Houllier tipped to leave Villa May 31, 2011 FOOTBALL: Aston Villa manager Gerard Houllier’s short tenure looks likely to be ended this week due to concerns over his health. The Frenchman, 63, missed the last month of the season after being admitted to hospital with heart problems. Houllier, who only joined the club in September, has since undergone further tests to determine whether [...]
Modric hints at Tottenham exit May 31, 2011 FOOTBALL: Tottenham midfielder Luka Modric has hinted the club’s failure to qualify for the Champions League could prompt him to leave. Modric, who is thought to be a target for Manchester United, said: “I’m happy at White Hart Lane, but when you experience playing in [the] Champions League, you want to keep playing in this [...]
Contador free to defend Tour May 31, 2011 CYCLING: Tour de France winner Alberto Contador is free to defend his title next month after his doping hearing at the Court of Arbitration for Sport was postponed until August. The Spaniard, who faces losing his title and a two-year ban if found guilty, tested positive for clenbuterol during last year’s Tour. Spanish cycling chiefs [...]
Rooney: Leo would find it tough here May 31, 2011 MANCHESTER UNITED striker Wayne Rooney believes it would be hard for his side’s Champions League final nemesis Lionel Messi to prosper in the Premier League in the same way he does in La Liga for Barcelona. Messi orchestrated United’s demise on Saturday at Wembley scoring the second goal, his 53rd of the season in all [...]
WELSH WONDERS May 30, 2011 READING (2) vs SWANSEA (4) SWANSEA manager Brendan Rodgers admitted his side had help from the “footballing gods” on their way to landing Premier League football for the first time in their history and the £90m bounty that accompanies it. The Welsh side roared into a 3-0 first-half lead thanks to a brace from Scott [...]
England blow Sri Lanka away May 30, 2011 ENGLAND captain Andrew Strauss admitted his side’s miraculous victory over Sri Lanka “beggared belief” after the tourists imploded on the final day of the first Test in Cardiff. There was little indication of England’s desire to force a win when Strauss showed more than a hint compassion by allowing Ian Bell, 98 not out overnight, [...]
Blatter stands firm and denies Fifa are in crisis May 30, 2011 UNDER-FIRE Fifa president Sepp Blatter insists talk of the world governing body being in crisis is far fetched and vowed that only “the Fifa family” could prevent him being re-elected unopposed tomorrow. On another extraordinary day of accusations and counter claims involving some of Fifa’s most influential figures Blatter, seeking a fourth consecutive term in [...]
Strauss’ men take a huge step in the right direction May 30, 2011 ENGLAND’S key personnel spoke eloquently in the build-up to the first Test about their desire to become the No1 ranked side in the world, and a few more performances like the one which cleaned up Sri Lanka yesterday will have me believing they can get there. The fact that Andrew Strauss allowed Ian Bell to [...]
Murray’s brave comeback held up by bad light May 30, 2011 THE FRENCH OPEN 2011 BRITAIN’S Andy Murray is just a set away from completing one of the finest comebacks of his career against Viktor Troicki in the fourth round of the French Open. The world No4’s participation was in doubt until he completed a public training session in the afternoon as he attempted to overcome [...]
England call for Sarries star Stevens May 30, 2011 SARACENS prop Matt Stevens has been handed the chance to compete for a place in Martin Johnson’s World Cup squad after he was named in the England Saxons’ party for the upcoming Churchill Cup. The South African-born star missed Sunday’s 38-32 defeat by the Barbarians due to his involvement in the Premiership final win over [...]