Spain is the ultimate test, says Capello November 9, 2011 ENGLAND manager Fabio Capello admits the prospect of facing World Cup holders Spain has been rendered an even more daunting prospect than normal as a result of the absences of a clutch of key players. The Italian has opted to leave out Wayne Rooney, suspended for the first three games of next summer’s European Championships, [...]
How Spain left their nearly men tag behind November 9, 2011 SPAIN’S meteoric rise to the pinnacle of world football owes much to an Iberian back-to-basics coaching revolution, according to a man with one of the best CVs in the business. A decade ago Spain rivalled England as big tournament flops, but they arrive at Wembley for Saturday’s friendly as undisputed global frontrunners, having swept all [...]
Gold has doubts over West Ham Olympic Stadium move November 9, 2011 WEST HAM co-owner David Gold has admitted for the first time his club are not completely committed to taking up residency of the Olympic Stadium following next summer’s London Games. The Championship club were poised to sign a 125-year lease last month to move in to the £486m stadium, before the Olympic Park Legacy Company [...]
Leg injury still concerns Murray despite victory November 9, 2011 BRITISH No1 Andy Murray admitted he was still feeling his way back to full fitness during his second round win over Jeremy Chardy at the Paris Masters. Murray, aiming for a fourth consecutive tournament victory, extended his winning run to 17 matches with a routine 6-2, 6-4 defeat of the French wildcard. The 24-year-old was [...]
Jailed former Pakistan skipper to launch appeal November 9, 2011 DISGRACED former Pakistan captain Salman Butt has filed an appeal against the 30-month jail sentence he was handed last week for the part he played in the spot-fixing scandal. Butt, fast bowlers Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir, as well as London-based sports agent Mazhar Majeed, have all begun spells behind bars for conspiring to and [...]
SPORT | IN BRIEF November 9, 2011 Johnson receives Moody backing RUGBY UNION: Former England captain Lewis Moody insists the RFU should stick by manager Martin Johnson and allow him the opportunity to lead the Red Rose to the 2015 World Cup. “The most important thing is that there are no knee-jerk reactions. It is essential for me Johnno continues,” said Moody who [...]
Spurs ponder legal action over OPLC spying claims November 8, 2011 TOTTENHAM chiefs were last night considering taking legal action after they were accused of systematic and widespread spying on all 14 of the men and women who decide the fate of the Olympic Stadium. On an extraordinary day of developments in the long-running row over the fate of the new London 2012 arena, the chair [...]
Terry won’t be affected by race row, says Pallister November 8, 2011 FORMER England defender Gary Pallister believes John Terry will have no trouble asserting himself as the Three Lions skipper if he is asked to lead the side in the next few days, despite the cloud of ongoing Football Association (FA) and police investigations hanging over him. Terry is yet to learn his fate after the FA [...]
Fresh fears over Woods caddie clash in Australia November 8, 2011 FEARS that bad feeling between Tiger Woods and former caddie Steve Williams could spill over at the Australian Open were revived yesterday when they were allotted to consecutive playing groups for the tournament. Organisers had promised to keep the men apart at this week’s event, after Williams sparked outrage and was forced to apologise for [...]
Rival Ali leads tributes to ‘great champion’ Smokin’ Joe Frazier November 8, 2011 MUHAMMAD ALI, whose captivating rivalry with Joe Frazier defined both of their remarkable careers, last night paid tribute to his former foe, who died yesterday aged 67 after a battle with liver cancer. Frazier became the first man to beat Ali when he defended his world titles against him in 1971, but he will equally [...]