FA chairman Greg Clarke quits after sparking racism row with ‘coloured footballers’ comment November 10, 2020 Football Association chairman Greg Clarke has stepped down after attracting widespread criticism for referring to “coloured footballers”. Clarke made the remarks during a gaffe-laden appearance before MPs at a select committee hearing this morning. He attracted further derision for suggesting Asians and Afro-Caribbeans had “different career interests” and that homosexuality was “a life choice”. Clarke [...]
Explained: Why Amazon Prime Video is showing the Autumn Nations Cup and what it means for rugby November 10, 2020 Amazon Prime Video acquired the rights to rugby’s Autumn Nations Cup for an estimated fee of £16m-£20m and it looks a potential win for all parties. Years ago, it may have been seen as a risk selling your media rights to Amazon. But now the e-commerce giant looks like it could make a lasting impact [...]
Premier League confirms plans to scrap controversial pay-per-view model November 10, 2020 The Premier League has confirmed it will scrap its controversial pay-per-view model after a fierce backlash from fans. The new model, which was introduced following the international break in October, means fans have to cough up £14.95 to watch games not selected for regular broadcast. The move sparked anger among supporter groups, who raised hundreds [...]
Five substitutions and fixture congestion: Won’t somebody think of the rich Premier League superclubs? November 9, 2020 It was a good weekend for sales of tiny violins in football’s moneyed north-west heartlands, as familiar debates about five substitutes and fixture scheduling bobbed to the surface. On Sunday, Pep Guardiola revealed he and Jurgen Klopp enjoyed a touchline grumble about the cap on mid-game changes after Manchester City and Liverpool’s draw. Twenty-four hours [...]
The Week In Sportbiz: Premier League set to axe pay-per-view (for now), Formula E gets cosier with Extreme E, and Gosper gives US his World Cup vote November 6, 2020 Less than a month after its introduction, Premier League clubs are expected to ditch their unpopular pay-per-view service. Since debuting on 17 October, half of all games have been restricted to those willing to pay £14.95 a time. Fans groups protested the extra charges by successfully urging people to donate thousands of pounds to food [...]
The definitive live sport TV guide you need to make it through lockdown 2 November 5, 2020 Lockdowns are rubbish, but lockdowns with a stacked sporting calendar to watch are slightly less rubbish. And as England battens down the hatches until 3 December, at last sport fans have a feast of action to get us through. The Masters, the Autumn Nations Cup, the ATP Tour Finals and an England cricket tour are [...]
Premier League, EFL and FA chiefs to be grilled by MPs over Project Big Picture and bailout impasse November 5, 2020 MPs have demanded to grill Premier League, English Football League and Football Association chiefs over Project Big Picture. A Department for Culture, Media and Sport select committee wants to quiz Richard Masters, Rick Parry and Greg Clarke next week. The session is focused on a failure to agree a rescue package for clubs outside the [...]
Marcus Rashford and the new player power: it won’t be long until clubs and sponsors put a price on it November 4, 2020 Just when you think that 2020 can’t throw up any more surprises, Marcus Rashford, a 23-year-old footballer, becomes the government’s loudest source of opposition. At the time of writing there’s been no U-turn on extending the provision of free school meals when faced by Rashford’s campaign. But by generating support and sentiment through his 3.7m [...]
Billionaire-backed International Swimming League threatened with legal action over unpaid fees November 3, 2020 The star-studded International Swimming League has been threatened with legal action by a British digital agency over unpaid fees. LiveWire Sport, whose clients also include the Premier League, Wimbledon and the Jockey Club, says it is owed a six-figure sum by the ISL. The ISL, whose swimmers include Britain’s Adam Peaty and fellow Olympic champions [...]
We’re shaken and stirred in 007’s new Land Rover Defender November 3, 2020 We drive one of the Land Rover stunt cars from No Time to Die, then sample the new Defender 90 on and off the road.