Armitage handed 12-week ban for abusing Leicester supporters December 17, 2014 TOULON full-back Delon Armitage has been banned for 12 weeks for using foul and abusive language towards Leicester Tigers fans following a European Champions Cup clash earlier this month. The former England full-back pleaded not guilty at a misconduct hearing yesterday but a disciplinary committee ruled he had “conducted himself in an unsportsmanlike manner”, and [...]
Capital One Cup: Fabregas: We can challenge for quadruple December 16, 2014 DERBY COUNTY 1 CHELSEA 3 CHELSEA midfielder Cesc Fabregas is adamant the squad assembled by manager Jose Mourinho is capable of mounting a successful challenge for an unprecedented quadruple after brushing aside Championship high-flyers Derby County in the Capital One Cup quarter-final last night. Fabregas and Co were cruising into the semi-final draw thanks to a [...]
Prototype modern player Henry bids adieu December 16, 2014 FOR a player who won almost every prize football has to offer and who has been celebrated worldwide, Thierry Henry’s status among the game’s greats still divides opinion. To some, the former Arsenal, Barcelona, New York Red Bulls, Monaco, Juventus and France forward, who retired yesterday, aged, 37 to pursue a broadcasting and coaching career, [...]
Saints upset by plucky Blades December 16, 2014 GIANT-KILLERS Sheffield United claimed another Premier League scalp as 10-man Southampton’s plummeting run of form continued with a Capital One Cup quarter-final exit at Bramall Lane last night. Striker Mark McNulty proved the match-winner in the second half as Southampton defender Florin Gardos was dismissed late on. The Saints have lost their last five matches, [...]
Fifa throws out probe objection December 16, 2014 FOOTBALL world governing body Fifa has dismissed a complaint by its chief ethics investigator over the findings of his probe into World Cup bid corruption allegations. Michael Garcia complained that his evidence had been incorrectly summarised by Fifa’s chief ethic adjudicator Hans-Joachim Eckert, who ruled that neither Russia nor Qatar had unfairly influenced voting for [...]
Storey bids to set hour record December 16, 2014 BRITAIN’S most decorated Paralympian Dame Sarah Storey will bid to break the women’s track cycling hour record at the Lee Valley VeloPark on Saturday 28 February. The 11-time paralympic gold medal-winner is looking to better the current record of 46.065km, set by Dutch rider Leontien Zijlaard-van Moorsel in Mexico in 2003. Storey is the first [...]
Crolla title bid lies in tatters December 16, 2014 PRIZEFIGHTER Anthony Crolla was last night facing the prospect of having to withdraw from January’s WBA world title fight with Richard Abril after suffering serious injuries while tacking burglars. The 28-year-old suffered a head injury and broken ankle after challenging two intruders at a neighbour’s house in New Moston. “His title dream is gone,” said [...]
Under-fire Cook admits he could be sacked as England’s captain December 16, 2014 RESOLUTE England skipper Alastair Cook has reiterated his determination to remain as one-day captain but admits he could be sacked ahead of the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. England were condemned to an 87-run defeat in the seventh and final one-day international (ODI) against Sri Lanka in Colombo yesterday which sealed a 5-2 [...]
Rodgers slams mutiny claims December 16, 2014 EMBATTLED Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has rubbished claims of dressing-room unrest as he prepares for tonight’s hazardous trip to in-form Bournemouth. A Capital One Cup quarter-final upset at the Championship leaders would increase uncertainty over Rodgers’ position, though he insists there is no mutiny. “I hear one or two bits and pieces about unrest – [...]
Boss tips Kane for England call December 16, 2014 SPUSRS boss Mauricio Pochettino believes England Under-21 striker Harry Kane is in line to earn a senior call-up as his side prepare to host Newcastle in tonight’s Capital One Cup quarter-final. Kane has been a regular in England’s second string but, after starting the domestic season in the shadow of more established marksmen, the 21-year-old is [...]