Lampard joins the growing list of players to back tired Sterling October 15, 2014 FORMER England vice-captain Frank Lampard became the latest player to speak out in defence Raheem Sterling yesterday after the Liverpool winger complained of fatigue ahead of England’s Euro 2016 qualifier against Estonia on Sunday. Three Lions boss Roy Hodgson has since questioned the Anfield club’s training policy which sees players only taking part in a [...]
Police to probe death threats aimed at Flower October 15, 2014 DEATH threats directed towards banned Wigan prop Ben Flower following his Super League Grand Final dismissal for punching St Helens’ Lance Hohaia were last night being investigated by police. The abusive remarks were made from a single Twitter account and included comments such as Flower “deserves to be shot”, his “last days are approaching” and [...]
Blades mull Evans return October 15, 2014 JAILED footballer Ched Evans could be in line to resume his football career on release from prison after Blades boss Nigel Clough confirmed he has held preliminary talks with Brammall Lane bosses regarding the striker’s return. The 25-year-old, who has always maintained his innocence, was sentenced to five years behind bars after being found guilty of [...]
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 [...]