Younus to step down in ‘fix’ row October 13, 2009 YOUNUS KHAN has resigned as captain of Pakistan despite being cleared of match-fixing allegations by a parliamentary sports committee. Younus, 31, informed the Pakistan Cricket Board of his decision yesterday when attending a hearing to discuss his side’s performance in the ICC Champions Trophy. National Assembly committee chairman Jamshed Dasti had implied that Pakistan had [...]
Schumacher backs Vettel to ruin Button title dream October 13, 2009 SEVEN-TIME world champion Michael Schumacher is backing Sebastian Vettel to pull off a sensational comeback and pip Jenson Button to the Formula One title. With two races of the season to go, Vettel lies third in the standings with Rubens Barrichello two points ahead in second and Button a further 14 points in front. But [...]
Azam fails in appeal against 12-week ban October 13, 2009 GLOUCESTER hooker Olivier Azam was last night ordered to serve his full 12-week ban for kicking England captain Steve Borthwick in the eye. The Frenchman appealed the original punishment for an offence that left the Saracens skipper fearing for his sight and severely swollen. A panel agreed with Azam that the offence merited a less [...]
Phillips: Don’t over-hype the Three Lions October 13, 2009 FORMER England striker Kevin Phillips believes Fabio Capello’s men are primed for World Cup success in South Africa next summer – but has warned against over-hyping their chances. The Birmingham City front man says England boss Capello has a wealth of talent at his disposal, but knows from personal experience that it does not necessarily [...]
MANCINI FOR COUNTY? NOTTS LIKELY October 13, 2009 ROBERTO MANCINI’S agent has rubbished suggestions the former Inter Milan boss could take charge at Notts County. Mancini, who won three Italian titles at Inter, has been linked with the ambitious League Two club due to his friendship with director of football Sven-Goran Eriksson. But Maurizio de Giorgis said: “There is no truth in it [...]
SPORT IN BRIEF October 13, 2009 FAwarn Benitez over gestureFOOTBALL: Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez has escaped with a warning for making an offensive gesture in relation to referee Phil Dowd. Benitez responded to a question about Dowd’s performance following a 2-1 defeat to Tottenham in August by removing his glasses from a pocket and inspecting them. The Football Association deemed the [...]
Lampard has faith in out of sorts England pal Ferdinand October 12, 2009 ENGLAND midfielder Frank Lampard has backed out-of-sorts international colleague Rio Ferdinand to bounce back from his current malaise. Ferdinand was heavily criticised for his performance in the shock defeat in Ukraine on Saturday, in which the Manchester United defender made the latest in a series of high-profile errors. Despite those slips manager Fabio Capello is [...]
Tug-of-war for Eriksson after County boss sacked October 12, 2009 NOTTS COUNTY yesterday sacked manager Ian McParland – paving the way for Sven-Goran Eriksson to make a swift return to management. The Swede looks set to move down from his director of football role with the mega-rich Meadow Lane club. But the 61-year-old has a dilemma on his hands after facing calls from his homeland [...]
Massa upbeat after return to F1 testing October 12, 2009 FERRARI’S Felipe Massa yesterday took the wheel of a Formula One car for the first time since his horror smash but admits his competitive return will have to wait until next season. The Brazilian reached another milestone in his recuperation from July’s life-threatening accident in Hungary, which fractured his skull and rendered him comatose, by [...]
McGeechan awaiting Quins’ next move October 12, 2009 FORMER British and Irish Lions coach Ian McGeechan insists he has not received any contact from Harlequins about taking over at The Stoop. The Scot is a free agent after parting company with Wasps in May and is seen as the ideal replacement for Dean Richards, who quit as director of rugby in the wake [...]