Bale’s record Real Madrid switch ups pressure on European probe September 8, 2013 REAL Madrid’s world record signing of Gareth Bale has increased pressure on the European Commission to rule in a long-running investigation into whether the Spanish club benefit from illegal state aid. The EC’s competition office has spent almost four years probing claims that Real, Barcelona, Athletic Bilbao and Osasuna unfairly benefit from being allowed to [...]
Sport Comment: Time for cricket world to get priorities straight and put fans first September 8, 2013 IT’S ANY old Monday but you suspect that somewhere in the world a one-day cricket international is being played. It doesn’t really matter who between. It will fill a hole in a couple of TV schedules, exercise a few people on the sub-continent who fancy a bet and slip into the record books unnoticed and [...]
Burns’ career plunged into doubt following surgery on broken jaw September 8, 2013 PROMOTER Eddie Hearn fears WBO lightweight champion Ricky Burns’ may never fight again, after the Scot underwent surgery on a broken jaw yesterday morning following his controversial draw against Raymundo Beltran in Glasgow. Despite Beltran looking to have edged the bout, flooring the Scot in the eighth round, the three judges were split in their [...]
Wimbledon win hit Murray’s US Open – Rusedski September 8, 2013 FORMER British No1 Greg Rusedski believes Andy Murray hid the extent of a back problem during his ill-fated US Open defence, and that winning Wimbledon harmed his chances at Flushing Meadows. Murray looked out of sorts in Thursday’s straight-sets quarter-final defeat to ninth seed Stanislas Wawrinka, yet played down stiffness in his back. Rusedski believes [...]
Hamilton admits his title race is finished after Vettel’s win at Monza extends gap at the top September 8, 2013 BRITAIN’S Lewis Hamilton has given up hope of winning this year’s Formula One championship, after the Mercedes driver finished ninth in the Italian Grand Prix at Monza yesterday. Starting 12th on the grid – following the first time in 67 races that he has failed to get past the second qualifying round – Hamilton was [...]
England insist lack of bowlers not to blame for loss to Aussies September 8, 2013 ENGLAND captain Eoin Morgan last night refused to blame his side’s batting-heavy line-up after suffering an 88-run defeat to Australia in a high-scoring second one-day international at Old Trafford. The home team needed to call on all-rounder Ravi Bopara and sometime-spinner Joe Root to bowl 12 overs as Michael Clarke’s side made hay, hitting 315-7 [...]
Williams is US Open champion for fifth time September 8, 2013 WORLD No1 Serena Williams fought her way to a gritty three-set victory against Victoria Azarenka of Belarus at the US Open last night, claiming her second grand slam of the season. Williams had not lost a single set during this year’s tournament before last night, yet faced an epic battle during a 7-5, 6-7 (6-8), [...]
Wrestling gets Olympic reprieve September 8, 2013 OLYMPICS: Members of the International Olympic Committee yesterday voted to reinstate wrestling at the 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo. The sport, included at the inaugural modern Olympics in 1896, was due to be dropped from the programme after the 2016 Games in Rio, but won a majority vote by ballot to be reinstated ahead of [...]
Bjorn back among the silverware September 8, 2013 GOLF: Three-time Major runner-up Thomas Bjorn tasted victory for the first time in two years yesterday, after beating Scotland’s Craig Lee on a play-off at the European Masters in Switzerland. The 42-year-old, trailing Lee by two shots overnight, carded 65 to finish on 20 under par. And, in the first extra hole, Bjorn sunk a [...]
US fight back in America’s Cup September 8, 2013 SAILING: Emirates Team New Zealand lead the America’s Cup 3-0 going into the third day tomorrow, despite losing race four late last night. Oracle Team USA will not put a point on the board until their third victory, after being docked two points. Races five and six are scheduled for tomorrow night.