Paris Saint-Germain chief says £570m deal justified January 7, 2013 PARIS Saint-Germain president Nasser Al-Khelaifi insists the football club’s contentious £570m deal with the Qatar Tourism Authority (QTA) is “justified” and should not fall foul of financial fair play (FFP) rules. Experts behind European governing body Uefa’s FFP regulations, which stipulate clubs’ losses for the period 2011-13 must not exceed €45 (£37m) if they want [...]
New bowling rules play into our hands, declares England coach January 7, 2013 ENGLAND bowling coach David Saker expects the latest rule tweaks to make them a more formidable force in one-day international cricket. Fast-bowlers will now be able to deliver two bouncers per over, rather than just one – a change that should suit England’s Steven Finn, Stuart Broad and Tim Bresnan. The only immediate drawback is [...]
Watch Ryder Cup stars go at Majors in 2013 January 7, 2013 WHAT an exciting year we have ahead of us, after perhaps the best ever 12 months for European golf in 2012, with Rory McIlroy confirming his status as the world’s best player and that magical Ryder Cup triumph. My money would be on McIlroy hanging onto his world No1 ranking for some time now, and [...]
Race hots up to host 2020 Games January 7, 2013 TOKYO, Istanbul and Madrid submitted their bids to host the 2020 Olympics to the International Olympic Committee (IOC) yesterday. The three cities will host an IOC delegation led by British vice- president Craig Reedie for four days before the winning bid is revealed in September. All three are due to publish details of their submissions [...]
Allardyce £2m bid for Olsson turned down January 7, 2013 WEST HAM have had a £2m bid for Blackburn full-back Martin Olsson rejected, as boss Sam Allardyce looks to bolster his squad. The Sweden international has impressed for Blackburn in the Championship this season, and Hammers boss Allardyce is known to be an admirer, having worked with him during his time at Ewood Park. A [...]
Spurs in dock over race-row Lazio fixture January 7, 2013 TOTTENHAM face possible action from European governing body Uefa over November’s Europa League clash at Lazio – a match in which Spurs fans were allegedly subjected to racial abuse. Uefa has opened a case against the Rome club over claims some supporters targeted their rivals, known for their links to the Jewish community, with anti-Semitic [...]
Saracens boss gets new deal January 7, 2013 SARACENS director of rugby Mark McCall has signed a contract extension that will keep him at the club until 2015. McCall, who took over from Brendan Venter during the 2010-11 season, led the Vicarage Road outfit to the Premiership title in his first season, as well as reaching the Heineken Cup semi-finals last year. The [...]
Toffees smash five to waltz into round four January 7, 2013 CHELTENHAM TOWN……………….1 EVERTON………………………………5 EVERTON manager David Moyes revelled in a rare goal spree last night after his side swept Cheltenham Town aside to set up an FA Cup fourth round trip to Sunderland or Bolton. Nikica Jelavic, Leighton Baines, Leon Osman, Seamus Coleman and Marouane Fellaini all scored as the Toffees hit five for only [...]
Suarez cheat barb prompts ESPN apology January 7, 2013 BROADCASTER ESPN has apologised after commentator Jon Champion branded Liverpool striker Luis Suarez a cheat. Suarez controlled the ball with his hand while scoring the second goal in Sunday’s 2-1 FA Cup win over Mansfield, prompting Champion to describe it as “the work of a cheat”. But after receiving complaints the television channel yesterday announced [...]
Another fine Messi January 7, 2013 BARCELONA star Lionel Messi last night collected a record-breaking fourth consecutive Ballon d’Or trophy, awarded for the world’s best footballer of last year. The Argentina forward, who scored 91 for club and country in 2012, polled 41.6 per cent of votes from journalists, national coaches and captains. Real Madrid’s Cristiano Ronaldo was second.