SPORT IN BRIEF December 1, 2009 Fifa reject Ireland pleaFOOTBALL: World governing body Fifa have confirmed it will not create an extra place at the 2010 World Cup for Republic of Ireland. The Irish had asked to be allowed to play as a 33rd team in South Africa after losing their play-off to France through Thierry Henry’s infamous handball goal. Fifa [...]
Irish ask for extra World Cup place November 30, 2009 WORLD governing body Fifa are set to turn down the Republic of Ireland’s extraordinary request that they be allowed to play at next summer’s World Cup as an extra team. Fifa president Sepp Blatter revealed Irish chiefs suggested the unprecedented move following last month’s play-off defeat to France, which featured Thierry Henry’s now-infamous handball. The [...]
Drogba: Blues have title edge November 30, 2009 CHELSEA striker Didier Drogba insists his side’s mental strength gives them the edge in the biggest games – and will help them stay in front in the title race. Drogba scored a ruthless double in Sunday’s 3-0 demolition of Arsenal to restore the Blues’ lead at the top of the Premier League to five points. [...]
Forget cups, top four spot is our goal, says Bassong November 30, 2009 TOTTENHAM defender Sebastien Bassong admits he would be happy to be knocked out of the Carling Cup tonight as long as Spurs finish the season in the top four. Harry Redknapp’s men travel to Old Trafford for a last-eight clash against Manchester United, who defeated them on penalties in last season’s final. And Bassong says [...]
City spend eight times as much as United on agents November 30, 2009 MANCHESTER CITY’S lavish recruitment policy saw them splash out almost £13m in agents’ fees alone last year – more than eight times as much as champions Manchester United. City, who have spent close to £120m on signing a host of big-name players in the last 12 months, paid agents £12.9m for transfers and contract negotiations. [...]
Pietersen will hit form, says coach Flower November 30, 2009 ENGLAND coach Andy Flower has urged critics to be patient with Kevin Pietersen following his latest batting flop. The Hampshire ace has struggled for form since being sidelined for four months with an Achilles injury, which forced him to miss the last three Tests of the Ashes series against Australia. Since his return, Pietersen has [...]
Serena hit with record fine for outburst November 30, 2009 WORLD No1 Serena Williams has been hit with a record fine and a suspended three-year ban for her verbal tirade at a line judge during the US Open. The American has been ordered by the International Tennis Federation to pay £53,000 and warned she will be barred from the Grand Slam for three years if [...]
Time to put the bags away November 30, 2009 SO, here we are, back to that fortnight in the calendar where the players can finally hang up their golf bags and visit their families after a long, hard season. The golfing year seems to get more and more demanding on the tour professional these days and the players have certainly earned their closed season [...]
Rees faces injury lay-off November 30, 2009 RUGBY UNION: Scarlets hooker Matthew Rees faces a race to be fit for Wales’ Six Nations opener with England on 6 February after suffering a groin tear in Saturday’s 33-12 defeat to Australia. Rees joined Ospreys wing Shane Williams and Cardiff Blues wing Leigh Halfpenny on the treatment table during the game against the Wallabies [...]
Pacquiao may shun Mayweather November 30, 2009 BOXING: Manny Pacquiao may turn to fight Yuri Foreman before taking on Floyd Mayweather Jr, according to trainer Freddie Roach. The eagerly-awaited showdown between pound-for-pound king Pacquiao and unbeaten Mayweather but Roach has accused the American of dragging his heels. “We want to fight in March and we don’t really want to wait,” Roach said. [...]