Cricket returns to ITV after 30 years March 4, 2010 ITV is to screen live cricket for the first time in more than 30 years after securing the rights to show the 2010 Indian Premier League. The deal will see freeview channel ITV4 broadcast live coverage of all 59 Twenty20 matches over a 45-day period, starting with a spectacular opening ceremony in Mumbai next Friday. [...]
Trio poised as season hits home straight March 4, 2010 THE expression “squeaky-bum time” may not be familiar to Carlo Ancelotti, but the Chelsea manager would be advised to get used to the sensation. Sir Alex Ferguson famously coined the phrase in reference to the nervous, edge-of-the-seat fidgeting provoked by a tense title run-in. And this season’s Premier League climax is shaping up to be [...]
Chairmen show red card to Champions League play-off March 4, 2010 TOP-FLIGHT clubs have voted to shelve controversial plans to introduce a play-off for the final Champions League place. Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal and Liverpool – the clubs who traditionally occupy the top four spots – are thought to have led objections to the proposal. Premier League chairmen decided against examining its feasibility any further at [...]
Twelve parties interested in buying Portsmouth, claims administrator March 4, 2010 PORTSMOUTH administrator Andrew Andronikou claims there are as many as 12 parties interested in buying the debt-ridden club. Pompey became the first Premier League club to slip into administration last Friday after amounting debts in the region of £78m. But although the club were docked nine points and lie rooted to the bottom of the [...]
Mick’s Wolves lack the bite to frighten United March 4, 2010 WOLVES vs MANCHESTER UNITED TOMORROW – 5.30PM ESPN THE relationship between the red and blue sides of Manchester has been especially hostile this season thanks mainly to the Carlos Tevez saga. However, the little Argentinian did his old teammates a huge favour by inflicting Chelsea’s first home league defeat since November 2008 last Saturday. That [...]
Real and Barcelona are football’s Euro fat cats March 1, 2010 LUCRATIVE individual broadcast deals have helped Spanish giants Real Madrid and Barcelona leave Premier League clubs trailing in the wealth stakes and cement their place as the two richest teams in the world. Real last season became the first team in any sport to record revenue of more than €400m (£341m), despite a relatively unsuccessful [...]
Portsmouth back in court after HMRC challenge March 1, 2010 DEBT-RIDDEN Portsmouth are due before the High Court again today after it was revealed Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs had challenged their decision to go into voluntary administration. The Premier League club entered administration on Friday after failing to clinch a last-ditch takeover deal before yesterday’s scheduled winding-up order. Administrator Andrew Andronikou was informed of [...]
West Ham chiefs admit to “ill-judged” spending March 1, 2010 WEST HAM’S “ill-judged” spending has accounted for pre-tax losses of over £16.2m, latest figures have revealed. The club’s finances were plagued by a series of “exceptional expenses” such as a £5.81m payment to striker Dean Ashton, who was forced to retire with a long-term injury in December. They also haven’t been helped either by a [...]
Neville: Utd and England need Wayne March 1, 2010 GARY NEVILLE believes club colleague Wayne Rooney has become so important to England and Manchester United that an injury to the striker would spell disaster for both teams. Rooney is enjoying his prolific season yet, having scored 28 goals already, and has almost single-handedly led United to victory on several occasions, not least on Sunday [...]
Vindicated Benitez aims ‘Barca’ jibe at Allardyce February 28, 2010 LIVERPOOL boss stoked his feud with Blackburn manager Sam Allardyce after seeing his side win a feisty clash at Anfield and keep up the chase for a Champions League spot. Keith Andrews drew Rovers level from the penalty spot after Reds captain Steven Gerrard had put the home side in front. But fit-again Fernando Torres [...]