Video referral plans and barbs at FA: Blatter in no mood to quit presidency September 8, 2014 FOOTBALL’S world governing body president Sepp Blatter revealed plans to trial a video referral system and took a swipe at the Football Association (FA) yesterday as he confirmed his intention to seek re-election. Blatter, who has been Fifa chief since 1998, stated that he would stand for a fifth term next year and bid to [...]
Redemption for Cilic as Croatian secures first grand slam crown September 8, 2014 CROATIA’S Marin Cilic completed a remarkable turnaround in fortunes by sealing the US Open title with a straight-sets victory over Kei Nishikori in yesterday’s final on the Arther Ashe Stadium in New York. World No12 Cilic brutally dispatched Japan’s Nishikori 6-3, 6-3. 6-3 in one hour and 54 minutes at Flushing Meadows to secure his [...]
Football Comment: Delighted for Hodgson as diamond system lets his forward gems shine September 8, 2014 A DIAMOND midfield system is perfect for England, and they showed it last night in what was an enormously confidence-boosting win in Switzerland. Brendan Rodgers used it last season to accommodate both Luis Suarez and Daniel Sturridge, and it works similarly well for Roy Hodgson, who has to play Wayne Rooney and, though injured last [...]
England player ratings | vs Switzerland September 8, 2014 Joe Hart 8 Two excellent saves from Seferovic, one with his feet and another reflex tip over. Played part in attack too, releasing Sterling with a smart early kick in the first half Fabian Delph 7 Booked within nine minutes but calmed down and posed threat with and without ball in Swiss half. Unlucky not [...]
Surrey ditch Pietersen as the promotion dream fades September 8, 2014 MAVERICK batsman Kevin Pietersen’s exile from red ball cricket is set to continue after Surrey opted not to select the former England captain for the campaign’s final two county championship fixtures. The 34-year-old signalled his intention earlier in the season to return to the county arena and play his part in Surrey’s bid to rejoin [...]
Tottenham Hotspur shirt sponsor Under Armour just became more popular than Adidas in the US September 8, 2014 Under Armour, the US sports brand and sponsor of Tottenham Hotspur, has overtaken Adidas to become the second biggest sportswear brand in the US in terms of sales. Adidas has dropped to third place as sales fell 23 per cent so far this year compared to 2013, while Under Armour raced ahead with 20 per [...]
Serena Williams’ $3.9m US Open prize money makes her the second highest-earning tennis player this year September 8, 2014 Serena Williams pocketed $3.9m (£1.86m) for her sixth US Open triumph last night, making her the highest-paid tennis female player this year with earnings of $6.7m. After adding an 18th grand slam title to her record this weekend, Williams reinforced her position as women's tennis’ biggest ever earner in terms of prize money. Williams has [...]
NFL season begins: Why American Football could be bigger than rugby in the UK September 8, 2014 While the Premier League takes a break this weekend, another "football" league has got underway. Across the pond, the National Football League (NFL), the flagship American Football league whose teams beat even the Premier League in terms of revenue, has kicked off a new season. With its return will follow a growing legion of devoted UK fans [...]
Injury scare to midfield ace rocks England and Hodgson September 7, 2014 LUCKLESS England suffered further injury woe on the eve of their tricky Euro 2016 qualifier in Switzerland tonight after Liverpool midfielder Jordan Henderson limped out of training at St Jakob Park having sustained a knock to his right ankle. Henderson is likely to be monitored before undergoing a fitness test ahead of the Group E [...]
Waldrom and Exeter inflict baptism of fire on returning London Welsh September 7, 2014 CRESTFALLEN London Welsh boss Justin Burnell hopes yesterday’s 52-0 thrashing by Exeter Chiefs could prove a blessing in disguise for the Premiership newcomers. Exeter No8 Thomas Waldrom crossed twice on his Chiefs debut, while David Ewers, Sam Hill, Jack Arnott and Chrysnader Botha ran in the rest of the visitors’ seven tries. It was a [...]