No problems with Nasri’s attitude July 13, 2011 ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger has praised the attitude of his unsettled midfield star Samir Nasri. The France international is stalling on signing an extension to his contract, which expires next summer, amid significant interest from Manchester United and Manchester City. he 24-year-old featured as a second half substitute in Arsenal’s 4-0 win over Malaysia yesterday [...]
Springbok skipper Smit all set for Saracens move July 13, 2011 PREMIERSHIP champions Saracen’s have completed the flagship signing of South Africa captain John Smit. The 33-year-old, the most capped skipper and forward in Springbok’s history, will join upon the conclusion of October’s World Cup in New Zealand. “I am delighted to have signed for a club widely renowned for their ferocious work ethic,” said Smit. [...]
Cavendish rejoices after snatching green jersey July 13, 2011 BRITAIN’S Mark Cavendish powered to victory on stage 11 of the Tour de France and moved into the sprinters’ green jersey in the process. The 167.5 kilometres route from Blaye-les-Mines to Lavaur came down to the expected sprint finish and Cavendish’s HTC-Highroad team controlled it superbly in the torrential rain. Heading into the finish Mark [...]
Bad boy Barton is banned from US July 13, 2011 NEWCASTLE’S preparations for their pre-season tour of the United States were thrown into disarray yesterday when two players including Joey Barton were refused entry into the country. Barton (right), 28, who was given a six-month jail sentence after admitting assault and affray in 2008, has been denied the necessary permission to travel with the rest of [...]
QPR complete double swoop July 13, 2011 FOOTBALL: Premier League new-boys QPR have completed the signings of England internationals Jay Bothroyd and Kieron Dyer. Bothroyd, who made his England debut last November, joins on a free from Cardiff while Dyer, whose career has been beset by injuries, was released by West Ham a the end of last season. Meanwhile, west London rivals [...]
Ex Wasps chief Hanks joins Sale July 13, 2011 RUGBY UNION: Sale Sharks have appointed former Wasps director of rugby Tony Hanks as first-team coach. The 40-year-old, who left Wasps as director of rugby in February, will look after the side’s attack, game plan and defence. Sale director of sport Steve Diamond said: “He is the final piece of the off-field jigsaw and we [...]
US senators call for probe on News Corp July 13, 2011 AS NEWS Corp’s BSkyB bid lay in tatters, a potentially devastating storm gathered pace in the US yesterday. Two senators called for the Justice Department and Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to investigate whether News Corp broke US laws banning payments to influence a foreign official, relating to the phone hacking scandal at News International. [...]
WHAT NEXT FOR NEWS CORP (AND HOW HOT COULD IT GET)? July 13, 2011 RETURNS FOR BID IN A YEAR Murdoch didn’t build the world’s most powerful media empire without overcoming some major hurdles along the way. Calling time on the bid when he did stopped a parliamentary vote that would have rendered green-lighting any future approach politically untenable. Cameron has called on him to “clean his own house” [...]
Messy divorce for politicians and journalists July 13, 2011 A MARRIAGE breakdown rarely brings out the best in people. The temptation to pursue vendettas for past grievances can become overwhelming. As the media-political partnership ends in the divorce courts, it is getting messy. The politicians most angrily seeking revenge on the press are those who felt most hard done by in the expenses scandal [...]
Hedgies nurse losses after BSkyB sell-off July 13, 2011 THE frantic sell-off of BSkyB shares following the collapse of News Corp’s bid cost arbitrage investors hundreds of millions of pounds as they liquidated their holdings overnight, data showed yesterday. BSkyB’s share price has plunged 18 per cent in the past week as merger arbitrage funds, which buy shares in both a target company and [...]
