Greg Clarke accuses Sam Allardyce of “letting us down badly” but defends reported £1m pay-off and the Football Association’s due diligence October 17, 2016 Football Association chairman Greg Clarke says Sam Allardyce “let us down badly” during his 67-day England reign but defended the decision to pay the manager a settlement reported to run to seven figures. In an appearance before the House of Commons’ Culture, Media and Sport Committee on Monday, Clarke also insisted that the FA had done [...]
Middlesbrough 0, Watford 1: Aitor Karanka jibes laughed off by Hornets boss Walter Mazzarri October 16, 2016 Watford boss Walter Mazzarri brushed aside cries of a lack of sportsmanship from Middlesbrough counterpart Aitor Karanka after the Hornets bulldozed their way into the Premier League’s top half with victory at the Riverside Stadium. Karanka accused Watford’s players of time-wasting and being prone to simulation during a clash settled by a long-range effort from [...]
Jose Mourinho set for Football Association probe over comments regarding selection of referee Anthony Taylor for Liverpool clash October 16, 2016 Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho is set to face a Football Association probe into comments he made regarding the appointment of referee Anthony Taylor for Monday night’s showdown with Liverpool at Anfield. The selection of Taylor, who lives six miles from Old Trafford, was criticised by former referee’s chief Keith Hackett, who suggested the choice [...]
Charlton v Coventry game stopped for five minutes by plastic pig protest as fans unite against owners leading clubs into “crisis” October 15, 2016 The League One match between Charlton and Coventry was suspended for five minutes after both sets of fans hurled plastic pigs onto the pitch in protest against their owners. Supporters of the Addicks and Sky Blues want new owners at their clubs and joined forces at The Valley to make their feelings known. Ahead of [...]
Adidas stand to profit as Manchester United’s Paul Pogba tops shirt bestseller list – but could Arsenal look for more from Puma? October 15, 2016 At first glance, Manchester United’s £75m-a-year kit deal with Adidas looked like a vast overpayment on the behalf of the German sportswear manufacturer. Back in 2014 when United’s commercial guru Ed Woodward secured the deal, United had just endured their worst season since the 1980s, the club had failed to attract some high profile transfer [...]
Slaven Bilic refuses to blame London Stadium for West Ham’s early season woe October 13, 2016 West Ham boss Slaven Bilic has refused to lay the blame for his side’s turbulent start to the season at the door of their new home, the London Stadium. The Hammers are currently marooned in the relegation zone having accrued just four points from their opening seven fixtures, while crowd trouble has marred some [...]
Mauricio Pochettino confirms when he expects Harry Kane to return to full training as key midfielder suffers injury setback October 13, 2016 Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino has confirmed that prolific marksman Harry Kane is set to return to full training next week as he continues his recovery from an ankle injury. Kane damaged ankle ligaments during his side’s Premier League victory over Sunderland last month and it was initially feared the England forward would be sidelined for up to [...]
Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger urges Football Association to overlook big names and give England job to Gareth Southgate October 13, 2016 Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger has urged the Football Association to overlook more glamorous names from the world of football management and give the England job to Gareth Southgate. Southgate is halfway through a four-game audition for the role, having been placed in temporary charge following the sudden departure of Sam Allardyce after just one match. [...]
Chelsea sign new kit deal with Nike thought to be worth close to £1bn October 13, 2016 Chelsea have confirmed a lucrative kit contract with Nike that stands to see the American sportswear manufacturer pay the Premier League club close to £1bn. The 15-year, £900m deal is due to start next season, when Nike will replace Adidas as the provider of kit for all of the Blues’ squads, from the academy through [...]
Betting: Foxes set for another tricky away day at Stamford Bridge October 13, 2016 HEAVY is the head that wears the Premier League crown – or at least according to the last two champions it is. After a meltdown at the start of the season that saw them drop as low as 16th last December, 2015 title winners Chelsea ‘recovered’ to finish in 10th. Leicester – the most unlikely [...]