Liverpool’s Mamadou Sakho out for the season – and maybe longer – after failed drug test April 28, 2016 Liverpool and France defender Mamadou Sakho is set to miss the rest of the season – and could yet be ruled out of Euro 2016 – following his failed drug test. European governing body Uefa today confirmed that it has opened disciplinary proceedings against Sakho and accordingly issued him with a provisional 30-day suspension. If [...]
Crystal Palace manager Alan Pardew enlists helps of England’s Grand Slam-winning boss Eddie Jones in bid to avoid relegation and land FA Cup April 28, 2016 Crystal Palace boss Alan Pardew has tapped into the management blueprint of England’s Grand Slam-winning rugby union head coach Eddie Jones as he bids to secure the first major trophy in the club’s history. The Eagles have reached the FA Cup final and will face Manchester United at Wembley on Saturday 21 May, although a [...]
AC Milan who? Alibaba’s Jack Ma laughs off takeover talk April 28, 2016 Alibaba founder Jack Ma has scoffed at reports he is on the verge of buying a controlling stake in Italian football giants AC Milan. Reports had suggested Ma, Asia’s richest man with a net worth of $33.3bn (£22.7bn), was leading a consortium looking to buy a 70 per cent stake in the club currently owned [...]
It’s a squeaky bum bank holiday as titles, Champions League places, promotions and relegations can all be decided April 28, 2016 The run-in; the business end; squeaky-bum time, as Sir Alex Ferguson dubbed it. Whatever you call it, this is it: the time of the season when clubs’ fates are decided and dreams take shape – or wither and die. Titles, promotions, Champions League places, play-off spots and relegation across English football’s top four divisions could [...]
Liverpool’s name not on Europa League trophy, insists Reds boss Jurgen Klopp despite Dortmund fightback April 27, 2016 Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp has shrugged off any notion that his side’s name is on the Europa League trophy after their stunning quarter-final second-leg comeback against former club Dortmund. The Reds face La Liga outfit Villarreal at the Estadio El Madrigal in the first leg of their semi-final clash on Thursday with memories of their stirring [...]
Tottenham midfielder Dele Alli set to miss rest of season after accepting violent conduct charge April 27, 2016 Tottenham midfielder Dele Alli is set to miss the remainder of the domestic season after accepting a Football Association charge of violent conduct. The charge, which usually carries a three-game suspension, relates to an incident during Monday night’s 1-1 draw with West Brom at White Hart Lane where the 20-year-old appeared to punch Claudio Yacob in [...]
Leicester City: Rise of Ranieri’s men has helped Premier League negotiate sponsorships such as new Tag Heuer deal April 27, 2016 Leicester City's against-the-odds title tilt has strengthened the pull of the Premier League brand for potential sponsors, according to the competition's managing director Richard Masters. From next season, the Premier League is swapping a title sponsor – currently Barclays – for up to seven different commercial partnerships. Swiss watchmaker Tag Heuer was announced as one of those today, [...]
Manchester City 0, Real Madrid 0: Goalless draw is advantage City, insists skipper Vincent Kompany April 26, 2016 Manchester City skipper Vincent Kompany is convinced his side will realise the true value of Tuesday's goalless draw against Real Madrid when their Champions League semi-final tie is determined next week. In a game of few opportunities, City were indebted to goalkeeper Joe Hart for pulling off two crucial late saves to keep the scores level [...]
Liverpool great Alan Hansen’s joy as Hillsborough families savour victory at last in 27-year campaign April 26, 2016 Liverpool great Alan Hansen has revealed his “elation” after the families of the 96 victims of the Hillsborough disaster won their 27-year fight to have the deaths deemed unlawful. The longest jury proceedings in British legal history concluded with a majority verdict of 7-2 that match commander Chief Superintendent David Duckenfield had committed “gross negligence”. [...]
Tottenham midfielder Dele Alli in danger of missing rest of season after being slapped with FA violent conduct charge April 26, 2016 Tottenham midfielder Dele Alli faces the prospect of missing the remainder of the domestic season after being hit with a violent conduct charge by the Football Association. The charges relates to an incident during the first half of Tottenham’s draw West Brom at White Hart Lane on Monday night when Alli appeared to punch Baggies’ midfielder [...]