Prior demotion proves I’m right, insists Pietersen October 7, 2014 MAVERICK Kevin Pietersen believes the decision of cricket chiefs to ditch Matt Prior from a central contract substantiates his accusations the wicketkeeper was a disruptive influence within the England dressing room. Pietersen’s explosive new book KP: The Autobiography is the architect of the storm engulfing English cricket, with plenty of mud slung in the direction [...]
Wasps fans sent to Coventry as club’s £20m move gets approval October 7, 2014 WASPS are to relocate to the Midlands after Coventry councillors yesterday formally approved the Premiership rugby club’s offer to take over the running of the city’s Ricoh Arena. The two-time Heineken Cup winners are believed to have purchased 100 per cent of the stadium’s operating company ACL for around £20m, securing them a 250-year lease [...]
Chelsea favourite Di Matteo out to plot Blues’ European downfall October 7, 2014 CHAMPIONS League-winning former Chelsea manager Roberto di Matteo is on course for an emotional reunion with the Blues after being appointed coach of German outfit Schalke. The Bundesliga side, who are in the same European group as the Stamford Bridge club and are set to host them next month, moved for Di Matteo after firing [...]
Milner: England team spirit has cured Brazil ills October 7, 2014 MIDFIELDER James Milner believes victory over Switzerland in their opening Euro 2016 qualification clash has galvanised the England camp and proves the Three Lions are not suffering a crisis of confidence following stinging post-World Cup criticism. Despite enduring their worst World Cup showing for half a century in Brazil, England responded by seizing control of [...]
FBI probed Glazer family threats from British Man Utd supporters October 7, 2014 DEATH threats from disgruntled Manchester United fans towards the club’s owners, the Glazer family, around the time of their 2005 takeover were considered serious enough to prompt an FBI investigation. American sports tycoon Malcolm Glazer provoked widespread resistance among United supporters when he assumed control of the club in a heavily leveraged £790m buyout. FBI [...]
Watford turn to ex-Chelsea midfielder for manager No4 October 7, 2014 FORMER Chelsea midfielder Slavisa Jokanovic has replaced Billy McKinlay as Watford boss to become the Hornets’ fourth manager of a disruptive season at Vicarage Road. Jokanovic, who began a two-year spell at Claudio Ranieri’s Chelsea in 2000, arrives at Watford from Spanish third tier side Hercules following stints at Levski Sofia, Muanthong United and Partizan [...]
Murray stutters as Nadal admits to appendicitis October 7, 2014 BRITAIN’S Andy Murray suffered a minor hiccup on his way to a first-round victory at the Shanghai Masters yesterday – though it was nothing compared to world No2 Rafael Nadal’s abdominal problems. Murray made repeated forehand errors in his second set against Russian Teymuraz Gabashvili before winning 6-1, 7-5 to set up a meeting with [...]
Coe woe over Gatlin acclaim October 7, 2014 BRITAIN’S leading athletics chief Lord Coe admits he has “big problems” with former drug-cheat sprinter Justin Gatlin’s inclusion on a top awards shortlist. American Gatlin, who has run six of the year’s seven best men’s 100m times, is among 10 nominees for an Athlete of the Year prize awarded by international governing body the IAAF, [...]
Pietersen told by Vaughan to forget dream of England recall October 6, 2014 FORMER England captain Michael Vaughan has dismissed Kevin Pietersen’s lingering hopes of earning an unlikely Test recall following a series of explosive allegations in his new book KP: The Autobiography. The South African-born batsman has alleged a bullying culture existed within the national team camp and blamed senior members of the England bowling unit as [...]
Tighten up F1’s safety car rules, urges Villeneuve October 6, 2014 FORMER world champion Jacques Villeneuve has called for Formula One to tighten up safety rules following the crash that left Marussia driver Jules Bianchi in a critical condition. Frenchman Bianchi, who suffered severe head injuries when his car ploughed into a recovery vehicle during Sunday’s Japanese Grand Prix, was still “critical but stable” yesterday, 24 [...]