IRB Player of the Year 2014 nominations: Jonny Sexton and All Blacks’ Julian Savea and Brodie Retallick in line for rugby accolade November 13, 2014 Jonny Sexton could have an individual award to add to his Six Nations medal, after the Ireland fly-half was nominated for the IRB Player of the Year 2014. Sexton is the only European up for the rugby union accolade, with the four other nominees coming from either South Africa or New Zealand. The [...]
Sponsors ready to ditch Blades over Evans row November 12, 2014 SHEFFIELD United last night came under renewed pressure to cut ties with convicted rapist Ched Evans after two major sponsors warned they would consider withdrawing their support if the club signed the forward. Evans this week moved a step closer to rejoining the League One side, who he played for before being jailed in 2012, [...]
World Cup bid probe set to clear Qatar but take aim at England November 12, 2014 QATAR’S controversial but successful bid to stage the 2022 World Cup is expected to be exonerated of serious wrongdoing today by governing body Fifa’s official investigation. But England are expected to be criticised for their approach to bidding for the 2018 tournament, which was awarded to Russia. German judge Hans-Joachim Eckert is this morning due [...]
Springboks ring the changes for Red Rose clash November 12, 2014 SOUTH Africa coach Heyneke Meyer insists the sweeping changes he has made to his team for Saturday’s Test against England are not a reaction to last week’s defeat to Ireland. Meyer has dropped five players and recalled the likes of World Cup winners JP Pietersen and Schalk Burger for the Test at Twickenham, England’s second [...]
Djokovic turns on style to beat Wawrinka at O2 November 12, 2014 WORLD No1 Novak Djokovic stayed on course for a third successive ATP World Tour Finals title with a blistering annihilation of Australian Open champion Stan Wawrinka last night in London. Djokovic, who is seeking his fourth success overall at the lucrative season-ending tournament, won 12 out of 13 games to thrash Wawrinka 6-3, 6-0 at [...]
Crowd won’t be on my side for Federer match, admits Murray November 12, 2014 BRITAIN’S Andy Murray expects home advantage to count for little when he faces world No2 Roger Federer with a place in the semi-finals of the ATP World Tour Finals at stake tonight in London. Murray can rely on feverishly partisan support at Wimbledon but the end-of-season event a few miles east at the O2 attracts [...]
Caterham crowdfunding helps British woman’s F1 debut bid November 12, 2014 BRITISH racer Alice Powell is hoping to make her Formula One debut at this month’s Abu Dhabi Grand Prix for financially troubled team Caterham – but admits she has never driven an F1 car. Powell, 21, is in line to take part in free practice at the season’s final race after her grandfather chipped in [...]
Carrick to miss Slovenia and Scotland games after suffering fresh injury blow November 12, 2014 MANCHESTER United midfielder Michael Carrick was last night ruled out of England’s fixtures against Slovenia and Scotland after suffering another injury setback. Carrick, 33, was called up by Roy Hodgson for the international double-header despite having made just one start for his club this season, due to an ankle ligament problem. But less than half [...]
Chelsea to net £20m profit November 12, 2014 CHELSEA are today expected to announce a record profit of around £20m fuelled by an all-time high turnover of £325m. The figures have been boosted by the sales of midfielder Juan Mata to Manchester United and defender David Luiz to Paris Saint-Germain for a combined £87m. The main summer signings of striker Diego Costa and [...]
Messi sprinkles stardust in East End November 12, 2014 ARGENTINA superstar Lionel Messi illuminated Upton Park for the first – and probably last – time last night when the World Cup finalists beat Croatia 2-1 in a glamour friendly at the home of West Ham. Messi scored the winning goal from the penalty spot, while former Hammers Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano also played. [...]