World Cup bids probe launched October 8, 2013 WORLD governing body Fifa will contact all nations who lodged unsuccessful bids to stage the 2018 and 2022 World Cups as part of an investigation into its code of ethics. American Michael Garcia will spearhead the probe, expected to last for several months, into the bidding processes, which saw Russia and Qatar named host nations. [...]
Pietersen bags libel damages from optician October 8, 2013 ENGLAND batsman Kevin Pietersen accepted substantial libel damages from Specsavers at the High Court yesterday after the optician ran an advert suggesting he may have tampered with his bat during this year’s Ashes triumph. The implication was particularly sensitive as Pietersen had recently emphatically rejected Australian media claims that he used tape on his bat [...]
Rugby tightens salary cap rules October 8, 2013 ENGLAND’S top rugby union clubs have agreed to tighten regulations on salary caps in a bid to ensure no teams are cheating the system. Premiership Rugby now has the power to undertake an investigatory audit in addition to the standard salary cap audit in order to root out financial cheats. The organisation, which represents the [...]
World Cup winner Johnson hit with ban for speeding at 107mph October 8, 2013 FORMER England rugby union head coach and captain Martin Johnson has been banned from the road and fined after he was caught driving at 107mph. The 2003 World Cup winner admitted speeding when stopped in his Range Rover on the M5 in Somerset as he returned to Leicestershire from his holiday home in Devon around [...]
Wheldon work saved Franchitti October 8, 2013 INDYCAR racer Dario Franchitti, who fractured his spine at the Houston Grand Prix, avoided further injury thanks to modifications championed by former team-mate Dan Wheldon. Wheldon was killed two years ago in a crash at the Las Vegas Indy 300, but had been working on designs for a reinforced chassis in all cars, named DW12 [...]
Hamilton retracts claims Vettel’s success is a turn-off for F1 fans October 8, 2013 BRITISH driver Lewis Hamilton has backtracked on claims the dominance of world championship leader Sebastian Vettel is sending Formula One fans to sleep. Vettel won his fourth consecutive Grand Prix in Korea on Sunday and can win his fourth straight world title in Japan this weekend. Hamilton, who finished fifth in Yeongam, said the Red [...]
Westwood’s World Cup reprieve October 8, 2013 RUGBY LEAGUE: Forward Ben Westwood will be available for England’s World Cup opening match. He will serve a one-game ban for punching an opponent in Saturday’s Super League grand final and will miss England’s warm-up match with Italy.
Wembley to stage extra NFL game October 8, 2013 AMERICAN FOOTBALL: Wembley Stadium will stage three regular season National Football League matches in 2014.
Robson bows out of Japan Open October 8, 2013 TENNIS: British No1 Laura Robson suffered a first round exit at the Japan Open, losing 6-4, 6-4 to Kimiko Date-Krumm.
Cole to miss crunch World Cup qualifier with rib injury October 7, 2013 ENGLAND manager Roy Hodgson must prepare his side for their most important qualifying matches in six years without their joint-most experienced squad member Ashley Cole, who was forced to withdraw last night because of a rib problem. Cole, winner of 105 international caps, underwent a scan yesterday on the injury suffered during the second-half of [...]