Irish left red faced by late Scarlets rally January 17, 2010 LONDON Irish coach Toby Booth insists his team will bounce back after a spectacular second-half collapse against the Scarlets left their Heineken Cup hopes hanging by a thread. The Exiles led 22-10 at half-time, thanks to tries from Tom Homer, David Paice and Chris Hala’ufia, but ended up 31-22 down to the Scarlets, who lie [...]
Pompey sue threat leaves League cold January 17, 2010 PREMIER LEAGUE chief Richard Scudamore has dismissed Portsmouth’s threat to take legal action if their transfer embargo is not lifted. Bottom club Pompey have demanded the removal of the ban – for failing to settle debts to other clubs – so they can buy players in the January transfer window. They have even threatened to [...]
Zaki claims Hull loan move January 17, 2010 FOOTBALL: Hull are set to sign Egypt forward Amr Zaki on loan until the end of the season, according to the player. Zaki shone on loan at Wigan last season but the move ended in acrimony when he fell out with boss Steve Bruce. The 26-year-old, who is contracted to Zamalek in his homeland, has [...]
Henry to face handball inquiry January 17, 2010 FOOTBALL: France striker Thierry Henry will today face world governing body Fifa over his infamous handball which helped deny the Republic of Ireland a place at the World Cup. The incident, which set up William Gallas’ decisive goal in November’s play-off, sparked global outcry. But Henry could escape sanctions as Fifa’s disciplinary code only allows [...]
Hatton not keen on Khan bout January 17, 2010 BOXING: Former two-weight champion Ricky Hatton says his farewell fight is unlikely to be against fellow Englishman Amir Khan. The 31-year-old, beaten by Manny Pacquiao in May, is planning one more fight this summer before retiring. “Amir Khan has still to do it at two weights and win four more world titles like I have,” [...]
Trio of injuries deepen Reds’ misery January 14, 2010 LIVERPOOL’S traumatic week went from terrible to cataclysmic yesterday when a glut of fresh injuries saw top scorer Fernando Torres ruled out for at least six weeks. Under-fire Reds manager Rafael Benitez must have wondered how circumstances could get much worse on Wednesday night after watching his side’s FA Cup hopes die with a third-round [...]
Milner’s strike puts Villa in sight of Wembley final January 14, 2010 BLACKBURN (0) vs ASTON VILLA (1) JAMES MILNER’S first-half strike helped Aston Villa take a big step towards a Wembley final, while piling on the misery for under-fire Rovers boss Sam Allardyce. Milner finished off a classic breakaway move midway through the half, turning in Stewart Downing’s cross to hand Martin O’Neill’s side the advantage [...]
Fiery Steyn inflicts pain to send poor England crashing January 14, 2010 PAUL COLLINGWOOD insists England’s dramatic first innings collapse was not as bad as it seemed as South Africa took charge of the fourth and final Test in Johannesburg. Fast bowler Dale Steyn made full use of the seamer-friendly conditions to bag figures of 5-51 as England surrendered for a paltry 180 on a dismal opening [...]
Redknapp hit with tax evasion charge January 14, 2010 TOTTENHAM manager Harry Redknapp will appear in court next month after being charged with two counts of tax evasion. Redknapp, 62, is accused of cheating the public revenue of around £40,000, relating to two payments totalling £183,000 from former Portsmouth chairman Milan Mandaric. Ex-Pompey manager Redknapp was charged yesterday after voluntarily attending Bishopsgate police station [...]
We can win the Six Nations, claims Ugo January 14, 2010 UGO MONYE is backing England to answer their critics with a first Six Nations title in seven years. The Red and Whites have not lifted the trophy since Clive Woodward’s since triumphed in 2003 – before they then went on to win the World Cup. Head coach Martin Johnson captained the team that year and [...]