CANNAVARO FAILS DOPE TEST October 8, 2009 ITALY captain Fabio Cannavaro has failed a dope test after taking a medicine for an insect bite that contained the banned substance cortisone. The 2006 World Player of the Year, 36, has claimed an exemption with Juventus insisting the sting could have become fatal but for immediate medical care. Cannavaro will be interviewed by anti-doping [...]
Grant makes shock return to Pompey October 7, 2009 PORTSMOUTH chief executive Peter Storrie has moved to reassure manager Paul Hart that his job is safe despite yesterday confirming the sensational return of Avram Grant as director of football. Pompey goalkeeper David James warmly welcomed the appointment of Grant, who spent the 2006-07 season in the same role before being lured to Chelsea, where [...]
Mittal tops football rich list October 7, 2009 HIS stake might not even be in a top flight club, but when it comes to financial clout Lakshmi Mittal is in a league of his own. The Indian steel magnate, who owns 20 per cent of Championship side QPR, is now the richest man in British football, according to the latest research. Mittal is [...]
Carrick aims to seize England opportunity October 7, 2009 MICHAEL CARRICK is desperate for the chance to impress boss Fabio Capello in Ukraine on Saturday – and play a part in helping England maintain their 100 per cent World Cup qualifying record. The Manchester United midfielder has continually struggled to hold down a regular starting place in the England midfield, often playing second fiddle [...]
Key man Pietersen expected to be fit for South Africa tour, says captain Strauss October 7, 2009 CAPTAIN Andrew Strauss believes Kevin Pietersen will be fit for the forthcoming winter Test series in South Africa. Pietersen has not played since undergoing an operation on an Achilles tendon injury during the Ashes series in July, and was forced to miss this month’s Champions Trophy after suffering a foot infection. Strauss leads his men [...]
Sharks and Sabres eyeing a chance at world glory October 7, 2009 TWENTY20 kings Sussex Sharks and Somerset Sabres are preparing to take on the world’s best in India this week with the aim of becoming the first-ever Champions League winners. Over £3.6m is up for grabs as 12 teams from the world’s biggest cricketing nations lock horns over 23 games for the inaugural prize. Postponed last [...]
Insurance not the issue in determining Stars’ future October 7, 2009 TRAINER John Oxx has hit back at claims that wonderhorse Sea The Stars will not run in next month’s Breeders’ Cup because of spiralling insurance costs. Reports have suggested that the colt, whose l’Arc de Triomphe win on Sunday confirmed his status as one of the all-time greats, will not travel to Santa Anita, California, [...]
Kubica to join Renault from BMW Sauber October 7, 2009 POLISH racer Robert Kubica has vowed to mount a strong challenge for next season’s world championship after signing for Renault. The 24-year-old, who came third when Britain’s Lewis Hamilton won the 2008 title, is moving as his current team BMW Sauber are withdrawing from the sport. Renault have not won a championship since 2006, when [...]
Heskey’s role is up for grabs October 7, 2009 ENGLAND may well have already booked their place in the World Cup finals in South Africa next summer, but Saturday’s qualifier against Ukraine in Kiev remains a big game for Fabio Capello. While it would normally be an ideal time to experiment, Capello strikes me as the kind of man who believes in keeping the [...]
SPORT IN BRIEF October 7, 2009 Lions reneage Shaw interestRUGBY UNION: South African side Golden Lions have ended their interest in signing England second row Simon Shaw. The franchise stepped up their bid to sign the 36-year-old lock after he impressed on the recent British Lions tour, but the Wasps star has since suffered a metatarsal injury. A Golden Lions statement [...]