Fifa accused of whitewash over bid probe farce November 13, 2014 FIFA faced a barrage of whitewashing accusations last night after the lawyer hired to investigate World Cup corruption claimed football’s world governing body had misrepresented his findings. Michael Garcia, Fifa’s chief ethics investigator, said a report published yesterday that found no cause to re-run the bidding process for the 2018 and 2022 World Cups, won [...]
Federer thrashing is final nail in coffin for weary Murray’s hopes November 13, 2014 BRITAIN’S Andy Murray was left to rue a sour end to 2014 after his slender hopes of reaching the ATP World Tour Finals ended in humiliation at the hands of Roger Federer last night in London. Murray was crushed 6-0, 6-1 by world No2 Federer in one of the most one-sided losses of his career, [...]
Watson’s ready for a first start, says Lancaster November 13, 2014 ENGLAND head coach Stuart Lancaster insists Anthony Watson is ready to be thrust into a first international start tomorrow after naming the 20-year-old Bath wing in his team to face South Africa. Watson, who made his Test debut off the bench in last week’s narrow defeat to New Zealand, replaces injured club colleague Semesa Rokoduguni [...]
Baines: Centurion Rooney will be appreciated when he has retired November 13, 2014 ENGLAND defender Leighton Baines has reassured captain Wayne Rooney that he will be remembered as a national team great regardless of his failure to help land major honours. Rooney reflected this week, as he prepares to win his 100th cap against Slovenia tomorrow, that he would not be held in such high esteem as Sir [...]
Ennis in Evans Blades threat November 13, 2014 OLYMPIC heptathlon champion Jessica Ennis has threatened to withdraw her name from one of Sheffield United’s stands if the third tier club re-signs convicted rapist Ched Evans. It followed warnings from two of United’s shirt sponsors that they would reconsider their support if striker Evans, who is training with his former club on an informal [...]
Sport Comment: Burnley condemned by cold, hard reality of finance November 13, 2014 SO IF Chelsea and Manchester City are proof perfect that money will buy you football success, is the reverse true? Does lack of wealth condemn the paupers to failure? Sean Dyche will hope that Burnley’s first win of the season last Saturday can provide a springboard to safety. Before beating Hull 1-0, Dyche’s men had [...]
Poulter hunting Jimenez in bid to end title wait November 13, 2014 ENGLAND’S Ian Poulter roared into contention for a first title for two years with a blistering back nine on the first day of the Turkish Airlines Open yesterday. Poulter sank eight birdies and an eagle in an eight-under-par round of 64 that left him in second place, just one stroke behind the leader, evergreen Spaniard [...]
Dazzling Rohit sets new one-day best by hitting Sri Lanka for 264 November 13, 2014 INDIA’S Rohit Sharma insisted he could have batted for another 50 overs after obliterating the record score for a one-day international innings with a staggering 264 against Sri Lanka in Kolkata yesterday. Rohit bludgeoned nine sixes and 33 fours from 173 deliveries to emphatically surpass the previous best of 219, scored by countryman Virender Sehwag [...]
Johns Spirit can go well in effort to make Paddy Power history November 13, 2014 BILL ESDAILE PREVIEWS CHELTENHAM’S OPEN MEETING NO HORSE has ever won back-to-back renewals of the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham, but 2013 winner JOHNS SPIRIT (2.30pm) has the right attributes as he goes in search of history tomorrow afternoon. Jonjo O’Neill’s charge loves Cheltenham – three of his four chase wins have been at [...]
Well-handicapped Vaniteux hard to oppose in the Greatwood Hurdle November 13, 2014 REGULAR readers will know I’m not inclined to put up 7/2 shots in a race as competitive as Sunday’s StanJames.com Greatwood Hurdle (3.15pm), but it’s impossible not to side with VANITEUX, even carrying top weight for this big prize. The rumours emanating from Seven Barrows suggest the Supreme Novices’ third could be a dark horse [...]