Debt on agenda as Man City and Euro elite mull changes to FFP October 13, 2014 Europe’s top football clubs, including Premier League champions Manchester City, have held talks with governing body Uefa over a possible clampdown on debt levels. Such a move could prevent teams from accumulating large debts, as City’s neighbours and rivals Manchester United have, and was one of several changes to controversial financial fair play (FFP) rules [...]
Fifa like intelligence agency, says investigator October 13, 2014 THE LAWYER tasked with investigating allegations of Fifa corruption has urged football’s world governing body to stop operating under a cloak of secrecy better suited to an intelligence agency. Michael Garcia used an appearance yesterday in the City of London to call for Fifa to implement greater transparency and a change in tone of leadership [...]
Pistorius should avoid jail term, sentencing told October 13, 2014 PARALYMPIC superstar Oscar Pistorius should be spared jail and instead serve three years of house arrest and community service for killing girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, a probation officer told his sentencing hearing in Pretoria, South Africa, yesterday. Prosecutor Gerrie Nel criticised the suggestion, calling it “shockingly inappropriate”. Pistorius was last month found guilty of culpable homicide [...]
Ferdinand backs Sterling’s fatigue concerns October 13, 2014 FORMER England captain Rio Ferdinand has leapt to the defence of Raheem Sterling, insisting the Liverpool winger was brave to raise his tiredness concerns with boss Roy Hodgson. The 19-year-old replaced club-mate Jordan Henderson in the second-half of England’s Euro 2016 qualifier against Estonia in Tallinn on Sunday after complaining of fatigue to Hodgson and [...]
Anfield owners to sell naming rights for new Liverpool stand October 13, 2014 LIVERPOOL owners Fenway Sports Group [FSG] have confirmed their intention to sell naming rights for the new main stand at Anfield in order to offset the total £75m cost of stadium redevelopment. The Merseyside club have been granted planning consent to reconstruct two sides of Anfield, with work expected to start in early 2015 subject [...]
FFP dispute faces battle October 13, 2014 A SECOND legal challenge to financial fair play rules aimed at preventing European chiefs Uefa from tightening spending controls faces a difficult battle, according to a leading sports lawyer. It emerged on Friday that Jean-Louis Dupont, one of the lawyers involved in the landmark Bosman ruling, has filed a request with the Court of First [...]
Suarez back on goal trail while Wales boost Euro 2016 hopes October 13, 2014 MERCURIAL former Liverpool forward Luis Suarez scored his first goals since receiving a worldwide ban for biting Italy defender Giorgio Chiellini during the World Cup as Uruguay recorded a 3-0 friendly victory over Oman yesterday. The Barcelona striker is serving a nine-match international ban but is eligible to play in friendlies, and netted twice in [...]
Kroenke to be grilled at AGM October 13, 2014 ARSENAL majority owner Stan Kroenke is expected to be grilled by minority shareholders at Thursday’s AGM over a £3m payment to his holding company for unspecified advisory services. The Gunners received a boost yesterday, meanwhile, when forward Theo Walcott returned to full training following his nine-month injury lay-off. Striker Olivier Giroud, ruled out until the [...]
Wigan’s Flower set for long ban for final punch October 13, 2014 WIGAN prop Ben Flower faces a minimum eight-game suspension after being hit with the most serious charge in the sport’s rulebook following his double punch attack on St Helens’ Lance Hohaia in Saturday’s Super League Grand Final. The 26-year-old Wales international was sent off just two minutes into the Old Trafford showdown, which St Helens [...]
Lancaster opens World Cup door for Burgess October 13, 2014 ENGLAND head coach Stuart Lancaster believes codebreaker Sam Burgess possesses all the necessary attributes to force his way into his World Cup plans. The 25-year-old remains on the sidelines after undergoing surgery on a serious facial injury sustained in the NRL Grand Final in Australia, prior to his switch from rugby league side South Sydney [...]