Ed Warner: Value of hosting sport found in hearts and minds as well as spreadsheets August 18, 2022 Just what does constitute a sport? Breaking – otherwise known as breakdancing – will debut at the Paris 2024 Olympics. So how about singing with a dose of choreographed body-poppery? The unlikely combination of Vladimir Putin and Sam Ryder is bringing Eurovision to the United Kingdom in 2023. Seven cities – cut from 20 – are [...]
Pandemic widened gap between Premier League and European rivals, says Deloitte August 18, 2022 The pandemic saw the Premier League increase its financial advantage over its rivals in European football, according to a report published today by Deloitte. Despite the almost total absence of ticket revenue as supporters remained locked out of stadiums, Premier League clubs grew revenue during the 2020-21 season and, unlike their competitors, reported improved operating [...]
Ineos boss Sir Jim Ratcliffe wants to buy Manchester United stake August 17, 2022 Billionaire boss of Ineos Sir Jim Ratcliffe wants to buy a stake in football club Manchester United with a view to holding a controlling stake in the Premier League outfit in the future. A spokesperson for the billionaire told The Times: “If the club is for sale, Jim is definitely a potential buyer.” “If something [...]
A green and gold decade: Australia prepares for spell as host of sport’s biggest events August 15, 2022 The sun-kissed nation of Australia is about to embark on a decade-long installation as the centre for world sport. Although it was beaten by Qatar to the rights to stage the men’s football World Cup later this year, the country is set to co-host the women’s equivalent as well as Rugby World Cups, a second [...]
Chelsea 2-2 Tottenham: Thomas Tuchel and Antonio Conte see red in tactical ding-dong August 14, 2022 Matches between Chelsea and Tottenham Hotspur don’t tend to need extra spice but Thomas Tuchel and Antonio Conte provided it in fistfuls anyway today at Stamford Bridge. Tuchel and Conte turned the traditional handshake between opposing managers on the final whistle from a moment of sportsmanship into an arm wrestle – both earning red cards [...]
Arsenal show what Manchester United are lacking: vision and a whole club’s backing August 14, 2022 Those of a Manchester United persuasion raised on their fierce and at times violent rivalry with Arsenal may not like it, but following their calamitous start to the season it may be worth the former looking at their old adversaries for solutions. Having defined the Premier League around the turn of the millennium, both teams [...]
Players as part owners: Is Cesc Fabregas’ deal with Como the future of football? August 14, 2022 As athletes transition to life after professional sport it is natural for them to consider what comes next, and such considerations were highlighted recently by Cesc Fabregas’ recent signing with FC Como. In addition to his wages, the Italian club has said that Fabregas will also become a co-owner. So could this be a trend [...]
Chelsea v Tottenham: London derby offers early clue to capital’s top team August 12, 2022 Tottenham have the chance to justify pre-season talk of eclipsing Chelsea with victory over their manager Antonio Conte’s old team at Stamford Bridge on Sunday, writes Frank Dalleres. It is notoriously futile to the point of being foolish to attempt to divine anything approximating the final Premier League table from the opening skirmishes of the [...]
Trevor Steven: Manchester United must use transfer window to fix serious problems August 11, 2022 The Premier League season may have started but the transfer window remains open until the end of the month – and Manchester United have already shown that they have the greatest need of the top teams to make use of the market. Sunday’s home defeat to Brighton in their opening game served up the familiar [...]
Lessons from Lionesses: What English rugby can learn from Euros for 2025 World Cup August 9, 2022 The iconic Chloe Kelly goal celebration, the record attendance for a final, success on home soil; England Women’s Euro 2022 victory felt like a watershed moment for women’s sport. But in a few years’ time England will be doing it all over again. This time, however, it will be with the oval ball. It was [...]