Why it’s time for Ofcom to red card the rising cost of watching live football on TV November 17, 2015 The ever-increasing cost of watching Premier League matches on live TV is hitting fans where it hurts. UK fans pay at least twice as much to watch half the games as fans in Europe. In Germany, France, Spain and Italy, all their live games are available to watch at a much lower cost than in [...]
Why Jesse Lingard’s call-up is no surprise: Data shows England’s experience levels steadily on the wane November 17, 2015 Is England's football team less experienced than ever? Roy Hodgson's current squad includes players such as Dele Alli, Jack Butland and Jesse Lingard, who have only made a handful of Premier League appearances but have been quickly promoted to the international stage. Lingard, for example, has only played five times in the Premier League and [...]
Depleted England call-up Manchester United rookie Jesse Lingard for France friendly November 15, 2015 Injury-hit England have called up Manchester United rookie Jesse Lingard for tomorrow’s friendly against France at Wembley despite him clocking up just 193 minutes of Premier League action for the Old Trafford club. Three Lions boss Roy Hodgson opted to swell his already depleted England party after Lingard’s club-mate Michael Carrick and top-flight leading scorer [...]
Josh Harris: What can Crystal Palace fans expect from the next American billionaire to invest in the Premier League? November 13, 2015 Crystal Palace look set to be the next Premier League club to welcome foreign investment, with American private equity tycoons Josh Harris and David Blitzer on the cusp of buying an 18 per cent stake each in the Croydon club. The pair co-own National Hockey League franchise the New Jersey Devils, while Harris' interest in sport [...]
England boss Roy Hodgson admits being unsure of strongest Three Lions side despite being months from Euro 2016 November 12, 2015 England manager Roy Hodgson has admitted that he does not know his strongest side despite only having a handful of matches remaining before next year’s European Championships in France. Hodgson has confirmed that skipper Wayne Rooney will be rested for Friday's friendly clash with Spain in Alicante, but that he is set to return against [...]
Manchester United reveal record revenue as Adidas kit deal triggers 186 per cent rise in merchandise income November 12, 2015 Manchester United's earnings rocketed over 100 per cent to a new record thanks to its lucrative shirt sponsorship deal with Adidas and a return to the Champions League. The figures Revenues at Old Trafford hit £123.6m in the quarter ended 30 September – a 39.3 per cent rise from £88.7m a year ago. Earnings before [...]
Sunday trading: Liberalising retail laws is a win-win for staff, shoppers and business November 11, 2015 Yesterday saw – amidst what is best described as confusion – the Government enact a classic reverse ferret on plans to devolve the regulation of Sunday trading hours to Local Authorities, after members of the SNP joined Labour and some Tory dissenters in registering their opposition to the plans. It is deeply disappointing. It is, [...]
How bad is Manchester United’s attacking under Louis van Gaal? Fewer chances, shrinking shots and less goals – the numbers don’t look good for the Old Trafford boss November 11, 2015 Commands of “Attack! Attack! Attack!” have become noticeable in their regularity and forcefulness in recent Manchester United games. Manager Louis van Gaal has been criticised for appearing to force functionality into United’s cavalier DNA, as attacking moves become more synonymous with sideways passing than ferocious forays into the final third. But is the suggestion United [...]
Why the future of the BBC’s sports coverage is made even more uncertain now Sky has renewed its Premier League highlights deal November 10, 2015 Last week Sky announced that it will be making Premier League highlights available on demand next season, after renewing its rights to "near-live highlights", the value of traditional highlights programmes, in particular, the BBC’s flagship football show, Match of the Day, into question and again leads to serious discussions about the future of sport on [...]
Tottenham named Premier League’s best team for club-trained players amid new low in the division November 10, 2015 Premier League clubs are giving fewer chances to their young players than ever before, a new study has found. This season just 11.7 per cent of players in the league play for the club that trained them – down from 13.8 per cent last year. Tottenham are currently the most effective club at blooding academy [...]