Freddie’s loss is hitting home July 20, 2009 WHILE Andrew Flintoff was signing off his Lord’s Test career in style, the stark reality of his imminent retirement began to hit home. Freddie showed yesterday why he remains England’s most potent weapon with the ball and he will be a huge loss to England once this Ashes series comes to an end. Despite giving [...]
Fergie writes off Man City’s title ambition July 20, 2009 MANCHESTER UNITED manager Sir Alex Ferguson has written off big-spending Manchester City’s hopes of mounting a serious Premier League title challenge. City have put champions United in the shade with an £80m summer spree on established stars Carlos Tevez, Emmanuel Adebayor, Roque Santa Cruz and Gareth Barry. But Ferguson insists his local rivals will struggle [...]
Watson heroics force chiefs into rethink July 20, 2009 TOM WATSON’S sensational performance in the Open has prompted tournament officials to review the age limit for past champions. The limit was reduced from 65 to 60 just two years ago, but the exploits of 59-year-old Watson at Turnberry have forced Royal and Ancient Club chiefs into a rethink. Watson’s narrow failure to claim a [...]
Hatton not keen on Khan fight July 20, 2009 BOXING: Ricky Hatton has dropped the strongest hint yet that he may retire form the ring after playing down talk of a British showdown with Amir Khan. Hatton is considering his options following a devastating loss to Manny Pacquiao in May and has been mooted as an opponent for Khan, who claimed the WBA light-welterweight [...]
BHA suspend trainer Burke for 12 months July 20, 2009 TRAINER Karl Burke was yesterday handed a 12-month ban following a British Horseracing Authority investigation into alleged race-fixing. The North Yorkshire-based handler’s suspension will begin on 28 July, and he has until then to appeal the punishment. Former racehorse owner Miles Rodgers has been warned off for life. Burke had been enjoying a successful season, [...]
Harrison gets eight-month ban July 20, 2009 RUGBY UNION: Former Bath lock Justin Harrison was yesterday banned for eight months after admitting drug-related charges. The 35-year-old confessed to taking a prohibited substance at an end-of-season party and then failing to undergo a drug test. Harrison’s former team-mates Michael Lipman, Alex Crockett and Andrew Higgins will face similar charges at a separate Rugby [...]
Sotherton to miss worlds July 20, 2009 ATHLETICS: British hepathlete Kelly Sotherton has pulled out of next month’s World Championships in Berlin with a persistent heel injury. Sotherton, a bronze medallist at the 2004 Olympics and the World Championships two years ago, has failed to beat an injury suffered in February. She said: “I’d probably be able to finish in the top [...]
Alguersuari gets Rosso drive July 20, 2009 FORMULA ONE: Spanish teenager Jaime Alguersuari will become the youngest ever F1 driver at Sunday’s Hungarian Grand Prix. The 19-year-old British Formula Three champion has been confirmed as the replacement for Sebastian Bourdais, who was sacked for scoring just six points in 27 grands prix over two seasons.
Quins fined and Williams banned for ‘faking injury’ July 20, 2009 HARLEQUINS winger Tom Williams was last night banned for 12 months and the Premiership club hit with a £215,000 fine for faking a blood injury. Williams and the club were found guilty of fabricating a cut to his mouth during a Heineken Cup quarter-final against Leinster on 12 April. The apparent injury allowed Quins to [...]
CRISTIANO GIVEN A RON FOR HIS MONEY July 20, 2009 CRISTIANO RONALDO failed to live up to his world record £80m fee on his Real Madrid debut last night against Shamrock Rovers. The Portuguese winger, who moved from Manchester United earlier this month, made little impact as Real struggled to a 1-0 win in Dublin. Another summer signing, French striker Karim Benzema, spared the Spaniards’ [...]