Will the real Abramovich please stand up? February 14, 2012 POPULAR wisdom has it that Chelsea manager Andre Villas-Boas is facing his moment of truth, but the next week promises to tell us at least as much about the man who hired him, Roman Abramovich. Villas-Boas swept into Stamford Bridge in the summer at a cost of £28m armed with a reputation as the next [...]
It’s business as usual for Rangers, say administrators February 14, 2012 ADMINISTRATORS insist Rangers’ fixture against Kilmarnock on Saturday will go ahead despite the club entering into administration yesterday. The Scottish champions became the biggest British club yet forced to take the step, which carries an immediate 10-point penalty in the Scottish Premier League. Paul Clark, of London-based administrators Duff and Phelps, said the move would [...]
Mancini treated me like a dog, says returning Tevez February 13, 2012 MANCHESTER CITY exile Carlos Tevez has jeopardised his fragile hopes of a rapprochement by launching a fresh attack on manager Roberto Mancini, who he accused of treating him like a dog. Tevez, who is due back at the club today following four months of bad blood, revealed he once nearly came to blows with Mancini [...]
Sponsors urged Reds action February 13, 2012 Standard Chartered complained to Liverpool over Suarez LIVERPOOL sponsor Standard Chartered has confirmed it raised concerns with Reds chiefs over striker Luis Suarez’s latest flashpoint with his Manchester United nemesis Patrice Evra. The Anfield club issued a flurry of apologies on Sunday after severe criticism of Suarez’s refusal to shake hands with Evra before Saturday’s [...]
Hazard drops big Tottenham hint February 13, 2012 LILLE’S coveted Belgian winger Eden Hazard has revealed Tottenham could be his unlikely destination in the summer. The 21-year-old, who is being targeted by a number of stellar European clubs, is to leave the French champions in the close season and has already indicated his desire to move to the Premier League. “Maybe I’ll go [...]
Curbishley in line for Wolves job February 13, 2012 FORMER West Ham and Charlton manager Alan Curbishley has emerged as the early frontrunner to replace Mick McCarthy after Wolves made the Yorkshireman the third Premier League boss to be sacked this season. McCarthy’s five-and-a-half-year reign was brought to an end yesterday following Sunday’s 5-1 Premier League humiliation at home to West Midlands rivals West [...]
Administration to claim biggest scalp in Rangers February 13, 2012 SCOTTISH champions Rangers look set to this week become the biggest British club to plunge into administration. The Glasgow outfit took legal steps yesterday to notify the courts of their intention, which would carry an instant 10-point penalty in the Scottish Premier League. It follows months of speculation about the threat of administration and comes [...]
There’s no logic in a punitive tax on bank bonuses February 12, 2012 LET us imagine two bankers. Let’s call them Jocelyn and Alastair. Last year they were both paid £2m. Jocelyn had a basic salary of £500,000 and a bonus of £1.5m. Alastair had a basic salary of £2m and no bonus. Who thinks that Jocelyn should pay more in tax than Alastair? Ed Miliband seems to [...]
Efficient City regain top spot with Villa win February 12, 2012 ASTON VILLA (0) vs MANCHESTER CITY (1) Lescott’s winner sees Mancini’s men leapfrog rivals Man United and manager reveals their title tilt could be boosted by the return of disgraced striker Tevez MANCHESTER CITY climbed back to the top of the Premier League yesterday following victory at Villa Park and their bid for the title [...]
Liverpool, Suarez and Dalglish sorry for handshake snub February 12, 2012 LIVERPOOL chiefs have attempted to repair the damage caused by the Luis Suarez saga by issuing a series of apologies for his and manager Kenny Dalglish’s conduct before and after Saturday’s defeat to Manchester United. Suarez admitted he had been wrong to refuse a pre-match handshake with United defender Patrice Evra, the player he was [...]