We must keep National but reduce the field to make it safer April 16, 2012 THERE is no getting away from the fact that Saturday’s Grand National left a bad taste in the mouth. I left Aintree racecourse for a second year running with a hollow feeling inside after another two horses lost their lives in the most famous race of them all. Synchronised, one of the stricken pair, had [...]
Armitage quits Irish for Toulon while Sarries land Hargreaves April 16, 2012 LONDON Irish full-back Delon Armitage has confirmed his summer transfer to Toulon, where he will join brothers Steffon and Guy. The long-mooted move sees Armitage, 28, become the latest in a procession of English players to be tempted by a lucrative deal with a French club. It is almost certain to spell the end of [...]
Bahrain bullish as first teams arrive for troubled Grand Prix April 16, 2012 BAHRAIN Grand Prix chiefs have dismissed fears over this week’s race, insisting the troubled Gulf state has a long future ahead on the Formula One calendar. Ongoing civil unrest, at times erupting into violent protests, has jeopardised the race, which was struck off last year’s schedule over safety concerns. But the first teams arrived yesterday [...]
Aguero on both lists as Man City dominate PFA Awards April 16, 2012 MANCHESTER City dominate the nominations for the PFA Player and Young Player of the Year awards, but Arsenal’s Robin van Persie is favourite to claim the top prize on Sunday. City trio Sergio Aguero, David Silva and Joe Hart are all on the six-man shortlist for the Player of the Year gong, while Aguero also [...]
Video tech not ready for start of next season April 16, 2012 GOAL-LINE technology is unlikely to be in place by the start of next season even if it is given worldwide approval in July. Juan Mata’s phantom goal for Chelsea in Sunday’s FA Cup semi-final has increased calls for video replays, with Tottenham’s Emmanuel Adebayor saying avoidable refereeing mistakes were “killing” the game. The Football Association [...]
Drogba: Chelsea can upset Barca April 16, 2012 FOOTBALL: Striker Didier Drogba insists Chelsea can shock Barcelona in tomorrow’s Champions League semi-final first leg. “It’s a 50-50, even if they are said to be the best team in the world and have the best player in the world,” said Drogba. “There are two games. Anything can happen.”
Bangladesh coach Law resigns April 16, 2012 CRICKET: Bangladesh coach Stuart Law has announced his resignation, just nine months after taking the job. The former Australia batsman, 43, signed a two-year deal in July but is to depart in June, citing family reasons.
Mata’s phantom goal sparks video debate April 15, 2012 TOTTENHAM (1) vs CHELSEA (5) Chelsea reach FA Cup final in controversial fashion as Redknapp calls for technology TOTTENHAM manager Harry Redknapp added his voice to the growing clamour for football to introduce video technology after his side’s dreams of silverware died in controversial fashion yesterday. Chelsea ultimately romped to an emphatic victory over their [...]
Hamilton goes top as Rosberg takes China win April 15, 2012 BRITAIN’S Lewis Hamilton surged to the top of the drivers’ championship with a third-place finish at the Chinese Grand Prix yesterday, before blaming a grid penalty for denying him a first race win of the season. Hamilton sneaked past world champion Sebastian Vettel two laps from the finish to secure a podium place in Shanghai, [...]
O’Shea eyes home semi after Harlequins seal play-off place April 15, 2012 HARLEQUINS might be the first side to have secured an Aviva Premiership semi-final spot but director of rugby Conor O’Shea insists the job is only half done. O’Shea’s troops crept closer to the 26 May final at Twickenham on Saturday, when they comfortably saw off struggling Wasps 33-17 at The Stoop to clinch only their [...]