Arsenal, Chelsea and other Premier League Champions League places under threat from Juventus resurgence May 14, 2015 England's biggest football clubs are currently enjoying an era of unprecedented financial dominance, with all 20 Premier League outfits reckoned to be among the 40 richest in the world. Spiralling revenue, driven by ever-swelling television contracts, has afforded even the most modest English top-flight teams the cash to outbid all but the most prestigious sides [...]
Chelsea FC have received over £1bn Roman Abramovich loans in 12 years May 14, 2015 Roman Abramovich's loans to Chelsea have risen above the £1bn mark. Chelsea's billionaire Russian owner has loaned a total of £1,041,243,000 to Fordstam, the company through which he owns the Premier League champions. According to Fordstam's latest accounts for the full financial year ended 30 June 2014, Abramovich's loans to the club rose by £60m [...]
Manchester United: Ed Woodward “pleased” with Louis van Gaal as revenue rises in third quarter May 14, 2015 Manchester United made £95m in the first three months of 2015 thanks to an increase in commercial revenue and sponsorships. The figures The Premier League giants said they were "pleased" with manager Louis van Gaal's first season in charge but expect the Dutchman to deliver trophies next season. Commercial revenues at the club jumped 11.7 [...]
Juventus share price rises after Real Madrid victory seals Champions League final place May 14, 2015 Juventus' share price has jumped in morning trading after the Italian champions reached their first Champions League final since 2003. Massimiliano Allegri's side earned a 1-1 draw at the Bernabeu last night to secure a close 3-2 aggregate semi-final victory over reigning European champions Real Madrid. Shares in the Turin giants have risen by more [...]
Vaughan: KP ban will hurt coach search May 13, 2015 FORMER skipper Michael Vaughan has compounded fears that the continued exclusion of controversial batsman Kevin Pietersen could harm England’s chances of attracting a top-class candidate to the vacant head coach position. Vaughan’s comments followed ex-Australia opener Matthew Hayden and leg-spinner Shane Warne questioning whether leading coaches would be prepared to work under such restrictions. England’s [...]
Champions League: Ancelotti fearful of sack as Juve dispatch holders May 13, 2015 REAL MADRID 1 JUVENTUS 1 JUVENTUS WIN 3-2 ON AGGREGATE) REAL Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti acknowledged that his job is on the line after the reigning kings of Europe crashed out of the Champions League at the hands of Juventus last night. Juventus reached their first Champions League final since 2003 as former Real forward [...]
Exiles must return home for shot at World Cup spot, says Johnson May 13, 2015 FORMER England head coach Martin Johnson has backed the national team’s controversial embargo on selecting foreign-based stars, insisting the policy is there for good reason. Current European player of the year Nick Abendanon and last season’s award-winner Steffon Armitage are both set to be overlooked for England’s World Cup squad this year because they play [...]
United States stripped of relay silver won at London Olympics May 13, 2015 THE United States men’s sprint relay team was last night stripped of the silver medal won at the 2012 London Olympic Games as a consequence of Tyson Gay’s drugs ban. Former 100m and 200m world champion Gay returned his own medal after accepting a one-year suspension in May last year, having tested positive for steroids [...]
Chris Tremlett: I’m not sure we’ve seen the last of Kevin Pietersen in England colours May 13, 2015 It was one of the best knocks I have ever seen and I was lucky enough to be down the other end for some of it. I am, of course, talking about Kevin Pietersen’s career-best innings of 355 not out against Leicestershire at the Kia Oval. Batting at No10, I joined him when he [...]
Murray keeps up charge for third clay court title in as many weeks May 13, 2015 WORLD No3 Andy Murray continued his new-found success on clay by winning a 10th consecutive match on the surface yesterday, against Frenchman Jeremy Chardy at the Italian Open. Murray, who has already won two titles on clay this month in preparation for next week’s French Open, beat Chardy 6-4, 6-3 and faces Belgian David Goffin [...]