O’Sullivan retracts fixing claims September 19, 2013 SNOOKER: World champion Ronnie O’Sullivan has moved to clarify Twitter comments made this week intimating he knew the identity of players guilty of match-fixing. World Snooker chairman Barry Hearn immediately told O’Sullivan to come forward and disclose names. But O’Sullivan said yesterday in a statement: “I have no intention of undermining the integrity of the [...]
Orient to continue stadium fight September 19, 2013 FOOTBALL: Leyton Orient appear unwilling to give up the fight for shared tenancy with West Ham of the Olympic Stadium, despite yesterday losing their bid for a judicial review of the decision. Judge Mr Justice Lewis heard arguments from lawyers for both clubs at the High Court before rejecting Orient’s application, who will now take [...]
Stenson makes storming start September 19, 2013 GOLF: Sweden’s Henrik Stenson is in pole position to win the FedEx Cup, following a six under par round on the first day of the Tour Championship in Atlanta. Stenson pinched the outright lead from Masters champion Adam Scott with a birdie at the last. England’s Justin Rose is tied sixth on two under par, [...]
Manchester clubs difficult to split in Sunday’s battle September 19, 2013 BEN CLEMINSON AND BILL ESDAILE WITH THE BEST FOOTBALL AND RACING BETS THIS WEEKEND THE Premier League season hasn’t really caught fire yet with last year’s top four all suffering one defeat. Manchester City will probably be the most disappointed as they would really have expected at least 10 points, rather than the seven they [...]
Take the two Irish 33/1 shots to cause big upset in Ayr Gold Cup September 19, 2013 THE William Hill Ayr Gold Cup (3.50pm) is one of the most historic handicaps on the flat racing calendar and it is certainly Scotland’s biggest day’s racing of the whole year. However, although the locals come out in force to celebrate it, they haven’t cheered home a Scottish winner since 1975. That could all be [...]
Boris makes beeline for rugby star at IoD dinner September 18, 2013 TO THE Royal Albert Hall yesterday, for the annual gathering of the Institute of Directors (IoD) with the likes of Virgin boss Richard Branson, chancellor George Osborne, shadow business secretary Chuka Umunna and mayor of London Boris Johnson. Morning speaker Boris entertained delegates by comparing the economy to the formerly capsized cruise ship Costa Concordia. [...]
Champions League: Blues beaten as Mourinho cites squad’s immaturity September 18, 2013 CHELSEA 1 FC BASEL 2 CHELSEA manager Jose Mourinho blamed mental weakness for his team’s indifferent start to the season, which continued with a shock home defeat to Basel in the Champions League last night. Playmaker Oscar gave the Blues the lead on the stroke of half-time, but second-half goals from Mohamed Salah and Marco [...]
World governing body could veto Euro breakaway September 18, 2013 AN ANGLO-FRENCH breakaway competition to replace the Heineken Cup would not have the support of the International Rugby Board (IRB), chief executive Brett Gosper said yesterday. England and France’s top clubs have threatened to form their own competition from next season unless other unions cede a greater share of revenues and agree to a new [...]
Exclusive: Beat USA and British Davis Cup run is on, says Rusedski September 18, 2013 GREAT Britain can mount a genuine challenge for a first Davis Cup in 80 years if they can overcome a tricky tie against the United States, says former British No1 Greg Rusedski. The nine-time champions have not passed round one of the World Group since current standard-bearer Andy Murray was born, and will have to [...]
Football League has put players’ careers at risk, says Villas-Boas September 18, 2013 TOTTENHAM manager Andre Villas-Boas has slammed the Football League for inducing fixture congestion, which he fears could endanger his players’ careers. Spurs play Tromso of Norway in the Europa League tonight, which begins a run of three games in six days with a trip to Cardiff City in the Premier League on Sunday followed by [...]