Villa in 12m Downing deal July 15, 2009 ASTON VILLA are closing in on the £12m signing of Middlesbrough winger Stewart Downing after the clubs agreed a fee yesterday. Downing, who has been ruled out until October with a foot injury, spent the afternoon in the midlands discussing personal terms with Villa. Relegated Boro have admitted they are ready to sell their most [...]
FOOTBALL IN BRIEF July 15, 2009 Blues pair see bans reducedCHELSEA duo Didier Drogba and Jose Bosingwa have both had their European bans reduced by one game after appealing against charges of improper conduct from the Champions League semi-final against Barcelona in April. Drogba will now serve a three-game suspension and Bosingwa two. Black Cats chasing CrouchSUNDERLAND boss Steve Bruce has [...]
Turnberry is a course fit for champions so Tiger should feel perfectly at home July 15, 2009 IT’S no coincidence that on each of the three occasions that Turnberry has hosted the Open Championship that the player standing on top of the world rankings has gone on to become champion. For me, that speaks volumes for the condition of this beautiful Ayrshire course – not least for the dominance of Tiger Woods, [...]
Mosley will quit FIA presidency July 15, 2009 FORMULA ONE: Max Mosley has confirmed he will step down as president of motorsport’s governing body, the FIA, when his term ends in October. And the 69-year-old has backed former Ferrari team boss Jean Todt to be his successor. Mosley has been at odds with leading teams for months over the reform of F1, causing [...]
Record success for Cavendish July 15, 2009 CYCLING: Britain’s Mark Cavendish reclaimed the top sprinter’s green jersey after winning his fourth stage of the Tour de France. Cavendish’s victory was his eighth in total at the event, equalling Barry Hoban’s British record. Italy’s Rinaldo Nocenti retained the yellow jersey and leads Alberto Contador by six seconds, with seven-time winner Lance Armstrong a [...]
Khan primed for Hatton July 15, 2009 BOXING: Promoter Frank Warren says he could pit Amir Khan against fellow Brit Ricky Hatton, if the Bolton youngster comes through his first world title fight. Light-welterweight Khan faces Ukrainian WBA champion Andreas Kotelnik in Manchester on Saturday. “Let’s see if Amir gets the belt first,” said Warren. “I think Ricky Hatton should retire but [...]
It’s Bolt vs Powell in London July 15, 2009 ATHLETICS: Triple Olympic champion Usain Bolt will take on fellow Jamaican Asafa Powell in a top class 100m clash at the London Grand Prix this month. Powell, who confirmed his participation yesterday, was the last man to beat Bolt over that distance, in Stockholm 12 months ago. They will be joined in the race at [...]
Borthwick takes Sarries lead July 15, 2009 RUGBY UNION: Saracens have appointed England captain Steve Borthwick as skipper for next season. Borthwick shared the role with Andy Farrell last year but has been handed sole responsibility following the rugby league convert’s retirement. South African back row Wikus van Heerden will be Saracens’ new vice-captain.
Flintoff: My body has told me it’s time to quit Tests July 15, 2009 ENGLAND’S Ashes preparations took a shock turn yesterday when talismanic all-rounder Andrew Flintoff announced the current series would be his last in Test cricket. Ahead of today’s second clash with Australia at Lord’s, Flintoff said persistent injury problems over the last four years had forced him to reduce his workload. The 31-year-old will continue to [...]
Freddie exit won’t hurt Ashes bid July 15, 2009 ANDREW FLINTOFF’S announcement came as a surprise to no-one. It had become increasingly clear that his physique was not up to the rigours of Test cricket. Retiring from that is the best decision for him – the lesser workload will help his knee, and in any case his game is better suited to one-dayers and [...]