Albania PM’s brother in drone stunt denial October 15, 2014 SERBIA and Albania’s football associations were yesterday charged by European chiefs after violent scenes caused the abandonment of Tuesday’s Euro 2016 qualifier between the two nations in Belgrade. A flag-bearing drone containing a nationalist political message ignited simmering tensions between the Balkan rivals, while the story took a bizarre twist when the brother of the [...]
MP asks clubs to cut ticket prices October 15, 2014 SPORTS minister Helen Grant has warned England’s football clubs not to take their supporters’ loyalty for granted following evidence of the growing cost of attending matches. The average price of the cheapest tickets at league clubs has risen 4.4 per cent this year – more than three times the rate of inflation – to £21.49, [...]
Angry Marussia rubbish Bianchi speeding claims October 15, 2014 FORMULA One team Marussia have angrily denied suggestions that driver Jules Bianchi was asked to bend rules and speed up just before his crash at the Japanese Grand Prix earlier this month. Bianchi, 24, remains in critical condition with severe head injuries almost two weeks after his car ploughed into a trackside recovery vehicle at [...]
Steenkamps decline to testify at Oscar hearing October 15, 2014 THE PARENTS of Reeva Steenkamp have declined to testify against Oscar Pistorius at the Paralympic star’s sentencing hearing for the fatal shooting of their daughter. Pistorius, 27, was back in court in Pretoria, South Africa, yesterday for the third day of the process, having been found guilty last month of culpable homicide. Lawyers for the [...]
Ricoh move will see Wasps keep stars, insists Dai October 15, 2014 FORWARD-THINKING Wasps boss Dai Young is confident the club’s controversial move to Coventry’s Ricoh Arena will keep stars such as England lock Joe Launchbury away from the clutches of more successful rivals. The traditionally London-based outfit have confirmed the first match at their new home, which is situated 82 miles north of their current High [...]
McDowell defeats in-form Levy in winning start to title defence October 15, 2014 DEFENDING champion Graeme McDowell made a winning start to his World Match Play title defence yesterday by beating Alexander Levy at the London Club in Kent. The Northern Irishman beat Frenchman Levy, who arrived fresh from his victory at the Portugal Masters on Sunday, 3&2 in the tournament’s opening clash. McDowell’s Ryder Cup team-mate Victor [...]
Platini’s historic accord inflicts major blow to FFP opponents October 14, 2014 LEGAL challenges to football’s financial fair play rules have been dealt a “possibly fatal wound” after the European Commission yesterday signed an unprecedented cooperation agreement with governing body Uefa. The controversial regulations saw Premier League champions Manchester City fined £49m this year and have prompted outcry from some clubs, as well as two separate court [...]
More players should defend England’s reputation, insists ex-skipper Gooch October 14, 2014 FORMER Test captain Graham Gooch believes principal players from one of England’s most successful periods in history should defend the team dynamic which has come under sustained fire from Kevin Pietersen’s torrent of criticism. Aside from short retorts from skipper Alastair Cook and Graeme Swann, there has been a lack of retaliation from those who [...]
Ford still retains hope of landing star Armitage October 14, 2014 BATH head coach Mike Ford has refused to give up hope of striking a deal to lure reigning European player of the year Steffon Armitage to the Recreation Ground, despite admitting negotiations with Toulon have stalled. Bath are currently in the market for back-row cover with Francois Louw, Matt Garvey, Alafoti Fa’osiliva and Carl Fearns [...]
Record ban for Wigan’s Flower October 14, 2014 WIGAN prop Ben Flower was handed the longest ban in Super League history yesterday following his Grand Final dismissal for punching St Helens’ Lance Hohaia. The 26-year-old will serve a six-month suspension until 14 April, which includes 10 Super League matches as well as the World Club Series clash with Brisbane Broncos. Hohaia accepted a [...]