Ex-champ Alonso inks three-year Ferrari deal September 30, 2009 FERRARI yesterday confirmed the paddock’s worst-kept secret when they named two-time world champion Fernando Alonso as their lead driver for next season. Alonso, 28, has agreed a three-year contract with the most famous team in motorsport, where he will join Brazilian Felipe Massa. The Spaniard, currently at Renault, will take the place of Kimi Raikkonen, [...]
Liverpool deal ‘months away’ say Saudi investment group September 30, 2009 THE SAUDI group interested in buying a 50 per cent stake in Liverpool has distanced itself from a deal, saying any agreement would take months to thrash out. F6, an investment vehicle owned by Prince Faisal bin Fahd bin Abdullah, has emerged as a potential major shareholder after agreeing a separate commercial tie-up with Reds [...]
Clichy: Gunners firing all over the pitch September 30, 2009 ARSENAL defender Gael Clichy says the Gunners have compensated for the loss of £24m striker Emmanuel Adebayor by plundering goals from unlikely sources. Centre-back Thomas Vermaelen leads their scoring charts with four strikes, while his partner William Gallas is one of five players who have netted three times. And Clichy believes it is this goal-threat [...]
Harrington on a mission to regain his Euro status September 30, 2009 PADRAIG HARRINGTON hasn’t given up hope of regaining his status as European Tour No1 despite spending much of the season Stateside. The three-time Major winner currently lies 21st on the Race to Dubai money-list, over €1m behind leader Martin Kaymer. Harrington is looking to claim a third victory in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship in [...]
Fulham face keeper crisis September 30, 2009 FULHAM boss Roy Hodgson is sweating on a goalkeeper injury crisis ahead of tonight’s Europa League clash against Basel. Mark Schwarzer and Pascal Zuberbuhler are the only stoppers fit, but the latter is not registered to play. Hodgson has made a late request to Uefa to allow the Swiss to face his former club. “Otherwise,” [...]
Yeats made to wait for Stars showdown September 30, 2009 FOUR-TIME Ascot Gold Cup winner Yeats has been spared a showdown with Derby winner See The Stars in Sunday’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe. Trainer Aidan O’Brien withdrew Yeats at yesterday’s forfeit stage along with Hail Caesar, although Yeats will instead run in the Prix du Cadran on the same card at Longchamp. Sir Michael [...]
Cheats ‘not widespread’ say experts September 30, 2009 A TASK force created to tackle the scandals that have tarnished the game this year says there is no evidence to suggest cheating is widespread. The Rugby Football Union’s expert panel also found no proof the England team had fabricated blood injuries, as Harlequins infamously did in last season’s Heineken Cup. The Image of the [...]
Rio hits back at criticism from Madrid September 30, 2009 RIO DE JANEIRO’S 2016 Olympic bid team have lodged a formal complaint against rivals Madrid after a Spanish official criticised the city’s credentials. The Madrid team were forced into a humble apology this week after Olympic vice-president Jose Maria Odriozola described the Brazilian city as “the worst of the four candidates”. Odriozola questioned the city’s [...]
Keane gets vote of confidence September 30, 2009 FOOTBALL: Under-fire Ipswich manager Roy Keane has “complete support” from the club’s board despite the team’s poor start to the season. Keane’s men are bottom of the Championship after failing to register a win in their opening 10 matches. But asked if Keane’s job was secure, chief executive Simon Clegg responded: “Absolutely secure. Roy continues [...]
McIlroy admits to US interest September 30, 2009 GOLF: Northern Ireland’s Rory McIlroy is considering playing most of his golf on the US PGA Tour next season. The 20-year-old, currently third on the European money list, said: “The way the schedule is, it makes it a little bit easier for me to play in America next year. “I’m in no great rush but [...]