Why I believe Bale will stay put February 27, 2013 FOOTBALL COMMENT I VIVIDLY remember a chat I had around six years ago with Brian Flynn, who was then in charge of the Wales Under-21 team. He was raving about a player who was only 16 or 17 but already in his set-up and had, he said, two gears more speed than anybody else. That [...]
Khan announces home fight in bid to get career back on track February 27, 2013 BOXER Amir Khan will fight on home soil for the first time in two years when he steps into the ring with Julio Diaz of Mexico in April. The light-welterweight, who has lost two of his last three fights, takes on a 33-year-old opponent with a career record of 40 wins from 48 fights, including [...]
Healy free to play after stamp ban gets reduced February 27, 2013 PROP Cian Healy will be available to play in Ireland’s next RBS Six Nations match against France, after successfully having his three-week ban for stamping on England’s Dan Cole last month reduced. Healy argued at a committee hearing held yesterday that his three-week ban, initially down-graded from five weeks because of mitigating factors, was in [...]
Drogba case dropped by Uefa February 27, 2013 FOOTBALL: Former Chelsea striker Didier Drogba is eligible to play for Turkish team Galatasaray in the Champions League, according to European football governing body Uefa, following a protest from German side Schalke into his registration for the competition.
Toulon want Wilkinson to stay February 27, 2013 RUGBY UNION: England World Cup winner Jonny Wilkinson has been urged to sign a new contract with French club Toulon by owner Mourad Boudjellal. The 33-year-old’s current deal expires in the summer, but Boudjellal has confirmed the offer of an extension has been made.
De Luca banned for the season February 27, 2013 RUGBY UNION: Scotland centre Nick De Luca is set to miss the rest of the season through suspension, after being handed a 13-week ban for a tip tackle during Edinburgh’s defeat to Ospreys last week.
Mutiny? Blues players right behind me, says Benitez February 26, 2013 CHELSEA manager Rafael Benitez has played down suggestions of a training ground bust-up with captain John Terry and admits he will have failed if the Blues miss out on a top three Premier League finish. The Blues lost 2-0 to champions Manchester City on Sunday and a frank discussion between Benitez and his squad took [...]
Tragic Maynard was drunk and high on drugs February 26, 2013 SURREY cricketer Tom Maynard was drunk and high on cocaine and ecstasy when he was electrocuted by rail tracks and hit by a London Underground train in June, an inquest heard yesterday. The 23-year-old, who had played for England Lions and was tipped to become a senior international, died at Wimbledon Park station after fleeing [...]
Returning O’Sullivan sets sights on a fifth World Championship February 26, 2013 WORLD snooker champion Ronnie O’Sullivan is convinced he can defend his title despite playing just one competitive match in the last 10 months, after announcing his comeback yesterday. The 37-year-old lost to rank outsider Simon Bedford in a Players Tour Championship event in September – his only ranking event since winning a fourth world title [...]
Exiles may get points docked February 26, 2013 LONDON Welsh could face a points deduction after being charged with fielding an ineligible player by the Rugby Football Union. The Premiership club have been summoned to a hearing on 5 March relating to scrum-half Tyson Keats, who has played 13 times in the top flight this season. Sale were penalised one point and fined [...]