Mourinho takes aim at financial fair play rules December 1, 2014 CHELSEA manager Jose Mourinho has launched an attack on European football’s financial fair play (FFP) rules, blaming them for handicapping the Blues in the transfer market. Mourinho’s men have shown few signs of inferiority in a blistering start to the season that has seen them race six points clear in the Premier League and win [...]
Stopper Neuer out to keep star pair off No1 spot December 1, 2014 WORLD Cup-winning goalkeeper Manuel Neuer is the latest challenger aiming to break the Cristiano Ronaldo-Lionel Messi Ballon d’Or axis after the three-man shortlist for this year’s accolade was announced yesterday. The 28-year-old is the first keeper to make the final three since Italy’s Gianluigi Buffon in 2006 and is bidding to become only the second [...]
No England presence as cricket gathers to mourn tragic Hughes December 1, 2014 THE England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) will not be officially represented when the sporting world falls silent at the funeral service of Australia Test batsman Phillip Hughes in his hometown of Macksville tomorrow. England are currently in the midst of a seven-match one-day international series in Sri Lanka and any members of the travelling [...]
Balotelli set for FA investigation for controversial Instagram post December 1, 2014 CONTROVERSIAL Liverpool striker Mario Balotelli was last night at the centre of a storm after a posting on social media led to accusations of racism and antisemitism. The 24-year-old reposted an image of Nintendo character Super Mario on Instagram, which contained phrases such as “jumps like a black man and grabs coins like a Jew”. [...]
Redknapp eyes Defoe swoop to cure striking ills December 1, 2014 QPR boss Harry Redknapp has admitted his interest in linking up with Jermain Defoe for a fourth time but fears the Hoops may be priced out of a deal for the former England striker. The 32-year-old has endured a turbulent first season in Major League Soccer with Toronto FC despite netting 11 goals in 19 [...]
Leeds owner to fight league ban December 1, 2014 LEEDS United owner Massimo Cellino has vowed to resist demands to sell the club after he was disqualified by the Football League. League chiefs yesterday ruled that he had failed its owners’ and directors’ test in relation to a tax-evasion case in his native Italy. Cellino successfully appealed his disqualification over the same case earlier [...]
Saints suffer Schneiderlin injury blow ahead of Gunners fixture December 1, 2014 SOUTHAMPTON boss Ronald Koeman admits his side will be seriously debilitated by the loss of influential midfielder Morgan Schneiderlin when they clash with Arsenal at Emirates Stadium tomorrow evening. The 25-year-old limped out of the Saints’ 3-0 defeat to Manchester City on Sunday as the reigning champions leapfrogged their rivals into second place in the [...]
Monk: We’ll sell Bony but only for sky-high fee December 1, 2014 SWANSEA manager Garry Monk has warned Wilfried Bony’s suitors that it would take an “astronomical” offer for them to consider selling the Ivory Coast striker. Bony, 25, has six goals in his last eight games for the Welsh outfit, and 31 in 63 in total since his £12m transfer from Dutch side Vitesse Arnhem in [...]
Henry finishes Red Bulls stint December 1, 2014 FORMER Arsenal and France striker Thierry Henry is weighing up his options after announcing the end of his four-and-a-half-year spell with the New York Red Bulls. The 37-year-old scored 51 goals in 122 games for the Major League Soccer side, helping them to win the 2013 Supporters’ Shield for the team that accrues the most [...]
Rodgers insists no Gerrard rift as skipper offered fresh deal December 1, 2014 LIVERPOOL boss Brendan Rodgers insisted there has been no deterioration in his relationship with Steven Gerrard after revealing the Anfield skipper has been offered a new deal at the club. Gerrard, who has also denied rumours of a rift, would be free to sign a pre-contract agreement in January ahead of his current deal expiring [...]