Top football clubs call time on sugar daddies February 7, 2013 THE DAYS of mega-rich individuals, such as Roman Abramovich at Chelsea and Sheikh Mansour at Manchester City, lavishing billions on clubs in pursuit of instant success are over after England’s top teams agreed historic new financial rules. Premier League clubs will face points deductions if they lose more than £105m over a three-year period or [...]
Scrap January window, says Hammers captain February 7, 2013 WEST HAM captain Kevin Nolan has called for the January transfer window to be scrapped, insisting no one in football is in favour of it any more. His comments come after Queens Park Rangers manager Harry Redknapp complained of “gang warfare” among agents trying to muscle in on each other’s transactions as last week’s deadline [...]
Breakdown key to England’s Dublin mission February 7, 2013 IS IT premature to be calling England’s game in Dublin a Six Nations title decider? If England clear the breakdown as quickly as they did against New Zealand and Scotland then I back them to win tomorrow. What’s certain is the magic of the championship means we can anticipate drama. This year’s tournament looked too [...]
I’d have gone further, but new rules are a good start February 7, 2013 THIS is something we Premier League clubs have talked about for years and there hasn’t been the appetite. But in the last couple of years there has been a shift of views – probably prompted by the Portsmouth situation, which shook everybody – and now fortunately we’ve agreed to put in some protocols that I [...]
Spurs look to Adebayor as Defoe ruled out February 7, 2013 TOTTENHAM manager Andre Villas-Boas insists centre-forward Emmanuel Adebayor will go straight back into the side tomorrow against Newcastle, despite doubts over his fitness. Jermain Defoe’s ankle injury, suffered in Sunday’s win at West Brom, is set to keep him sidelined for three weeks, leaving Adebayor, who has scored just two Premier League goals this season, [...]
Cavendish closes in on maiden title since ditching Team Sky February 7, 2013 BRITAIN’S Mark Cavendish is poised to clinch his first title with new team Omega Pharma-QuickStep today after winning a third stage in a row on cycling’s Tour of Qatar. Cavendish produced a trademark sprint finish to win yesterday’s fifth stage and extend his lead over American Brent Bookwalter to 15 seconds. The Isle of Man [...]
Lampard looks set to remain a Blue after club’s U-turn on deal February 7, 2013 CHELSEA and England midfielder Frank Lampard’s 12-year association with the club could be set for a surprise extension after Blues chiefs changed their mind about offering him a new contract. Lampard had been expected to leave Stamford Bridge in the summer when his current deal expires, but Chelsea owner Roman Abramovich is believed to have [...]
Quins still bear Wasps scars as rematch looms February 7, 2013 HARLEQUINS centre Matt Hopper insists they have learned the lessons of a dramatic opening day victory ahead of tomorrow’s return Aviva Premiership clash with Wasps. Leaders Quins were shocked by their London rivals in the season’s curtain raiser at Twickenham, falling 40-13 behind before an astonishing comeback saw them snatch a 42-40 win. “We know [...]
Wales without Warburton in Paris February 7, 2013 WALES will be without inspirational captain Sam Warburton for tomorrow’s RBS Six Nations trip to France after the flanker failed to recover from a shoulder injury. Justin Tipuric replaces Warburton, while Ryan Jones returns to lead the side.
League rejects new Pompey bid February 7, 2013 FOOTBALL: Portsmouth face being kicked out of the Football League if a new bid for the club from takeover broker Keith Harris succeeds. The Football League said it would only renew the club’s membership if the Portsmouth Supporters’ Trust bought and took them out of administration by the end of the season.