Usmanov overtakes QPR’s Mittal in rich list October 5, 2011 ARSENAL shareholder Alisher Usmanov has overtaken QPR steel magnate Lakshmi Mittal as the second richest man in English football, behind Manchester City owner Sheikh Mansour. Usmanov’s fortune has swelled from £8bn to £12.4bn in the last 12 months, moving him above Mittal, whose wealth has shrunk by a third to £11.8bn, according to research by [...]
Heroes of 1981 mourn Dilley October 5, 2011 MEMBERS of England’s legendary 1981 Ashes-winning side have lined up to pay tribute to fast bowler Graham Dilley, who died yesterday aged 52 following a short illness. Dilley represented his country in 41 Tests and 36 one-day internationals between 1979 and 1989, but will be best remembered for the part he played in England’s remarkable [...]
Button commits his future to McLaren October 5, 2011 FORMER world champion Jenson Button has ended speculation about his future with McLaren by signing a new long-term contract with the Surrey-based team. The 31-year-old joined McLaren in 2010 following his landmark success with the Brawn GP and after a satisfactory first season, when he finished fifth, he has enjoyed holding the upper hand over [...]
Fragile French are there for the taking, says Flood October 5, 2011 Fly-half believes a strong start will render quarter-final a walk in the park ENGLAND fly-half Toby Flood believes World Cup last eight opponents France are in such a state of disarray that a strong opening 20 minute salvo will as good as seal a semi-final spot for the Red Rose. After narrow victories over Argentina [...]
France claim to be stronger for their Tonga trauma October 5, 2011 FRENCH fly-half Dimitri Yachvili insists last week’s humbling at the hands of Tonga has been wiped from the memory banks as preparations for Saturday’s World Cup quarter-final against England intensify. Defeat against the Pool A minnows sparked claims of a mutiny against coach Marc Lievremont, but the Biarritz No9 is adamant those rumours could not [...]
Parker: England will go for the jugular in Montenegro October 5, 2011 ENGLAND midfielder Scott Parker insists there will be no holding back against Montenegro tomorrow night despite only needing a draw to clinch their place at Euro 2012. A point in Podgorica against their closest rivals for top spot in Group G would ensure qualification for next summer’s tournament – but Parker wants a win. “The [...]
THE BREAKDOWN | WORLD CUP BRIEFS October 5, 2011 BOTHA BLOW FOR BOKS SOUTH AFRICA’S vastly experienced lock Bakkies Botha has been ruled out of Sunday’s World Cup quarter-final against Australia after suffering a recurrence of an Achilles injury. There is also no place in the Springboks 22 for talismanic prop Tendai Mtawarira in a side that will be captained by hooker John Smit. Wings Bryan [...]
Farah ends momentous year with Euro award October 5, 2011 BRITISH long-distance runner Mo Farah has capped a sensational season by being named male European Athlete of the Year. The 28-year-old starred at the World Championships in Daegu last month, claiming gold in the 5,000m just days after he was narrowly beaten by Ethiopian Ibrahim Jeilan in the 10,000m. He was equally successful at the [...]
Cape Town to play host to Saracens cup clash October 5, 2011 SARACENS have confirmed they will play their Heineken Cup pool stage clash with Biarritz in Cape Town in January, the first time the tournament will see a fixture played outside Europe. The International Rugby Board and European Rugby Cup have approved an application from the Premiership champions, which will see South Africa become the 10th [...]
European international fixture list set to get major overhaul from 2014 October 5, 2011 ENGLAND games on Mondays and Thursdays will become a regular occurrence from 2014 under a major shake-up of the way qualifying matches for major championships are structured. Fixtures will be grouped into double-headers three days apart and kick-off times harmonised, meaning teams will play on a Thursday and Sunday, Friday and Monday or Saturday and [...]