Gareth Bale’s Real Madrid transfer faces European probe after British MEP Daniel Dalton demands investigation into possible use of taxpayers’ money in world record £86m transfer February 18, 2016 Real Madrid’s world record £86m signing of Gareth Bale from Tottenham could come under investigation from the European Commission after concerns were raised over the role of bailed-out Spanish banks. Conservative Daniel Dalton and two fellow MEPs have formally asked the Commission to probe the 2013 deal in light of leaked documents purporting to relate [...]
Manchester City join forces with Israeli web-building firm Wix.com in bid to expand digital operation February 17, 2016 Manchester City owners City Football Group (CFG) have joined forces with Israeli web development company Wix.com in a bid to boost digital fan engagement across its various platforms. CFG, who also own New York City FC, Melbourne City FC and a 20 per cent stake in Japanese club Yokohama F. Marinos, will first collaborate with Wix.com [...]
Paris Saint-Germain 2, Chelsea 1: Hiddink upbeat after away goal despite Cavani winner February 16, 2016 Chelsea interim boss Guus Hiddink declared his side still very much in the hunt for a Champions League quarter-final place despite substitute Edinson Cavani handing Paris Saint-Germain a slender one-goal advantage in the tie last night. PSG unleashed £55m striker Cavani in the second half and the Uruguay hitman secured victory for the hosts after [...]
Relegation-haunted Sunderland to reduce cost of season tickets February 16, 2016 Relegation-threatened Sunderland have followed the lead of fellow Premier League side West Ham by announcing reductions to season-ticket prices for the 2016-17 campaign. Adult season tickets at the Stadium of Light next term will start at £350, down by £20, and the move follows widespread supporter unrest at the growing cost of attending top-level matches in [...]
Champions League: Chelsea boss Guus Hiddink warns Eden Hazard to forget possible Paris Saint-Germain move as teams prepare to meet again February 15, 2016 Chelsea manager Guus Hiddink has urged Eden Hazard to forget any prospect of a big-money move to Paris Saint-Germain and focus on proving he is fit again by helping to halt the in-form French champions. Hazard appeared to give his suitors fresh hope when he said it would “difficult to say no to PSG” in a [...]
FA Cup final tickets to be cut by £5 each as Football Association responds to growing fan unrest at match-day costs February 15, 2016 Football Association chiefs have cut ticket prices for this year’s FA Cup final and semi-finals amid supporter unrest at the growing cost of attending top-level matches. All tickets for the 21 May showpiece have been reduced by £5 while seats at the two semi-finals in April, which are also held at Wembley, have been cut [...]
Manchester City 1, Tottenham Hotspur 2: Pochettino grants Spurs fans permission to dream of Premier League title glory February 14, 2016 Tottenham manager Mauricio Pochettino granted his side’s supporters permission to start dreaming of a first top-flight crown since 1961 after they asserted their title credentials with victory at fading Manchester City. Playmaker Christian Eriksen struck a late winner after teenage substitute Kelechi Iheanacho had levelled to cancel out Harry Kane’s opener from the penalty spot following [...]
Arsenal 2-1 Leicester: Arsene Wenger hails Danny Welbeck return as super-sub strikes winner in title duel on comeback from 10-month injury lay-off February 14, 2016 Arsenal 2-1 Leicester Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger toasted an 11th-hour decision to include fit-again Danny Welbeck after the striker climbed off the bench to head a stoppage-time winner against title rivals Leicester on Sunday. Welbeck marked his first appearance following a 10-month injury lay-off with his first Premier League goal since December 2014 after fellow sub [...]
Arsenal 2-1 Leicester: Proud Ranieri gives players a week off despite defeat in top-of-the-table clash February 14, 2016 Leicester boss Claudio Ranieri has given his team a week’s holiday to recover from a morale-sapping blow to their hopes of completing a fairytale Premier League title triumph. A 2-1 defeat at rivals Arsenal cut their lead to just two points with 12 games remaining, as the Gunners and second-placed Tottenham stepped up their chase of [...]
Aston Villa 0, Liverpool 6: Humiliated Garde questions Villans’ fighting spirit after six-goal hammering February 14, 2016 Aston Villa boss Remi Garde admitted that he was left humiliated as Liverpool ran riot to inflict his relegation-threatened side’s heaviest home defeat in the Premier League era. Goals from striker Daniel Sturridge, making his first league start since Jurgen Klopp took charge of Liverpool in October, and James Milner gave Liverpool a 2-0 half-time [...]