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 [...]
Theatre review: Death of a Salesman May 15, 2015 Noel Coward Theatre | ★★★★☆ Incredibly, this year is the centenary of Arthur Miller’s birth, and he’s still America’s most famous playwright. It’s incredible because Death of a Salesman – his Pulitzer Prize-winning opus on the American Dream – still reverberates around the claustrophobic walls of our 9-to-5 culture. Through Willy Loman, an everyman [...]
Film review: Pitch Perfect 2 still hits the right notes May 15, 2015 Cert 12a | ★★★☆☆ If you haven’t heard of Pitch Perfect, it’s probably because you’re not a girl under the age of 25. But this comedy about rival acapella choirs became a cult hit in 2012, largely due to breakout performances from the sickeningly talented Anna Kendrick and offbeat Australian comedian Rebel Wilson. Simply [...]