Athletics doping report to reveal “different scale of corruption” compared to Fifa November 7, 2015 If you thought Fifa looked bad, just wait until you see a report into corruption at the International Association of Athletics (IAAF), so says its co-authour Richard McLaren. On Monday details of an independent report into claims of doping cover-ups, extortion and money-laundering in athletics will be released by the World Anti-Doping Agency (Wada). McLaren said [...]
New Zealand Rugby World Cup triumph boosts All Blacks brand value by £25m November 6, 2015 New Zealand's show of sporting supremacy at the Rugby World Cup boosted the All Blacks brand value by $37m (£24.6m), according to brand valuation and consultancy firm Brand Finance. The All Blacks brand, the most valuable in rugby, is now estimated to be worth $169m following a successful campaign in which the iconic rugby team [...]
Theatre review: As You Like It, National Theatre November 6, 2015 Cert: 15 | ★★★☆☆ With its rambunctious female lead and sketch-show skits, As You Like It must be one of the easiest Shakespeare plays to modernise. Which makes it all the more surprising that this is the first time in 36 years the National Theatre has staged the lovestruck comedy. And what a surprise it [...]
How much did Sam Burgess cost rugby union? Highest-paid player in Premiership leaves Bath for South Sydney Rabbitohs November 6, 2015 Sam Burgess has returned to rugby league and the South Sydney Rabbitohs after an ill-fated but lucrative year in rugby union. The England international will move to Australia to reunite with his family and a club where he is worshipped as a hero, yet questions will still be asked why the union establishment failed to make [...]
Sky Sports to offer extended Premier League highlights on demand next season November 6, 2015 Sky will offer football fans the chance to catch up with extended highlights of Premier League games throughout the week with a new on demand package. The broadcaster has secured the rights to "near-live extended highlights" from the Premier League to 2019, having already snapped up the live and online categories. Extended highlights of all 212 [...]
Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino revels in his side’s imperious fitness ahead of Sunday’s north London derby after moving within touching distance of Europa League knockout stages November 6, 2015 Tottenham boss Mauricio Pochettino revelled in his side’s imperious fitness ahead of Sunday’s north London derby against Arsenal after Spurs moved within touching distance of the Europa League knockout stages with victory over Anderlecht last night. Substitute Mousa Dembele was Tottenham’s match-winner with a spectacular half-volley with only three minutes remaining after fellow replacement Imoh [...]
Kill Your Friends is a shallow imitation of American Psycho November 5, 2015 “To make money sometimes we have to make art,” muses Nicholas Hoult’s oily A&R man Steven Stelfox. There’s an irony to be found here, given that Kill Your Friends, which rides shamelessly on the coat-tails of The Wolf of Wall Street and American Psycho, appears to have been made by people who share that exact [...]
Hairy Ape is a visually stunning revival of Eugene O’Neill classic November 5, 2015 How annoyed would you be if someone called you a hairy ape? Slightly peeved? Seriously irked? How about so apoplectic that you’d plot murder and then free a gorilla from the zoo? If – like me – you fall into the latter category, you’ll love the Old Vic’s production of Eugene O’Neill’s macho 1922 play, [...]
England recall for Middlesex’s Nick Compton ahead of South Africa Test series could be an open goal November 5, 2015 England's series defeat to Pakistan in the United Arab Emirates has thrown up a number of questions which need answering before their four-Test winter tour of South Africa, principally who should partner Alastair Cook at the top of the batting order. Opening with all-rounder Moeen Ali was a punt and a way of getting two [...]
Skipper Alastair Cook concerned by England batting fragility after defeat in third Test to Pakistan consigned tourists to 2-0 series defeat November 5, 2015 Skipper Alastair Cook has admitted that England’s batting fragility is worrying after his side succumbed to a 127-run defeat against Pakistan on the final day of their must-win final Test in Sharjah yesterday. Resuming on 46-2, England’s middle-order wilted on a viciously turning pitch, losing four wickets for just 11 runs in the first hour [...]