Ferdinand risks Cup final with new ban appeal February 2, 2010 MANCHESTER United have launched a fresh appeal against defender Rio Ferdinand’s four-match ban for violent conduct. Ferdinand was suspended for swinging an arm at Hull’s Craig Fagan last month and then saw the Football Association extend his ban to four games because they deemed his initial appeal “frivolous”. An appeal board will hear the 31-year-old’s [...]
Grant slams Pompey chief for breaking promises February 2, 2010 PORTSMOUTH boss Avram Grant has slammed the club for the broken promises which have left them walking a Premier League tightrope. The Israeli claims he was told he would be in the position to add four new faces to his struggling Pompey side in the January window, but instead saw two of his best players [...]
Schumacher’s neck still raises doctor concerns February 2, 2010 FRESH concerns over the long-term fitness of Formula One comeback king Michael Schumacher surfaced yesterday after his personal doctor was seen monitoring his progress during testing in Valencia. Schumacher, 41, completed 40 laps in his Mercedes on his first return to F1 on Monday, showing no signs of the neck injury which prevented him from [...]
RUGBY UNION | In Brief February 2, 2010 O’Gara returns for Ireland opener IRELAND’S legendary fly-half Ronan O’Gara will reclaim the No10 shirt in the opening game of their Grand Slam defence, against Italy on Saturday. O’Gara comes in for Jonathan Sexton, who starred in the November win over world champions South Africa but misses out with a dead leg. Leinster flanker Kevin [...]
RUGBY UNION | In Brief February 2, 2010 Paterson gets nod for Les Bleus SCOTLAND’S record points scorer Chris Paterson has been recalled as one of six changes for his side’s Six Nations clash with France on Sunday. Paterson will win his 99th cap as a full-back replacement for the injured Rory Lamont, joining Glasgow centres Max Evans and Graeme Morrison in a [...]
New points system for F1 February 2, 2010 FORMULA ONE is to get a new points system for the 2010 season following an agreement between the world governing body, the FIA, and the teams. From now, drivers will be awarded 25 points for every race win – seven points more than for secondplace. F1 bosses believe this will create a “race-to-win” attitude. The [...]
BP annual profits plunge February 2, 2010 OIL giant BP has seen its annual profits plunge 45 per cent after lower oil and gas prices and depressed refining margins took their toll last year. The FTSE 100 group posted replacement cost profits – a measure that takes into account the cost of replacing the company’s oil reserves at current prices – of [...]
New Look to float on stock exchange February 2, 2010 BUDGET High Street fashion chain New Look is planning to float on the stock exchange in a bid to raise £650m. The company, owned by Permira and Apax, said that new shares would be used to pay down debts and help bankroll its expansion plans. It said that a secondary sell-down by existing shareholders was [...]
Madoff’s London unit escapes fraud charges February 2, 2010 THE Serious Fraud Office (SFO) has said it will not take any action against Madoff Securities International – a London arm of frausdster Berine Madoff’s business empire. Directors of the Mayfair-based business have also escaped charges as prosecutors had “insufficient evidence”. The SFO said in a statement there isn’t enough evidence to “provide a realistic [...]
Bolland given £15m mission to save M&S February 1, 2010 THE OUTGOING boss of supermarket chain Morrisons is set for a “golden hello” worth up to £15m after accepting one of the toughest missions on the high street – to turn around Marks and Spencer. Dutch Marc Bolland will receive the package in pay, bonuses and compensation for giving up his previous job when he [...]
