Courts offer Barca hope as once revered club hit with transfer ban April 2, 2014 NOT so long ago they were the model club, adored for their irresistible tiki-taka style, admired for their democratic ownership model and lauded for eschewing corporate shirt sponsors. Today, however, Barcelona’s once pristine image looks sullied. Accused of irregularities in the signing of Brazil star Neymar and dethroned as kings of Europe, the latest and [...]
Depression is rife in football April 2, 2014 MORE than a quarter of professional footballers are suffering from depression, according to a recent survey conducted by global players’ organisation FIFPro. Findings from 180 players questioned, some British-based, showed that 26 per cent suffered from depression or anxiety.
Travelling army for GB Davis tie April 2, 2014 GREAT Britain captain Leon Smith feels the 700 supporters travelling to Italy this weekend can inspire a Davis Cup quarter-final triumph. Smith believes the home-and-away element is one of the Davis Cup’s key charms and the number of British fans making the trip shows the level of interest in the team’s progress.
Henderson senses National win April 2, 2014 HORSE RACING: Trainer Nicky Henderson believes Saturday is his best chance ever of winning the Grand National. Second-favourite Long Run is one of four Henderson-trained runners.
Marler extends Harlequins stay April 2, 2014 RUGBY UNION: England prop Joe Marler, 23, has signed a contract extension with Harlequins, keeping him at the Twickenham Stoop until 2016.
Trust spring horse Lieutenant to come alive at Aintree again April 2, 2014 BILL ESDAILE PREVIEWS TODAY’S ACTION AT AINTREE THE Crabbie’s Grand National Festival has grown in stature over the past decade and with huge pots on offer you find that some trainers are willing to sacrifice a win at Cheltenham for a success at Aintree. For others a crack at both meetings is irresistible, but with [...]
Diakali can chase home The New One April 2, 2014 THERE were a few hard luck stories at Cheltenham last month and connections of The New One were left to ponder what might have been had their superstar hurdler not suffered interference when the ill-fated Our Conor fell. It is impossible to say that he would have definitely won, but he certainly would have been [...]
Champions League: Moyes clings onto belief of Euro glory April 1, 2014 MANCHESTER UNITED 1 BAYERN MUNICH 1 MANCHESTER United manager David Moyes is convinced his team can score in Munich to keep their unlikely dream of winning a fourth Champions League crown alive. The Premier League champions put their domestic woes behind them in last night’s quarter-final first leg to draw with the holders after defender [...]
Woods to miss Masters for first time in 20 years April 1, 2014 WORLD No1 Tiger Woods’s wait for another Major title is set to reach the six-year mark after he was ruled out of next week’s Masters following surgery on a back injury. Woods has been ordered to rest after undergoing an operation on a pinched nerve that had hampered his form and forced him to abandon [...]
Cricket Comment: T20 shouldn’t end Giles job hope April 1, 2014 FIRST things first: for England professionals to lose to the Netherlands’ team of virtual amateurs by a big margin this week at the World Twenty20 was embarrassing and pathetic. It’s a blow for Ashley Giles’s hopes of landing the Test job, but the players have to carry the can. You can train and motivate but [...]