2012 chiefs slam BOA as row ignites March 9, 2011 LONDON 2012 organisers LOCOG last night hit back at the British Olympic Association (BOA) in an increasingly bitter row over cash, calling its complaints “sad”. The hard-up BOA, chaired by Lord Moynihan, believes it was short-changed when it sold marketing rights to next year’s Games to LOCOG for £28m in 2004. Chief executive Andy Hunt, [...]
Barca add insult to Arsenal’s injury March 9, 2011 BARCELONA star Javier Mascherano has accused Arsenal of sour grapes for blaming their Champions League exit on the controversial sending off of Robin van Persie. Gunners manager Arsene Wenger and midfielder Samir Nasri are facing possible European bans after being charged with improper conduct for remarks made to referee Massimo Busacca after Tuesday’s defeat. Both [...]
Robinson out to spoil grand slam March 9, 2011 FORMER England boss Andy Robinson is convinced he can lead Scotland to their first win of this year’s RBS 6 Nations against his old team this weekend. Robinson has rung the changes for Sunday’s clash at Twickenham, recalling backs Simon Danielli, Joe Ansbro and Rory Lawson and flanker Nathan Hines. And the Englishman insists the [...]
SINGH WHEN YOU’RE WINNING: INDIA MARCH ON March 9, 2011 INDIA are all but through to the last eight of the World Cup after a five-wicket win over Holland in Delhi. Only a freak set of results would prevent the co-hosts from making the quarter-finals now, as an unbeaten half-century from the previously out-of-form Yuvraj Singh guided his side to a modest target of 190 [...]
OUTCLASSED March 8, 2011 l Brilliant Barca end Arsenal’s European hopes again l Wenger rages at Van Persie sending off for dissent BARCELONA vs ARSENAL Barcelona win 4-3 on aggregate FURIOUS Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger confronted referee Massimo Busacca after seeing his 10 men played off the pitch and dumped out of the Champions League in Barcelona. Masterful Barca [...]
Red card was a joke, says Van Persie March 8, 2011 ARSENAL striker Robin van Persie branded his red card a “joke” as his side crashed out of the Champions League against Barcelona for the second year in a row. Van Persie was given a second yellow by referee Massimo Busacca card 11 minutes into the second-half for time wasting, just 180 seconds after Arsenal had [...]
Why wing wonder Bale will have Milan terrified March 8, 2011 IF Gareth Bale does return to the Tottenham side tonight, as expected, it will cause great concern in the AC Milan camp. Bale is such a threat wide on the left with his ability to run with the ball at defences, and if he can get in one-on-one situations with Milan’s right-back then the visitors [...]
Expect fiery welcome, Redknapp tells Flamini March 8, 2011 TOTTENHAM vs AC MILAN TOTTENHAM manager Harry Redknapp has warned ex-Arsenal midfielder Mathieu Flamini to expect a white-hot reception tonight following his horrendous tackle on Vedran Corluka three weeks ago. Spurs, who are likely to be able to call upon the services of star midfielders Gareth Bale and Rafael van dear Vaart, hold a one-goal [...]
Injury rules Broad out of World Cup March 8, 2011 ENGLAND’S World Cup hopes suffered another seismic blow yesterday when it was confirmed that fast bowler Stuart Broad will miss the rest of the tournament due to a side strain. The 24-year-old returned to form in Sunday’s thrilling six-run victory over South Africa, taking four for 15 including the decisive wickets of Dale Steyn and [...]
ROSS THE BOSS: TAYLOR HAMMERS PAKISTAN March 8, 2011 NEW ZEALAND batsman Ross Taylor’s extraordinary innings of 131 helped his side to a 110-run World Cup victory over Pakistan. The Kiwis looked set to post low total before Taylor celebrated his 27th birthday by smashing 62 from the last 16 balls he faced as he and Jacob Oram scored a world record 92 from [...]