London brawling: Why the city has become a combat sports capital again May 15, 2023 Wrestling and MMA have followed boxing in staging huge shows in London this summer, cementing the city’s reputation as a leading destination for combat sports’ biggest events. An earthquake hit the world of professional wrestling earlier this month and its epicentre was London. All Elite Wrestling, formed to compete with the all-conquering World Wrestling Entertainment, [...]
Women’s FA Cup final prize money and how it compares to men’s FA Cup May 13, 2023 The winners of the Women’s FA Cup final between Chelsea and Manchester United on Sunday are in line to receive record sums thanks to a major boost to prize money. There is £100,000 on offer to whichever team lifts the trophy at Wembley, where Chelsea will be looking to triumph for a third year in [...]
Chelsea respond to supporters’ warning with season ticket price decision May 11, 2023 Chelsea have bucked the Premier League trend and announced a freeze on their cheapest general admission season ticket prices for next season. The majority of teams in English football’s top division, including Manchester United, Arsenal, Liverpool and Manchester City, have hiked their prices for the 2023-24 campaign. But Chelsea chiefs have decided to maintain their [...]
24 places and Tulsa: Why Westwood, Poulter and LIV Golf’s Brits need an upturn in form May 11, 2023 Since LIV Golf launched last year, Ian Poulter and Lee Westwood have rarely been out of the headlines for long. Sure, commissioner and CEO Greg Norman has been LIV’s most prominent spokesperson and Phil Mickelson and Dustin Johnson its two most high-profile signings but, after that, the British pair have been the focus of much [...]
Ed Warner: Taking part is all well and good, but compelling sport is about winning May 11, 2023 “The important thing in the Olympic Games is not winning but taking part.” Really, Baron? That’s so 19th century! I’d love to hear the thoughts of a time-travelling Pierre de Coubertin in the Stade de France at Paris 2024, or perhaps in the stands at a Premier League football match, or ringside at a heavyweight [...]
Back-to-back Jacksonville Jaguars games pave way for London NFL franchise May 10, 2023 The NFL is stepping up preparations for a possible London franchise by handing the Jacksonville Jaguars a historic double-header in the capital later this year. The Jags, who have staged a game in London every year since 2013, will become the first NFL team to play two fixtures in consecutive weeks outside the United States. [...]
Qatari bidder Sheikh Jassim rules out Manchester United move for Lionel Messi May 10, 2023 Manchester United will not make any attempt to sign Lionel Messi on a free transfer this summer if Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani buys the club. Messi, 35, is due to leave Paris Saint-Germain next month when his contract with the Qatar-owned French champions expires. His availability has sparked a €1bn scramble for his [...]
English rugby bans high-ranking official from Twickenham for using N-word May 10, 2023 A former Rugby Football Union council member has been banned from Twickenham after admitting making racist comments at a Six Nations match last year. Alex Murphy said to an unnamed volunteer as they walked to the council box at the England v Wales game in 2022, “You realise they don’t let n****** in the Royal [...]
Ed Warner: English cricket must accept that The Hundred is dead in the water May 4, 2023 England gave cricket to the world. It followed up with the generous present of T20. The Hundred, though, remains a gift unwrapped and a spurned England and Wales Cricket Board is now scrambling to secure its place in the crowded T20 world market. It’s not too melodramatic to say that the future of first class [...]
Play it again, Sam: Leeds confirm Allardyce appointment for four-game rescue mission May 3, 2023 Leeds United have confirmed the appointment of former England manager Sam Allardyce in a bid to swerve relegation from the Premier League. Allardyce becomes the club’s third manager this season and replaces Javi Gracia, who has been sacked after winning just three times in his 12 games. Leeds currently sit 17th in the Premier League, [...]