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 [...]
Hamilton set for new contract as Mercedes look to extend rivalry October 13, 2014 MERCEDES chiefs have vowed to keep Britain’s Lewis Hamilton at the team beyond the world championship leader’s current contract, which expires at the end of next season. Head of motorsport Toto Wolff addressed speculation linking Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso with a move to the team by insisting he wants Hamilton and his title challenger Nico Rosberg [...]
Sky Sports wins rights to biggest events in cricket October 13, 2014 Sky Sports has beaten off competition from other broadcasting rivals after winning the rights to show some of international cricket’s biggest events over the next eight years. The International Cricket Council (ICC) said yesterday it has sold the rights to 18 cricket tournaments to Star Group, which is also part of Rupert Murdoch’s media empire [...]
Euro 2016 Qualifier: Riddle as boss Hodgson denies match-winner Rooney subplot October 12, 2014 ESTONIA 0 ENGLAND 1 ENGLAND boss Roy Hodgson denied intending to substitute below-par Wayne Rooney moments before his skipper proved the match-winner in a laborious victory over 10-man Estonia in Tallinn yesterday. Rooney – winning his 99th cap – endured a frustrating evening and looked set to be replaced by Liverpool forward Rickie Lambert seconds [...]