Millwall v Charlton: The South London derby overshadowed by fans’ fighting for their future off the pitch December 21, 2016 In different circumstances, Charlton’s meeting with Millwall at The Den tonight could be a Sky Sports blockbuster capable of capturing the capital’s attention. The “South London showdown” could sit alongside the “Mersey Monday” with the broadcaster’s branding makeover. It sees two clubs who are producers of England internationals, can boast of a combined 28 seasons spent in [...]
Real Madrid free to sign players next summer after transfer ban is halved December 20, 2016 Real Madrid will be free to sign new players next summer after their transfer ban was halved following an appeal. Fifa had initially banned the club from all transfer activity for two windows starting last summer, for violating rules on signing players 18 or younger. The ban was pushed back to cover this January and next summer after Real [...]
Fifa fines in full: England pay £35,350 for poppy display, but who else got fined by football’s governing body? December 20, 2016 Fifa has raised £1.4m in fines from national football associations in 2016, including £35,350 from England for displaying poppies during November's World Cup qualifiers. Football's governing body has issued punishments for infractions varying from delayed kick-offs, homophobic chants, pitch invasions by dogs and not providing players for post-match interviews. England's Football Association (FA) has appealed against [...]
Exclusive: West Ham transfer boost as club signs up forex and payments provider TransferMate December 20, 2016 West Ham will today announce a deal with global payments company TransferMate that the club believes will give them a significant advantage when buying and selling players. The multi-year agreement sees TransferMate become West Ham’s exclusive foreign currency provider, meaning the club can expect to benefit from better exchange rates and lower bank fees in [...]
Everton 0, Liverpool 1: Sadio Mane’s late goal sends Reds back to second in Premier League after clash marred by Ross Barkley tackle on Jordan Henderson December 19, 2016 Everton 0, Liverpool 1 Liverpool captain Jordan Henderson refused to blame Everton midfielder Ross Barkley for a horror challenge in a feisty Merseyside derby decided by Sadio Mane’s last-gasp winner on Monday night. Forward Mane struck in the 94th minute to inflict Everton’s first Premier League defeat at Goodison Park since March and restore Liverpool [...]
Manchester City 2, Arsenal 1: Arsene Wenger compares referees to “lions in a zoo” after the Gunners’ Premier League title hopes suffer another blow December 18, 2016 Manchester City 2, Arsenal 1 Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger compared referees to “lions in the zoo” after his team’s Premier League title hopes sustained a second swingeing blow in what he termed “a horrible week”. The Gunners looked set to bounce back from midweek defeat at Everton when Theo Walcott fired them into an early [...]
Tottenham Hotspur 2, Burnley 1: Mauricio Pochettino shrugs off Sean Dyche’s complaints after Danny Rose’s controversial winner December 18, 2016 Tottenham Hotspur 2, Burnley 1 Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino shrugged off the complaints of opposite number Sean Dyche after they claimed a hard-fought Premier League win over Burnley on Sunday. Left-back Danny Rose struck a controversial 71st-minute winner to complete Tottenham’s comeback after midfielder Dele Alli had cancelled out an Ashley Barnes opening goal. Read more: [...]
Bournemouth 1, Southampton 3: Jay Rodriguez double earns Saints bragging rights in south coast derby December 18, 2016 Bournemouth 1, Southampton 3 Southampton forward Jay Rodriguez relished his first Premier League brace for two and a half years as they came from behind to win at south coast rivals Bournemouth. Rodriguez, who missed much of the last two season through injury, put Saints ahead from close range and capped the victory with a [...]
Real Madrid fight back to win Club World Cup as Cristiano Ronaldo completes landmark year in style December 18, 2016 Real Madrid 4, Kashima Antlers 2 Newly-crowned Ballon d’Or winner Cristiano Ronaldo capped a landmark year by scoring a hat-trick as Real Madrid beat Japan’s Kashima Antlers to win the Club World Cup in Tokyo on Sunday. Real needed a Ronaldo penalty to force extra-time against their unfancied opponents, after two goals from Gaku Shibasaki [...]
Chelsea record largest loss in six years after ditching Adidas for Nike — but record revenue points to long-term health December 17, 2016 Chelsea recorded their biggest loss in six years last season, after agreeing to pay out of their £30m a year Adidas kit deal. The Blues announced a net loss of £70.6m for the year after incurring exceptional costs of £75.3m — which included compensation fees paid to both Adidas and sacked manager Jose Mourinho. Yet the club's [...]