Ref Clattenburg given time off as FA examine race row claims October 29, 2012 REFEREE Mark Clattenburg has been stood down from this week’s fixtures after the Football Association launched an investigation into allegations that he used a racial slur towards Chelsea players. The Blues made an official complaint about Clattenburg using “inappropriate language” to two of their stars – believed to be John Obi Mikel and Juan Mata [...]
Mullan joins England fold as Hartley and Lawes await news October 29, 2012 ENGLAND have followed the call-ups of the hooker David Paice and lock George Robson with that of the prop Matt Mullan after concerns arose surrounding Joe Marler’s tight hamstring. Paice and Robson were turned to on Sunday as potential respective replacements for Dylan Hartley and Courtney Lawes after the Northampton pair suffered knee injuries in [...]
Out of control game needs to be fixed October 29, 2012 THE FESTERING row enveloping referee Mark Clattenburg should act as a wake-up call for football to stop and take a look at itself, because matters on the pitch have got out of control. I will be gobsmacked if it transpires that Clattenburg has stepped over the line and said something inappropriate, let alone racist, to [...]
Team Sky lose another man after De Jongh’s confession October 29, 2012 TEAM Sky sports director Steven de Jongh last night became the third leading figure to leave the hugely successful British outfit in a week as chiefs continued their zero-tolerance policy on doping. De Jongh, 38, departed after admitting to taking banned substances during his riding career. Team Sky boss Dave Brailsford has demanded all staff [...]
Woods had quickest start of all, but Rory on course to pip him October 29, 2012 THOSE seeking to assess the relative merits of Rory McIlroy and Tiger Woods might have noted that the current world No1 beat the former incumbent in the Duel at Jinsha Lake one-day exhibition event yesterday. But there is a far more pertinent set of figures when it comes to proving why the young Northern Irishman [...]
Swedish coach Eriksson hopes to bring success October 29, 2012 UK Athletics are to appoint Peter Eriksson as Charles van Commenee’s successor as head coach after the former’s success in charge of Great Britain’s Paralympics team. The 59-year-old overlooked the accumulation of 120 medals throughout the London 2012 Paralympic Games in which Britain secured an overall third place with a tally of 17 more medals [...]
England turn to Pietersen for India tour start October 29, 2012 ENGLAND are to today recall the batsman Kevin Pietersen for the warm-up match against India A as his “reintegration” to the side comes to its conclusion. The 32-year-old was in August dropped from the international scene for the sending of “provocative” text messages to South Africa players as England’s Test series against the Proteas was [...]
Wenger hails miracle worker McDermott for Reading revolution October 29, 2012 ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger has praised the work of Reading counterpart Brian McDermott and hailed last season’s Championship winning campaign as “a miracle”. McDermott followed 2011’s play-off final defeat to Swansea by inspiring his side to the 2012 Championship title despite the loss of influential striker Shane Long to West Bromwich Albion and losing five [...]
Rooney makes 23-man cut for Fifa’s Ballon d’Or shortlist October 29, 2012 ENGLAND and Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney has been included as the solitary British player among Fifa’s 23-strong list for the Ballon d’Or award for 2012’s best player. The Merseysider is among five Premier League based players – alongside United team-mate Robin van Persie and Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero, Mario Balotelli and Yaya Toure – [...]
Kompany insists City are happy October 29, 2012 FOOTBALL: Manchester City captain Vincent Kompany has dismissed rumours that the Premier League champions squad have become disillusioned with the management of Roberto Mancini. He said: “It’s part of the game, and I accept that part of the game. I just wonder where the integrity of some journalists stands when they come out with stories [...]