadow of Guardiola has derailed City’s silverware tilt this season February 23, 2016 Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini last night denied that the shadow cast by the impending arrival of Pep Guardiola at the Etihad Stadium has derailed his side’s tilt for silverware this season. City beat Sunderland the day after announcing that departing Bayern Munich boss Guardiola would replace the Chilean at the end of the current [...]