Manchester United and Uber strike multi-year deal to provide Old Trafford taxi stop for fans January 12, 2017 Manchester United have become Uber’s first ever global sports partner, after the Silicon Valley firm struck a multi-year deal providing it with designated travel routes to Old Trafford. The taxi-hailing app will “enhance fans’ match-day experience at Old Trafford” according to United, who will set up an Uber-dedicated pick-up and drop off zone outside their stadium [...]
Southampton 1, Liverpool 0: Saints march on but let Reds off the hook January 11, 2017 Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp urged his side to make the most of their reprieve after admitting the Reds were fortunate to escape their EFL Cup semi-final first leg at Southampton with only a slender one-goal deficit. A first-half strike from forward Nathan Redmond kept Southampton on course to reach their first League Cup final since Lawrie [...]
Manchester City charged by Football Association over anti-doping rules January 11, 2017 Manchester City have been slapped with a Football Association (FA) charge of infringing anti-doping rules. The two-time Premier League champions, who have until 19 January to respond to the charge, are accused of breaching FA rules concerning players’ whereabouts for the purposes of facilitating drug-testing. Clubs are required to provide the FA with up-to-date details [...]
Manchester United 2, Hull City 0: Jose Mourinho questions celebrations, while United agree to sell midfielder January 10, 2017 Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho believes his side are within touching distance of Wembley despite admitting his irritation at over-zealous celebrations after their opening goal against Hull in their EFL Cup semi-final first leg. United took a significant step towards the first major final of the Mourinho era courtesy of second-half strikes from Juan Mata and [...]
Fifa president Gianni Infantino insists inclusion – not $1bn revenue boost – is behind World Cup expansion January 10, 2017 Fifa president Gianni Infantino insists the decision to expand the World Cup to 48 teams is motivated not by a projected $1bn revenue boost but by a desire to make the competition more inclusive. The football governing body’s council on Tuesday unanimously voted to approve controversial but highly lucrative proposals to increase the number of [...]
Why I think expanding the World Cup to 48 teams is a good idea January 10, 2017 Wembley, October 1987: I remember playing for England as we thrashed Turkey 8-0 in a European Championship qualifier, Gary Lineker scoring a hat-trick. It was our second eight-goal win in three years against Turkey, who at that stage had made it to just one major international tournament. Those days are gone. Turkey have reached the [...]
Fifa votes to expand World Cup to 48 teams January 10, 2017 The Fifa World Cup will include 48 countries from 2026 onwards, expanded from the current 32-nation format, Fifa announced this morning. World football's governing body said the decision to expand the men's tournament had been 'unanimous', in a tweet posted by the Fifa press department. The FIFA Council unanimously decided on a 48-team #WorldCup as of 2026:16 groups of [...]
Millwall handed FA Cup reward with home tie against Premier League side as Chelsea face west London derby January 9, 2017 League One Millwall have been rewarded for dumping Bournemouth out of the FA Cup with another home clash against top-flight Watford in the fourth round. Millwall, who are currently 10th in the third tier, thrashed an under-strength Cherries 3-0 at the New Den on Saturday and will now face Walter Mazzarri’s Hornets in the last 32, which [...]
Fifa set to expand World Cup to 48 teams – and bank $1bn in extra revenue January 9, 2017 Controversial but highly lucrative proposals to expand the World Cup from 32 teams to 48 from 2026 are expected to be rubber-stamped by governing body Fifa on Tuesday. Critics say the plans, advanced by Fifa president Gianni Infantino, will dilute the overall standard, produce less exciting matches and could increase the likelihood of teams colluding. [...]
Fifa World Cup expansion vote Q+A: What are the proposals and how do they work? January 9, 2017 Fifa's Council is expected to approve plans to expand the World Cup to a record 48 teams from 2026 when it meets to vote on the issue on Tuesday. Here is the lowdown on how it works. What is being proposed? The first expansion of the World Cup since 1998, from 32 teams to 48. [...]