Portsmouth won’t rule out European campaign March 9, 2010 CRISIS club Portsmouth insist they will not be kicked out of the FA Cup, although they are not eligible for European competition should they win the trophy. Cup rules state a club in administration faces the threat of being expelled, but Pompey administrator Andrew Andronikou is adamant the semi-finalists are safe. “The FA are fully [...]
Pietersen flops again as hosts claim farcical draw March 9, 2010 KEVIN PIETERSEN failed with the bat once again as England were forced to settle for a draw in their three-day warm-up game with Bangladesh A in Chittagong. The Hampshire batsman had made just 49 runs in his six previous innings on tour and flopped again after being clean bowled attempting a sweep Mohammad Ashraful when [...]
Tigers won’t be taken lightly March 9, 2010 AT the end of a competitive one-day series and a tough warm-up match against a second string side, England will have come away with plenty to ponder ahead of the first Test match, which starts on Friday. The first thing that the selectors and captain Alastair Cook will have learned is that nothing should be [...]
Williams handed Wales captaincy March 9, 2010 RUGBY UNION: Martyn Williams will be rewarded for breaking Colin Charvis’s Welsh Test forward cap record against Ireland on Saturday by leading his side out as captain at Croke Park. The 34-year-old will win his 95th cap and wear the armband in the absence of No8 Ryan Jones, who has a calf injury. Coach Warren [...]
Khan lands New York showdown March 9, 2010 BOXING: Britain’s Amir Khan will make his debut in the United States when he defends his WBA light-welterweight title against Paulie Malignaggi on 15 May. Khan, who won the title last July, takes on the Italian-American in his hometown of New York, at Madison Square Garden. Khan was due to face Juan Manuel Marquez, but [...]
England to take on Germany March 9, 2010 HOCKEY: England will take on Olympic champions Germany in the World Cup semi-final tomorrow lunchtime. South Korea’s 2-1 victory over the Netherlands ensured the Germans finished top of Pool A, while England were runners-up of Group B, behind Australia. Captain Barry Middleton was pleased with the draw, saying: “In a couple of games we’ve looked [...]
Mickelson wedge is banned March 9, 2010 GOLF: World No3 Phil Mickelson has been banned from using his controversial 20-year-old wedge following a deal between manufacturer Ping and the PGA Tour. The American has been using a Ping Eye 2 wedge, which features U-shaped grooves to generate more spin. But Ping have now agreed to waive the rights to allow its pre-1990 [...]
Gerrard set to escape V-sign rap March 9, 2010 LIVERPOOL captain Steven Gerrard is expected to escape punishment after he appeared to make an abusive gesture at referee Andre Marriner. Marriner is thought to have seen the gesture, during Wigan’s 1-0 win over the Reds on Monday, and decided not to take action. That means the FA will not pursue a charge against Gerrard, [...]
Adebayor plays down Milan link March 9, 2010 MANCHESTER City striker Emmanuel Adebayor has reaffirmed his commitment to the club, for the time being at least, after fresh speculation linking him with AC Milan. The Togo international, who has been at Eastlands less than eight months, was a target for the Italian club before leaving Arsenal last summer. “I signed at City for [...]
King out for two more weeks March 9, 2010 TOTTENHAM are planning to be without captain Ledley King for the next fortnight as they continue their drive for Champions League qualification. Centre-back King, who is hampered by a long-term knee problem, is also currently nursing a thigh injury sustained last month against Wigan. He will miss fourth-placed Spurs’ Premier League visit from Blackburn on [...]