Rangnick disappointed after lacklustre United’s 1-1 draw with Newcastle December 28, 2021 Manchester United boss Ralf Rangnick said he “did not like the performance at all” after the Old Trafford club laboured to a 1-1 draw with relegation-battling Newcastle United. Allan Saint-Maximin scored for the Magpies early on before United equalised through Edinson Cavani deep into the second half. United struggled against Newcastle and Rangnick criticised his [...]
Ashes: Australia retain the urn as they seal 3-0 series win Down Under December 28, 2021 Australia have retained the Ashes urn over England after securing the third Test and taking an unassailable 3-0 lead Down Under. The Baggy Greens were favourites to retain the trophy they’ve held since 2017 but the 3-0 scoreline blew England away. England were bowled out for 68 in their second Melbourne innings, their eighth lowest [...]
Record 103 new Covid-19 cases announced by Premier League December 27, 2021 A record 103 positive Covid-19 tests have been identified in England’s top-flight football league in the seven days leading up to Sunday. The last two weeks have seen a sharp rise in cases among the Premier League, with 90 cases identified in the prior week. A total of 15 Premier League hames have been called [...]
Manchester United striker Anthony Martial tells club of wish to leave December 27, 2021 Manchester United striker Anthony Martial has told Ralf Rangnick, the club’s interim manager, that he wishes to leave the club. The Frenchman joined the Old Trafford club from Monaco in 2015 for £36m – then a transfer record for a teenage footballer. Since then, he has played 268 times for United, netting 79 times. Rangnick [...]
Best of 2021: Why Saudi Arabia bought Newcastle United December 27, 2021 In this article, originally published in October, sports business expert Professor Simon Chadwick explains the strategic background to the takeover of Newcastle United by a consortium headed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund – and why it about much more than football. After years of speculation, prevarication and consternation, Saudi Arabia has at last sealed [...]
Sports law year in review 2021: Were our predictions right? December 26, 2021 In December 2020, while others may have been preparing for muted New Year’s Eve celebrations in light of the new coronavirus variant, we were busy making sports law predictions for the year ahead for City A.M. In summary, we predicted a rise in data-related disputes on the back of Project Red Card, the further growth [...]
Best of 2021: Football training can be safer with VR technology December 26, 2021 Technology is ever-changing, and that includes in sport too. Matt Hardy took a look at how new VR could revolutionise the way football teams train. Originally published on October 15. A whipped cross and a powerful header towards goal are staples of football and the essence of set-piece tactics used by every football team. But [...]
Best of 2021: Forest Green owner Dale Vince on saving the planet, one match at a time December 26, 2021 In this interview from March 2021, pioneering eco-entrepreneur Dale Vince discusses the rise of the football club he owns, Forest Green Rovers, the world’s first vegan and carbon-neutral team, who play on an organic pitch in kits made of recycled coffee beans. With a large green Union Jack behind him and a casually dishevelled appearance, [...]
Best of 2021: How Drive to Survive and esports helped save Formula 1 December 24, 2021 In this article, originally published in March 2021 to mark the start of what would prove to be a landmark season, Frank Dalleres looks at how Formula 1’s owner Liberty Media helped shake off its male, pale and stale image and won a whole new generation of fans, including in some crucial territories. It feels [...]
Watch: Anti-vaxxers attempt to ‘serve papers’ on football hero Alan Shearer, only to end up at wrong house December 23, 2021 A group of anti-vaccination activists tried to “serve papers” on footballer Alan Shearer today, but ended up dropping the files off at the wrong house. The former England captain and Newcastle United hero last week urged people to get the booster in a video promoted by the Premier League. In the clip, Shearer said: “We [...]