Broad says sorry for absence from sponsor function May 17, 2015 ENGLAND seamer Stuart Broad has apologised to cricket bosses for missing a sponsor’s event ahead of the two-Test series against New Zealand, which starts on Thursday. Broad is reported to have been unable to fulfil the commitment following a night out with former England team-mate Matt Prior, having only returned to his hotel at 7am [...]
Records tumble as Rory McIlroy claims Quail Hollow win May 17, 2015 WORLD No1 Rory McIlroy carded a final-round 69 to storm to a record-breaking victory at the Wells Fargo Championship at Quail Hollow in North Carolina last night. Four-time Major winner McIlroy failed to repeat the heroics of his stunning round of 61 on Saturday but finished on a staggering 21 under par for the tournament, [...]
Chelsea striker Diego Costa hopeful of comeback May 17, 2015 Chelsea striker Diego Costa is in contention to return from a seven-match absence when the Premier League champions visit West Brom tonight for their penultimate fixture of the season. Read more: Euro failings put squeeze on Champions League places Costa remains the Blues’ top scorer, with 19 goals in 35 appearances, despite a recurring [...]
No pressure on us, says McCall May 17, 2015 SARACENS boss Mark McCall insists his side have “nothing to lose” when they face defending champions Northampton in the semi-final of the Premiership play-offs at Franklin’s Gardens on Saturday. The north London club, who were crowned Premiership champions in 2011, sealed their place at the expense of Exeter on match points difference after a 10-try [...]
Brazil football team selection allegedly controlled by Saudi company – reports May 17, 2015 Explosive reports in Sao Paulo newspaper Estadao suggest that selection of Brazil's national football team has been controlled by commercial partners since 2006. Documents obtained by the respected Estadao allege an agreement between the Brazilian Football Federation and Cayman Islands-registered company International Sports Events (ISE), detailing that the players selected for Brazil squads must meet certain established criteria of [...]
Wimbledon’s global appeal keeps All England Tennis Club profit growing May 17, 2015 The All England Tennis Club (AELTC), the ultimate owner of the Wimbledon Championships, reported a 48 per cent rise in operating profit to £56.1m in the last financial year ended 31 July 2014. Unsurprisingly, the vast majority of the group's income came from the Championships which delivered turnover of £169.7m – 99 per cent of [...]
Kevin Pietersen could sue over ECB row, say lawyers May 15, 2015 Controversial batsman Kevin Pietersen could take legal action against the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) over claims that he was misled regarding his chances of earning an international recall, according to leading sports lawyers. Pietersen has alleged that he was “deceived” by incoming ECB chairman Colin Graves, arguing that he was told there [...]
Film review: Clouds of Sils Maria May 15, 2015 Cert 12a | ★☆☆☆☆ Clouds of Sils Maria takes the acting profession so seriously the entire script could be printed off and submitted to Private Eye’s Luvvies column. Juliette Binoche plays a fading Hollywood star, Kristen Stewart her assistant, and together they hit every cliché short of air-kissing and telling each other they’re marvelous. [...]
Art review: Peter Kennard May 15, 2015 Imperial War Museum | ★★★★☆ In the cathedral of militaria that is the Imperial War Museum, a dash of pacifism can help keep things in perspective. Photomontage artist Peter Kennard spent the last 50 years making provocative collages denouncing conflict, greed and corporate misdemeanours. Kennard’s work is caustic and confrontational, the stuff of [...]
QPR owner Tony Fernandes must implement austerity measures with £58m Football League fine approaching May 15, 2015 Relegation is always a testing experience for any football club, but for Queens Park Rangers this season the drop comes with more uncertainty than usual. QPR are facing the prospect of a massive £58m fine from the Football League as their financial performance is deemed to be in breach of the league's financial fair play [...]