Did Football Leaks kill financial fair play? Where breakaway threats and claims of systematic cheating have left Uefa’s rules December 6, 2018 Credibility has always been hard to come by for Uefa’s financial fair play rules, but a series of recent claims involving some of the sport’s richest and most powerful clubs has made the European governing body’s attempts at regulation look weak at best and, at worst, doomed. Central to the current crisis surrounding FFP is [...]
Amir Khan interview: British boxer on his last fights before retirement, why he’s not like Floyd Mayweather, and his new charity project with City firm ThinkMarkets December 6, 2018 On the eve of his 32nd birthday and now in the autumn of his career, Amir Khan is in reflective mood. On this visit to the Square Mile, Khan is mulling how long he has left in boxing, how he wants to be remembered as a fighter, the state of the sport and what he [...]
John Arne Riise interview: Former Liverpool left-back on retirement, punditry, poker and his ambition to become a manager December 6, 2018 John Arne Riise retired from playing football two years ago. But unlike some, the former Liverpool player did not make a clean break from the sport. He did not crave time away. Far from it. The Norwegian’s enduring love of football has meant he hasn’t gone far since hanging up his boots in June 2016, [...]
Top chef Francesco Mazzei chats to his friend and neighbour, the fashion designer Ozwald Boateng, over pasta and fresh truffle at his Savile Row restaurant Sartoria December 6, 2018 Starter Truffle doughnuts Francesco Mazzei: Do you remember how we met? It was at a lunch with Prince Charles at Highgrove about 10 years ago. This is a great story. You went up to him and he said, “I think you need a new suit…” I said, ‘Fuck!’ I couldn’t believe it. Ozwald Boateng: I [...]
A Christmas Carol review: The Old Vic’s revival stars Stephen Tompkinson as the miserly Scrooge December 6, 2018 Matthew Warchus’ joyous adaptation of A Christmas Carol returns to the Old Vic, only this time with Stephen Tompkinson in the miserly lead role, rather than Rhys Ifans. Warchus is no stranger to adapting literary classics for the stage, having masterminded Matilda and The Lord of Rings previously. For Dickens’ greatest morality tale, he enlists [...]
Sorry to Bother You review: Boots Riley’s provocative and ambitious satire about corporate greed is unforgettable December 6, 2018 Musician Boots Riley bursts onto the film scene with this hilarious and horrifying satire of American consumerism. Lakeith Stanfield is superb as Cassius, who takes a job as a telemarketer and finds success by using a ‘white voice’ (David Cross) to put customers at ease. What follows is a surreal, captivating journey into the heart [...]
The Old Man and the Gun review: Robert Redford bows out on a high in this future classic crime caper December 6, 2018 Dir. David Lowery (12A) Robert Redford announced he’s retiring from acting during the summer, which means this festival favourite is his final performance. It’s fortunate, then that this film is perfect for his own brand of enigmatic charm. Presented in a retro style, evoking the stylish 70s dramas of Redford’s heyday, everything about it is [...]
Ollie Phillips: Leicester need to face harsh realities if they are to end losing streak in Champions Cup this weekend December 6, 2018 Leicester travel to Paris to play Racing 92 in the Champions Cup on Sunday on a losing run and in a difficult position. The Tigers are second in Pool 4, with one win and one defeat from their opening two matches, but are not playing well and haven’t won a match since 6 October. Coach [...]
Manchester United 2-2 Arsenal: Five things we learned as poor defending defines scrappy Old Trafford draw December 5, 2018 Jose Mourinho isn’t one to be understated and with his side struggling he used the visit of Arsenal to Old Trafford to make a point. Paul Pogba, Romelu Lukaku, Juan Mata and Marouane Fellaini were all left on the bench, with £47m summer signing Fred not even in the squad. Pogba and Lukaku both came off [...]
Chris Tremlett: Jofra Archer can become world-class – his availability is a huge bonus for England ahead of important year December 5, 2018 Jofra Archer is one of the most talented young cricketers in the world, so the fact he will be eligible to play for England next year is very exciting. The England and Wales Cricket Board have sped up the process from seven years of residency to three, meaning Archer, who was born in Barbados but [...]