Arsenal, Chelsea and other Premier League Champions League places under threat from Juventus resurgence May 14, 2015 England's biggest football clubs are currently enjoying an era of unprecedented financial dominance, with all 20 Premier League outfits reckoned to be among the 40 richest in the world. Spiralling revenue, driven by ever-swelling television contracts, has afforded even the most modest English top-flight teams the cash to outbid all but the most prestigious sides [...]
Chelsea FC have received over £1bn Roman Abramovich loans in 12 years May 14, 2015 Roman Abramovich's loans to Chelsea have risen above the £1bn mark. Chelsea's billionaire Russian owner has loaned a total of £1,041,243,000 to Fordstam, the company through which he owns the Premier League champions. According to Fordstam's latest accounts for the full financial year ended 30 June 2014, Abramovich's loans to the club rose by £60m [...]
Manchester United: Ed Woodward “pleased” with Louis van Gaal as revenue rises in third quarter May 14, 2015 Manchester United made £95m in the first three months of 2015 thanks to an increase in commercial revenue and sponsorships. The figures The Premier League giants said they were "pleased" with manager Louis van Gaal's first season in charge but expect the Dutchman to deliver trophies next season. Commercial revenues at the club jumped 11.7 [...]
Vaughan: KP ban will hurt coach search May 13, 2015 FORMER skipper Michael Vaughan has compounded fears that the continued exclusion of controversial batsman Kevin Pietersen could harm England’s chances of attracting a top-class candidate to the vacant head coach position. Vaughan’s comments followed ex-Australia opener Matthew Hayden and leg-spinner Shane Warne questioning whether leading coaches would be prepared to work under such restrictions. England’s [...]
Chris Tremlett: I’m not sure we’ve seen the last of Kevin Pietersen in England colours May 13, 2015 It was one of the best knocks I have ever seen and I was lucky enough to be down the other end for some of it. I am, of course, talking about Kevin Pietersen’s career-best innings of 355 not out against Leicestershire at the Kia Oval. Batting at No10, I joined him when he [...]
SPFL agrees £2m Ladbrokes sponsorship deal May 13, 2015 After three seasons without a main sponsor, the Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL) has finally found a backer: it's agreed a deal with bookmaker Ladbrokes. The SPFL said the deal, which comes into effect at the beginning of next season, was the "biggest ever of its kind in Scottish football" although it did not specify the [...]
Andrew Strauss explains Kevin Pietersen England exclusion – full transcript May 13, 2015 England’s new director of cricket Andrew Strauss and Tom Harrison, the chief executive of the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), faced journalists yesterday to explain why they would not be recalling Kevin Pietersen for this summer’s Ashes, despite the maverick batsman advancing his case with a triple century for Surrey this week. Here is [...]
Pietersen slams ECB betrayal May 12, 2015 ■ Batsman said to have lost £250,000 ■ Strauss offered him ODI adviser role ENGLAND exile Kevin Pietersen last night accused cricket bosses of betrayal after the maverick batsman was told he will not be considered for an international recall this summer. Pietersen believes he was promised a route back into the England reckoning if [...]
Lewis Hamilton’s new Mercedes contract could make him one of 10 highest paid sports stars May 12, 2015 After many months of wrangling, Lewis Hamilton finally looks set to sign on the dotted line for a new £120m ($187.8m) contract with Mercedes. Hamilton's new deal with the Formula 1 team worth £40m a year over three years will make him the highest-paid driver in the sport and catapult him into the world's top 10 [...]
Guardiola rubbishes City job link and insists he will manage Bayern Munich next season May 11, 2015 BAYERN Munich boss Pep Guardiola has categorically denied suggestions he will replace Manuel Pellegrini as manager of deposed Premier League champions Manchester City next season. Guardiola, who has won a domestic league title in five of his six campaigns as a manager, was reported to have reached a verbal agreement with the Etihad Stadium hierarchy [...]