Martinez flies to Miami for Reds talks as Whelan demands £3m May 24, 2012 LIVERPOOL have taken a step closer to appointing a successor to Kenny Dalglish after Wigan’s Roberto Martinez flew to the United States for talks. Wigan chairman Dave Whelan, who is demanding £3m compensation, said Martinez had broken off a holiday to visit the Reds’ owners, Fenway Sports Group, in Florida. The Spaniard is thought to [...]
Skipper urges Quins to relax as history knocks May 24, 2012 HARLEQUINS skipper Chris Robshaw has urged his troops to adopt a no-fear attitude as they attempt to claim their first Aviva Premiership title by beating Leicester tomorrow. Quins scraped through a semi-final against Northampton 25-23 thanks to a 76th minute push-over try by prop Joe Marler, which was converted by fly-half Nick Evans. Harlequins trailed [...]
Hodgson and Kelly could share debuts May 24, 2012 LIVERPOOL youngster Martin Kelly is in contention for a surprise England debut in tomorrow’s friendly against Norway, as manager Roy Hodgson contends with a defensive crisis ahead of his first match in charge. Kelly, who only joined the squad temporarily this week after Manchester City’s Micah Richards refused to be on the stand-by list for [...]
Murray French Open fitness boost May 24, 2012 TENNIS: Andy Murray came through an exhibition match unscathed amid fears over the Briton’s participation in next week’s French Open. Murray lost 7-6, 7-6 to Latvian Ernests Gulbis but showed no signs of a back problem.
Button quickest in Monte Carlo May 24, 2012 FORMULA ONE: Britain’s Jenson Button posted the fastest time in practice yesterday in Monte Carlo as showers disrupted preparations for Sunday’s Monaco Grand Prix. Romain Grosjean of Lotus was second best.
Cavendish extends points lead May 24, 2012 CYCLING: Team Sky’s Mark Cavendish tightened his grip on the Giro d’Italia points jersey despite losing a sprint finish to the 18th stage. Italian Andrea Guardini beat the Manxman, who extended his lead over Joaquim Rodriguez to 29 points.
QPR captain Barton banned for 12 matches May 23, 2012 CONTROVERSIAL midfielder Joey Barton’s QPR future was plunged into fresh doubt last night after he received a 12-match ban for three instances of violent conduct against Manchester City earlier this month. Rangers captain Barton will not play until November at the earliest after being handed an eight-game suspension on top of his statutory four-match ban [...]
London Welsh anger at block on promotion May 23, 2012 LONDON Welsh chiefs have hit back at the Rugby Football Union after learning their promotion bid is doomed to failure even if they win the Championship play-off. The RFU ruled yesterday that the Exiles do not meet Premiership criteria regarding stadia, as their home, Old Deer Park, is inadequate and plans to play at Oxford [...]
ZARA’S OLYMPIC FLAME RIDE DRAWS CROWD May 23, 2012 MORE than 30,000 people gathered at Cheltenham Racecourse yesterday to see the Queen’s granddaughter Zara Phillips carry the London 2012 Olympic flame aboard her horse Toytown. Former eventing world champion Phillips, who still hopes to qualify for this summer’s Games, rode a lap of the course before lighting a cauldron.
There shouldn’t be any debate: give Di Matteo Chelsea job now May 23, 2012 CURRENTLY basking in the glory of their extraordinary Champions League success, Chelsea must feel on top of the world. Surely the last thing the club want is for the players to return in July for pre-season training in a state of disarray. So why are they even considering not appointing Roberto di Matteo manager? They’re [...]