Organisers fear revolt over IPL security fears February 18, 2010 THE Indian Premier League could yet suffer a host of high-profile withdrawals over fresh security concerns. World Cricketers’ union chief Tim May claims to have received a number of worried phone calls from players after terrorist threats were made from an operational arm of Al-Qaeda through an Asian news agency. The message, reportedly from 313 [...]
Kearney blow for Ireland as Wales lose key forward trio February 18, 2010 IRELAND have been dealt another major blow ahead of next weekend’s Six Nations clash with England after full-back Rob Kearney was ruled out with a knee injury. The Leinster star suffered the injury in the 33-10 defeat by France in Paris last Saturday and is expected out for between three and five weeks. It is [...]
SPORT | IN BRIEF February 18, 2010 Sackey signs up with Toulon RUGBY UNION: England winger Paul Sackey has signed a two-year deal to join Jonny Wilkinson at French side Toulon when he leaves Wasps in the summer. Sackey, 30, announced he was leaving Wasps last week after making over 100 appearances for the club and helping them to two Premiership titles. [...]
Stars slam Woods as he prepares to come clean February 18, 2010 WORLD No1 Tiger Woods has come under fire from some of his most famous fellow players for choosing today to make a long-awaited public statement on his private life and a return to the game. Woods is due to break more than two months’ of silence by addressing a small hand-picked audience at Sawgrass Clubhouse [...]
Miko De Beauchene looks pure Gold to add to tremendous Haydock record February 18, 2010 THE expression ‘horses for courses’ could not be more appropriate when it comes to weighing up the chances of MIKO DE BEAUCHENE in bottomless ground at Haydock. Venetia Williams’ 10-year-old is attempting to win the Blue Square Gold Cup for a second time and represents terrific each-way value at 10/1. The 2007 Welsh Grand National [...]
the INSIDER February 18, 2010 It’s that time of year when the two-year-olds face the stalls for the first time. The outcome is polarised. They are either indifferent to the starting stalls and walk in, or they have to be man-handled into the offending metal framed contraption. Witnessing the careful preparation of 40 or so individuals makes you realise just [...]
City and Reds to share the spoils as battle for fourth spot heats up February 18, 2010 MANCHESTER CITY V/S LIVERPOOL Sunday – 3.00pm THIS game could quite easily decide which team finishes fourth and takes the crucial final Champions League spot. Manchester City and Liverpool have been nip and tuck all season and a 10th home victory of the season for the host side would put them in a hugely strong [...]
Ref ‘mistake’ could cost us, says Wenger February 17, 2010 FC PORTO(2) v/s ARSENAL(1) INCENSED Arsene Wenger insisted referee Martin Hansson had made a “massive mistake” as Arsenal were hit by a Champions League sucker punch in Porto. Wenger was furious after the Swedish official awarded Porto an indirect free-kick inside the box after keeper Lukasz Fabianski had picked up Sol Campbell’s back-pass. Hansson then [...]
Beckham tips red-hot Rooney to scoop top gongs February 17, 2010 FORMER Manchester United darling David Beckham is backing Old Trafford’s latest hero, Wayne Rooney, to achieve world domination. Beckham, who is on loan at AC Milan, was reminded of Rooney’s talent on Wednesday night when the striker scored twice in United’s 3-2 win over the Italians. Manager Sir Alex Ferguson believes the 24-year-old’s current form [...]
League shouldn’t tamper with rules February 17, 2010 WHEN it comes to the plans to introduce a play-off for the fourth Champions League place, I’m with David Moyes and Rafael Benitez. They are both against plans for the teams who finish from fourth to seventh in the Premier League battling it out for the lucrative spot – and so am I. Firstly, it [...]