T20 World Cup: The fab four look for a place in the final November 10, 2021 The knockout stages of any tournament provides unparalleled sporting pressure. A simple task, win or go home. There are no second chances, no redos. Sport at its most intense. A stray ball, bad decision or a hot headed moment can make or break a team performance. This week, in the United Arab Emirates, four of [...]
Azeem Rafiq fallout: How much did sponsor pressure contribute to resignations? November 10, 2021 The business of sport and sponsorship is volatile at the best of times, an ever changing landscape of decisions and consequences. It is nothing new for sponsors and clubs to renegotiate their terms – the Indian Premier League saw this in the wake of the Covid-19 pandemic – or quit altogether, as Norwich City decided [...]
Formula 1 must remember fans as on-track rivalries bloom November 9, 2021 An injury-time score, a shot at goal in the red, a final-over victory. Whatever the occasion, sports fans love a tight affair. The 2005 Ashes, the 2018-19 Premier League title race, and now the 2021 Formula 1 drivers’ championship; it could really be that close. The closest intra-team championship in the last five years came [...]
Joe Marler out of Australia match following positive Covid-19 test November 9, 2021 Joe Marler will miss England’s next autumn international against Australia on Saturday after testing positive for Covid-19. The prop, who plays for defending premiership champions Harlequins, tested positive in both his lateral flow and PCR tests. In a statement, the Rugby Football Union (RFU) said: “Joe Marler has tested positive for Covid and will be [...]
Newcastle United announce Eddie Howe as their new head coach November 8, 2021 Newcastle United have today announced the appointment of Eddie Howe as their head coach. The club, who were last month purchased by a Saudi Arabian-led consortium, had been looking for a head coach since they sacked Steve Bruce in October. On his appointment, Howe said: “It is a great honour to become head coach of [...]
England’s fly-half options offer glimpse into an exciting future November 7, 2021 In England’s dominant win over Tonga on Saturday, the scoreline was never really going to be the point of discussion. For the first time since the 2020 Six Nations more than 80,000 spectators packed into Twickenham, and at the weekend they were offered a glimpse of what a future England side could look like. Amid [...]
Aleki Lutui: Tonga need to express themselves against England November 5, 2021 It hasn’t been the easiest of periods for the paradise island nation of Tonga, somewhat isolated from the rest of the world during the pandemic with many unable to return home for nearly two years. In difficult times people look to sport for hope and in the ‘Ikale Tahi, the national rugby side, the people [...]
Yorkshire suspended from hosting England matches over race fallout November 4, 2021 Yorkshire County Cricket club (YCCC) have been suspended from being able to host international matches, the England and Wales Cricket board (ECB) announced yesterday. In response to Yorkshire’s handling of the Azeem Rafiq race report, the ECB have said financial sanctions may be considered as well as any future consideration for the Headingley Stadium to [...]
McLaren launch Extreme E livery as they announce new driver November 3, 2021 McLaren Racing have launched their Extreme E livery on a day which also saw the the motorsport group announce Emma Gilmour as their new driver. Unveiled at a Cop26 event by the Prince of Wales, the livery will feature as motorsport giant enters the sustainable racing series. On becoming McLaren’s first female driver, Gilmour said: [...]
Sponsors quit Yorkshire over club’s handling of race report November 3, 2021 Emerald Publishing have become the latest brand to disassociate themselves with Yorkshire County Cricket Club (YCCC) following the club’s handling of racism claims made by Azeem Rafiq. In a statement, Emerald Publishing said: “We have taken the decision to remove our brand association with YCCC and Headingley Stadium. “We do not tolerate any form of [...]
