Liverpool’s wage bill and revenue while Brendan Rodgers was in charge suggests he didn’t deserve sack October 6, 2015 Did Brendan Rodgers deserve to be sacked as Liverpool manager? What sounds like a rhetorical question to any fan who sat through his team’s 6-1 drubbing at Stoke at the end of last season deserves closer inspection when considered in the Premier League’s wider economic context. At first glance, the figures don't look good [...]
Lionel Messi tax fraud case: Barcelona star cleared of all charges but prosecutors want jail time for father October 6, 2015 Barcelona and Argentina star Lionel Messi has been cleared of wrongdoing in a tax fraud case by Spanish prosecutors who are now calling for the arrest of his father. Read more: The cost of signing Messi and why it may be too high even for Chelsea Charges against Messi that he had defrauded Spanish authorities of [...]
Euro 2016: Injured Wayne Rooney could miss England’s bid to complete qualifiers with 100 per cent record October 6, 2015 England manager Roy Hodgson fears he could be without captain Wayne Rooney for the Euro 2016 qualifying double-header against Estonia and Lithuania. Rooney’s fellow striker Danny Ings and midfielder Jonjo Shelvey also sat out training yesterday and are doubts for the fixtures, while defender John Stones has been ruled out altogether. Tottenham right-back Kyle Walker [...]
Rugby World Cup: England head coach Stuart Lancaster insists tournament flops can prove foundation for future success October 6, 2015 Head coach Stuart Lancaster insists the group of players which presided over England’s worst ever World Cup showing can rise from the ashes of failure and prove the foundation for future success. Lancaster admitted that his squad remain in a “dark place” after the 33-13 defeat to Australia at Twickenham on Saturday confirmed their tournament [...]
Rugby World Cup 2015: England full-back Mike Brown says Michael Hooper ban is too late October 6, 2015 England full-back Mike Brown insists that Australia flanker Michael Hooper’s suspension for a foul on him in last week’s pivotal World Cup defeat at Twickenham has come too late. Hooper escaped with only conceding a penalty during the Wallabies’ 33-13 win, which condemned England to a group stage exit, but was cited for the crunching charge [...]
Rugby World Cup 2015: Wales centre Jamie Roberts reveals sympathy for tournament flops England October 6, 2015 Wales centre Jamie Roberts admits he feels sympathy for Pool A rivals and tournament hosts England after their World Cup dreams were shattered just three matches into the competition. Warren Gatland’s Welsh side face a group decider against Australia at Twickenham on Saturday, with the winners likely to face either Scotland or Japan in the [...]
Fabio Capello: Chelsea slump is down to Jose Mourinho’s habit of ruining his players October 6, 2015 Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho is paying the price for habitually “ruining” his players in the first 18 months of his tenure, according to former England coach Fabio Capello. Blues chiefs this week took the unusual step of issuing a public vote of confidence in Mourinho, who has led the team to just eight points from [...]
Jurgen Klopp can restore Liverpool to the top four but a Premier League title challenge is beyond him with this squad October 6, 2015 I was a little surprised by Liverpool’s decision to sack Brendan Rodgers but, as the dust begins to settle and the club prepare to appoint his replacement, he can harbour few complaints. None of the numbers show his reign in a very flattering light. Yes, he had to contend with the unavoidable loss of start [...]
Rugby World Cup v Football World Cup: Why do the two sports attract such different brands? October 6, 2015 Risk Everything, All in or Nothing, The Game Before the Game. Sound familiar? This was just some of the powerful, high-energy language used by sponsors of the Fifa World Cup 2014. Leave your families, sell your soul, risk your lives. This language was aggressive, fearless and came from the biggest and most recognized names [...]
Rugby World Cup v Football World Cup: Why do the two sports attract such different brands? October 6, 2015 Risk Everything, All in or Nothing, The Game Before the Game. Sound familiar? This was just some of the powerful, high-energy language used by sponsors of the Fifa World Cup 2014. Leave your families, sell your soul, risk your lives. This language was aggressive, fearless and came from the biggest and most recognized names [...]