Allardyce rubbishes fan abuse and vows to keep Hammers job May 2, 2014 WEST Ham manager Sam Allardyce has shrugged off supporter discontent and insists he expects to still be in charge at Upton Park next season. The Hammers have lost seven of their last nine Premier League matches and during last week’s 1-0 defeat at West Brom displayed a banner which read: “Fat Sam Out. Killing WHU.” [...]
QPR eye £80m windfall, but rivals stand to scoop £120m May 2, 2014 PROMOTION to the Premier League is worth a minimum of £120m to most teams, but Queens Park Rangers only stand to make £80m if they go up this month. The £120m figure, estimated by Deloitte, is split equally between increased income based largely on more lucrative broadcast deals and parachute payments. QPR, however, already receive [...]
Martinez calls for rule change May 1, 2014 EVERTON manager Roberto Martinez wants Premier League rules governing loan players to fall in line with the rest of Europe for next season, permitting them to appear against their parent clubs. The Toffees have four loan players in their squad, including Chelsea’s Romelu Lukaku and Gareth Barry of Manchester City – tomorrow’s visitors to Goodison [...]
Analyst Views: What do you make of BSkyB’s third quarter set of results? May 1, 2014 PAUL RICHARD | NUMISWe retain our view that Sky is making excellent operational progress, particularly in connected TV services, and we see considerable opportunity in new initiatives including AdSmart and Sky Store, though the Premier League auction continues to overhang the shares. STEVE LIECHTI | INVESTECSky’s third quarter results are mostly as expected with the [...]
BT extends free TV sport offering until 2015 for its 5m subscribers April 30, 2014 BT’S BROADBAND customers will get free BT Sport channels for another year after the company said it has no plans to charge over the next sporting season. The telecoms giant yesterday announced that its sports coverage, for which it has invested around £2bn on securing sporting rights, will continue to be free for new and [...]
Champions League: Seven mad minutes end Blues’ dream April 30, 2014 AT STAMFORD BRIDGE CHELSEA 1 ATLETICO MADRID 3 (Atletico Madrid win 3-1 on aggregate) CHELSEA manager Jose Mourinho was left to curse a pivotal seven-minute spell after his “dream” of leading the club to the Champions League final for the first time was steamrolled by Atletico Madrid last night. Fernando Torres fired the Blues ahead [...]
Spotlight on Financial Fair Play in Football: Man City set to be hit with squad restrictions for FFP infringement April 30, 2014 Manchester City are expected to be forced to field a weakened team in next season’s Champions League as punishment for breaking European financial fair play (FFP) rules. The sanction could take the form of a reduction in the number of players or a cap on the total wage bill of the squad City can register [...]
De Boer reveals talks to be next Spurs manager April 29, 2014 TOTTENHAM have invited Ajax boss Frank de Boer for talks to become their next manager, according to the Dutchman. Tim Sherwood is expected to be replaced at White Hart Lane in the summer after an indifferent start to life in management since succeeding Andre Villas-Boas in December. And De Boer, who guided Ajax to a [...]
Mourinho: Rodgers regrets tactics jibe April 29, 2014 JOSE Mourinho last night drew a line under his dispute with Liverpool boss and former protege Brendan Rodgers. The Chelsea manager revealed his Premier League title rival had spoken to him yesterday to make peace after criticising Mourinho’s tactics in the Blues’ 2-0 win at Anfield on Sunday. Mourinho said: “Pundits are pundits; Brendan is [...]
Premier League: Arsenal close in on Champions League place April 28, 2014 AT EMIRATES STADIUM ARSENAL 3 NEWCASTLE UNITED 0 ARSENAL manager Arsene Wenger has urged his team to clinch a Champions League spot for the 17th consecutive season against West Brom on Sunday after the Gunners last night tightened their grip on a top-four finish. Fit-again record signing Mesut Ozil inspired Wenger’s men to a routine [...]