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 [...]
Jankovic stands firm September 30, 2009 TENNIS: Seventh seed Jelena Jankovic continued to take advantage of shock early exits suffered by other top-ranked players after cruising into the quarter-finals of the $2m Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo. The Serb was leading 6-1, 3-0 when opponent Elena Vesnina withdrew with a thigh muscle strain. She now takes on 14th seed Marion Bartoli [...]
Four get England call-ups September 30, 2009 RUGBY LEAGUE: Four players from Huddersfield and Hull KR have been added to the England train-on squad for the end-of-season internationals. Giants hooker Scott Moore and prop Eorl Crabtree, as well as Hull KR full-back Shaun Briscoe and winger Peter Fox, have been called up by coach Tony Smith after their clubs were eliminated from [...]
Arsenal late show as Van Persie breaks Greek resolve September 29, 2009 ARSENAL (2) vs OLYMPIACOS (0) ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger enjoyed the luxury of shrugging off his side’s wastefulness after late strikes from Robin van Persie and Andrey Arshavin maintained their 100 per cent start in Europe. The Gunners allowed a host of chances to pass them by until the 78th minute, when Van Persie converted [...]
Liverpool stunned by Jovetic brace September 29, 2009 FIORENTINA (2) vs LIVERPOOL (0) LIVERPOOL boss Rafa Benitez blamed a shambolic first half showing for his side’s first away defeat in the Champions League for almost 18 months. Teenager Stevan Jovetic struck a quick-fire brace to hand Fiorentina a shock victory over the Reds, who had not lost on the road since their semi-final [...]
Black Caps end England’s purple patch September 29, 2009 ENGLAND captain Andrew Strauss shrugged off his side’s emphatic defeat to New Zealand, insisting it would have no bearing on their Champions Trophy chances. The Black Caps’ four-wicket victory in Johannesburg ensured they reached the semi-finals by winning Group B and consigned England to their first loss of the tournament. Already assured of a last-four [...]
Massa targeting comeback at season’s final grand prix September 29, 2009 FERRARI’S Felipe Massa hopes to race for the first time since his life-threatening crash in little more than four weeks’ time at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. The Brazilian, who spent days in a coma following the horror smash in July, had not been expected to return to F1 before next season. But Massa has [...]