World Cup and Euros to remain on free TV July 18, 2013 FOOTBALL’S major international tournaments will continue to be shown on free-to-air broadcasters such as the BBC and ITV beyond 2014 after the game’s governing bodies lost a legal challenge. The European Court of Justice yesterday rejected an appeal from Fifa and Uefa and upheld a 2011 ruling that prevents rights for the World Cup and [...]
Froome facing toughest day as Tour win looms July 18, 2013 BRITAIN’S Chris Froome admits today could make or break his quest for Tour de France glory after he extended his overall lead despite being hit with a time penalty for illegal feeding. The Tour’s 19th stage features four testing climbs and, with Froome looking weary on the Alpe d’Huez yesterday, represents the biggest remaining obstacle [...]
Ricciardo plays down debut error July 18, 2013 FORMULA ONE: Torro Rosso driver Daniel Ricciardo played down the significance of a spin-off as he sat behind the wheel of a Red Bull for the first time yesterday at a young-driver test at Silverstone. Ricciardo lost control of his car on the seventh lap but said: “I had a small off, but otherwise it [...]
England eliminated from Euros July 18, 2013 FOOTBALL: England’s ladies crashed out of Euro 2013, with a 3-0 defeat to France.
It’s Rooney or nothing for us this summer, says Mourinho July 17, 2013 CHELSEA manager Jose Mourinho has declared forward Wayne Rooney is the only player he is interested in luring to Stamford Bridge this summer. The Blues lodged an official bid for the England star yesterday and insist none of their own first team players were offered in exchange, after it was suggested midfielder Juan Mata or [...]
Golf Comment: Rose can make it consecutive Majors July 17, 2013 A GLANCE through the list of winners at previous Opens held at Muirfield shows that this course is one that tends to reward only the very best players, and that is reflected in my tips for this year’s championship. Last month’s US Open triumph at Merion constituted a huge breakthrough for Justin Rose, and I [...]
Bowlers left to sweat by Cook for Ashes place July 17, 2013 ENGLAND captain Alastair Cook knows he faces a tough selection dilemma against Australia today, but insists he will not let emotion get in the way of picking an attack capable of bowling his team into a 2-0 Ashes lead at Lord’s. Following a narrow 14-run victory in last week’s first Test, Cook is weighing up [...]
Exclusive: Ecclestone lawyers hit back at bribery charge July 17, 2013 LAWYERS for Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone believe that lack of evidence of a crucial meeting could undermine a bribery case against him by German authorities. German prosecutors yesterday charged Ecclestone, 82, with bribery in connection with F1’s $1.7bn (£1.2bn) sale to its current owner, private equity firm CVC, in 2006. Ecclestone is accused of [...]
Below par McIlroy tells Faldo: “You should know better” July 17, 2013 OFF-FORM world No2 Rory McIlroy has reacted angrily to advice from six-time Major winner Sir Nick Faldo, urging the Northern Irishman to improve his focus with the Open set to begin at Muirfield today. Faldo suggested on Tuesday that too many distractions off the course had contributed to a string of poor performances on the [...]
Football Comment: Chelsea won’t suit Wayne in the long term July 17, 2013 WAYNE Rooney should be staying at Manchester United until the end of his career. I think a move to Chelsea would be nothing more than a short-term morale boost. He’s currently at the biggest club in Britain, if not the world. Why would he want to go somewhere else? I don’t get it. I think [...]