Olympics: Tokyo welcomes foreign divers to test event May 2, 2021 Diving and volleyball on Saturday became the first Olympic test events to include international athletes since such competitions resumed last month, as both began under close supervision in Tokyo. The diving World Cup, also a qualifier for this summer’s Games, features more than 200 athletes from 50 countries including powerhouse China. “We’re not allowed out [...]
Hal Robson-Kanu interview: West Brom and Wales footballer on his health drink business, the Turmeric Co, and targeting more Euros glory May 2, 2021 2016 was a breakthrough year for Hal Robson-Kanu, and not only because he scored one of international football’s most memorable goals. His strike against Belgium at the European Championship – a Cruyff turn and finish that Johan himself would have been proud of – sent Wales into a major semi-final for the first time and [...]
European Super League fallout: Tottenham fans’ group calls for radical shake-up of football club ownership May 1, 2021 Club executives involved in the failed European Super League were forced to resign from advisory roles at the Premier League this week. The move was a consequence of England’s so-called ‘Big Six’ – Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, Manchester United and Tottenham Hotspur – agreeing to join a new breakaway competition which collapsed under the [...]
How to celebrate International Viognier Day in style April 30, 2021 It’s the 30 April, which may as well be my birthday, as it’s the international celebration of one of my favourite types of wine – Viognier. And it is a Friday, so let us all raise a glass to this aromatic, romantic grape. It’s like it knew it was the start of the weekend. Viognier [...]
BT confirms talks to offload stake in TV arm in broadband push April 30, 2021 BT has confirmed that it is in talks with major streaming platforms to offload a stake in its television arm as it focuses on its broadband division. BT Sport launched in 2012 in a bid to take out rival Sky which has accrued somewhat of a monopoly on Premier League television rights. It confirmed this [...]
Captain Tom’s family open fundraising drive at Lords April 30, 2021 Members of Captain Sir Tom Moore’s family were at Lord’s Cricket Ground today to mark the start of the Captain Tom 100 Challenge – a weekend of fundraising in honour of the second world war veteran who raised £38.9m for the NHS at the start of the Coronavirus pandemic. They were joined by former England [...]
Week in Sportbiz: Taxman cometh for football (again); BT Sport; Simone Biles; social media boycott; and NHS x NFL draft April 29, 2021 HMRC has cashed in by increasing scrutiny of the football industry, so perhaps it should be no surprise that the taxman has begun a new crackdown on players and clubs. Investigations into footballers almost tripled in 2019-20, while those concerning clubs more than doubled. The result was an increase from £35m to £73m in tax [...]
Culture Corner: Your regular City arts round-up April 29, 2021 As we look forward to the City reopening for business, we’re ready to start up our Culture Corner series again, pointing you in the direction of the best arts and culture within the Square Mile and championing the role of the arts within the business community. Read more: Picnic in style with our top restaurant-in-a-box delivery [...]
The Mitchells Vs The Machines is the feel-good film of 2021 April 29, 2021 It’s rare to find an original film that generate a lot of hype in this sequel and ‘shared universe’ obsessed industry. However, when there’s a new film from the producers of Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs and the much-adored Into The Spider-Verse, people sit up and pay attention. Netflix certainly did, paying big money [...]
Ollie Phillips: Why I think Owen Farrell could be left out of the British and Irish Lions squad April 29, 2021 Picking a British and Irish Lions squad is a tough task even at the best of times. You have to condense the very best from four nations into one 36-man party, taking into account not just rugby ability and form but also which players can fuse quickly and who will be good for morale on [...]